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Sicily
Sicily
(Sicilia) is the largest
Mediterranean island, and is situated at the
foot of Italy near the Northern coast of
Africa. It is a volcanic island with Mount
Etna, Europe's highest and most active
volcano near Catania in the north east of
the island.
There are
hundreds of beautiful beaches where sea of
all different shades of blue glisten onto
shores of warm
 volcanic
sands.
Sicily
has a unique and fascinating
heritage, due to a long history of invasions
and rulings, and these influences can be
seen throughout Sicily, not only from
ancient ruins that have been left behind,
but also through the cuisine, culture and
architecture. Sicily has been a Greek
colony, an Arab Emirate, a Roman province
and a Norman kingdom!
Sicily
has fashionable, modern and
touristic resorts, such as Giardini di
Naxos, and smaller fishing and mountain
villages where you will see a more old
fashioned way of life, with old women
dressed in black and the local old men
gathering in the local piazza to play a game
of cards.
 Sicily
has many famous and
important Greek ruins and archeological
sites. Most notably at Agrigento on the
south coast is the
Valley of Temples
(Valle dei Templi),
one of the greatest legacies of Ancient
Greece, (see photo, left)and also recognised
by UNESCO as a World
Heritage Site. The site is found on the
outskirts of the town, and the Doric Temples
date back to 5BC. They are what remains of
the original Greek city that used to be
known as Akragas.
Siracusa
was another important Greek town,
and was home to Archimedes. There is a
surviving Greek amphitheatre that remains in
almost perfect condition, where classical
dramas are performed in the summer time.
The capital
Palermo is chaotic but lots
to see (Palermo market, see photo right hand
side). Catania in the south east of the
island is a very Baroque town, and from here
it is easy to make a trip to Etna (should
you dare!)
The leading
holiday destination is
Taormina, which boasts a film festival in
June, a surviving Greek theatre, and
 the
popular Giardini di Naxos nearby.
From mainland
Sicily, you can reach the
Aeolian Islands, Isle of Volcano and
Stromboli. Water here for scuba diving or
just observing is great, as you can see sea
horses, swordfish, flying fish and turtles.
FLIGHTS:
Catania - Palermo
HOTELS:
East Sicily & Islands -
North Sicily & Islands
Pictures courtesy of
stock.xchang |
