Tag: Sicily

What to see in Sciacca for a holiday in the wonderful Sicily, among art, events, great food and enchanting beaches? Follow our guide and you will enjoy a unique experience in this part of "Trinacria".   Popular among tourists for its artistic beauty, Sciacca is located on the south-western coast of Sicily, in the province of Agrigento. The town overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and is one of the most characteristic of this part of the island, with its idyllic beaches. Sciacca is famous for its small medieval historical centre and for the Baroque art you can admire in its civil and religious buildings; for the Arab contaminations that mingle with the medieval atmosphere to create a very characteristic setting. It is also famous for its historical thermal waters and for the oldest thermal centre in Sicily, now disused. The ancient crafts of ceramics and coral working still live on in Sciacca. These centuries-old arts continue their adventure with the handicraft production of ceramics, coral objects and jewellery. The Sicilian town is also called the "city of fishing" for its long tradition in this activity, which has always been a great economic resource. Sciacca is located on the southern coast of the island, bathed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea rich in fish, especially anchovies, sardines, tuna and swordfish.   Table of Contents Visiting Sciacca What to see nearby Beaches in Sciacca Best things to do in Sciacca     After a nice tour of the old town, where all the main attractions are located, we go on to discover the most beautiful beaches. The best time to come here is between late spring and the early summer months. And if you are wondering what to do in Sciacca... Among the many events, the Carnival remains memorable, for being one

Discover what to see in Caltagirone for a weekend or a longer holiday! In this guide, you will find the most fascinating places to visit, also in the surroundings, and all the most interesting activities.   We are in the South-Eastern inland of Sicily, in the province of Catania, between the Hyblaean and Herean Mountains, and between the two largest plains of Gela and Catania. It is here we find Caltagirone. The ancient town is perched on a hill and famous for its historical-artistic richness still alive in its monuments, ancient churches and palaces, marvellous terracotta and ceramics exported all over the world. Such ancient artistic production has influenced the city's architectural development. For this reason, Caltagirone is internationally renowned and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the most beautiful late Baroque cities in Val di Noto.   Table of Contents What to see in Caltagirone? Visit Caltagirone & surroundings What to do in Caltagirone How to get to Caltagirone   Ceramics are produced in Caltagirone thanks to the presence of clay in the area and the dedication of master potters who have handed down the art of Sicilian pottery making since the Arab-Norman period, with further development during the Spanish period. Nowaday ceramics of Caltagirone are known throughout the world for their uniqueness. Where does the name 'Caltagirone' come from? There are various theories about its etymological origin, but the matrix is definitely Arabic: 'qal'at', meaning 'castle' or 'fortress', and 'al-ḡīrāni' (الْغِيرَانِ), meaning 'caves'. The union of the two words forms 'cave castle', referring to the numerous caves in the area. The Arab influence on Caltagirone has been very strong over the centuries. Which is the best period to visit Caltagirone? If you are in the mood for a relaxing holiday, and have no particular

Are you in Sicily and looking for a place near Mount Etna to visit? Taormina is just what you need! Discover with me everything there is to see in and around this beautiful city.   Taormina is located along the east coast of Sicily, halfway between Catania and Messina, and near Mount Etna. The city, with a population of around 10,000, is situated on a hill overlooking the sea at an altitude of approximately 200 metres. Taormina's beauty has captivated both national and international tourists for centuries. In fact, with its stunning natural landscapes, Taormina welcomes around one million tourists each year. Its breathtaking views of the sea, as well as its proximity to Mount Etna, its rich artistic and archaeological heritage, beautiful beaches, and delicious local food and wine, make it a perfect destination for all types of travellers. There truly is something for everyone to enjoy in Taormina!     Table of contents Visit Taormina in 1 day What to see in the surroundings 10 things not to miss in Taormina What to do in Taormina Local food & wine Top events Getting there and around     The history of Taormina, like that of Sicily, is very ancient. Certain sources attest to the presence of settlements in Taormina even before the Greeks landed on the island in 753 B.C., although some historians date its birth to 358 B.C.. This date in fact corresponds to the foundation of “Tauromerion”, the ancient name for Taormina, following the arrival of some Greek refugees from nearby Naxos. The Greek period ended in 212 B.C. when the Romans arrived. With the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Arab incursions began and Taormina was sacked and destroyed. Rebuilt by the Christians in 909 AD, it was again sacked and destroyed by the Muslims

