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Panoramic view of Mountain town Caltabellotta, Sicily, Italy in the sunset

10 of the best things to do in Sicily in winter Most of us think of Sicily in terms of sunshine and beaches, so a winter holiday on the island may sound counterintuitive, but there are also plenty of things to do and reasons for visiting Sicily during the winter months. November to March is naturally low season which brings the obvious benefits of great value for money and very few tourists. And as well as being the best time to explore Sicily without the crowds, this is the period when you’ll get the most authentic experience. In terms of…

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Find the best things to do and see in the baroque town of Scicli More understated, and generally less visited than some of its neighbouring crowd-pullers, Scicli is certainly worth a visit if you’re on holiday in southeast Sicily. One of the eight towns in the cluster of UNESCO Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto, Scicli is both smaller and more lowkey than Modica and Ragusa, but nevertheless, utterly charming and with plenty of attractions to fill a day or two with leisurely sightseeing. Where is Scicli? Scicli is conveniently located between the coast and rural heart of…

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Cultural attractions, activities and gastronomy in Sicily There’s little question that Sicily’s a natural choice when it comes to a beach holiday. With mile upon mile of sandy beaches and an enviable scattering of pretty coves fringed by translucent water, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to soaking up the sun by the sea in Sicily. But that’s not to say that Sicily is only about sun and sea. For a start, UNESCO World Heritage sites and ancient temples dot the landscape, and towns and cities are awash with extraordinary art and architecture. Then there are nature reserves, Europe’s…

Chiesa Santa Maria dell'Ittrio and Ragusa Ibla- Sicily Italy

Everything you need to know about Ragusa, Sicily About Ragusa If you’re a Montalbano fan, you’ll definitely be familiar with Ragusa, but even if you’re not, this is a town that simply couldn’t fail to impress. Showcasing some of Sicily’s most memorable sights, Ragusa is one of the eight towns that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto. The town is in fact split in two – Ragusa Superiore and Ragusa Ibla – and not surprisingly, some visitors to the area are initially confused as to which one to head for. In this…

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6 reasons to holiday in Sicily this spring Why wait for June or July for a hint of sunshine? While northern Europe might still be in shiver mode, get an early taste of summer with an Easter break in Sicily. What better way to spend Easter than lingering over cappuccinos at pavement cafés and feasting on the daily catch overlooking the ocean? Alongside the warm sunshine, you’ll find spectacular Easter parades and processions, delicious food, and shop windows crammed with wonderful displays of Easter goodies. Spring sunshine While Easter sunshine can be a bit hit and miss in northern Europe,…

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Five of the best lesser known Sicilian towns Even if you’ve never been to Sicily, there’s a good chance you’ll have heard of Taormina, the impossibly picturesque seafront town on the island’s east coast. Recently thrust even further into the public’s consciousness by way of the TV series White Lotus, the town is unashamedly a treasure trove of jaw dropping views and film set snapshots. The downside, of course, is you won’t be the only tourist in town! Between April and October, the streets of Taormina are filled with holidaymakers keen to get their fill of the iconic vistas, fabulous…

palermo-sicily

FOCUS ON PALERMO Step off the plane or train in Palermo and despite still being in Italy, you’ll find yourself in a world of souk-like markets, Arab-style domes and eye popping baroque architecture. Yes, Palermo is the regional capital of Sicily but it’s also a fascinating hotchpotch of cultures and traditions. In fact, few places in the world rival Palermo when it comes to cultural melting pots. Unification with mainland Italy didn’t take place until 1861 and by then, the numerous invaders – Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Spanish and Normans – each left their mark on the island, creating a unique…

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Sicily’s best-known coastal resort Ask anyone who’s holidayed in Sicily whether they’ve visited Taormina and the chances are they will have done. The fact is this jewel of a town attracts more tourists than anywhere else on the island. Staying here is not everyone’s cup of tea – exploring some of the lesser-known corners of Sicily can be far more rewarding – but there’s no denying that there are plenty of reasons to visit. After all, this is a town where dazzling blue seas and the dramatic outline of Mount Etna form the backdrop to achingly pretty medieval buildings and…

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Discover all you need to know about Acireale How much do you know about the town of Acireale? One of Sicily’s unsung, lesser-known stars, this is a town steeped in mythology, with an elegant baroque historic centre and some of Sicily’s most spectacular Carnival celebrations. Where is Acireale? Set half-way between Catania and Taormina, just 40 minutes by car from Catania airport, the coastal town is perfectly located for exploring Sicily’s east coast. The vineyard-carpeted slopes of Mount Etna are on your doorstep and, heading south, Syracuse is just over an hour’s drive away,. The legend of Acis and Galatea…

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Focus on Tindari So you’ve heard of Taormina, Palermo and Cefalù, and possibly of the splendid baroque towns of Noto, Modica and Ragusa in the south east of the island. But have you ever heard of Tindari? And if so, how much do you know about it? Where is Tindari? If you drive along the motorway on the north coast between Palermo and Messina, somewhere between Capo d’Orlando and Milazzo, you’ll catch sight of the spectacular Sanctuary of the Black Madonna. This is Tindari’s most famous attraction, built on the ruins of the Tindari Castle, with views of the Tyrrhenian…

