Sicily on a budget

A Central Florida airport within a short drive of Orlando and Tampa is getting commercial air service for the first time in more than a decade.

For those looking to visit Sicily and experience it in a new way, a good place to start is the Villa Igiea in Palermo. A cherished landmark, the villa is testament to a great Italian dynasty, theFlorios, who were widely chronicled in Europe for both their business acumen and social prowess, as the Astors and Vanderbilts were in the U.S., during the Belle Epoque. Designed in neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau styles, Villa Igiea was purchased by the Florios to be used as a health retreat for an ailing daughter. Instead they turned it into a hotel, which would come to be known for a glittering guest list that included kings and emperors and film-world royalty like Roberto Rossellini and Sophia Loren. In 2019, Rocco Forte Hotels purchased the historic property and initiated a multi-year refurbishment overseen by Olga Polizzi, director of design and deputy chairman of RFH.

While on the rise in recent years, Puglia is still a relatively undiscovered destination for foreign visitors. Italians, though, have known for a very long time that the region stretching across the heel of the country’s boot is a perfect mix of everything that there is to love about Italy: breathtaking beaches, excellent food and centuries of history in every stone.

Let’s be honest: Alaska isn’t exactly a budget destination.

No one in search of a budget city vacation is going to put Tokyo at the top of their list – this incredible city unfortunately comes with some pretty incredible prices.

Embarking on a trip to Sardinia doesn’t have to break the bank. The Mediterranean island off Italy’s western coast is famously home to the glamorous Costa Smeralda – a favorite destination among film stars, politicians and oligarchs known for its high-end resorts, exclusive clubs and yacht-dotted waters – but thinking that splurging on an opulent holiday is the only way to experience Sardinia would be a mistake.

As 2024 heats up, "The Sicilian Inheritance" is the book on everyone's summer must-read list, buzzing with anticipation. It's a delicious mix of mystery and adventure, served up with a side of Sicilian food and wine, all set against the backdrop of breathtaking scenery and wrapped around a cast of characters that draw you in. But what really makes this book stand out is the heart and soul poured into it by its author, Jo Piazza.

The Amalfi Coast – where glamorous yachts crowd coastal inlets and nights at its bloom-draped hotels can start at €350 – is Italy at its most luxe.

Whether it’s a long weekend getaway or a much-deserved multi-week vacation, travel can be an amazing way to relax and reset from the daily grind. Wanting to be able to afford such an adventure can be a struggle. Many myths about budget travel persist as a sort of “received wisdom” passed down from parents, friends, and across the internet.

Something of a mini-continent, the island of Sicily in Italy ticks most boxes. Adventurer, art lover, beach bum, ruin explorer: this rugged chunk of sun-spun land at the crossroads of the Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Mediterranean seas has enticed ancient and modern peoples with its charms since time immemorial. The result: one of Europe's richest and most extraordinary histories, with an unmatched booty of artistic and drop-dead-gorgeous natural treasures. The food and drink's not bad either.

The 19th-century chestnut ‘The journey is the destination: really doesn’t do justice to the epic-scaled scenery that accompanies every trip in Sicily, big or small. This Italian island straddling three seas might be modest in size, but its varied landscapes are larger than life. Bus, boat, car, train or two wheels: however you get around, Sicily throws up stupendous coastline, mountain and volcano scenery in spades. Going slow is key – but even then, you’ll struggle to ingest a fraction of the natural grandeur en route.

With stunning scenery, restorative fresh air, unique nature and hearty cuisine, it’s no surprise that Switzerland is one of the most popular destinations in all of Europe. It also consistently tops lists of the most expensive places to travel to not just in Europe but worldwide.