If you are in Sicily for a trip of one or more days, come with me to discover this small town in the province of Catania and its surroundings!   Located at the foot of Mount Etna, within an area that falls within both the Etna Park and the Nebrodi Park, Bronte is an unmissable stop on your trip around Sicily! With a population of just over 18,000 inhabitants, Bronte is world-famous not only for its landscapes and monuments, but also and above all for the product that represents its identity. I am talking about the Pistacchio di Bronte PDO, the symbol of the city. Bronte rises between 300 and 900 metres above sea level and what makes it unique is its soil. Throughout the Bronte area and its surroundings, in fact, you can find expanses of lava soil that, thanks to its rich mineral salts, allow the pistachio to find its full expression! The Bronte Pistachio, a PDO and Slow Food Presidium product, has unique and inimitable characteristics thanks to the soil on which it grows. It is also thanks to the climate, with annual temperatures ranging from 6° C to 29° C, that a very high quality product is obtained. Bronte is therefore an unmissable destination for pistachio lovers!   Table of contents What to see in Bronte? What to do in Bronte and surroundings How to get to Bronte     Surrounded by wooded landscapes, river areas, lakes and waterfalls, Bronte is also a town particularly suited to nature lovers. The slopes of Mount Etna are a stone's throw from the historical centre, while the less daring can visit the surrounding lava hills. The city is connected to the mountains by paths and roads, which will make your trekking walks particularly comfortable! If you prefer to surround

Between myths and conquests in the heart of the Mediterranean, let's discover together the best things to see in and around Trapani.   Sicily is a unique place in the world. It encloses its priceless natural treasures with the humility of someone who is not at all vain. Those who have conquered it over time have bequeathed the vestiges of the past, which for better or worse have forged the character of this island. Trapani, a maritime city in the far west of the island, has witnessed the passage of various peoples and has been the scene of numerous battles, dominating the surrounding seas. The founders of the city were the Elymians, who exploited it as a landing place for the exchange of goods destined for Erice above. The first Punic War took place in the waters of Drépanon (from the Greek scythe), which, loyal to Carthage, was in time opposed by the Romans. Its development took place under Arab-Norman rule and during the year 1000, it was a very important junction for the Crusades. From the short-lived rule of the Angevins, Trapani passed under the regency of the Aragonese and with Charles V took the name "Key to the Kingdom" of the Two Sicilies. Today, Trapani presents itself to the traveller as a treasure trove, watchtowers overlooking the sea, Baroque churches, characteristic mills from which salt is extracted, but also a lot of sea and unspoilt nature, especially on the nearby Egadi Islands and in the Nature Reserves of the neighbouring territories. The views literally leave you breathless, along with the immense food and wine heritage that conquers the stomach and the heart. Starting from the historic centre, you can dedicate a whole day to visiting the city. Or, if you have more than one day at your disposal,

If you are planning a trip to Sicily, I can help you... Destination Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples! Follow me and I will show you what to see in and around Agrigento.   Before telling you what to see in Agrigento, I think it is necessary to take a step back into the past and recall the history of this wonderful city. It was founded in 581 B.C. with the name Akragas and quickly became one of the most important cities of Magna Graecia. In fact, its supremacy is still visible to our eyes, thanks to the ruins of what were once the majestic Doric temples... It is no coincidence that it is called the "City of Temples"! Agrigento is located in an area where various peoples settled and left traces of their passage. During the Punic wars, it was conquered by the Romans who called it Agrigentum, then by the Arabs with the name of Kerkent, in 1809 by the Normans it was renamed Girgenti until 1927, when it acquired the name of Agrigento. Agrigento has got a lot of history to tell. It is also the birthplace of writer Luigi Pirandello! So, follow me to find out not only what to see in Agrigento, but also how best to visit the city to avoid long queues or inconveniences! In my guide, I will explain the main things to see in Agrigento and I will also focus on the city's surroundings. I therefore advise you to set aside at least four or five days to visit everything in the best possible way... But don't worry, if you only have one or two days available, I will list the places that you absolutely cannot miss if you come to visit Agrigento. Let's go! 😉   Planning a trip

Here we are in Marzamemi, a place with an incredible history that leaves everyone speechless! I advise you to stay glued to the screen because I'm about to reveal what to see in and around this amazing Sicilian town!   The magnificent fishing village of Marzamemi is located in eastern Sicily and is a hamlet of Pachino, in the province of Syracuse. Famous for its centuries-old history linked to fishermen and farmers, Marzamemi comes from an Arabic word meaning “Roda delle Tortore” (Rode of the Turtle doves), precisely because of the massive presence of these birds in spring. In this peaceful town, you are immediately taken into a magical atmosphere of breathtaking scenery, incredible sea and stone-crushing sunshine, in contact with the extremely simple and serene lifestyle of its inhabitants. We are in Sicily, so what more could you ask for? Here you will taste some of the tastiest bottarga (tuna roe) and ventresca (tuna belly) you have ever eaten. You'll appreciate a land famous for its Pachino tomatoes PGI and the magnificent Nero d'Avola wine, known throughout the Italian peninsula by people with a fine palate. Suitable for a carefree and relaxing holiday, you will immediately fall in love with Marzamemi, its typical fishermen's houses and the famous Tonnara, one of the oldest Tuna factories in Sicily. I don't want to wait even a second longer, now I'll tell you in detail what to see in this small village of just under 400 inhabitants!   Are you fascinated by Sicily? Check out all the travel experiences!   What to see in Marzamemi? Here are our best tips! The town can be visited in a very short time. That's all it takes to have a fantastic experience! Here's what to see in Marzamemi among the main attractions.   1. The