Top 3 Best Places to Stay in Sicily: Where to Book Your Accommodation

A baroque church in Modica (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Giorgia Di Mattei

The good weather, the stunning seascapes and the warm people make Sicily the perfect destination for pleasant and relaxing holidays. All around the island, there are a lot of heavenly spots, but with this little guide you'll be sure to choose among the best places to stay in Sicily.

Opt for the place that better matches with your ideal holiday and enjoy your stay!

1. Surrounded by nature in CefaluNature lovers get ready to have a trip around the best landscapes ever. If you want to enjoy the wonders of both the sea and the mountain, one of the best places to stay in Sicily is Cefalu.
This small seaside village is at about 10 miles from the park of Madonie where you can go trekking or birdwatching, among the lush paths of the reserve. Have a bath among the stacks in the bay of Cefalu, just below the promontory of the Rocca, or enjoy the naturist beach enclosed in the gorges of Tiberio, near San Mauro Castelverde.

Palermo Uncovered - Things to See & Do in Palermo, Sicily

Politeama theatre. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Michelle Elkins
Like the country itself, the people of Sicily burst with colour, passion and vitality, welcoming visitors to their spectacular island with a warmth that is infectious. As the capital of Sicily, Palermo concentrates all this wonderful enthusiasm and provides a getaway for holiday-makers that is unforgettable. Although parts of it are still crumbling, much work has been done to restore the grandeur of this amazing city which is rich in medieval ancestry and the sights, sounds and flavours of the Mediterranean.


Palermo Airport, also known as Punta Raisi Airport or Falcone-Borsellino Airport is located 32km northwest of the centre. For those not organising car hire at Palermo Airport, onward transportation comes in the form of trains, buses, taxis or a Palermo Airport Transfer, which is well worth the few minutes it takes to book in advance. Direct flights to Palermo from the UK go from Stansted Airport and are provided by the low cost airline, Ryanair.  


While the Piazza Pretoria equates the central point of Palermo, where the famous Pretoria Fountain complete with nude figurines takes centre stage, the Quattro Canti is at the original heart of the city. This ancient square is where the main roads of the Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda diverge and divided the town into quarters. It is here that one of the most impressive structures in Palermo lies, at least internally, the Palazzo dei Normanni, which is now where the Sicilian parliament resides. This Arab-Norman palace has been rebuilt significantly from the outside but inside is made spectacular by the unbelievable mosaics which cover the walls and ceiling of the Cappella Palatina and the old Royal Apartments.


Other places of interest to visit are the Museo Archeologico Regionale with its Greek and Roman artifacts, the Galleria Regionale within the Gothic-styled Palazzo Abatellis which exhibits a host of masterpieces, and for music lovers there is the Teatro Massimo. Finally finished in 1897, after 22 years of construction, it is the largest opera house in Italy.


For a truly spine-tingling treat however, the Capuchin Catacombs offer something a little more macabre. Situated under the monastery of the same name, it is home to over 8000 mummified cadavers which line the walls in a state of lifelike suspension. The effect is due to the special preservative used to freeze the corpses, although some have fared better then others. Some of the bodies date back to the 16th century, but the last person to be buried there was a 2-year-old called Rosalia Lombaro in 1920 who the locals have nicknamed "Sleeping Beauty". It is open daily between 9am-12 noon and 3pm-5pm.


After all that sight-seeing, a leisurely trip to the beach may well be in order and on the north coast of Sicily the choice is fantastic. The chance to wade in mesmerising, warm blue waters and lay out on soft, golden sands in the glorious Sicily weather is guaranteed along the north coast.. Travel west 12.2km, a journey of around 25 minutes in a Palermo hire car, and you come to the riviera-type resort of Mondello. This pretty seaside location is full of beautiful grand villas, many in the art deco style, and swaying palm trees sat cocooned between the gentle, lulling sea and the majestic mountains of Cape Gallo and Mount Pellegrini. The town has plenty of quaint cafes to find refreshment in or for something altogether swankier, there is a beach club with a restaurant located at the end of a pier which treats diners to some spectacular views. To get back to nature, the Capo Gallo National Park provides some fantastic walks with its rocky, lush green beauty and is just a further 20 minute drive north.   


Travel in the other direction, 67km or 55 minutes east from Palermo by car and Cefalù offers the perfect place for a day trip. More classically Italian in spirit, Cefalù boasts a colourful beach and a plethora of traditional eateries, while the town´s Norman and medieval heritage is still very much in evidence in its narrow winding streets and architectural remnants. The Palermo-Messina trains also stop along this route and buses regularly stop here.


