Palermo - Palermo is both the Regional and Provincial Capital.Inhabited since Paleolithic times, Palermo was settled by the Phoenicians in the 8th century B.C.. In 480 B.C., Palermo allied with Carthage and fought in the battle of Himera. The Romans defeated the city in 251 B.C. and after the Barbarian invasions the city experienced a severe decline. With the arrival of the Arabs in 831, Palermo became an important cultural center and continued to flourish during the Norman Period. Due to her strategic location, she continued to play an important part in Sicily's history. The city was greatly expanded during the 17th century with the addition of numerous baroque churched, convents and palaces. After the unification of Italy, Palermo once again experienced a brief period of prosperity. WWII dealt a paralyzing blow to the city's culture and economy, from which she is still recovering.

Mondello– A short distance from Palermo is the former fishing village of Mondello.  This once swampy malaria infested area was drained about a hundred years ago and turned into a beach resort.  The lovely buildings which line the lungomare are done in the Liberty style.  Mondello is known for its beach, nightlife and seafood restaurants.

The Sanctuary of St. Rosalia, patron saint of Palermo, is located at the top of Mount Pellegrino in Mondello.  Legend tells us she, as the daughter of the Duke of Sinibaldo, was promised in marriage to a much older man.  She ran away becoming a hermit and dedicated her life to prayer and penitence.  Five centuries later, the finding of her mortal remains marked the end of a serious plague.  The simple church in the cave is her shrine.

Campofelice di Roccella- It is believed that the original tower on the beach was destroyed by the Arabs in the 900’s and rebuilt in the 1400’s.  The modern town dates from 1699.

Cefalu - Legend tells us that King Roger II was caught in a terrible storm, falling to his knees he prayed for divine intervention and swore an Oath – that if his ship could make it to shore and survive the night, he would build in that place a great Cathedral dedicated to the Mother of God.  History tells us his motives were probably more political in origin.  Never the less, Cefalu has been inhabited since pre-Hellenic times and attained its greatest splendor during the Norman period.  The Duomo is perhaps one of the most impressive Norman monuments on the island.

Caccamo - Possibly founded by the survivors of the battle of Himera in 480 B.C., Caccamo today is known for the crenellated walls of its Castle.  The handsome castle was built during Norman times possibly on the site of an earlier fortress.  Through the centuries it was altered many times by the various ruling families that owned her.  It was also here in the castle that the Norman barons took an oath in their revolt against King William I in 1160.  The town is also known for its numerable churches, especially the Chiesa Madre, originally built in 1090.

Castelbuono - Picturesquely nestled in the Madonie  Mountains and originally a Sican settlement, Castelbuono takes its name from the castle built in 1316 by the Ventimiglia family. The castle's chapel, built in the 17th century, contains the relics of St. Ann. The Town itself is quite charming and the churches are worth exploring.

Monreale - The town developed around the Benedictine Monastery built by King William II in 1172-1176.  The Cathedral is truly the most splendid example of Arab Norman artistry.  The simple façade does not prepare you for the splendors within.  The Cathedral contains the most beautiful and complete cycle of mosaics in the Byzantine tradition. The walls are completely decorated with scenes from the old and new Testaments.

Termini Imerese - Evidence in the caves surrounding the city date from the Upper Paleolithic, Copper and Bronze ages.  It was populated and developed by the Greeks after the destruction of Himera in 480 B.C...   Termini flourished under Roman domination.  Popular for its hot springs and Roman baths, examples of Roman aqueducts can still be seen in the area.

Solunto - The ruins of Solunto are splendidly perched atop Mt Catalfano overlooking the sea.  The original city was one of the first Phoenician settlements in the sixth century B.C..  Later occupied by Greeks and then Romans the city was abandoned in the 2^nd century A.D..  Excavations begun in 1826 continue to this day.

Le Madonie - A large mountain range in the Province of Palermo, much of which has been designated a Regional Park.  Great for hiking, horseback riding and in the winter – skiing!

    Petralia Soprana/Petralia Sottana – Petralia Soprana is the highest town in the Madonie Mountains.  From it’s height at 3763 feet above sea level, you can see all the way to Etna on the east coast.  Under Roman domination Petralia was one of the principal cities that furnished grain to the Empire. Petralia Soprana flourished during the Norman period and continued to expand.  Eventually people settled at the base of the mountain and Petralia Sottana was founded.

    Collesano – The town developed in the 12^th century around the Norman castle which today lies in ruin.  Collesano is one of the gateways into the Madonie Mountains, and is well known for it’s wonderful cheeses.

Ustica- Archeological findings demonstrate that Ustica was settled as early as 1500 B.C.. Her true beauty, however, lies under the sea and along her coast. It is because of these attributes that Ustica was declared the first protected marine reserve in the Mediterranean.