Sicily's main cities and surrounding islands certainly offer plenty to see and do, but if you have even more time to spend touring, you can enjoy still more archeological and cultural sites. The Necropolis of Pantalica, for instance, boasts more than 5,000 tombs cut into the rock quarries, while the town of Taormina offers chances to see and be seen with the most glamorous of Sicily's visitors.

Necropolis of Pantalica

The Necropolis of Pantalica became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The tombs carved out of its rocky hillsides reportedly date from the thirteenth to the seventh centuries B.C. These tombs, which are essentially gutted stone caves, were a way of life for many of Sicily's original inhabitants, who fled the easier life along the coast and plains when the Siculi tribe entered the island. All of this was before Greek colonization, and thus the tombs stand as a timeless reminder of just how long human beings have struggled to control the island.

Taormina

The small town of Taormina is the playground of ritzy resort-goers, the place where tourists go to attend summertime film festivals instead of archaeological museums. Taormina Arte is the summertime arts festival, which includes music and dance as well as theater. Events run throughout June, July, and August, with individual as well as package ticket prices available. Full details, including a schedule of events, are available online in English at www.taormina-arte.com.