1 WEEK IN EASTERN SICILY
  

Benvenuti in Italia, and Welcome to Sicily!

Taormina, the “Pearl of the Mediterranean”, sits on a natural terrace above the sea. The Greek Theatre is one of the most suggestive spots, sited in a fantastic position and dipped into the blooming nature of this land. The view goes across the sea and reaches the Calabria coasts, the town of Siracusa and Etna's peak. Undoubtedly, today and at that time, the audience is fascinated by this beautiful view.

A walk in the Villa Comunale, offering typical Mediterranean maquis vegetation with a nice view sheer above the sea, is not to be missed. The coast offers charming sandy beaches lapped by crystal-clear water: the ones of Giardini Naxos and Mazzarò are the most frequented. In front of Capo Sant' Andrea, the coast of Isola Bella is today a protected natural oasis. After spending the day at the beach, you can shop in the workshops on the main street, where you can find everything – from pottery to jewels, from clothes to souvenirs. Or you can rest, drinking a lemon slush served with a hot brioche or a typical cassata siciliana.

The main food is, of course, fish: sardines, swordfish according to the best Sicilian tradition, but also eggplants, ricotta, olives and any good product that grows under the sun of this land.

Mount Etna, "a muntagna" as the Sicilians call it with affection and reverence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the majestic, incredible volcano that dominates the east coast of Sicily, the most active and highest volcano in Europe.

On the slopes of the mountain, nourished by lava, layer after layer, vines have been cultivated since ancient times. The grapes were planted by the Greeks, who began viticulture on these slopes as early as the 7th century B.C.. Their commitment and work were inherited and carried out also by the Romans, who expanded their cultivation. In the first half of the 20th century, pests and the two world wars led to a decline in viticulture in the region; many vineyards were abandoned and replaced by more profitable crops. Only at the end of the 20th century, a renewed interest in quality wines led to a rebirth of Etna viticulture. A handful of passionate winemakers decided to bet on old vineyards but invest in new winemaking techniques, capable at the same time of innovating but respecting tradition and terroir (and what a terroir, in this case). In this area, you will visit a winery at the base of the mountain, surrounded by incredibly fertile soils, and discover two of the most famous Sicilian wines, Etna Rosso and Etna Bianco.

On the way back to Taormina, you’ll stop in Acireale. This little city boasts one of the most beautiful squares in Sicily, Piazza Duomo. Its particular flooring gives it a decidedly scenic appearance, even if it is a relatively recent work. In fact, its concentric ring motif was added in 2009 to recall the shapes of the classic Gothic rose windows, similar to those seen in the Cathedral overlooking the square. Several imposing palaces complete this beautiful square: the Duomo, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Palazzo di Città and Palazzo Modò.

Cicero defined Syracuse as “the most beautiful city in Magna Graecia.” He was right, of course. Still today, the echoes of its ancient grandeur reverberate from the streets, churches and monuments, corroborating its religious and cultural importance: Syracuse is a destination no traveller should pass up and, with Sicily's Mediterranean climate, can be visited in any season of the year.

Made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, the city conserves ancient vestiges in every niche and corner, from Classical testimonies to Baroque splendours, all within a landscape of enchanting beauty. The UNESCO Site actually includes two different places: the cave necropolis of Pantalica and the historical centre of Syracuse. Both evidence the development and progression of ancient civilizations.

Thanks to its enviable geographic position, Syracuse was a crucial crossroads of commercial exchange since the Greeks settled it. Today it is a living artefact, connoting the customs and traditions of the many Mediterranean populations that passed through and dominated it, from the Byzantines, Bourbons, and Arabs to the Normans and Aragonese. Sùraka, as Syracuse is known in Sicilian dialect (meaning an abundance of water), was one of the principal settlements in Magna Grecia, a place of artistic brilliance and commercial power. It was also one of the most important centres of Christianity during the Middle Ages, and it later saw its Baroque golden age after the earthquake of 1693. However, the oldest urban nucleus resides on the little island of Ortygia, where we find the Temple of Apollo, the most ancient in Sicily. The remains from the Temple of Athena (5th Century B.C.) were later converted into the Cathedral, while the Temple of Zeus “rui culonne” (two columns) because what is left of the entire structure consists of just two columns.

In the 4th Century B.C., Syracuse expanded via the residential quarters of Tyche and (the monumental) Neapolis ( Ortygia, Acradina and Epipoli already existed). Traces left by the Roman conquest include the beloved Amphitheatre, while just as magnificent is the Castello di Maniace, a Byzantine citadel commissioned by Frederick II of Swabia.

