Excerpt from Italy From the Alps to Mount Etna Only a few squalid buildings exist here close to the hospice. There are no other inhabitants except the men charged with the maintenance of the road. Six-and-twenty houses have been erected at the most dangerous points of the road, the use of which is to provide a shelter for wanderers overtaken by the snow. The watchmen pass their lives in combating danger for themselves and Others; for fearful storms rage here when the winds from Lombardy and Savoy meet, and rush together like two howling wolves. Such is the landscape of the Mont Cenis: we have endeavoured to sketch it in slight outline. And yet what memories Of great deeds hang round that dreary stony Spot! Of what antiquity is the first track across these heights, - from the days of Hannibal and Constantine, of Charlemagne and the journey to Canossa! We possess a description of the latter by Padre Bresciani, and our blood boils as often as we read it. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

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Swim in the sparkling Mediterranean, marvel at the peak of Mount Etna, and get to know this region's timeless charm: with Rick Steves on your side, Sicily can be yours! Inside Rick Steves Sicily you'll find: Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Sicily Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites Top sights and hidden gems, from Mount Etna and the Byzantine mosaics of Monreale to the Ballarò street market and Siracusa's puppet museum How to connect with culture: Savor seafood-centric cuisine made from ancient recipes, catch an opera performance at the Teatro Massimo, or sample authentic Marsala wine Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a glass of local Nero d'Avola Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and incredible museums Detailed maps for exploring on the go Useful resources including a packing list, a historical overview, and useful Italian phrases Over 350 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down Complete, up-to-date information on Palermo, Cefalù, Trapani and the West Coast, Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, Ragusa and the Southeast, Catania, Taormina, and more Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Sicily.