Mainland,
Sicilia is the largest island in the
Mediterranean and the southernmost region
of
Italy. Famous for its blue skies and mild
winter climate Sicilia is also home to Mount
Etna, Europe's largest active volcano. This
fertile paradise was settled by Siculi,
Phonecians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans,
Moors, Normans, Spaniards and Bourbons among
others, and the remnants of these astounding
cultures cover the entire island, from the
temples of Agrigento to the priceless
mosaics of Piazza Armerina and the ancient
capital of Siracusa. Smaller islands, such
as the Aeolian, Aegadean and Pelagian chains
as well as Pantelleria, just 90 miles off of
the African coast, are also part of Sicilia,
offering superb beaches.
Temptations
• Cerasuolo di
Vittoria (DOCG), red
• Bianco
d’Alcamo (DOC), white
• Contessa
Entellina (DOC), white, red and rosè
• Etna (DOC),
white, red and rosè
• Marsala
(DOC), gold, amber and ruby dessert wine
• Moscato di
Siracusa(DOC), gold dessert wine
• Sambuca di
Sicilia (DOC), white, red and rosè
Tastes
• Delicate and
fruity extra virgin olive oil
• Sea salt from
Trapani
• Sicilian
honey, pistacchios and succulent blood
oranges
• Almond paste
(marzipan) shaped into colorful miniature
fruits
•
Ricotta-filled cannoli
• Delicious
cassata cake with ricotta and almond paste
Arts & Crafts
Art and crafts• Red coral
artwork from Trapani
• Hand-painted
tambourines
• Medieval
style puppets on a string
• Fanciful
Sicilian carts in all sizes
• Artistic
objects made from glazed bread in Salemi
To be seenThe creepy
catacombs of San Giovanni beneath Siracusa
date back almost 3000 years.
Midway between
the temples of Agrigento and the Roman-era
mosaics of Piazza Armerina kids can enjoy a
fun-filled afternoon at the Parco Acquatico
Conte, a water world theme park in Sommatino.
Il Piccolo
Teatro dei Pupi, also in Siracusa, showcases
medieval puppetry most summer evenings.
In Bagheria,
near Palermo, is the Museo del Giocattolo
Pietro Piraino with over 700 toys from the
last four centuries.
In Palermo
itself, discover the Museo Internazionale
delle Marionette, an entire museum dedicated
to the Sicilian art of puppetry.
