Egadi Islands

A 20 minute hydrofoil ride from Trapani will take you to Favignana - the largest of three islands and the best equipped for families. The other two are called Levanzo and Marettimo. You can hire bikes or mopeds here (take photo ID) to whizz you round the island's many beaches, bars and maze of streets - or catch a hopper bus. Tuna was once Favignana's main industry and in May/June you can catch the annual Tuna Mattanza - a centuries old method where tuna are surrounded by a ring of boats and caught in a large net. 100 year old quarries can also be explored. Culture aside, the water out here is crystal clear, and the sun is baking hot. The waters are ideal for diving and swimming, and there are boat trips around the islands grottos from the quayside. There are very few trees on the island, so cover yourself in cream as it's very easy to burn. Enjoy an ice cream or caldo-freddo in the town's tranquil cobbled square before you catch the boat home. If you stay late then you'll see the square come alive at night with music, families and couples ambling around.