""Touched by the sea, kissed by the sun ....." Top 5 Page for this destination Sicilia by TheWanderingCamel

Sicilia Travel Guide: 3,324 reviews and 6,828 photos

....blessed by the gods"

One of the first descriptions of a place ever written,
this is how, in ancient times, a Greek historian described the Sicilian city of Catania. Although he would not recognize his Catania in the sprawling city we see today, his words sum up Sicily perfectly. Could any modern day advertising copywriter express the island's charms so succinctly?

Ten days on the island

Late afternoon light

Nowhere near enough to see it all, but time enough to fall in love with the beautiful coastline and wide olive-, wheat- and vine-planted hinterland, to wander among golden Grecian columns and narrow mediaeval streets, to stand transfixed beneath the steady gaze of Byzantine Christ Pantocrators and watch the sunset glow fade on brightly painted fishing boats bobbing in little harbours.

Hundreds of years of Arab rule have left their mark and even today there are decidedly North African aspects to be seen in quiet places and old city centres that could be downtown Damascus, cathedrals decorated with Moorish motifs, couscous and saffron in the cooking.

Splendid Roman ruins, eerie Christian catacombs, Norman castles, a mediaeval mountaintop town, a smoking Mt Etna, markets overflowing with fresh, fresh produce - every day brought new delights. Sunset brought evening walks before and after hours spent over delicious food and local wines before we returned to charming B&Bs (and a wonderfully cheesy seaside hotel) where we slept like logs and woke to yet another perfect day.

leyle

Last visit to Sicilia: Jun 2008
Intro Updated Oct 18, 2011
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Reviews (36)

Oranges and lemons, and pass the... Local Customs (4)

It's hard to imagine a Sicily without orange and lemon trees - you see them everywhere. Nine out of ten lemons sold in... more travel advice

Faith and fervour Local Customs (4)

Festivals, both religious and secular, are an important part of Sicilian life. Whilst many are a time of partying,... more travel advice

Masterpieces in marzipan Local Customs (4)

The artistry employed in producing the marzipan fruits and vegetables seen in pasticceria everywhere is quite amazing.... more travel advice

Beauty or beast? Local Customs (4)

The island we know as Sicily was called Trinakrias by the Greeks The Romans called it Trinacrium - it means" triangle"... more travel advice

Transportation (2)
See All Who's got the map?
Warnings Or Dangers (3)
See All Hot, hot, hot!
Things to Do (17)
See All Mount Etna - mountain of mountains

Restaurants (5)
See All Pitstop lunches
Hotels (5)
See All Sicilian seaside
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Comments (14)

HORSCHECK Oct 18, 2011 at 2:18 PM Report Abuse

Brilliant and comprehensive Sicilia page. I quite like the idea to travel by train from Rome to Siracusa. Great to read that even Italian trains can be on time. Unfortunately I never made it further south than the Amalfi coast in Italy, so Sicilia is still on my must visit list.
balhannah Oct 17, 2011 at 5:51 PM Report Abuse

Excellent page! The ruins are unbelievable, many of them in such good condition. Palermo, I love the Churches and was it a Marble font, whatever! fantastic! The marzipan too, as you say, it looks real, and as for Taorima, I agree with you, far too crowded, we couldn't stand the crowds so went! Ex photo's too!
icunme Nov 8, 2009 at 9:19 AM Report Abuse

Wonder of wonders! Your pages are a joy - how I want to go back! Graze, mille grazie....
iandsmith Aug 21, 2009 at 7:54 PM Report Abuse

Lots of interesting info as usual. Excellent stuff.
Jenniflower Oct 27, 2008 at 10:36 AM Report Abuse

I have made a start! Great info as always, and superb photos :)
Kuznetsov_Sergey Aug 29, 2008 at 9:57 AM Report Abuse

Comprehensive page full of interesting details! Sicilia isn't a very popular destination for Russian tourists yet, but I know people who were there and enjoyed the trip. You've convinced me in the same... Thanks Leyle!
mfas2000 Aug 14, 2008 at 1:01 AM Report Abuse

Nice page for an exotic place. On my wish list...Thanks fo rthe historical brief.. i see some resembelnce to Cordoba spain in term of moorish influence..maybe less mosques, i guess!
Trekki Aug 6, 2008 at 11:41 PM Report Abuse

What a delightful page, Leyle :-)) Sicily is on my wishlist since Montalbano and you made me want to go even more now! The windmills are a magic sight as are the colourful boats and not to forget this splendid history :-))
Pawtuxet Aug 5, 2008 at 12:13 PM Report Abuse

cable car? not on your life! Love the windmills...I had no idea. Lemonciello...mmmmmmm
toonsarah Aug 4, 2008 at 4:31 AM Report Abuse

Fantastic page Leyle! I've been to Sicily twice but you've shown me that I've barely scratched its surface. You've really done the island justice, and when I read the 1st of your Monreale tips I wished that VT had a 6 star rating :-)