Story
Key Things To Check Out
When to Visit
Key Events
Slice of Nostalgia
What to do
Local Flavours
Local Cousine
Did you know?
Where to Stay?
How to Get There?
Tips & Hints

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The largest island in the Mediterranean and the proud home of Europe's largest active volcano is famous for its clear blue skies, mild winter climate and a remarkably fertile land.

SicilyAn Island of Alluring Magic!

Sicily is one of the pearls of Southern Italy and it should be experienced, discovered and understood through a series of itineraries dedicated to your areas of interest, ranging from nature to history and various traditions. The island has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature, cuisine and architecture, and it is also a home to important archaeological and ancient sites.(source – italia.it + wikipedia.org)

Story

Bursting Spectacle of Zestful Living

Sicily’s amazing beauties and its excellent strategic position have historically attracted many great civilizations moving around the area, however the undisputed ruler of this great noble land has undoubtedly been the Mediterranean Sea. Even though it is barely separated from the Apennine Peninsula by the narrow Strait of Messina, Sicily has managed to preserve an utterly distinctive and widely recognizable culture and its unique way of living. The island captivates with its bursting spectacle of sights and sounds, offering bountiful nature’s gifts to its extraordinary people, whose zest for life sparkles in their gleeful eyes and beams in their radiant smiles! (autorski tekst)

Key Things To Check Out

Fascination of Human Spirit

Nature seems to have endowed all its wonders to this land of fertile fields, roaring mountains, rolling hills and the crystal-clear sea, with the beauty of its seabed inferior to none. This insular paradise, with the earliest archaeological evidence of human activity as early as 12,000 BC, was therefore previously settled by the Siculi, Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors, Normans, Spaniards and Bourbons, among others. Come and explore their lasting legacy among spectacular ancient sites that fascinate spirit and intrigue mind! (autorski tekst + italiantourism.com + wikipedia.org)

Agrigento

Founded in 581 BC by Greek colonists, Agrigento is one of Sicily’s oldest glorious towns. Christened with many names and resurrected on many ruins, it was one of the most resplendent centres in the Mediterranean and today it is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The must-see sites include: the Valley of the Temples (one of the most outstanding examples of Greater Greece art and architecture, and a national monument of Italy) with the neighbouring magnificent Garden of the Kolymbetra; La Scala dei Turchi (the “Stairs of the Turks”, a chalky white cliff conveniently eroded into stairs), the medieval churches Santa Maria dei Greci and Abbazia di Santo Spirito; and the House of Pirandello (a museum with all sorts of memorabilia dedicated to the famous Italian writer). (source –visitsicily.info)

Syracuse

Syracuse is an enchanting UNESCO-protected city located beside the Ionian Sea, notable for its rich Greek history, culture, amphitheatres, architecture, and as the birthplace of the preeminent mathematician and engineer Archimedes. This 2,700-year-old city played a key role in ancient times, when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world. The must-see sites include: the Greek theatre (lying on the south slopes of the Temenite hill and overlooking the city, first built in the 5th century BC) with the legendary Ear of Dionysius (a 23 m high and 65 m long cave shaped like a human ear, famous for its remarkable acoustic properties); the Fountain of Arethusa (a fountain on the island of Ortygia in the historical centre of the city, celebrated in a number of works of literature); the Piazza Duomo (one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, surrounded by magnificent baroque palaces). (source –visitsicily.info + wikipedia.org)

Noto

Noto is a city and commune at the foot of the Iblean Mountains, 32 kilometres southwest of Syracuse, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Noto is famous for its many religious buildings and several palaces of the early 18th century, many of which are considered to be among the finest examples of Sicilian baroque style. (source –visitsicily.info + wikipedia.org)

The Aeolian Islands

The Aeolian Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily, named after the demigod of the winds Aeolus. The seven islands of volcanic origins are immersed in a sea of rocky turquoise waters and have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their astonishingly beautiful beaches that attract up to 200,000 visitors annually. (source – sicily.co.uk + wikipedia.org)

Mount Etna

Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano between the cities of Messina and Catania. It is the tallest active volcano in Europe (currently 3,329 m high, though this varies with summit eruptions) and the highest peak in Italy south of the Alps. Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is in an almost constant state of activity. The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south. source – wikipedia.org)