The Cave Necropolis of Pantalica is not far from Syracuse, close to open quarries. Pantalica became a refuge on the plateau of the Iblei Mountains for the coastal inhabitants fleeing the Sicels and other Italic populations that landed here in the first half of the 8th Century B.C. (the period to which these scenographic necropolises date). The complex consists of approximately 5,000 tombs dug into the rock, and the Anaktoron (Prince’s Palace) positioned at the top of a hill, a reminder of the majestic Mycenaean palaces.

In southeastern Sicily, Val di Noto (the Noto Valley) – with its eight gorgeous late-Baroque cities – became one of the Italian UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2002. The eight, Caltagirone, Militello Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo, Ragusa and Scicli, already existed during the Medieval Age. Still, they were rebuilt (in part or entirely) after the catastrophic earthquake of 1693. Following the stylistic model predominant during the era, the cities’ architecture, urban plan and decorations constitute the culmination of one of the last periods of Baroque’s flourishing in Europe.

Known in antiquity as Ibla, Ragusa features two somewhat different city centres, one reconstructed from the ground up, in the new style, after the events of 1693 and the other according to its original Medieval look. An itinerary through the Baroque in Ragusa winds among nine principal churches (e.g. San Giovanni Battista, San Giorgio, Santa Maria dei Miracoli) and seven palazzi (including the Cancelleria, Bertini, and Cosentini).

Palazzolo and Modica also have two urban centres. The first one in Palazzolo is a Medieval centre around which the old city was rebuilt after the earthquake. The new town subsequently developed around another town centre. The Churches of San Sebastiano, and Saints Peter and Paul are of particular importance. Of rare beauty, Modica and its old Castle centre are high on one of the hills in the Iblei Mountains, while the other, newly-constructed one lies down in the valley. Among the spectacular urban monuments, the Cathedral of San Giorgio and the Church of St. Peter (the “Duomo” of the lower city) certainly merit a visit.

The city of Noto is rehashed in an entirely new area, also divided into two levels. The more recent section, on an incline, provides a spectacular composition of streets and buildings in the Baroque, from noble palaces such as Palazzo Ducezio to religious complexes - the Cathedral of San Nicolò, for example.

Finally, the last pearl on the string of the Noto Valley's cities is represented by magnificent Scicli, where churches and patrician villas make for a visibly striking urban panorama. Specifically, Palazzo Beneventano (especially its glorious facade) is an architectonic and artistic masterpiece.

Finally, on a Sicilian Cooking Class at a home restaurant, you’ll embark on a culinary journey at the discovery of the flavours of the Mediterranean, discovering the sheer excellence hidden in simplicity. You'll have the opportunity to master some signature dishes, including fresh pasta, fragrant focaccia, Arancini and Cannoli with Ricotta, and enchanting Santa Agata sweets. This experience will captivate you, leaving an unforgettable imprint on your culinary journey.

In the Valley of the Temples (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the fascination of ancient history blends with the beauty of nature. The sea on one side, the old city-hill on the other, the majestic Doric-style temples rising in the centre of it all, and the tones of the tufo with which they are constructed create a picture-perfect setting.

The Temple of Concordia is the most well-preserved of the temples, having been transformed into a church. The Temple of Juno still boasts 25 of its original 34 columns to support its structure. Then, the Temple of the Dioscuri is considered the most symbolic, while the Temple of Hercules is the oldest. Together with the Temple of Zeus, these five giants dominate the Valley.

Leaving the Valley and heading towards the city, you will come across the remains of the Hellenistic-Roman Quarter, with its houses decorated in beautiful mosaics. The ancient shops, wells, cisterns and the sewer system lend a relatively clear idea of how the old city looked. Evidence abounds from the Greek era: be sure to see the fascinating objects at the Regional Archaeological Museum; they originate from the ancient area of Akragas.

Through Porta di Ponte, you will enter the ancient quarter of Agrigento, still conveying the image of a Medieval village, with its narrow roads and steep, winding alleys all converging towards the main road. Stroll through the ancient city and wander to the Cathedral, where a grand stairway leads to the churchyard and bell tower, the construction of which has never been completed.

The tour is over, but the memories of a fantastic journey will accompany you for a lifetime!

Arrivederci for another tour with VITOR, Visit Italy on the Road.