Ustica is a tiny volcanic island located 52 km from Palermo, which is linked by a regular ferry service. This heavenly retreat offers everything you may expect from a Mediterranean island: hiking trails alongside the stunning grottos of the shoreline, crystal clear waters with natural pools, and exciting snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities, including an underwater archaeological trail with Roman artefacts.

One of the finest examples of Medieval architecture in Palermo, the church of Saint John of the Hermits (Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti) is famous for its red domes and architectural design that was greatly influenced by the Arabs during the 12th century. This was originally a mosque that was later converted into a Christian church dedicated to Sicily's hermit monks. Walk along the pretty garden of regional plants and the ruins of the cloister.

Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous of the inner-German border crossing points and a name known the world over, was where Allied border guards would register members of the American, English and French Armed Forces (and their families) before they visited East Berlin. The "Wall Museum – Museum House at Checkpoint Charlie” is right next to this major tourist spot. The museum displays an incredible number of the original means and tools that people used in their escape out of the GDR: from the hot-air balloon to a mini-submarine, plus plenty of real and fake travel documents.