When to Visit

Whatever You Do, from February to October You Will Not Rue

Sicily is a tourist island enjoyable all year round, so many choose to visit in winter months to escape the bitter cold winters of the north and immerse themselves in the local culture of the mild environment. Marine lovers will be able to fully enjoy the sea from mid-May to mid-October, and many ethnic and religious festivals in spring and autumn are an interesting way of discovering the most intriguing villages of the island. (source – visitsicily.info)

Key Events

Events in Sicily

Almond-blossom Festival

Almond-blossom Festival in Agrigento is usually held between February and March, and while any time is a good time to visit the city for its impressive collection of Greek temples, that period is especially beautiful, with the almond trees in full bloom. Medieval travellers claimed the white almond blossoms were the snow of Agrigento’s winter. Besides the usual festival events, there is also an International Folklore Festival that takes place at this time. (source – sicily-tour.com)

The Carnival

The Carnival in Sicily has ancient origins and it is a matter of great prestige and rivalry, as each city has a distinctive parade theme and its corresponding figures. In Termini Imerese (Palermo), e.g., the parades of the Grotesque Floats satirize the personalities from the worlds of politics and entertainment. Very characteristic are the puppets of the nannu and the nanna (the grandparents), whose tradition dates back to the 800. The nannu represents the Carnival which is burnt at the stake on Fat Tuesday, marking the end of the period of the joy. The nanna, on the other hand, is a thin and tall woman symbolizing the pain and the penitence of the Lent. (source – visitsicily.info)

International Arts Festival

Taormina hosts a world-class International Arts Festival in the Greco-Roman theatre from July to September, which includes a world-class International Film Festival in July that traditionally host a myriad of movie stars and celebrities in general. Performers range from the National Theatre of Scotland to pop artists such as Moby and Lauryn Hill, avant-garde saxophonist John Zorn, Italian pop stars like Andrea Bocelli, and touring Opera companies and orchestras. The film festivals screens major and independent productions from across the world and tickets sell out well in advance. (source – sicily-tour.com)

Slice of Nostalgia

Appellation of Honour

The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was the largest of the states of Italy before the Italian unification. It was formed as a union of the Kingdom of Sicily and the Kingdom of Naples, which collectively had long been called the “Two Sicilies”. The Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, with the capitals in Naples and in Palermo, lasted from 1815 until 1860, when it was annexed by the Kingdom of Sardinia to form the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. (source – wikipedia.org)

What to do

What to do in Sicily?

Trekking

Sicily has 1 National Park, 4 Natural Regional Parks, and 77 Regional Nature Reserves, Protected Areas and Marine Protected Areas. Although quite heterogeneous, an unforgettable natural heritage is relatively easily reachable, so feel the clean air and meet other people that simply love nature and whose “most extreme sport” consists of talking together about their day in the evening over great dinner. (source – visitsicily.info)

Diving and snorkelling

Sometimes we forget of the existence of another world just under the water surface, but Sicily offers numerous portals to the maritime realm of dazzling colours. You will see a nearly white sea because of the pumice quarries in Lipari, endless shades of cobalt blue in San Vito Lo Capo, or dark coloured sea in the island of Pantelleria. Exceptionally picturesque seabed is also found in Ustica, in the first Italian marine reserve and an authentic paradise for divers of all skills, and you can see intensive fumaroles at Panarea while snorkelling. That phenomenon, occurring due to the escape of volcanic gases that pushes the Earth’s crust, happens in all volcanic areas of the Aeolian Islands. (source – visitsicily.info)

Horseback riding

The relationship between Sicily and horses is very deep and passing from one beautiful setting of the island to another in the same day is definitely an incredible experience that you should try at least once. Many riding schools, horse stables and associations in these areas give opportunities for a nice ride in company of guides and expert instructors. There are courses for all levels (from beginners to competition) and ages, from four years old riding ponies to ninety years old seniors riding horses. (source – visitsicily.info)

