Sicily

A Mediterranean mash-up

Sicily is a large, rugged and attractive volcanic island to the south of the Italian mainland, separated from the rest of Italy by the three miles of the Straits of Messina.  A holiday in Sicily will see you cower under the magnificent Etna, the impressive active volcano that rises nearly 11,000 feet over the Ionian Sea.

It’s the highest mountain in Italy and by far the largest of the three active volcanoes in Italy, the others being Vesuvius and Stromboli.  The philosopher Empedicles is allegedly to have been the first to attempt to climb the ‘column of the sky’.

A Sicily holiday marries ancient archaeology and history with breathtaking scenery and saliva-inducing food.  Sicily has been invaded and conquered many times in its long history, from the Greeks and Romans to the Arabs and the Spanish.  Every part of the island reflects a different aspect of this varied mix of cultures, which makes a holiday in Sicily such a fascinating experience.

Sicily has two main airports in Palermo and Catania, plus there are smaller airports in Trapani and Ragusa.  Alternatively, you could incorporate a holiday in Sicily with a longer vacation on the Italian mainland, as rail services from Italy cross to Sicily via railferry at Messina.  Whilst on the ferry you are allowed to disembark and enjoy the views across the sea.

Accommodation when it comes to your Sicily holiday depends upon your personal choice.  All of Sicily’s major cities, such as Agrigento, Catania, Cefalù, Palermo, Siracusa, Taorima and Messina have excellent hotels.

You will also find more rustic B&Bs, villas and self-catering departments.  Guest farms are a very popular option in Sicily; such farms offer a different style of accommodation at an affordable rate.  If you visiting outside of the period between late Spring and early Autumn make sure the rooms you rent are heated as Sicily can get a little chilly at night.

Most of your sight-seeing whilst on holiday in Sicily will be done on foot.  Old Palermo is a maze of narrow lanes and is often choked with traffic, so a walking tour is the best way to experience this ancient region.

The famous Mount Etna is worth tackling if you feel you have the energy and stamina.  There are a number of hiking routes up to the “summit zone”, plus there are the options of taking a jeep or the cable car.

If you intend to venture up under your own steam be sure you have a proper guide and are aware that it is a very tough climb. For a more moderate Sicily holiday you need to venture no further than one of the island’s many splendid beaches.

The majority of them are clean and the sparklingly clear waters of the Med are a definite feature.  The island is also home to over a dozen nature reserves and protected marine areas, all of which are definitely worth a browse.

A feature of your Sicily holiday will be the traditional Sicilian cuisine, particularly the islander’s love of desserts.  Try ‘cannoli’ which are pastry tubes filled with sweet ricotta cheese, or ‘cassata’, a cake with Arabic influences.  Sicily also produces some fine wines, but the islanders are not big drinkers and drunken behaviour is severely frowned upon.

A Sicily holiday allows you to experience many aspects of Mediterranean culture beyond that you’d find in mainland Italy, France or Spain.  Book your holiday to Sicily for a unique vacation the memories of which you will treasure forever.