Sicilian cities aren't known for their nightlife. The best -- and certainly the most sophisticated -- after-dark amusements can be found in Taormina, though be prepared to shell out an arm and a leg even for bottled water. The resort is also the best spot in Sicily for gay and lesbian visitors.

Many visitors are content to relax at cafe tables on outdoor terraces. The most popular form of evening entertainment is the passeggiata, or promenade, along the Corso Umberto I. Join in -- it's fun.

You might also catch a bus to Giardini-Naxos for a waterfront stroll in the evening. Most bars and clubs there stay open way past midnight, at least in the summer.

An Evening Promenade -- I like to stroll at twilight along Corso Umberto I until I reach the resort's most charming small square. Piazza IX Aprile overlooks the sea with the grandest panorama of Mount Etna looming in the background. One side of the square is open; its other three sides are enclosed by the 17th-century church of San Giuseppe, San Agostino (converted into a library), and Torre dell'Orologio, from the late 1600s. Choose any of the bars with outdoor seating and sit back to enjoy the show -- Piazza IX Aprile is the favored rendezvous point for the young men of Taormina to meet ladies.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.