Holiday in Sicily

About Sicily

Sicily is the epicenter of Mediterranean culture — the largest island of Mare Nostrum, where Greek temples stand beside Arab domes, Mount Etna smokes over lemon groves as the highest active volcano in Europe, and the street food of Palermo could be considered a world heritage of taste. Mount Etna, at 3,357 meters, dominates the east coast and is much more than a volcano: Its lava landscapes, the fertile slopes with pistachios from Bronte, and the Nerello Mascalese wine that matures on volcanic soil create their own ecosystem. Taormina, perched on a rocky terrace above the sea, offers one of the most breathtaking views in the entire Mediterranean with its Greek-Roman theater and the panorama of Etna. In the south, the Valley of the Temples near Agrigento preserves the best-preserved Greek temple complexes outside of Greece — the Temple of Concordia has remained almost intact for 2,500 years. The baroque towns of Val di Noto in the southeast, rebuilt in lavish splendor after the earthquake of 1693, are part of the UNESCO World Heritage: Ragusa, Modica, and Noto shimmer in honey-colored sandstone. Palermo pulses with an energy that rivals Rome and Naples: The markets Ballarò and Vucciria steam with Arancini, Panelle, Sfincione, and Stigghiola, the Norman-Arab palace chapel Cappella Palatina sparkles in Byzantine gold, and in the alleys of the old town, 3,000 years of history merge into a vibrant mosaic. Off the coast, the Aeolian Islands with Stromboli and its nighttime lava fountain offer a natural spectacle of the highest order.