Lonely Planet Sicily (Travel Guide)

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Under ancient Greek rule, Siracusa was the most important city in the Western world. Today it is one of Sicily’s main draws.

Sciascia is best known for his books on the mafia. This slim volume translated by Adrienne Foulke, though, is one of the secret gems of Sicilian literature. It is, in essence, an 18th-century detective story, populated by an intriguing cast of Spanish noblemen, Jacobin revolutionaries, forgers, smugglers and libertines. Yet it’s also a philosophical allegory about the fine lines that separate fact from fiction in Sicily, and the blurring of boundaries between history and legend. Fans of Andrea Camilleri will surely enjoy the affectionate yet cynical humour. Seasons of Sicily ( USA) Natalia Ravida – An authoritative introduction to Sicilian food through all four seasons. We’ll start from the coast on the south of this incredible island, going from Capo Passero in Syracuse to Capo Granitola in Trapani, which proudly reveals its golden sand with an exotic flair.The outstanding desserts include cannolo and cassata , which bring out the freshness and authenticity of local ricotta. Granita , which does not include ice here, reveals itself in all its creaminess. It can be difficult to choose between the many flavours and it is so delicious it can even give the best homemade ice cream a run for its money. Never alone: it should be accompanied by an aromatic hot brioche , and strictly with a “tuppo” (nobble). Located next to a mountainside outside the city of Agrigento, the valley of Sicily possesses seven Greek temples, so it is called the valley of the temples. The Temple of Concordia, built in the 5th century BC, is the best preserved in the valley and is one of the largest and best preserved Doric temples still standing. Doric columns with 7 m high, 1.3 m in diameter. Other temples include the Temple of Juno, used for wedding ceremonies, and the Temple of Heracles, the oldest temple in the area. | sicily travel guide Town of Piazza Armerina You don’t have to rent a car to see Sicily’s major towns and sights, but getting around by public transport is not always easy. The rail system is slow, few buses run on Sundays and route information can be frustratingly difficult to extract, even from the bus and train stations themselves. On the positive side, public transport prices are reasonable. Here is how to get around. By train Includes carefully planned routes covering the best of Sicily, which give a taste of the richness and diversity of the destination, and have been created for different time frames or types of trip. Walking along the nostalgic paths of taste you will find that even dipping bread in oil proves why you will never have enough of Sicily.

Landscapes of Sicily, a Countryside Guide IN (USA) Peter Amann – The best walking guide to the island. Detailed advice on managing money, communicating, reserving rooms, handling emergencies, and other helpful hints Self-catering apartments are widely available, though again summer is very busy and there’s often a minimum stay of three or even seven nights.

Sicily travel guide: What to eat?

This beautiful island with a typical Mediterranean climate, fertile soil is very suitable for growing grapes, and this is the region with the oldest winemaking tradition in Italy with famous wines such as DOCG, DOC, white wine Moscato di Noto and other famous red wines. Sicilian wine | sicily travel guide Sicily travel guide: What to eat?

On the surface, however, the sea works together with the wind to playfully push you towards kitesurfing: try it in the beautiful setting of Stagnone in Marsala! This is a small city on the Ionian coast, not as famous as Taormina but as beautiful as a gentle wave of the sea. Acireale has a very small and lovely Central square, not to mention the small and narrow alleys that go forever without seeing an end. Far away is the pale blue sea. We kept walking along small alleys to find that color of blue sea, but we forgot about our tired feet. In the past, Acireale used to be quite crowded with tourists, but due to the economic downturn, today the city is gradually deserted. I listened to uncle Grazia’s story and I saw that faint blue color become sadder. | sicily travel guide Noto Comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter of this travel guide to Sicily features fascinating insights into Sicily, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary.

In addition to beautiful beaches, Taormina is also famous for its Greek theater, this is a theater built by the Greeks in the 2nd century BC. You can also take a walk in the old town of Corso Umberto – a shopping and culinary paradise to explore every corner of Taormina. Ancient Greek theater | sicily travel guide Catania In Greek mythology, Etna is the place where Zeus imprisoned the monster Typhon, ending the war that is considered the most terrible in the history of Greek mythology. Currently, Etna is one of the most active and powerful volcanoes in the world, each time the volcano erupts Italians often joke that it is the wrath of the monster Typhon to escape the captivity of Zeus. Etna is also considered a symbol of Sicily, if you are a person who likes challenges and adventure travel, you cannot miss the opportunity to witness firsthand this great volcano. The symbol of Sicily | sicily travel guide Taormina

This article contains links from which we may earn revenue. These links are signposted with an asterisk. More information here . There are many more immediate hints of Sicily’s unique past beyond architectural heritage. Most Sicilians consider themselves, and their island, a separate entity, and a visit here still induces a real sense of arrival. Sicilian dialect, for example, is still widely spoken in cities and countryside, varying from place to place. Extensive practical travel information including getting there, getting around, climate information, safety tips, accommodation explanations, food & drink advice and shopping essentials The hot winds from Africa, the long sunny summer days, the saltwater coastal lands are all the perfect conditions for the birth of immense salt fields. Here, natural sea salt is still crystallized from the evaporation of water, just as the ancient Phoenicians did 2,700 years ago. Salt was sold throughout the Mediterranean, as far away as the Nordic countries. Thanks to salt, in the mid-16th century it was one of the most important ports in Europe. Today, although there are many different substitutes, the salt here is still preferred by culinary experts because of its purity, no preservatives and the salty taste of natural sea salt.Let’s discover the slopes of Mount Etna or the Simeto Nature Reserve: this area is rich in lava caves, waterfalls, rapids and small lakes. The Piana degli Albanesi Lake, on the other hand, is an area teeming with life. From the Bosco Della Ficuzza, we find ourselves in the heart of the Parco delle Madonie, dotted with small towns where time flows slowly and quietly. Bridging sweet and savoury, the juiciest red oranges come from the countryside most beloved by the sun, while the most famous pistachios , those from Bronte, now dominate the culinary scene thanks to their gastronomic flexibility, which ranges from their use as sweet cream in desserts to the intense pestos that bring together ancient grains [link to Sicilian Ancient Grains] in the form of inimitable first courses.