Sicily
Sicily is the largest of the Italian islands, separated from the Continent by the Strait of Messina and surrounded by the Ionian, the Tyrrhenian and the Mediterranean Seas. It is one of the pearls of Southern Italy and can be discovered, understood and experienced through a series of itineraries dedicated to areas of interest ranging from nature to history and traditions. Nature seems to have endowed all its wonders to this land: mountains, hills and above all the sea, with its incredible colors, its crystal-clear water and the beauty of its seabeds, in no way inferior to those of other seas. Here, the Mediterranean Sea, with its many little islands scattered around the coasts of Sicily – The Aeolians, Egadi and Pelagie Islands, Pantelleria and Ustica – offers unique and the intense sceneries, scents and flavors of uncontaminated nature.
Last but not least, its great volcanoes are symbols of the irresistible beauty and vitality of this incredibly charming region. Fascination for this region grows with treasured archaeological sites that tell the story of the ancient origins of Trinacria (ancient name for Sicily).
CATANIA
Etna dominates the landscape and is ever-present in the inhabitants’ lives here, even so far as to shape the tastes of the land. This active volcano and Catania itself – a bustling marvel of a city on Sicily’s eastern coast – are closely linked. Catania lies cradled amidst the splendid greenery of its surroundings, yet at the same time opens out to the sea, welcoming us with its grand piazzas, wide roads, and architecture in lavic rock. The city is full of attractions, offering historic and artistic wonders for everyone. Remnants of history prove that the various cultures that have left their mark; the people have absorbed the influences of their many rulers, as seen in the architectonic lines of the buildings, churches and monuments. Nature is by turns generous and benevolent, by turns biting and harsh. Etna is its icon. High, impressive and silent, a self-made mount with its peak forming a great crater of fire, it looms and waits over the scene. Gardens and the bright colors of orange and lemon groves and vineyards interrupt (and benefit from) the lavic grey of the dark, fertile soil. Chestnut trees, nuts and oaks, pine trees and beeches make up the thick woods covering the mountain mid-way to its peak, like a curtain opening out to the oasis of colors that lies beyond. Once at the top, what awaits is an extraordinary view that extends to the horizon as far as the eye can see. Cobalt and crystalline blues, and other undescribable hues are the tones of the sea of Catania’s coast. Pebbly but pleasant beaches, small bays alternating with dark tracts of black tuff, high cliffs a sheer drop to the sea, and endless golden coastlines seem to conspire to offer an array of sensations. But wherever one chooses to go, the sensation evoked by the gorgeous limpid sea is one not easy to forget.
SYRACUSE
The Sicilian City of Syracuse is a wonderland. Echoes of ancient civilizations still resound in the streets of this coastal city, and Baroque architecture narrates its eventual rebirth as sun, sand and sky envelop it with their brilliance. A journey to this corner of Sicily awakens profound sensations, as if one were crossing the threshold of time into thousands of years ago.We can feel it as we walk through Syracuse’s streets, where precious testimonials recall with great force the splendor of Magna Graecia, and step by step, accompany the visitor through the eras that impacted Syracuse’s history so strongly: i.e. the Romans and Byzantines, Arabs and Normans, Swabians and Aragonese. Here they all wrote a page or two of Sicilian history. Neapolis, Acradina, Ortygia, Tyche, and Epipoli are the quarters of the ancient city. Their names alone suffice to transport us into another dimension. In the Park of Neapolis and on the Island of Ortygia, connected by three bridges to the mainland, we find ourselves in the thick of the monuments. Noto and Palazzolo Acreide are two of the eight cities of the Noto Valley, declared a World Heritage Site for the richness and prestige of its architecture, and considered among the highest expressions of 18th-Century, late Baroque in Europe.More inland, especially near the area’s riverbeds, are various natural sites populated by interesting samples of flora and fauna.Ancient flavors and lively cultural and folkloristic traditions also figure among the touristic attractions of Syracuse Province of Syracuse.
PROVINCE OF AGRIGENTO
The Province of Agrigento stretches out amidst ancient ruins and Baroque architecture, as well as sparkling beaches, marvelous islands, crystal-clear waters and ocean beds buzzing with life. It is the ideal place for those in search of culture, history and art, all in an environment of total relaxation and, of course beneath the warmth and rays of the Italian sun.The clear sea washes up onto one of the world’s most beautiful and transparent coasts. In the distance, the turquoise water seems to melt with the blue skies, and where the gaze meets the horizon lies the dazzle of a thousand blue hues.Long sandy beaches alternate with deep bays, adorned by the typical Mediterranean maquis that characterizes much of Sicily. Aromas of the land combine with the scent of the sea, that floats towards the shore on the light marine breeze.The Islands of Lampedusa, Lampione and Linosa, make up the Pelagiean Archipelago. These “Islands of the High Seas” are the southernmost point of the European Union. The hinterland is a great expanse of plains cultivated with vineyards, various grains and wheat, fruit orchards and orange groves; there, an array of greenery resides, and notable is the striking candor of almond trees, in bloom and filling the air with their delicious fragrance.Agrigento’s millenary history, like that of Sicily, has left precious traces that can be admired when visiting the ancient centers of both the Provincial Capital and the towns scattered over the territory.As in all of Southern Italy, Agrigento knows that among its riches are its typical food and local specialties. It is a land that offers tourists innumerable sights and endless panoramas.
PROVINCE OF PALERMO
The Province of Palermo stretches out in northern Sicily and looks out over the Tyrrhenian Sea, with a tract of splendid coast opening out into the Carini Gulf, Palermo and Termini Imerese. The seafront is fascinating for its fantastic colors, ranging from intense blue to the green of vegetation, along with the constrasting dark hues of rocks against white beaches of finest sand. Mondello stands out as the beach most frequented by local people, whereas Cefalù is a monumental city with cozy beaches; finally, Sferracavallo, an ancient fishing village, has become a haven for scuba-diving. Against the open sea of Palermo, we can distinguish the skyline of Ustica Island, made up of the remains of a group of former volcanoes, rich in naturalistic beauty with coves, caves, and archaeological findings.Besides the beauty of nature, renowned localities and marvelous artistic treasures from different eras make this territory special and unique, a popular tourist spot well-known among visitors. From the Solunto ruins to the archaeological area of Monte Jato, from Monreale to Palermo, the entire territory is bursting with art treasures, enchanting landscapes and traces of ancient civilization. Palermo shines in the center of the Gulf bearing its name, a city with a rich past that in ancient times was the melting pot of European and Arab civilization.The Province is full of highlights, including the historical villas punctuating the Bagheria area, the epicurean attractions, traditional folkloristic celebrations and relaxing holidays by the sea. Palermo and its Province are a traveler’s mecca for all seasons and all demands.
