ITALIA ITALY - Sicilia, Sicily

The Stemma of Sicilia

Map of Sicilia in Italy

Sicilia International Airport		Sicilia Main Tourist attractions
Sicilia Train Stations		Sicilia Tourism Board

Sicily is the biggest Italian Island, divided from the continent by the Strait of Messina and lapped by the Ionian, the Tyrrhenian and the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the pearls of Southern Italy and can be discovered, known and experienced through a series of itineraries for all tastes that range from nature to history and tradition.

Nature seems to have endowed all of its wonders to this land: mountains, hills and above all the Mediterranean 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, offers unique and intense sceneries, scents and flavors of uncontaminated nature. Last but not least are the grand volcanoes, symbols of the irresistible exuberance of this incredibly charming region.

The fascination of this region grows with the precious archeological vestiges that tell the story of the ancient origins of Trinacria (ancient name for Sicily).

The provinces of the region are: Palermo (regional capital), Agrigento, Catania, Caltanissetta, Enna, Messina, Ragusa, Siracusa and Trapani

To be visited:
Caprera, the second biggest Island after Maddalena, is full of pastures and pinewoods, and shows its visitors the places where Garibaldi lived, with a museum-house in the typical Mediterranean vegetation, which guards the memorabilia of the "hero of two worlds", as well as his and his family's grave. Sailing from Caprera to the Bocche di Bonifacio, you will be struck by the beauty of Budelli Island, wild and uninhabited, with its enchanting Pink beach, a natural masterpiece called after the pink color of its special corals and shells, which you can admire from the sea. Again in the north-west of the Sardinian coast, in front of the Natural Park of Asinara Island, we can find one of the most famous tourist resorts, Stintino, which combines the charm of a lively fishing village with high-level accommodation facilities. This small seaside town, that looks like a painting with its white houses and the contrast between the crystal-clear sea and the light blue sky, offers endless leisure possibilities, from golf to excursions and scuba-diving, from cycling to horse-riding.

On the central-east coast of the island, in the Gulf of Orosei, are extraordinary beaches made up of white sands and wild nature. Many caves and coves are the destination of tourists who want to discover unparalleled views and sensations; Cala Gonone, Grotta Bue Marino, Cala Liberotto, Cala Goloritzè are some of those natural sceneries where time seems to stand still. Sardinia combines sea and nature with folk traditions, mysticism and curiosities, like the mysterious giant's tombs and the domus de janas, the house of witches, ancient caves dug out of the ground which are scattered around the region, just like the nuraghi. These stone towers are the biggest and best-preserved megalithic monuments in Europe; the most important town with nuraghi is Su Nuraxi di Barumini, near Cagliari, inscribed on the World Heritage List by Unesco.

In Cagliari, besides admiring the several colonies of flamingos of the lagoon, it is really worth joining the traditional festivals and fairs that take place round the year, like the beautiful festival of S. Efisio, one of the most important religious and folk events in Sardinia, where all of the participants coming from other towns of the region wear their traditional costumes. Heading back to Oristano, you should definitely visit the Roman archaeological site, Tharros, and enjoy its breathtaking view overlooking the sea.

To eat:
Sardinian food satisfies the most demanding palate with its simple and natural ingredients, and with its delicious recipes made with both delicate and strong local products. The main ingredient is wheat, which is used for making the famous pane carasau, but also the well-known malloreddus, culurgiones and fregola. You cannot leave the island without tasting the savoury porceddu, a grilled suckling pig which is served on cork trays and covered in myrtle branches. As for fish, the lobster of Alghero, the bottarga of Cabras and Carloforte tuna fish are absolutely excellent. Other exclusive fish dishes are clam soup and spaghetti with sea urchins. Sausages and cheeses are some of the tastiest local products and Sardinian pecorino is certainly the most renowned.

Sardinian people accompany their dishes with excellent wines like Vermentino di Gallura or Cannonau. Myrtle liqueur is delicious as well.

Main Tourist attractions :: Palermo; Agrigento; Catania; Caltanisetta; Enna; Messina; Ragusa; Siracusa; Trapani

Palermo:

Bari, cultural crossroads since ancient times, is an ideal starting point. A city where two souls meet: the old town, surrounded by an imposing wall and crossed with narrow streets that lead to the discovery of its rich heritage, and the modern city, built at the beginning of the XIX century and gone through changes over time. Along the perimeter of the old walls one comes across the majestic Castle built on the orders of Frederick II of Swabia, with a spacious inner courtyard, where today gatherings and events take place. A wonderful example of Apulian Romanesque architecture is the imposing Basilica di San Nicola (Saint Nicholas Basilica), where the holy relics of the famous saint are kept.

