The hit European holiday destination of 2023 is giving tourists an extra night for free

An Italian island is giving vacationers an extra night for free.

Sicily has launched a savings initiative to attract travel-savvy tourists to the region.

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The program, called Lake Sicily, offers vacationers a free night’s accommodation, a discount on flight or ferry tickets, and a free excursion of their choice.

According to Forbes, the region’s president, Renato Schifani, “hopes the initiative will boost quality tourism by encouraging vacationers to stay longer.”

To qualify for the freebies and discounts, travelers must book a three-night stay to claim an extra night without spending a penny.

When staying six nights, travelers receive two additional nights free – this is the maximum number of extra nights offered.

Travelers arriving nationally or internationally by plane or ferry receive a 50 percent discount on the ticket price.

Anyone arriving within Italy or Europe can take advantage of a €100 (£87.91) discount on flights over €50 (£43.95).

Meanwhile, holidaymakers arriving from outside Europe can claim €200 (£175.82) off the cost of their flights.

For Brits chasing some winter sun, there are return tickets from London Stansted to Palermo for £47.

Flights from London Stansted to Catania cost less than £40 return.

To take advantage of the accommodation offer, holidaymakers are encouraged to book their stay through affiliated tour operators and hotel partners.

There is a choice of two package options, with or without a flight, and tourists must contact a tour operator directly by phone or email to secure the voucher.

The Visit Sicily website lists a number of hotels participating in the promotion and accommodation ranges from one to four star hotels.

For example, an overnight stay at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Catania costs €74 per night per room, while the Best Western Santa Caterina costs €142 per night per room.

Vacationers should research hotel prices before contacting an establishment for the coupon.

Those reaching out to hotels should be persistent in finding the deal, as a handful of travelers have struggled to get a coupon.

On the Sicily Message Board on TripAdvisor, one person wrote: “I have written to five different agencies listed on the website and absolutely no response.”

If you want to take advantage of the package, you should plan a trip to Sicily by September 30, 2023.

The offer is not valid in July and August and is expected to expire, so anyone interested in a free night in Sicily should book as soon as possible.

This isn’t the first time Italy has lured tourists to the country.

Last year, the popular Lazio region, which includes Rome, started paying couples £1,660 to tie the knot.

But Venice is set to become more expensive – the city is said to be charging visitors €10 (£8.63) to participate in a tourist ban.

Beaches in Sardinia also charge fees, and the Amalfi Coast has also implemented rules to prevent overcrowding.

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