✓ the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, one of the 20 regions of Italy, one of the 5 Italian autonomous regions
✓ most prominent landmark: Mount Etna – the tallest active volcano in Europe
✓ capital: Palermo
✓ popular by its rich and unique culture
✓ has 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Valle dei Templi, Villa Romana del Casale, Aeolian Islands, Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, Necropolis of Pantalica, Mount Etna, Arab-Norman Palermo and the cathedral churches of Cefalu and Monreale
✓ has a long history of producing a variety of noted cuisines and wines – also called “God’s Kitchen”
What to visit?
✓ Valle dei Templi – one of the main attractions, as well as a national museum of Italy, located in Agrigento, is one of the most outstanding examples of Greater Greece art and arhitecture
✓ Villa Romana del Casale – Roman villa with the richest, largest, most complex collection of Roman mosaics in the world
✓ Aeolian Islands – volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea, tourist destination for the summer that attracts up to 200,000 visitors annually, 7 islands all different from another with beaches, coves and 2 active volcanoes
✓ Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto – includes several towns (baroque art): Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa and Scicli
✓ Necropolis of Pantalica – large necropolis with over 5000 tombs, notable for its rich Greek history, culture and architecture
✓ Mount Etna – one of the most active volcanos in the world that geerated myths, legends and naturalistic observations, most areas of the mountain are considered safe for exploring: while visiting, you can hike, play in the water of Alcantara River Park, do birth-watching or even ski
✓ Arab-Norman Palermo and the cathedral churches of Cefalu and Monreale – nine civil and religious structures dating from the era of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily
✓ Taormina – one of the most emblematic places in Sicily, an asylum for artists, between the sea and the mountains, a refined town
✓ Ragusa Ibla – the oldest quarter in the city of Ragusa, boasting more than 50 churches and noble palaces
✓ Scala dei Turchi – among the most beautiful beaches all over Sicily
✓ Syracuse and the Island of Ortigia – art city with one of the largest archaeological areas in the Mediterranean
✓ Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples – popular destination thanks to its perfectly kept archaeological park, the biggest in the world
✓ Noto – the unquestioned capital of the Sicilian Baroque, with an artistic heritage made of stunning churches and palaces
✓ Lampedusa – jaw-dropping sea and beautiful beaches ranked among the most beautiful in the world
✓ San Vito Lo Capo and the Zingaro Reserve – astonishing beaches, unique archaeological sites and sensational nature
✓ Catacombs of the Capuchins – obscure, yet fascinating indoor burial site
✓ Piazza del Duomo – one of the most visited landmarks on the entire island, amazing sight worth seeing, the heart and soul of the region, features a massive town square with Elephant Fountain
What else can you do in Sicily?
✓ Follow a cultural and food itinerary by car or bike along Strade del vino e dei Sapori (“Wine and food routes”)
✓ Itineraries to follow by foot or going horse-riding
✓ Travelling with kids: attend a puppet show with Traditional Sicilian puppets
✓ Most periodical events – Carnival of Acireale and the Infiorata of Corpus Domini, in May
Where to stay?
✓ Verdura Resort – on the south coast with white sand beaches, golf, spa and luxurious accomodations
✓ Therasia Resort – on the island of Volcano, has expansive spa, pool and views of the other Aeolians
✓ Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo – in Taormina, classic, elegant rooms, gardens and views of Mount Etna and the sea
✓ book a grand villa overlooking the sea for a group or family
✓ for a different experience, enjoy a farmhouse stay by choosing a locale by the sea, mountains or amid olive trees and grape vines
Where to eat?
✓ Trattoria Casalinga di Nino Mannino – rustic and charming, located in the Catania region with traditional family-style Sicilian and Mediterranean food, is a mid-range restaurant with fresh and local surf, turf menu items
✓ Osteria Antica Marina – fresh seafood and local ingredients, located in the Catania region of Sicily, popular among locals and tourists alike, the food is served with the upmost attention to the finer details, the menu items are served up in an artistic manner that celebrates the local food of the region
✓ Antico Caffe Spinnato – an elegant neighborhood gathering spot where locals as well as tourists are welcome to sip on gourmet coffee and try on fine pastries and Sicilian cuisine, is a social hotspot with elegant dark wood and leather furnishing and serves everything from gooey wood-fired pizza to homemade ice cream
✓ Liola – the perfect setting for a romantic date night or a cozy family meal, is a breathtaking pizzeria that imerses guests into the old-world culture of Sicily, rustic homestyle dishes such as wood-fired pizza, surf and turf pasta dishes and rich desserts
Nightlife
✓ Monk Jazz Club – located in Catania, is a fun music venue where visitors can enjoy classic and contemporary jazz hits performed by Italian musicians
✓ Catania – most lively and fun city in Sicily, lots of clubs, discos opened until dawn, long sandy beach
✓ Taormina – frequented by young people from all over Europe, one of the top destinations in Sicily that includes a lot of fun
✓ Cefalu – the promenade is enlivened by many bars and clubs, beach parties take place during summer
✓ Marina di Ragusa – a baroque masterpiece, the beaches are full of young people, the post-beach aperitif is a must-do, the clubs by the promenade don’t lack
Tips
✓ A typical Sicilian meal starts with a rich variety of starters: classic caponata – fried vegetables with tomato and a sweet and sour sauce, involtini di melanzana – eggplant rolls or parmigiana di melanzane – fried eggplant cooked au gratin or in the oven with tomato, basil, garlic and one or more cheeses
✓ Sicilian second courses – fish is most common: try sarde a beccafico – tasty sardine roll with Pecorino cheese and raisins, polpette di aalici – anchovy meatballs or sword fish alla siciliana – with grape tomatoes and capers, you should also taste falsomagro or bruciuluni – a large roll stuffed with cheese and vegetables
✓ Don’t miss a street food tour in Sicily!
Hope you got an idea about Sicily and maybe you even included it on your bucket list. Let me know if this article was helpful for you, I wait for your feedback anytime.
Have an amazing weekend and keep on dreamin’ that soon we will be able to travel freely again!
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Source of pics:
Nightset – your ultimate nightlife app
Sicily – Italy | The Travel Hacking Life
Ragusa Ibla, Sicily’s UNESCO World Heritage Site | Two Get Lost
Tonnara di Scopello, Sicily – The Londoner
jeffontheroad.com/sicily-towns-to-visit/
Yours Sincerely, Thea 