otwithstanding Sicily’s yearround warm and sunny weather (as its nickname ‘Isola del Sole’ suggests), a fusion cuisine which reflects the island’s historical legacy at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, a landscape that invites exhilarating outdoor activities both on land and sea, and a culture entrenched in colourful traditions and festivals, there are also seven amazing UNESCO heritage wonders to put Italy’s ‘football’ to the top of your wish list. The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento is a truly enchanted place, full of almond trees (especially when in bloom), with the most impressive collection of monuments of ancient Hellenic architecture in Sicily. The unique charm of this site is in this blend of cultural environment and natural landscape wherein are to be found temples dedicated to gods and goddesses as well as a necropolis (city of the dead) with ancient tombs celebrating passage to the underworld. If preserved mosaics are your fancy then you will also want to travel to the very centre of the island to visit Villa Romana del Casale, which has one of the finest surviving collections in the world as would have befitted a Roman palace. From its evocative lunar-like landscapes at the top to the rich farmlands and forests of its lower slopes, Mount Etna is a natural wonder of biodiversity that dominates the horizon along the eastern coast of Sicily. Where else can you ski on the slopes of a volcano and then dine in style by the sea, perhaps in stylish Taormina? It is famous for hiking to the craters, which you might also consider in winter conditions on a snowshoe hike. As you pad across the snow you can look down on the blue expanse of the Ionian Sea whilst the mountain gently rumbles her approval! Situated on the south Eastern coast of Sicily and surrounded by the Ionian Sea, Siracusa is one of the most important towns in Italy for its architecture, monuments and art. From ancient Greek origins, the history of the town spans the Roman Empire and successive Saracen, Norman and Spanish invasions. Needless to say it is this vast historical imprint over 3,000 years which earns the town its UNESCO status, together with some superb examples of Sicilian Baroque architecture as also found across the island. sicily & the aeolian islands N Italy currently plays host to the only four active volcanoes in the Mediterranean, Vesuvius, Etna, Vulcano and Stromboli. Mount Etna on mainland Sicily is one of the most scenic spots in Italy. It holds the crown as Europe's most active volcano. In a period of five weeks around March 2021, it erupted a record 16 times. The annual eruption figures are over 200. Meanwhile, Stromboli Island is dominated by the volcano’s near perfect conical dimensions and is almost as active, earning the nickname ‘lighthouse of the Mediterranean’, and one of the key sights together with Vulcano for visitors to the Aeolian Islands. vulcan’s forges Palermo Catania Siracusa Agrigento Caltanissetta Enna Trapani Messina Taormina ETNA 3323 Avola Noto Modica Scicli Cefalu Sciacca Monreale Stromboli Panarea Salina Lipari Milazzo Filicudi Alicudi Vulcano Ragusa 42
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NjE5ODQ=