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I speak to many clients who believe that it is impossible that a family holiday will be a fantastic experience for both parents and their children. It seems that culture and luxury do not mix with the demands of youngsters, but I am confident that I have a vacation that will be as fulfilling for the little ones as it is for mum and dad. Our holidays to Sicily allow you to follow in the footsteps of the ancient Greeks and Romans and uncover the remarkable history that would shape much of Europe cultural and political landscape. If you fear that this is unlikely to appeal to the younger members of your tribe, we have the perfect compromise with a visit to the city of Siracusa on the Ionian coast of Sicily - here you can enjoy fascinating ancient ruins and indulge in a luxury lifestyle at our carefully selected properties while your brood enjoys many of the local attractions and facilities. Borgo Pantano This family-friendly hotel is just a few miles down the road from the fascinating archaeological sites of Noto and the Greek Theatre. It is also near the beautiful Vendicari coastal nature reserve, which is a great place to take children as they can burn up some energy exploring the area or trying out the various activities available to them, including hiking, snorkelling and birdwatching. You can spend this time chilling out on the beach! The hotel is also well suited to both little ones and adults. They can tear around the enormous surrounding grounds and enjoy swimming in the impressive figure-of-eight pool, whilst mum and dad can luxuriate in the wellness centre, pool bar and restaurant. It also features satellite TV, Wi-Fi and a free shuttle to the city centre (a 15-minute drive). Child-Friendly Historical Attractions In my experience, there are certain historical attractions that will pique the interest of youngsters during holidays to Sicily. Archimedes This is a tour that I have taken a few times with my own family, and it very cleverly caters to both a young and older audience. It brings the history of Siracusa and Archimedes to life in the Archaeological Park of Siracusa, where you will be shown around the former prison; the Greek Theatre; up secret underground passages and into a brilliant prison-cave that is in the shape of an ear! Along the way, you will be regaled with tales of brave gladiators that will inspire your children’s imaginations. Opera dei Pupi In Sicily, it is impossible to avoid the traditional marionette puppets. They play an important part in Sicilian culture, but they are also very popular with youngsters who will liken them to Pinocchio. A great family activity is to see these puppets in action at the Opera dei Pupi, where the Vaccaro-Mauceri family have been writing and performing entertaining stories for over 100 years. Although in Italian, these shows are mightily impressive in terms of the intricate and colourful puppets, who are expertly brought to life by the highly talented puppeteers. San Giovanni Crypt and Catacombs Many of our clients state that the Catacombs of Giovanni were the highlight of their holiday. These are more extensive than the famous catacombs in Rome and entirely fascinating for any history enthusiast, whilst the children will marvel at the intricate caverns and 20,000 odd tombs. The atmospheric site also features the Crypt of San Marziano and parts of the ancient church which dates back to Early Christian times - an interesting yet slightly spooky day out! For families interested in holidays to Sicily, I think Siracusa is an excellent solution as it provides plenty for mum, dad and the children and it will show your brood that history can be fun. John Dixon is an experienced world traveller and the Managing Director of Prestige Holidays. For over 30 years, he has been providing luxury holidays to Sicily, Bermuda, Croatia and many other destinations around the globe. John tries to visit each of the destinations regularly in order to ensure the quality of his properties, and stay up-to-date about the latest local news and events. He has a taste for the finer things in life and has an interest in arts, history and culture.
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