It would be impossible to come to Sicily though and not visit one of nature´s biggest attractions. Although Mount Etna is over a 3 hour drive from Palermo, roughly 250km, the chance to see the most active volcano in the world is unmissable. The south side of the mountain is free for all to climb but to get to the very top and stare into the eye of the volcano, a guide is necessary. Here the scenery changes from vines and wooded areas to a spartan wasteland of craters and hardened black lava, dotted with snow for much of the year. The result is akin to the conditions on Mars which is why scientists frequently use the area to test robots before they are sent there.


Although it can be done in a day, it is advisable to stop off in nearby Catania for the night and take the opportunity to visit some of the unusual black sandy beaches, a direct result of the resident volcano. Also on the list should be Siracusa, approximately 66km and an hour´s drive south. The town itself and the nearby Necropolis of Pantalica are listed as UNESCO world heritage sites, and have some amazing examples of ancient Greek and Roman archaeology.

Michelle Elkins is a regular contributor to the Sicily Airport Guide, which provides the best rates on [http://www.sicily-airport-guide.com/palermo-airport-car-hire.htm]Palermo Airport car hire and information on everything from [http://www.sicily-airport-guide.com/palermo-airport-transfers.htm]Palermo Airport transfers to Palermo Weather.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Palermo-Uncovered---Things-to-See-and-Do-in-Palermo,-Sicily&id=2092727] Palermo Uncovered - Things to See & Do in Palermo, Sicily

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My Favorite Sicilian Restaurants

Sicilian buffet (Photo credit: stijn)

By []James Iozia

Sicilian restaurants offer up some of the best cuisine in the world. Italy has always been known for its great food, and Sicilian food is no exception to this. And it isn't only the food that makes eating in a Sicilian restaurant a memorable experience, the leisurely way it is presented has made it into a high art. The approach to Sicilian eating is the grandest of the meeting of the ways between the best folk traditions and the best aristocratic ones. Sicilian cuisine reflects the unique and diverse cultural heritage taken from its history. Sicilian dining is an experience surely to be enjoyed.

Many restaurants in Palermo and other coastal towns focus on the seafood dishes. Although there are cheaper places to be found in the city, Palermo also offers some of the best Sicilian restaurants in the area. In Palermo, notable ones for the tourist to try are:

Tours to Palermo - Beyond the Sicilian Legend

Detail of the bell tower. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Author: Aman Kapur

When planning vacations time visiting Palermo, every person has different evocations associated to this place. Some people think of Palermo as a beach of cosmopolite charm, some others recall its historical connotation associated to ancient Phoenicians, Greeks, Roman, and the Byzantine Empire, while others associate Palermo with the modern urban legends of Sicilian "bad guys." Whatever is written in your mind, Palermo is a tourist destination you must keep in your list to places to visit sometime.
Located in the south of the Italian peninsula, Palermo is the capital city of the Island of Sicily, a city that was founded around 2,700 years ago, although there is archeological evidence that the city was founded not later than 8000 years BC. Sicilia is an autonomous Italian region in the south tip of Italy, with Palermo connecting to mainland via by train or car via its highway, although the Aeroporto Internazionale Falcone Borsellino is the easiest way to arrive from almost anywhere around the world.

The Best Opera Houses in Italy

Teatro alla Scala, Milan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We all know that the country of Italy is famous for it's art, food, people, soccer (calcio), fine fashion and great natural beauty. On the artistic side, there are famous churches, cathedrals, paintings, sculptures, piazzas, etc.



And if you are an opera buff, Italy is home to many famous and beautiful opera houses. Below is a listing of the famous opera houses in Italy.

Things to Do in Sicily: Three Places You Must Visit

Image via Wikipedia
By Marcello Arrambide


People from all over the world are dreaming of going to the Italian island of Sicily. And when they finally do get there they remain clueless about what to do. There are an infinite amount of possibilities on the island that has been conquered by so many cultures. Whether you interested in history, culture, food, or even the arts Sicily has something for you. Here are three places that art fanatics have to see:

Mount Etna - A Thrilling Sicily Destination!

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By James Iozia



When you hear of active volcanoes, one cannot help but think of Mount Etna, one of the world's most famous volcanoes. Located on the east coast of the island of Sicily, Mount Etna is the largest active volcano in the world. It is known as a stratovolcano, which means that it is conical and was built by the eruption of lava, ashes and pyroclastic flows. Currently it stands about 3,329 meters (10,922 ft.) high, but this is constantly changing due to summit eruptions.

