Enjoy Sicily



Tempted by holidays to Sicily? If so prepare to be overwhelmed by its contrasts, landscapes, beaches and amazingly diverse, ancient heritage. From its bubbling capital Palermo to age-old Roman and Greek ruins, sun-drenched sands and the ever-present, smouldering Mount Etna, this is one island overflowing with treasures.




Threaded amongst its scented citrus orchards, tranquil farmland and lunar-like mountains is a kaleidoscope of towns, sights and resorts. Its east coast is the main draw, thanks to its inviting beaches and stunning landmarks. For a luxurious holiday or adult escape, picturesque, popular Taormina has stepped boutique-filled streets, sandy coves and a spectacular Greco-Roman theatre. Or for a classic sunshine break, Giardini Naxos' scenic stretch of pebbles, café culture and watersports will delight beach-loving families and couples.


 


And holidays in Sicily are about enjoying the island's passion for food and drink too. Whatever you're doing, it'll feel even better paired with a glass of almond wine, homemade pizza or steaming espresso. Add the locals' irresistible zest and hospitality and you're sure of a memorable time here.


 


Beaches

Sicily’s coastline is as varied as the rest of the island. There’s everything from sweeping sandy beaches to hidden coves, with lots of places for good, safe swimming and fun watersports. On the east coast, the beaches are busier and better equipped, with plentiful sun loungers, snack bars and watersports facilities. The most popular, and most photographed, is probably Mazzaro, which serves as the seaside playground for the historic town of Taormina. If you’re a strong swimmer, you can pay a visit to the rocky islet, Isola Bella, just off shore. Other particularly good beaches in the area are Letojanni, a very romantic setting particularly at sunset, and Giardini-Naxos, which has been attracting sunseekers since the Greeks first landed there in 750BC. Alternatively, head for the north coast and you’ll find some lovely, and generally less crowded, stretches of sand. Cefalu is the prime candidate for picture postcard immortalisation, a sweeping crescent of sand overlooked by a gorgeous-looking town and the soaring peak of the Rocca, a towering bluff which was once a refuge for locals from marauding pirates. A few miles further west is Mondello, the lido for Sicily’s capital, Palermo, and as you go even further west, you find yourself in an area largely undiscovered by visitors from outside Italy. If you don’t speak Italian you may have to rely on sign language, but you’ll be rewarded with some of the island’s most unspoilt beaches, beautiful coastal scenery, fascinating wildlife and a pace of life that’s decidedly tortoise-like.


Eating out

If you love Italian food, you’ll find all your favourites in Sicily, including pasta in all the usual shapes and sizes and pizza with a wide array of toppings. At the same time, you’ll have a chance to try some typically Sicilian dishes, which mix traditional Italian cuisine with the flavours of North Africa and Greece, bequeathed to the island by former colonists. The widespread use of aubergine, olives, pine nuts, anchovies and capers is a legacy of Arab rule, while the Greeks exploited Sicily’s abundant fish stocks to great effect. With fish and seafood almost jumping out of the Mediterranean waters straight onto the plate, along with fresh produce like lemons, oranges, avocados and almonds, it’s no wonder that the cuisine of Sicily has proved an inspiration to chefs across the globe. Local specialities of the sea include ‘zuppe di cozze’ - a dish of steamed mussels in tasty sauce, grilled swordfish or tuna flavoured with lemon, olive oil and oregano - and ‘sarde a beccafico’ - a tastebud tingling dish of baked sardines stuffed with breadcrumbs, pine nuts, sugar and lemon juice. In the meat department, veal is the staple, often breaded, pan fried or grilled and served with a vegetable medley of aubergines, tomatoes and peppers. When it comes to desserts, you’d better leave your calorie counter at home. A gift from the Arabs is ‘cassata’, a delightfully decadent ice cream or ricotta cheese cake with almond paste and candied fruit. Then, of course, there’s the ultimate sugar hit, ‘cannoli’, furled tubes of pastry-cum-biscuit oozing with ricotta, chocolate shavings and candied fruit. Alternatively, if you prefer something less creamy and more tangy, try a ‘granita’, Sicily’s famous sorbet, usually sharpened up with lemon. No time to sit down in a café or trattoria? There are equally tasty treats to be had if you’re on the move. On just about every street corner you’ll find an ice cream parlour with a kaleidoscope of flavours on offer. And if you make it to Palermo, you must try a ‘panelle’, a fried chickpea pattie served in a bread roll, usually bought from a street stall – it’s the Sicilian answer to a Big Mac. When it comes to drinks, Sicily produces a variety of very drinkable red and white table wines, as well as the world famous fortified dessert wine, Marsala. The usual range of Italian beers, like Peroni, is also available, or for a refreshing soft drink try a fresh orange juice or an iced tea. If you’re ordering coffee, remember to specify whether you want espresso - a small shot of caffeine rich java - cappuccino - milky and frothy - or Americano -traditional filter variety.