Siracusa, Sicily, Italy

Dating back to 734BC, Siracusa was once one of the great ancient capitals of Western civilization. Today it’s a lively city with a charming historic center, lovely Baroque architecture and some amazing Greek and Roman ruins, like the monumental Teatro Greco at the Parco Archeologico – one of Sicily’s most impressive archaeological sites. At Siracusa’s heart you’ll find the beautiful island of Ortygia, which was first inhabited by the ancient Greeks. With its quaint boutiques, breathtaking piazzas, bustling markets and tangle of cobblestoned streets, this is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon before enjoying dinner in a family-run trattoria. Try the delicious local antipasto, which consists of thin slices of smoked pesce spada (swordfish) and fresh anchovies marinated in lemon juice.