When a severe earthquake destroyed much of eastern Sicily in 1693, there began an ornate rebuilding programme which saw the creation of the eight baroque cities of Sicily. The starting point for this grand enterprise was the ten-year rebuilding of Noto Cathedral. After 1693, entire towns such as Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo, Ragusa and Scicli were rebuilt in line with the late Baroque style. Palermo has a different story that earns it UNESCO heritage status and this relates to Sicily’s occupation by the Normans in the 11th century. In a curious meeting of cultures, this period saw the island become the veritable crossroads of cultures between the Arabs from the south, the Byzantine from the east and the Normans. This cultural cocktail and the special architecture of the period is now followed on the Arab-Norman Circuit, a series of historic buildings in Palermo and surrounding towns comprising the Royal Palace, the Palatine Chapel, the Martorana Church, the Church of San Cataldo, the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Cathedral of Palermo, Zisa Palace, Admiral’s Bridge, Monreale Cathedral and cloister, Cefalù Cathedral. The last of Sicily’s seven wonders is a wonder of seven all of its own! Lying to the north of Sicily within an hour’s hydrofoil ride from Milazzo you will arrive at the volcanic archipelago of the Aeolian Islands of Alicudi, Filicudi, Lipari, Salina, Vulcano, Panarea and Stromboli. There is a real sense of detachment and you will feel like you are in a world lost in time where, in an intimate conversation with nature, the volcanic earth and its ancient history, you will discover beaches, bays, caves, creeks, cliffs and the incomparable variety and richness of its seabed. In Panarea it is possible to snorkel above the underwater fumeroles, gaseous volcanic vents on the seabed, whilst on Vulcano, depending on volcanic activity, you can go on a guided nighttime hike to volcano’s crater edge to witness the ultimate lightshow! And so you can see; Sicily is most definitely a destination with a lot of wonders to discover, amazing delicacies to savour, wonderful wines to imbibe and all gently mixed under the warmth of a southern Mediterranean sun. Mount Etna from the Roman Theatre at Taormina Isola Bella, Taormina Noto Cathedral This savoury bite can be masculine or feminine, depending on the side of the island where you are. In West Sicily, people call it arancina, while in East Sicily, it's arancino. Whatever its gender may be, it's undeniable that it's one of the best dishes on the island. Arancini consist of spheres or cones of rice, filled with ragout or other ingredients, then breaded and fried. Arancino (or arancina) Sunset from Vulcano Island over Filicudi, Sicily Canoli, Sicily’s famous stuffed sweets 44
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