Local Flavours

Gustation of Gourmet Gifts

Much of the island’s cuisine encourages the use of fresh vegetables such as eggplant, peppers and tomatoes, and fish such as tuna, sea bream, sea bass, cuttlefish, and swordfish. The use of apricots, sugar, citrus, sweet melons, rice, saffron, raisins, nutmeg, clove, pepper, pine nuts and cinnamon is a sign of Arab influences, the fondness for meat dishes comes from Normans and Hohenstaufen, and the Spanish introduced numerous items from the New World, including cocoa, maize, peppers, turkey, and tomatoes and other produce. (source – wikipedia.org)

Bronte Pistachio
A tasty delicacy enveloped in a light, bright green hue, the Bronte Pistachio is good on its own, or when used in both savoury and sweet recipes. Whether fresh or dried, it is perhaps the most precious ingredient in Sicilian cuisine and symbolizes its town of origins, Bronte, in the Province of Catania. Indeed, the pistachio is so important to Bronte’s economy that it has long been graced with the nickname “green gold.” (source – italia.it)

Sicilian Olives
In Sicily you’ll find an abundance of olive trees, always planted in perfectly spaced and well-groomed patterns. It is no surprise that you will find olives in numerous Sicilian dishes, as the extra virgin olive oil is still one of the most important agricultural products in Sicily. After about five years the trees begin to bear fruit and the main types are green, dark and brown olives. (source – wikipedia.org)

Citrus Fruits
Sicily is the main citrus growing region in Italy, with 60% of its total cultivated surface. Different from one territorial area to another, they are the symbol of great biodiversity, a plural heritage of taste and nutritional properties and an endless gift of Mother Nature. (source – worldfarms.co.uk)

Local Cousine

Festival of Fusion Cuisine

Sicilian cuisine shows traces of all the cultures that established themselves on the island over the last two millennia. Although its cuisine has a lot in common with Italian cuisine, Sicilian food also has Greek, Spanish, French and Arab influences. In every corner of the island, food is an art and culture. Unmissable delights, festivals and parties, organized to celebrate the grandest of products, are spread throughout the entire island. (source – wikipedia.org + visitsicily.info)

Caponata

Caponata is a Sicilian eggplant dish consisting of a cooked vegetable salad made from chopped fried eggplant and celery, and seasoned with sweetened vinegar, with capers in a sweet and sour sauce. Numerous local variations of the ingredients exist with some versions adding olives, carrots and green bell peppers, and others adding potatoes, or pine nuts and raisins. Today, caponata is typically used as a side dish for fish dishes and sometimes as an appetizer, but since the 18th century it has also been used as a main course. (source – wikipedia.org)
[dw_carousel_child name="Pasta alla Norma" img="623"]Sicily is the oldest Italian and western location on record where pasta was part of the local cuisine after being worked into long and thin forms, dating back to 1154. Pasta alla Norma is a pasta dish from Catania, and of the most historic and iconic Sicily’s dishes. It is made with tomatoes, fried aubergine, grated ricotta salad cheese and basil. It is supposedly named after the opera Norma by the Catania-born composer Vincenzo Bellini, but an alternative explanation of the name is that the dish respects “norms” and tradition. (source – wikipedia.org)

Cannoli

Cannoli, meaning “little tube”, are Italian pastries consisting of tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough, filled with a sweet, creamy filling usually containing ricotta. Cannoli come from the Palermo and Messina areas and were historically prepared as a treat during the Carnevale season, possibly as a fertility symbol. Cannoli are a staple of Sicilian cuisine, also very popular throughout Italy and in Italian-American cuisine. They range in size from cannulicchi, no bigger than a finger, to the fist-sized proportions typically found south of Palermo. (source – wikipedia.org)

Amaro Averna

Amaro Averna is a sweet, thick liqueur with a gentle herbal bitterness and 29% alc/volume, produced in Caltanissetta. It is named after its inventor Salvatore Averna, who invented the recipe in 1868. The herbs, roots and citrus rinds are allowed to soak in the base liquor before caramel is added. This drink is considered a classic digestif, often served on the rocks or neat, and it is also an ingredient in some cocktails. (source – wikipedia.org)

Did you know?

