Sicily
About Sicily
Sicily is the queen of the islands – the largest in the Mediterranean and incredibly gifted by nature and history. Stunning scenery, amazing beaches, crystal clear waters and dramatic mountains and the famous volcano of Mount Etna combine with centuries of tradition and history. Life in Sicily is lived full on and for the moment – the island truly is one to be visited with an open mind and a healthy appetite.
Any holiday to Sicily could not fail to take in Mount Etna – one of the most iconic attractions and a beautiful sight in its own right. Etna is Europe’s most active volcano and has been active for 3500 years and today stands at 3329m towering above the surround countryside. Admire its majesty from afar, of get right up close with a journey to the crater on foot.
The eastern coast is where some of the most rewarding towns and cities are – including Syracusa, Taormina, Ragusa, Noto and Modica. Syracusa is an historic city famous for it’s rich history, culture, amphitheatres and Architecture.
Taormina, perched idyllically on a rocky promontory high above the sea, has been one of the most popular tourism destinations on the island since it became part of the Grand Tour. Beautifully restored medieval buildings, breathtaking views around every corner and a network of winding streets and alleyways filled with shops, bars and restaurants make for a perfect holiday spot. Carved into the hillside by the ancient Greeks and later refurbished by the Romans, Taormina’s Hellenic Theatre boasts probably the most dramatic scenery of any theatre across the world and features excellent acoustics that are especially evident during the annual summer arts festival.
The baroque architecture of Ragusa has earned UNESCO World Heritage status for this unusual town that is divided into two parts – the upper town and Ibla. After an earthquake in 1693 that destroyed most of the local area, half the inhabitants decided to build on the ridge above the former town and the other half renovated the original old town. Ibla (the lower town) is connected to the Upper Town by a series of stairways and by bus or car on a winding road.
Modica is another baroque town in south eastern Sicily. The surrounding area containing Noto, Ragusa and Scicli is sometimes known as Baroque Valley. Besides the famous architecture, Modica is known for chocolate and its main street has a variety of good chocolate shops. Also within the area is the scenic city of Noto where a unique festival is held each May called Infiorata during which artists work with a special organic soil to outline scenes on the pavements which are then filled in with specially prepared flower petals, organic seeds and dried legumes.
To the north west of the island is the second city of Palermo. Today, the city is a bustling port city that has its origins in the medieval ages. Over the centuries, the city has been home to a number of different civilisations and remains steeped in a varied mixture of Italian and Arabic heritage. This combined with the impressive and varied architecture has resulted in the Arab-Norman Palermo being awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. The city is one of the homes of Italian opera and has the country’s largest (and Europe’s third largest) opera house in the Teatro Massimo Vittoria Emanuele that dates back to the late 19th Century. In it’s heyday, over 3000 people could be seated for opera, classical music, theatre and dance performances. It is recognisable from one of the final scenes in the famous film The Godfather.
On the southern coast is the town of Agrigento which offers visitors a taste of medieval Italy along with roots that delve even deeper into history. Once one of the world’s largest cities, the hilltop town now has a modern atmospheric centre with winding alleys and spacious piazzas. The largest draw of the area is the Valley of the Temples (another UNESCO World Heritage site) complete with some of the most outstanding remaining Ancient Greek structures in the world. It’s also just a few miles to the beaches of the south coast so makes an ideal option for history and relaxation in equal measure.
Marsala is on the western coast of Sicily in the province of Trapani and is famous for the production of the Marsala wine which was first produced in the 18th Century from local grape varieties – the name coming from the Arabic word "Marsa Allah” which translates into “Port of God”. The city contains historic sights including the Marsala Cathedral with it’s beautiful baroque façade and the Tpestry Museum (Museo degli Arazzi). The surrounding area is also know for the salt pans which have been operational for centuries and create a unique landscape. Visitors can enjoy a tour to learn about the salt extraction process.
Sicily abounds in fish, vegetables and olive oil which provide the foundations of traditional Sicilian cuisine. Ingredients inherited from Arab invaders add an exotic flavour that is not commonly found anywhere else in Italy. Due to the rich and fertile volcanic soil, the island offers many lovely places to eat from simple Trattoria to Michelin quality restaurants.
As an island, Sicily truly does offer something for everyone – history, fantastic beaches, amazing food and the traditional hospitality of the inhabitants.