RomaPolacchi

Agrigento , a famous Greek colony, is an incredible archaeological site located in the heart of Southern Sicily. If you have been disappointed by the state of the ruins of Greek temples in Greece, Agrigento (ancient Akragas) will give you what you've been seeking. The Valley of the Temples boasts several well-preserved Doric temples (and some in ruins) overlooking the rugged Sicilian landscape and the sea. The town's archaeology museum , located in the Convent of San Nicola, contains regional artifacts from prehistory to the Hellenistic era. Don't miss this site, one of UNESCO' s treasures.

"The Last Emperor, " the documentary about the life and career of Roman designer Valentino , opens in the US in March. The Film Forum in NYC on March 18th is the first venue for this exciting movie that has all the fashion world talking. The movie provides an inside look at the high fashion world and all its foibles, and most endearingly portrays Valentino Garavani's 50 year relationship with his partner Giancarlo Giammeti. If you can't get to Manhattan for the show, see it in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas.

InnTravel , a British holiday outfit, is offering unique bicycle tours of Italy. There are two tours of Sicily: The Realm of the Baroque , which is a gentle tour of the beaches, ruins and cathedrals of southeast Sicily (Siracusa and Ragusa are included) and Golden Cities , a more challenging ride through western Sicily beginning at Monreale, travelling down to Selinunte and ending in Marsala. The tours include bicycle rental, hotel accommodations, breakfast and many other meals. The tour company transports your baggage for you from town to town so you can be free to enjoy the scenery as you ride unencumbered. InnTravel also offers biking and walking tours and villa rentals in many other regions of Italy , including Sardinia and the Veneto.

Fruits made of marzipan (frutti di martarona), candied oranges, torroni and cannoli. These are the famous sweets of Sicily. Pasticceria Etna in Taormina does it best and has since 1963. The shop's owner, Giuseppe Chemi, has won Italian awards for his pastries and makes decorating his shop windows with spectacular confectionery creations a priority. Be sure to stop in while you are walking on Taormina's main shopping street (Corso Umberto #112).

An Amalfi Coast specialty is chocolate covered eggplant: melanzana in salsa di cioccolato . It sounds unusual but some restaurants have been making this dessert for a century. In particular, Da Gemma in Amalfi, with its terrace set back from the main piazza, is truly an Amalfi Coast classic. You'll love the seafood and regional dishes-and the view of the Duomo. Via Fra Gerardo Sasso 11.

Le Sirenuse (The Sirens) is indisputably one of the best hotels in Positano . But not only is it unique, luxurious and quintessentially Italian, but it is also right across the street from its own boutique, Emporio Le Sirenuse . The shop is run by Carla Sersale, the daughter-in-law of Antonio Sersale, the hotel's owner. Here you can find everything in exquisite taste: ballet flats by Porselli , Laura Urbinati swimwear, Faraone Mennella jewelry, Venetian glassware and bohemian textiles by Lisa Corti. The shop is Suzy Gershman's ( Born to Shop Italy ) favorite store in all of Italy. Diverti te! 30 Via Colombo.

For the low price of 10 Euros you can purchase the Villa Borghese Card which will get you into one of the sites in the Villa Borghese for free, and the rest of the sites at reduced admission. The sites include the Galleria Borghese (you must book in advance), the Villa Giulia (Etruscan collections) and the Museo Carlo Bilotti . The card also gets you discounts at countless bookstores in the museums, the zoo, cafes, cinemas, parking and even scooter rental! You can even use the card for reduced admission to the Villa Medici , home to the French Academy in Rome. The card is good for one year and can be purchased at various points around Rome including Termini train station and Fiumicino airport. The Villa Borghese is the perfect place for kids in Rome. This card is definitely worth it!

Western Sicily is not for the faint of heart. It's remote (although there are direct flights to Palermo from Rome ) and English is definitely NOT spoken with regularity. But among the many hidden treasures of western Sicily is the North African cuisine, a remnant of the 250 year Berber occupation of the 10th and 11th centuries. Marsala, a town known also for its wine (more on that later) is home to Trattoria Garibaldi. Here, among the steady crowds in the multicolored rooms, you will find what is arguably the best fish couscous in Sicily . The dish is complicated to make but Trattoria Garibaldi gets it right-and it's hailed as the region's finest. The wine list is nice too, so be sure to pick out something regional-a Donnafugata , perhaps.

According to legend, in 1380 the monks at the Carthusian monastery on Capri accidentally created a gorgeous perfume from the dregs of water left in a vase full of Caprese wildflowers. Centuries later the formula for the perfume was rediscovered and Carthusia, I Profumi di Capri , was established. The scents today are still made by hand according to the centuries-old methods and each fragrance is hand-bottled as well. Be sure to stop by the shop and factory when you are visiting Capri. Not only will the scents delight your nose, but you can feast your eyes on the beautiful view of the Tyrrhenian Sea while you shop.

The city of Rome is so committed to bringing customers to its city center sales that it has provided an express bus from Termini Station to the shopping district during Saldi season. The 100 will take you straight downtown and operates every 6 minutes, from 10:30 am to 8:30 pm, 7 days a week. Better hurry as Saldi season ends on February 13th!

To see and be seen is always the top priority in Italy, and Taormina is no different. The best place in Taormina for evening people-watching is the Mocambo Bar in the 9th of April Piazza (Piazza IX Aprile). There's live music every night and the iced tea with lemon granita is a must-have. There's even excellent coffee and wine to be had for 3 Euros a glass. The gelato isn't half bad either. Try it on a brioche, the Sicilian way.