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The Sicilian climate

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Author: daniele76

The Sicilian climate is Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild winters. Sicily Coast enjoys a subtropical climate, since it meets the parameters of this type climate: the average annual temperature is at least 18 ° C, the average temperature of the coldest month is between 6 and 18 ° C (in Palermo is 12.5 ° C in January), while the temperature of the warmest month exceeds 22 ° C (both Palermo and Catania is just over 26 ° C in August).

Shopping in Sicily

Image by lemmingsolution via Flickr

By James Iozia


Opportunities for shopping in Sicily are nearly endless. From Palermo's famous craftwork to fine petit point in Taormina and everything in between, you can easily spend days browsing unique stores in Sicily.
If you're from the US, be aware that most of the stores in Sicily are closed daily between 1 and 4pm. They reopen after 4, but most are closed again by 8pm. This is especially true of the family owned shops. Here are a few things to consider bringing home with you.
Ceramics
When you are shopping in Sicily, you will notice a variety of ceramics to choose from. Sicily is one of the leaders in the Italian ceramics market. Important factories are located on the northern coast, between Messina and Cefalu. Colorful "folk" pieces can still be purchased at bargain prices.

What You'll Learn at Cooking Classes in Sicily

Image by scotted400 via Flickr
By James Iozia


If you want to take cooking classes in Sicily during your vacation, you might be interested in something called "culinary travel". Culinary travel combines informal cooking classes with a tour of the island. You might call it a "tour of Sicilian food". But, you'll also get to see the craftsmen and the famous archaeological sites.


The group tours start in the market place, where tourists learn how the fresh ingredients are selected. Freshness accounts for some of the virtues of Sicilian food. The primary ingredients are grown locally, purchased at a farmer's market and usually cooked the same day.
Once the ingredients are selected, you can participate in hands-on cooking classes in Sicily restaurants or private homes, depending on the group that you tour with. You can also sample traditional Sicilian food by participating in "Agritourism".

I Love Touring Italy - Springtime In Sicily

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Author: Levi Reiss

The island of Sicily lies to the southwest of southern Italy in the Mediterranean Sea. You may be surprised by the weather here, especially in early March. Don't expect to sip a coffee in a terrace by the seaside in the early spring. But by late March the wildflowers will be in bloom. By mid-May a beach outing is a real possibility. And it's strawberry season before the month is out.
The city of Modica, population about 55 thousand, on the southern coast has been named a UNESCO Heritage site along with its surroundings. Modica claims to have Italy's best chocolate since it was introduced by the Spanish conquistadors in the 1500s. On March 19 a bonfire burns all night long in front of the church of its patron saint, Saint George. On the 23rd of the month the city of Vittoria, population 60 thousand, situated near the southwestern coast presents the Feast of the Foundation, an exhibition of local wines. Two days later the city of Patti, population about 30 thousand, hosts the Annunziata's feast with a parade of little children dressed like angels and covered in gold. The last Friday of March the town of San Marco d'Alunzio, population 2 thousand, about 75 miles (120 kilometers) east of Palermo in northern Sicily celebrates the Festa della Crocifisso. A solemn procession of thirty three hooded worshippers called Babaluti carry a Crucifix.

The town of Messina - Sicily

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Author: Daniele Davide


Messina is a town in Sicily called "door of Sicily" and once Zancle and Messana. Located near the extreme northeast of Sicily (Capo Peloro) on the Strait that bears her name. The city has 243,030 inhabitants and is the third of the Sicilian cities, as well as the thirteenth Italian town by population. Its port is the first in Italy for number of passengers and sixth for cruise traffic. Ancient and illustrious city, Messina has had a destructive and tragic story like few others, which deleted the greatness achieved in the late Middle Ages

The Leopard

The Leopard: "This month marks the 150th anniversary of Garibaldi's landings in Sicily as part of the national unification movement - and nobody in Sicily seems to care. Fact is often stranger than fiction, and the historical novel that provoked serious reconsideration of the unification war and its aftermath remains the bestselling Sicilian work of fiction half a century after its initial publication.

The Leopard is the story of an aristocratic family of Palermo beginning in 1860. Important themes abound within its pages, and it remains as fresh and readable today as it was over fifty years ago. It was published shortly after the death of its author, Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, himself a Sicilian nobleman.

What's interesting is that this unique novel is still fairly popular. More than any other book, it has shaped the opinions of many Sicilians over the last five decades, challenging what - until the fall of the House of Savoy and the end of Fascism - was advocated by the Italian police state as the 'official' view of Italian unification.

"