Just an hour's ferry ride from Trapani, Marettimo is one of the Aegadian Islands situated in the Mediterranean off Sicily's west coast. The ferry lands in the island's only village - a little fishing port with a few hundred inhabitants, where boats outnumber the few electric cars and where you'll find most of the best places to stay in Marettimo.

What not to miss

• Small whitewashed houses cluster round the harbour. Home cooking, fresh fish and local wine is the order of the day in the little family run eateries nearby. But it's the sheer peace and beauty of the island, green and practically traffic free, that's the real lure of a holiday here. Walking trails abound, and energetic hikers can reach the highest point and discover evocative look-outs from long ago.
• Take a boat trip and explore Marettimo's rugged coastline with its deep blue caves and grottoes. Marine life is protected by the "no take zone" to the west of the island, so it's paradise for Scuba divers (or snorkellers) who have a good chance of seeing the colourful creatures which live in the Med when given half a chance!
• Feeling less energetic? Just pack a swimsuit and a paperback by your favourite writer. De-stress on the beach or linger over a coffee watching the world go by in the old fishing port.

Don't forget that Italian holidaymakers love this unspoilt island off Sicily's west coast, so book well ahead for the best places to stay in Marettimo.