First-Ever Cookbook

The Sicilian cook Mithaecus, born during 5th century BC, is credited with having brought knowledge of Sicilian gastronomy to Greece. His cookbook was the first in Greek, therefore he was the earliest credited cookbook author in any language. (source – wikipedia.org)

Where to Stay?

Idyllic Authenticity of Accommodation

Accented by towering Doric temples, ancient amphitheatres and sweeping coastal views, it is hardly surprising that Sicily has become such a sought-after destination. An idyllic Italian break, the island is filled with accommodation options from clifftop villas to rustic farmhouses, boutique hotels to beachfront B&Bs. Set amongst fragrant citrus groves and old fishing villages, relaxation and culture are found in equal measures in this fascinating corner of Southern Italy. (source – hotels.com)

How to Get There?

Arrive by Plane or Ferry, Admire with Train or Vehicle

Plane
There are six main airports on Sicily (Catania, Palermo, Trapani and Comiso having the international ones) and several smaller airfields catering to general aviation, collectively handling around 15 million passengers yearly. The biggest is in Catania, with over seven million passengers yearly being the 6th busiest airport in Italy. (source – wikipedia.org)
Car
Highways have recently been built and expanded in the last four decades. The most prominent Sicilian roads are the motorways (known as autostrada) running through the northern section of the island. Much of the motorway network is elevated by columns due to the mountainous terrain of the island. Plans for a bridge linking Sicily to the mainland have been discussed since 1865. Throughout the last decade, plans were developed for a road and rail link to the mainland via what would be the world’s longest suspension bridge, the Strait of Messina Bridge. (source – wikipedia.org)
Ship
Sicily is served by several ferry routes and cargo ports, and in all major cities cruise ships dock on a regular basis. Ports connecting to the mainland are Messina (route to Villa San Giovanni and Salerno), the busiest passenger port in Italy, Palermo (routes to Genoa, Civitavecchia and Naples) and Catania (route to Naples). From Palermo and Trapani there are weekly services to Tunisia and there is also a daily service between Malta and Pozzallo. Several touristic ports along the Sicilian coast are in the service of private boats that need to moor on the island. Palermo is also a major centre for the Boat Rental l with or without crew in the Mediterranean. (source – wikipedia.org)
Railroad
The first railway in Sicily was opened in 1863 and today all of the Sicilian provinces are served by a network of railway services, linking to most major cities and towns. Of the 1,378 km of railway tracks in use, over 60% has been electrified, whilst the remaining 583 km are serviced by diesel engines. The two main routes Messina-Palermo and Messina-Catania-Syracuse, but from the major cities of Sicily there are also services to Naples and Rome, achieved by the trains being loaded onto ferries crossing to the mainland. In Catania there is an underground railway service and in Palermo a commuter rail. Of the narrow gauge railways, only one still operates, going round Mount Etna. (source – wikipedia.org)

Tips & Hints

Practical Tips

Browse online for excellent and comprehensive aivalable brochures that cover various points of interests, including the great arts and culture, rich world-class heritage, splendid reserves and protected areas, amazing beaches and exciting sports, and inspiring idiosyncrasies of the local way of life. (source – visitsicily.info)

Sicily’s beaches can be less crowded than you might expect. From the end of August onwards, when all the locals go back to work and school, they are practically deserted; yet the sun continues to blaze down and the water remains very warm throughout September and well into October. Some very affordable holiday rental apartments in Sicily come with direct access to the sea or even their own private beach, which may be just what you need for your dream holiday. (source – trip-tipp.com)

Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe dominates the entire region with its impressive size. Its spectacular eruptions of fiery lava flows are a unique destination for summer hikers, who visit the active craters in the summit areas. Etna however offers the surprising opportunity of practising winter sports too, for a couple of months becoming a skiing paradise just a few kilometres from the sea. (source – visitsicily.info)

For detailed information on a variety of subjects that enhance your overall experience, visitsicily.info offers comprehensive and practical tips on what and where to do when in Sicily.

There are several other great websites besides the official website of the Tourist Board of Sicily, and some of the most informative ones are: sicily-tour.com, sicily.co.uk, visitislesofscilly.com, italia.it, italyheaven.co.uk, sicily-tourism.com, bestofsicily.com

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