The Island in the Sun, Sicily

Goethe once said 'Having visited Italy without seeing Sicily is like not having seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the key to everything'

Sicily was the world’s first multicultural society and today remains Europe’s most historically cosmopolitan region. The land is full of amazing art, archaeological sites, architecture, folklore, breathtaking scenery and of course unbeatable, cheap and delicious foods. This enchanting land was a Greek colony, a Roman province, an Arab emirate and a Norman kingdom. The Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Swabians, Angevins and Aragonese all made Sicily their own at one stage in history leaving behind an eclectic history that you can still touch and see today.

The place where the mountains meet the sea, the island in the sun, Sicily is home to heavenly beaches, rocky coastlines, majestic mountains and Europe's greatest natural wonder, Mount Etna. Sicily's coasts are gold with endless orange and lemon orchards, valleys twirling with renowned vineyards, ancient olive groves, and hardy almond tree orchards where you can pick the fruits right off the trees and eat them fresh.

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean basin; around it lays a number of smaller islands such as the Aeolian Islands, the Egadi and the Pelagie islands. Sicily boasts around 1000km of coastline, mostly rocky in the north and sandy in the south. The landscape is varied, prevalently mountains and hilly, but with an expanse of plains around Catania. In the eastern part of the island Mt Etna (about 3,330 m) is Sicily's highest mountain, the whole of which is a protected area within a national park. It is the biggest volcano in Europe which is still active, erupting annually more or less in the winter time. To view this spectacular is incredible; boiling red hot lava flows down the sides of the snow capped mountains as smoke and ash pours from its mouth. The Southeast corner comprises a series of high plateaus made up of lava, tuff and limestone, featuring a number of impressive gorges carved out by water erosion through the centuries.

Sicily is quite different from the New World or more industrialised societies for a number of reasons; for one it’s slow and relaxed pace of life, which reflects its movement towards a modern society. Secondly, you will find that most Sicilians are warm, generous and fiercely proud of their family and country. Sicilians will insist that they are Sicilian and not Italian.

Sicilian cuisine is a main attraction and greatly reflects the rich Mediterranean diet. Sicily’s plentiful bars are full of delicious foods such as arancine (fried rice balls stuffed with meat and cheese or spinach and cheese), crocché (fried potato dumplings with cheese) or sfincione (a local form of pizza) to name a few. Sicily is also known for its fresh seafood, try the grilled swordfish, snapper, seppia spaghetti (cuttlefish) served with black squid ink or fresh sardines with some lemon. Most restaurants you will find are very reasonably priced compared to the northern parts of Italy and the quality is second to none. One thing not to miss are Sicilian desserts! Cannoli, Cassata, Gelato and Granita just to name a few of the best ones that will melt in your mouth.

The village of Taormina is beautiful by day and enchanting by night, it can be found 200 meters above sea level clinging to the mountains and overlooking the Ionian Sea. Taormina has endless winding medieval streets and tiny covered passages, great restaurants, cafés and ice cream bars. The highlight of the village is the 3rd century BC Greek theatre, through an opening in its columns, where the stage once was, there is a tremendous view out over the sea, the countryside and on a clear day Mt. Etna.

Since the eighteenth century, Catania has been the second most important city of Sicily. Situated on the southern coast of Sicily, Catania has gone through numerous disasters including pirates, heavy bombing during World War II, epidemics, famines, and natural disasters including the devastating eruption of Mt. Etna in 1669. After this, the city was entirely rebuilt in 18th century Baroque and neo-classical styles that you can see throughout the city. The city has two Roman amphitheatres; the largest which use to sit over 14,000 spectators is now only a third visible above ground with a large network of tunnels and passages still to this day secretly hidden under ground. Most of Catania’s roads, buildings, walls and houses you will notice are built thanks to Etna’s black volcanic rock, although it’s temper has crippled the city numerous times it’s presence is an important part in the life of Catania’s people. Catania is host to the second biggest festival in the world, the festival of Saint Agatha. Held every year, a shrine to the saint is carried through the city for two days by the her devotees. On a musical note, two of Italy's greatest composers, Giovanni Verga and Vincenzo Bellini, were Catanian. The Giovanni Verga House Museum and Bellini Civic Museum show the private and artistic lives of these famous men. Catania is also known as the ‘Milan of the South’ for its great shopping, funky bars, clubs by the coast and wonderful restaurants, definitely worth seeing!

Our tip in Catania: Ostello degli Elefanti Hostel Catania (15% off with HostelsClub.com Membershipcard)

Agrigento is situated on Sicily's southern coast; the town's Valley of the Temples is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These Doric temples date back to the fifth century BC and are what remains of the Greek city of Akragas. The temples are spread along a rocky ridge a short way to the south of the medieval town centre, in a designated archaeological park. The town's Museo Archeologico has a wide range of exhibits from the area, including statues and funerary urns. In the late afternoon, the area is atmospheric with the temples silhouetted against the sky as the sun sets along the Mediterranean Sea.

Located near the south eastern corner of Sicily on the Ionian coast, Syracusa is built on an ancient Greek settlement. More than any other modern city in Sicily, Syracuse manifests a visible continuity from its ancient Greek past, both historical and mythological. Its older quarter is the island Ortegia which is known for the freshwater Spring of Arethusa. It was the most important city in Magna Graecia, and for a time rivalled Athens as the most important city of the Greek world.

Our Tip in Syracusa: B&B Globetrotter Siracusa

Palermo was settled in the eighth century BC as a port, and a cultural crossroad between East and West. Today it is Sicily's largest and most cosmopolitan city. The old city centre of Palermo, is an ancient and medieval historical district, and one of the largest in Europe. It contains over 500 palaces, churches, convents, and monasteries, plus seven theatres. Some sites not to miss include the Royal Palace, a 12th century medieval Arab-Norman structure, the Cathedral, which was transformed from a pagan temple, to a mosque, to a Christian church in the 11th century; and the Regional Archaeological Museum, which displays a huge collection of Etruscan and Greek art objects.

Sicily’s culture has remained true over the years; even in the largest cities you'll experience the Sicilian zest for life. As the summer months come creeping through Europe, Sicily is one of the liveliest and most relaxing places to spend an unforgettable vacation depending on what you want to do. The people will embrace you, the history will bedazzle you, the food will amaze you and the summer festivals will be fun-filled. Check out our range of accommodation in Sicily online today!