a magical route
PALERMO
We start our trip in palermo, chosen Italian Capital of Culture 2018 and recently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its Arab-Norman architecture . Its cathedral, that of Montreal, famous for its Byzantine mosaics; the Norman Palace, the Massimo Theater and the popular market to vucciria (boquería) are just some of the places of tourist interest that we must not overlook during our walk through the city.
And since man does not live by art alone, we made some technical stops ' in one of the gastronomic temples of the Sicilian capital: we enjoyed a good arancina or a plate of maccheroni alla norma in the Antica Focacceria S. Francesco , such a symbol of the fight against mafia extortion on the island, and we savored a cannolo at **Cappello.**
You will want to get lost in Palermo
If you are a nature lover, we suggest you visit the madonna park , with their ' Abies Nebroides ', a score of local firs unique in the world and in danger of extinction . If you head towards Pizza Canna, you can see a sample of Golden Eagle, and if you reach piano knob , you can spot one of the most spectacular views of the entire park.
When the Pollina River allows it, you can take a boat ride through the Tiberius Gorges , in the Parc de la Madonie included in the list of UNESCO Geoparks . Furthermore, throughout the Pomieri-Piano Sempria trail, which is accessed by Provinciale 54 road from Petralia Sottana towards Piano Battaglia , and from Pomieri asking for Case Lapazza , you can taste some local cheeses, like the ricotta.
Here you will find unique fir trees in the world
Before leaving the Palermo area, we passed half a day in Cefalu, a Coast town who still retains his old fishing port, with its characteristics houses hanging over the sea.
Wandering through the old town we came across the medieval laundry , with the beautiful fishing gate, from where we can photograph one of the most suggestive landscapes from this place, and with the Cathedral, surrounded by palm trees. Here it is mandatory to take a break on the terrace of Bar Duomo and order a granita with briosche.
Cefalu, worthy of a postcard
AEOLIAN ISLANDS
With our batteries charged, we continue towards Milazzo, from where do the ferries leave for the Aeolian Islands. These seven islands (Lipari, Alicudi, Filicudi, Panarea, Salina, Stromboli and Vulcano) were underwater volcanoes that emerged to the surface two million years ago and currently only those of Stromboli and Vulcano they are active. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they are characterized by its crystal clear waters and its thermal mud baths. Here they were shot Stromboli , by Roberto Rossellini with Ingrid Bergmann, either vulcan with Anna Magnani.
You can choose both day trips to Lipari and Vulcano or to Panarea and Stromboli as for moving on your own (by boat, hydrofoil or with a small boat) between the islands. If you want to save some on accommodation, you can rent a sailboat with crew and sleep on the boat, but if you are planning a luxurious vacation, we recommend you book at the hotels ** Quartara or Therasia .** Views of the Mediterranean and the Aeolian Islands, jacuzzi on the private terrace, 'infinity pool', spa... The only drawback is that you won't want to go back to your routine life never again.
You won't want to go back to the routine
TAORMINA
One of the cities most visited in Sicily and what should not be missing from this list of essentials is Taormina. His Greek theater, beautiful island and the spectacular views over the Ionian Sea they will captivate you completely.
The icing on the cake is the **La Capinera restaurant**, one of the most beautiful Michelin star in Italy in which it is possible contemplate the sea both from the terrace and from the interior dining room. The menu, based on Mediterranean cuisine with creative touches , signed by chef Pietro D'Agostino.
Whether you are sporty or lazy, you will not be able to say that you have known Sicily if you have not climbed Etna. You can do it by car to one of the car parks (Refugio Sapienza) and, once there, decide whether you keep walking, with the funicular or with the all-terrain bus.
This active volcano marks the day to day of those who live in the surrounding areas, so much so that they refer to him as **iddu ("he", in Sicilian) **. His lands are fertile and attract many tourists , but you also have to deal with ash showers , temporary closures of airports or the constant fear that something worse could happen on the days of the eruption. A relationship of Love Hate In all rules.