The sober and bright façade, flanked by two towers of different shape and height, has three portals that give access to the interior naves, where important works of art are kept.

The second most important church in Bari is the Cathedral, flanked by a tall bell tower and built on layers of previous ancient buildings. A finely decorated rose window and three portals give movement to the main façade. The interplay of volume and space, and the light seeping through the large openings and reflected off the stone walls, create an evocative atmosphere inside the church.
The new town, whose project was planned by Gioacchino Murat, is criss-crossed with shopping streets like Corso Cavour, where is located the famous Teatro Petruzzelli (Petruzzelli Theatre), considered the temple of opera in Bari

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The southern part of the province borders on a strip of the gorgeous Itria Valley, known as the land of the trulli. Alberobello, home of these characteristic conical buildings symbol of Puglia, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the surroundings, Locorotondo, whitewashed village on a rocky spur overlooking the marvellous scenery of the valley, during springtime turns into an explosion of colours and scents. A patchwork of vineyards, olive groves, woods and fields outlined by whitewashed dry stone walls, whose uniformity is broken by small conglomerations of trulli. Today the trulli, in strict respect for the ancient tradition, are equipped with all modern comforts and represent an original alternative to classic hotel rooms to spend one's holidays. The old part of town in Locorotondo deserves a visit: surrounded by its town wall, it's criss-crossed by narrow alleys between pretty whitewashed houses enlivened by colourful floral displays adorning the balconies.

The journey continues with a visit to Conversano, a small town that has been able to protect its historical and cultural identity without renouncing the advantages of modern times. An imposing Castle overlooks the city, with four large towers located by the angles of the trapezoidal plan, in the direction of the cardinal points. Built as a defense structure, the Aragonese turned it into a manor house with external and internal building works aiming at softening its lines and shapes. The Galleria Municipale (Municipal Gallery) housed in the premises displays interesting artworks. There are also numerous religious buildings, such as the Cathedral, in Apulian Romanesque style.
Also interesting the architecture of the old town centre of Putignano, known for the famous carnival, and Castellana Grotte, known for the evocative underground caves.

In the Murgia of the shepherds, where the landscape leaves the warm colours of the Mediterranean bush and takes on the dark tones of a bare terrain, there is Altamura, known mainly for a bread that has been awarded its own appellation status DOP. The town can be spotted on a spur overlooking the plateau, with the Cathedral towers standing out against the sky, as though to attract the visitor's attention. Built on the orders of Frederick II of Swabia, the church has undergone important transformations, such as the construction of two towers to the sides of the façade, instead of bell towers which traditionally complete the structure of religious buildings.

Last but not least interesting stop on the journey, Gravina di Puglia is a land of natural galleries, caves and ravines dug by an underground river and in the past used as shelters by man.

Agrigento:

The province of Agrigento, stretches out among ancient ruins and Baroque architecture, sparkling beaches, marvellous islands, crystal-clear waters and flourishing ocean beds.
It is the ideal place to combine culture, history and the search for art, all in an environment of total relaxation under the warmth of the Italian sun. The 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, where your gaze meets the horizon you are dazzled by a thousand hues of blues.
Long sandy beaches alternate with deep bays, adorned by the typical Mediterranean maquis characterizing most of Sicily. Essences and aromas combine with the smell of the sea, which float inshore 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 most southern point of the the European Union.
In the hinterland, a great expanse of plains cultivated with vineyards, various grains and wheat, fruit orchards and orange groves. An array of greenery striking for the candour of its almond trees in bloom, inebriating the air with their perfume.
Agrigento's millenary history, like that of Sicily as a whole, has left precious memories that can be admired when visiting the ancient centres of both the province-capital and the towns scattered over the territory.
As in all of Southern Italy, Agrigento guards a part of its riches in its typical food and local specialties. It is a land that offers tourists innumerable sights and endless panoramas to be enjoyed and kept in their photo albums.