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Churches and chocolate in Sicily’s baroque southeast If you’re anywhere near the extraordinary baroque towns of southeast during your holiday in Sicily, you’ll certainly want to spend time in Modica. One of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Val di Noto towns and cities, visitors come to the town for two main reasons – the churches and utterly bewitching baroque architecture, and the chocolate. In common with its neighbours, the medieval old town underwent a major reconstruction after the devasting earthquake of 1693, when damaged buildings were replaced by magnificent baroque facades, extravagant churches and palazzi, all connected by a labyrinth…

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Traditional festive Christmas and New Year celebrations Christmas is coming and with it, a sparkling display of nativity scenes, twinkling lights and a selection of foodie treats. As you’d expect, the Christmas period in Sicily is both traditional and religious but you’ll also find plenty of festive fun. It’s also a brilliant opportunity to get a real insight into life in Sicily without the tourists. Weather in Sicily at Christmas In spite of Sicily’s proximity to Africa, you’re not going to find soaring Mediterranean heat. Temperatures tend to range from around 11 to 16˚ but this can vary further depending…

Piazza Pretoria, Palermo in Sicily.

Take an alternative Italian city break With one of the biggest historic centres in the whole of Italy, atmospheric markets, a fascinating food culture and the second largest opera house in Europe, Palermo is increasingly a strong contender when it comes to Italian city breaks. At times, it can seem a little rough round the edges but that’s all part of the attraction and quickly overshadowed by magnificent UNESCO World Heritage architecture and a buzzing restaurant scene which sets the city up as the perfect introduction to the rest of the island. When is the best time to visit Palermo?…

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Should I book a guided tour in Sicily or explore independently? One of the things that really sets Sicily apart from other Mediterranean islands is the sheer volume of things to see. Stunning beaches and an enviable climate certainly make it a natural choice for a fly and flop holiday but the island is also a favourite for anyone interested in exploring beyond the nearest stretch of sand. The problem is that with so much to see, it can be quite tricky to fit everything into a week’s holiday! Efficient planning can help but inevitably, unexpected issues arise and trips…

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5 reasons to visit Sicily in September and October Here in Sicily, we’re hopeful that travel discussions are moving in the right direction. In Italy, we’re getting ready to welcome overseas visitors with open arms and without the need for quarantining. But if you’re still a little nervous about travelling abroad, why not plan ahead and book a September or October break? Here are 5 good reasons why. The last of the summer sun After a challenging winter, the idea of extending summer as long as possible is hugely appealing. Luckily, our southerly location just 100 miles northeast of Africa,…

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A practical guide to Syracuse and Ortigia, Sicily Unlike Rome, Florence and Venice, Syracuse – or Siracusa in Italian – still manages to hover slightly below the tourist radar, in spite of its enormous cultural wealth. At the height of its influence, it was the most important city of Magna Graecia with a population at times in excess of 500,000. Today, the city, with its 120,000 or so inhabitants, still boasts some of the finest Baroque art and architecture, and Greek and Roman ruins, although there’s also plenty to do beyond the cultural attractions. Basically, if you’re planning a holiday…

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Some of Sicily’s most evocative land and seascapes first found their way on to our TV screens via the popular detective Montalbano series. Written by native Sicilian, Andrea Camilleri, who died earlier this year, the televised novels and short stories are a wonderful snapshot of the island, not least through the fictional detective’s love of great food! There’s no doubt that exploring a destination through its literature is a great way to get a feel for a place before you arrive. So if you enjoy reading, set aside some time as the evenings draw in to curl up with a…

Cefalu, Italy - September 19, 2014: View at a parking with people and cars passing by the coast road during a warm summer evening near the old town of Cefalu, Sicily.

If you’ve missed out on a summer holiday, a quick September getaway may be just what you need to get through the winter. Pack your bags for a 4 or 5 day break in Sicily and combine a few days of sunshine with some fascinating city sightseeing. These are our top 5 picks. Catania An east coast stay means there are plenty of towns to choose from. From your base at Terrazza sul Mare, start with the least well-known, Acireale, where fine baroque buildings line the streets of the old town and spectacular views of Mount Etna are on tap…

san giorgio ragusa sicily

If you want to really get under Sicily’s skin, there’s no better way than being around for one of the big patron saints’ celebrations. Rent a villa in Sicily and visit Ragusa Ibla during the 3-day festivities for the much-revered San Giorgio and you’ll experience one of the most colourful, atmospheric events anywhere in Sicily. The town of Ragusa Ibla is extraordinary even without a festa.  Lively and crammed with fascinating sights, this is one of south east Sicily’s finest Unesco-listed towns. At the heart of the town stands the magnificent baroque Basilica di San Giorgio, its portal depicting a…

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Take a holiday in Sicily and you quickly realise that the island’s history stretches far back before the Greeks and Romans to a tangled web of myths and legends which are intrinsically linked to the island’s culture and geography. The history of Sicily has it that its distinctive triangular shape, symbolised by the Trinacria, was formed by three nymphs who, having gathered the best things from all around the world – earth, fruit, stones – flung them into the clear blue sea which lit up like a rainbow and subsequently gave rise to the three peaks from which the island…