The Etna wines they are one of the most appreciated products of the region and one of the best options to taste them is the resort of Linguaglossa Shalai.
Taormina, dangerous beauty
CATANIA
The second most populous city on the island, Catania , is another hit of our tour of this Italian region. Among the main places of tourist interest, we highlight the Piazza del Duomo and its cathedral ; the area of the ** Teatro Massimo Bellini ,** full of terraces and live music ; the promenade, with its beautiful palm trees; the shopping streets Via Etnea and Corso Italia and the Villa Bellini Park and the coastal towns Aci Castello and Aci Trezza.
The latter looks characteristic rock carvings in the sea, which served as inspiration to Giovanni Verga to write I Malavoglia, a masterpiece of verismo in Italian . Do not leave without first having tried the cannoli of Savia and the cornetti of the thousand flavors of **Scardaci.**
After refueling, we set off for Piazza Armerina (you can go either by car or by bus), where the Roman Villa of Casale , the mosaic complex best preserved from Roman times that was the luxurious residence of Maximian from 286 to 305 AD
World Heritage of UNESCO since 1997, is globally recognized by the Room of the ten ragazze (Room of the ten girls), where they represent women doing sports activities similar to current volleyball, dressed in clothes that they remind a lot of bikinis of nowadays. If you are looking for a place to stop to eat, you can opt for the signature cuisine of ** Al Fogher .**
Aci Castello, fairy tale
SYRACUSE
After having known that inland town, we headed towards another pearl of eastern Sicily: Syracuse. Obligatory stages of this city are the Roman amphitheater, the Greek theater, the Latomías or stone quarries, the Ear of Dionysus , the grotto of the Cordari and the Ortygia Market.
Here will catch your attention long lines from the post of Caseificio Borderi. Their panini, made with seasonal ingredients and under the inspiration of the moment, they are very worth it . We also recommend you try something from their wide selection of cheeses and wines or the tricotta (ricotta with lemon, oil and spices) .
Syracuse, the oriental pearl
THE SICILY OF MONTALBANO
We return to the road to visit some of the places of Commissioner Montalbano's series : Modica, Scicli, Ragusa Ibla and Punta Secca. This area of Sicily is world famous also, for housing many examples of baroque architecture. The old town of Scicli is, since 2002, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ragusa Ibla welcomes 18 World Heritage monuments.
Every chocolate lover should not miss going to the Modica chocolate factory and every self-respecting fan of the series should be photographed next to the chalet of Montalbano in Punta Secca, with the sea and the marinella promenade background. If your budget allows it, stay in the Locanda of Don Serafino, with pool, private beach and a restaurant two Michelin stars inside. The hotel is situated within a mansion of the 700 , in the heart of Ragusa Ibla and has only 11 rooms. Peace and relaxation are assured.
Ragusa Ibla will dazzle you
We leave the baroque to lose ourselves in the set of best preserved greek temples of the world: the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento . we suggest you dedicate a full day and continue to other locations, such as Realmonte or La Scala dei Turchi. this beach is famous for its cliff, white in color and with peculiar shapes, which rises above the sea. For its part, Realmonte is famous for the gigantic underground mine of salt that also hosts a elaborately carved church in the salt by the mine workers themselves.
A good option for dinner in the surroundings is Osteria dei folli , specializing in seasonal cuisine based on Sicilian products from kilometer zero and organic garden.
Scala dei Turchi, a sidereal landscape
WEST COAST
We say goodbye to the island from its west Coast, walking through it medieval Erice Village, resting on the white beaches of The Zingaro Reserve , a natural oasis inhabited by different species of birds and mammals and savoring a good couscous in Al Ritrovo , in San Vito Lo Capo. In this town there is a long tradition regarding this dish and, in fact, in September the Cous Cous Fest , an event of cultural integration where they shake hands gastronomy and music.
*This article was published on August 2, 2017 and updated on June 20, 2018.
In Erice you will see prints that will stick in your heart forever