Palermo Italy, Mediterranean Cruises Port Profile

Overview

Experience the colorful sights and pleasing sounds of the regional capital of Sicily by taking a visit to the largest island in the Mediterranean - Palermo. The city boasts of a rich history and a glorious heritage owing to the numerous rulers who have dominated the city for centuries. Due to the influence of different dominators, the city today represents an exotic mixture of several cultures. There are several monuments and architecturally striking buildings, reflecting the rich diverse history of the region. Besides capturing the beauty of 200 km long coastline, tourists to the old town of Palermo can also take pleasure in taking a view of the modern art as well as the masterpieces present in the city from different periods such as Gothic, Renaissance, Romanesque and Baroque architecture. 

Arrival

Upon arrival at the old town of Palermo, tourists will notice that this place has a rustic charm and casts a magical spell with its abundance of beautiful sightseeing attractions and locales. As soon as you step off the ship, you will notice the diversity of rich vegetation present in city. From bananas to lemon trees and pear to palm trees, the beauty of the old town is further accentuated by vegetation. When stepping on this enchanting land, one hardly realizes that there is no other Italian city like Palermo. It is only with a little exploration that a traveler will begin to understand that Palermo is a jewel of the Mediterranean. 

Transportation

It will not be difficult for tourists in Palermo to get around the fascinating city as there are quite a few convenient transportation means. Travelers can walk on foot to discover the amazing sights in the historic district. For those who would like to explore the strong Sicilian character and coastal charm with many of its grand attractions can make use of the Palermo's public transport system. Public bus system is operated by AMAT and is quite cost-effective. It is also safe to take the metro system called the Metropolitana di Palermo existing with 2 lines for a trip around the city. It is advisable not to take private cars to the historic center and on busy shopping streets. Overnight passengers to and from nearby cities like Naples can also avail the ferries to reach Palermo.

Telecommunication

People visiting Palermo and in need of Internet access will not have much trouble finding good Internet cafes as there is the Internet Point on the Corse Vittorio Emanuele and the Aboriginal Cafe on the Via Spinuzza among other outlets. Telephone booths are scattered all over the city in different parts and hence travelers are unlikely to have any trouble making phone calls from Palermo. Hotels in the old European town also allow guests to use their telephone service for making calls to any part of the world. Tourists in need of money will not have to face trouble locating their globally operating banks. ATMs of different banks abound in the region, thereby making it easy for travelers to take out cash whenever they need it.

Shopping

From upmarket designer boutiques to local shops containing hand crafted items, everything can be found to give shopping buffs a pleasurable experience. North of the medieval center is a bustling place featuring some of the high-end shopping stores. Shoppers can also browse the streets along Via Libertà, as well as Via Roma and Via Maqueda, Via Principe di Belmonte to get chic items of all kinds. No trip to Palermo can ever be complete for a shopping lover without checking out the stuff sold at the La Vucciria, found off Via Roma. For clothes, one can browse the colorful stalls in the Mercato di Capo market.  Fresh fruits, fish, vegetables and other food items are available in the Albergheria district of Palermo and other supermarkets dotting the city. Usually shops stay open from Monday to Saturday from 09:00 a.m. to 07:30 p.m.

Attractions

Historic landmarks, majestic buildings, churches, art museums, galleries, theatres and palaces with fountains are scattered throughout Palermo. Tours to the famous city’s attractions are conducted regularly for visitors to give them a glimpse of the historic treasures and glorious past of the region filled with diversities.
• Teatro Massimo
• Politeama Garibaldi
• Cappella Palatina
• Chiesa e Chiostro di S.Giovanni degli Eremiti
• Museo delle Marionette "A. Pasqualino"
• Il Capo
• Galleria Regionale Siciliana
• Palazzo Reale o dei Normanni
• Palazzo Abatellis
• Museo Archeologico Regionale Salinas
• Castello della Zisa - Museo d'Arte Islamica
• Orto Botanico di Palermo
• Palermo Cathedral

Tour agencies abound in the old city of Palermo, offering sightseeing packages at different rates. Travelers on a limited budget can also take a trip around the fascinating city without making a hole in the pocket, thanks to the presence of affordable sightseeing packages offered by reputed tour companies.

Dining

Tourists to the old city of Palermo will be delighted to find an extensive variety of fine dining restaurants scattered throughout the city, offering diverse kinds of cuisine.  Antica Focacceria San Francesco, Ristorante Il Mirto e la Rosa, Santandrea, La Cambusa, Osteria dei Vespri and Kursaal Kalhesa are some of the popular dining options offering local flavors and Italian cuisine. Badalamenti Cucina e Bottega offers international cuisine and features an extensive list of wines. Mediterranean food lovers can enjoy dining at Donna Ina.

Tips 

Travelers to Palermo are recommended to always carry important documents and if they get lost or some personal valuables are stolen then a report has to be filed at the Main Police Station on the Piazza della Vittoria. Public places have smoking restrictions and therefore it is best not to smoke at public places. Tourists must carry essential medical aids and learn about the medical centers first prior to coming to this fascinating town of Palermo. Tickets can be booked through travel agencies such as the CTS on the Via Nicolò, the Record Viaggi on the Via Marino, and the Sestante CIT on the Via delle Libertà for ferries, plane and trains.

Original Article Written for www.mediterraneanfuncruises.com