In the Valley of the Temples the fascination of ancient history blends with the beauty of nature.
The sea on one side, the old city-hill on the other, the majestic Doric style temples rise in the middle, the golden colour of the tuff they are built becoming particularly intense at sunset and creating a unique and extraordinarily attractive effect.
The Temple of Concordia is the best conserved among all because it was transformed into a church, the Temple of Juno still shows 25 of the original 34 columns that support its structure to-date. Though the Temple of the Dioscuri is considered the most symbolic of all the temples, the Temple of Hercules, is the oldest of them all. Together with the Temple of Olympean Zeus, these five giants dominate the Valley that has been declared a World Heritage Site.
As you leave the valley and head towards the city, you will come across the remains of the Hellenistic-Roman site with its houses decorated with beautiful mosaics. The ancient shops, wells, cisterns and the sewer system give a complete picture of the ancient city.
There are numberless testimonials of the Greek era to be found in the exhibits of the Regional Archeological Museum which contains many marvellous objects found in the ancient area of Akragas.
Through the Ponte gate, you enter into the ancient quarter of Agrigento which still conveys the fascination of a medieval village, with its narrow roads and steep winding alleys that all converge towards the main road. As you stroll through the ancient city, you come across the Cathedral with its grand stairway leading to the beautiful churchyard next to the square bell tower, the construction of which had never been completed.
The archeological itinerary continues at Eraclea Minoa which hosts the remains of the ancient Greek city located on a gentle slope that falls away towards the blue sea. The long white beach stretches out from Capo Bianco till the edges of a magnificent pinewood. Certainly not to be missed, both for its beautiful landscape and for its historical features, is the Roman Villa of Durrueli in the commune of Realmonte, where parts of the mosaic flooring are still visible.
Gela's Regional Archeological Museum exhibits a vast collection of ceramics, bronze and numismatic finds from Prehistoric to Middle Ages. In the Acropolis the remains of two temples dedicated to Athena can still be seen. The remains of Greek fortifications, very well conserved, were found in the Cape Soprano excavations.
Nestled on a high plain the town of Sciacca is divided into quarters situated on three sloping terraces. The most ancient quarter with its alleys and courtyards can be found in the higher part of the city, from there one enters into the more elegant part of the city with elegant buildings and churches that lead to the potters' quarter which surrounds the city's wharf. Next to the city, on Mount Kronio, one finds the thermal baths and can enjoy a panoramic view over the sea.
Do not miss the "Enchanted Castle", an original exhibition of faces sculpted into rocks and into the bark of trees by Filippo Bentivegna.
In the hinterland one finds Naro, where the architectural lines were impressed during the 18th century along with the many renovations of buildings and churches. Higher up one finds the medieval Castle, the Old Cathedral and Piazza Garibaldi, all surrounded by refined 19th century buildings. In the lower part of the city on Via Dante, one can admire the architecture of the Church of San Salvatore, the Chiesa Madre and Palazzo Destro.
Innumerable art treasures can be found in the interior of the province.

The culinary art of Agrigento is rich in colours and flavours and is an irresistible invitation for your eyes and taste buds. The sea and land are two elements recurring in local food and beverages.
Salted anchovies, olives, oil preserved vegetables, dried tomatoes or the typical "pitaggio" based on fresh broad beans, peas and artichokes, are fanciful appetizers to be tasted before the main courses. Pasta dishes are a triumph of first courses, considered an all-in-one dish like the renowned pasta with sardines. Also excellent are the "cavatelli" with tomatoes, aubergines or the ricotta cottage cheese with broad beans.
Baked goat and lamb meat or grilled sausages flavoured with wild fennel, sweet-sour pork, and rabbit with tasty dishes of seasonal vegetables as side dishes, are but some of the best offers of the Agrigento menu.
The sea provides the main ingredients for second fish-based courses. The sole, stuffed sardine and the exquisite dentex in meat broth are really special.

Catania:

The Cinque Terre boasts some of the best coastline hiking trails in the world. The path from Riomaggiore to Manarola is called the Via Dell'Amore (or roughly "Lovers Walk"). The beautiful trail along the shore is very easy to hike. The next hike from Manarola to Corniglia is also easy. The trail from Corniglia to Vernazza offers incredible views of shore and is only steep at certain places. The trail from Vernazza to Monterosso is the steepest (but not overly demanding), winding through Olive orchards and vineyards and offering dramatic ocean views.

The walk between all the villages takes the better part of a day. For those that would rather not walk (or not walk the entire trail), a pedestrian ferry service runs seasonally to all five villages, plus Lerici. The price is reasonable, and gives a nice view of the villages from the water. The milk train that connect all the villages is also a quick way to hop among towns.

The main attraction of the Cinque Terre is the landscape. Mediterranean herbs and trees grow spontaneously from the top of the hills down to the water level. Well embedded in this magnificent natural scenery, one can admire the intense human activity of the ancestors, when the wine terraces were built. An enormous (and somehow crazy) work of transportation, carrying all the heavy stones on men's shoulders and women's heads. A work through the centuries, in fact it's estimated to have taken about 200 years to build the entire stone-wall network. Its total length has been calculated to be at least equal to the Great Wall of China.