The Museo Eoliano in Lipari has produced a highly visual fold out guide to the ancient inhabitants of the Aeolian islands of Lipari, Salina, Filicudi and Alicudi, Stromboli and Panarea.

The map indicates exactly where on each island you need to head to unravel this fascinating history, which is also a history of Mediterranean civilisation.

It all began a little after 2000 BC when adventurers from Greece imported revolutionary ideas and know how. These included the construction of new circular stone and mud structures and the production of bronze and ceramics.

Known for its elaborate masks and allegorical floats, the Carnival of Acireale, province of Catania, in Sicily is considered to be one of the most beautiful celebrations in Italy this time of year.

In a process requiring time and patience as well as talent, local artisans create floats made out of paper-mache or flowers, a local tradition dating all the way back to the 1600s. Displays often depict the satirical masks of celebrities and competition is fierce as prizes are awarded to the best floats in each category.

There are two Ragusas to visit. One is new and called 'superiore', the other is the old baroque heart of the city and called 'inferiore'. Confusingly, Ragusa 'inferiore' is built on the hill and is the medieval and renaissance quarter.

The old town is called Ibla and contains fantastic ecclesiastical buildings such as the 18th century Church of San Giorgio Nuovo (1739-1775) and the Church of S.Maria delle Scale which, as the name suggests, requires a climb of 242 steps to get into it. The church we see today was rebuilt in 1693. Ibla was originally just a Byzantine castle owned by a local count and was called Hybla.

The province of Ragusa is the most southernly in all Italy. Surpisingly, further south than many parts of Tunisia. It is a land of hills and stone walls which slope gradually to the Mediterranean sea and fanned by African breezes.

A few readers have written to us asking how and from where they can pick up old style tablecloths, bed linen and embroidered work in Sicily.

Zafferana Etnea has a refined heart and the historical center is located around the huge Piazza Umberto I. At 600 meters above sea level the view of the Ionian Sea from the public gardens is fantastic.

The impressively named island of Vulcano is the Aeolian Island nearest to 'mainland' Sicily. It is separated from Lipari by a sea channel just 1.6 kilometers wide, itself known as Bocche di Vulcano.

The island of Salina boasts the highest point of all the Aeolian Islands in Sicily. The summit of the crater of the Fossa delle Felci stands at 962 meters above sea level with nearby Porri at 859 meters.

Stromboli has been in the news in the last few years thanks to its aggressive eruptions and tidal wave making properties. In fact, it is the most active of all the Mediterranean volcanoes. When you see a image of the island you can't believe people still live there.

Alicudi & Filicudi sound like a Mesopotamian double act, but are two of the smaller islands of the Aeolian Archipelago. Alicudi is the most westerly of the group of islands and is an extinct volcano, which makes it a lot less exciting to live there than Stromboli.

The island of Lipari, and the town of the same name, are the main centres of the Aeolian Island Archipelago in Sicily. Around 10,000 people live on the island permanently which increases five fold during the summer months.

There are seven main Isole Eolie or Aeolian Islands and they are located off the coast of the province of Messina. They have such wonderful names as Filicudi, Panarea and Vulcano and sound like holiday homes for the Greek Gods in Sicily.

Anyone who has been to the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea will be aware of the triangular symbol of the island. It bears an uncanny resemblance to the famous 'trinacria' of Sicily.

Of all the Easter celebrations across Sicily, the Archi di Pasqua in the town of San Biagio Platani, province of Agrigento, is one of the most suggestive and unusual.

It all began in the 18th century when the town was populated by less than a thousand people. Two confraternities were born named 'Madunnara' and 'Signurara' for the Easter period and each year they compete in a lively and passionate demonstration called the 'Archi di Pasqua' which fills the historical centre of San Biagio Platani.

The Ciane River, the salt-works and the papyrus plants all make the natural reserves in Siracusa a remarkable attraction.

Four terrifying traditional folk events goings on in Sicily during the Easter time.

The name of Cefalù originates from a combination of the Greek word Kefaloidion and the Punic word Kefa meaning head. Both hint at the location of this fine city on the north Sicilian coast in the province of Palermo.

Think again when you visit the province of Messina and then think how big Sicily really is. Taormina, Stromboli, the Aeolian Islands, Capo Milazzo, the Nebrodi National Park and 200km of beaches make up the territory. Enough for 5 years of summer holidays at least.

The offical tourist map of Messina opens with the following lines: "often devastated by all manner of violence, but always rising as a new city from its ashes like the 'Phonecian Arab, (the city) is a very fascinating and emotional human, artisitc and cultural experience". So, where exactly should you head?

The distinctive anvil shape of this part of the east coast of Sicily has been inhabited since the 8th century BC. Do visit the Necropolis of Mola. Nevertheless, the first recognizable town was constructed by the Siculi in the 5th century BC.

Is the fabulous theater in Taormina Greek or Roman? This is a question which remains open among experts and critics.

Giuseppe Migneco, (1908-1997) was one of Italy's most important artists in the sphere of Realism.  An interesting character and very much a man of his century, he was born in Messina in 1908, the very same year of the devastating earthquake which destroyed the city.

Along with Lampione and Linosa, Lampedusa is part of an outcrop of rocks known as the Paelagian Islands. All are located off the south western coast of Sicily and are geologically part of the African continent.

The Pantalica site in the Anapo valley (Syracuse, Sicily) is described by the tourism guides as the 'largest rock necropolis in Europe'. It seems human activity here dates from the 13th century BC after the population of eastern Sicily abandoned their coastal homes seeking stronger protection inland.

From the first inhabitants, the Sicans and Sicels of unknown origin, to the Greeks and the Phoenicians, between whom the indigenous Elymian population was squeezed, Sicily has always remained a place where very different cultures meet and mix. Even today.

Each summer a series of inspiring plays, called 'Cycle of Classical Plays' are held inside the wonderful Greek Theatre of Siracusa or Teatro Greco di Siracusa.

The town of Nicosia is located in the central province of Enna and is the wild heart of Sicily. A place to seek refuge and be left alone, even today.

This was the case with the Lombardi and Piemontese who arrived there around the 12th century, perhaps on their way back from the Crusades.

The Arab expansion and conquest of Sicily led to a period of splendour for the island.

Commerce began to flourish and the quality of life improved maintained by new irrigation methods and the introduction of crops. The coastal cities became repopulated and meeting places for Oriental, Jewish, Greek, Amalfitani and Pisan merchants.

SPERLINGA

Not to be confused with Sperlonga in Lazio, Sperlinga is famous for the engraving "Quod Siculis placuit sola Sperlinga negavit" which translated means "Sperlinga alone refused what pleased the Sicilians".

The atmosphere of Easter in Enna, central Sicily, is very special. The rites of Holy Week date from the Spanish domination of the 15th to 17th centuries when the various confraternities of artisans and artists were authorized to form religious organisations.

The city of Marsala is 30km from Trapani on the very eastern tip of Sicily. It was named after the Arabic Marsa Ali or 'Port of God' and was a Carthaginian stronghold for many years until the Romans eventually took it.