Top 10 Sicily

162 Pages·2018·36.53 MB·English

by  DK Travel

EYEWITNESS TRAVEL
TOP
SICILY
ELAINE TRIGIANI
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Date 2nd October 2015
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Top 10 Sicily The Top 10 of
Highlights Everything
Welcome to Sicily ...........................5 Moments in History .....................42
Exploring Sicily ...............................6 Ancient Sites.................................44
Sicily Highlights ............................10 Places of Worship ........................46
Palermo ........................................12 Castles ..........................................48
Monreale .......................................14 Museums ......................................50
Aeolian Islands .............................16 Vestiges of Invading Powers........52
Taormina ......................................18 Customs and Traditions ..............54
Mount Etna ...................................20 Artists, Writers and
Syracuse .......................................24 Composers ...............................56
Noto ..............................................28 Villages .........................................58
Villa Romana del Casale .............30 Beaches ........................................60
Agrigento and the Outdoor Activities .........................64
Valle dei Templi ........................32 Children’s Attractions ..................66
Selinunte ......................................36 Puppet Traditions .........................68
Performing Arts Venues ..............70
Nights Out ....................................72
Wine and Wine Producers ...........74
Sicilian Dishes ..............................76
Restaurants ..................................78
Pasticcerie and Gelaterie ............80
Specialist Shops and Areas .........82
Sicily for Free ................................84
Feasts and Processions ...............86
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CONTENTS
Sicily Streetsmart
Area by Area
Palermo ........................................90 Getting To and Around Sicily .....134
Northwest Sicily ...........................98 Practical Information .................136
Northeast Sicily .........................108 Places to Stay .............................142
Southwest Sicily .........................116 General Index .............................148
Southeast Sicily .........................124 Acknowledgments .....................157
Phrase Book ...............................159
The information in this DK Eyewitness Top
10 Travel Guide is checked regularly.
Every effort has been made to ensure that
this book is as up-to-date as possible at the
time of going to press. Some details,
however, such as telephone numbers,
opening hours, prices, gallery hanging
arrangements and travel information, are
liable to change. The publishers cannot
accept responsibility for any consequences
arising from the use of this book, nor for any
Within each Top 10 list in this book, no hierarchy material on third-party websites, and cannot
of quality or popularity is implied. All 10 are, in guarantee that any website address in this
the editor’s opinion, of roughly equal merit. book will be a suitable source of travel
information. We value the views and
suggestions of our readers very highly.
Front cover and spine The medieval town of Please write to: Publisher, DK Eyewitness
Cefalù, with its striking cathedral Travel Guides, Dorling Kindersley, 80 Strand,
Back cover A boat on Isola Bella London WC2R 0RL, Great Britain, or email
beach, Taormina [email protected]
Title page Agrigento Temple of Concordia
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Top 10 Sicily ❮❮ 5
Welcome to
Sicily
Sicily has always been an intriguing crossroads of cultures
and civilizations. At the tip of the Italian peninsula, its
strategic position in the Mediterranean sea attracted
visitors and invaders alike. Nowadays, the wealth of ancient
sights, stunning natural beauty and family-friendly beaches
make Sicily an ideal and unforgettable holiday destination.
With Eyewitness Top 10 Sicily, it’s yours to explore.
Over the centuries Sicily has been part of Greater Greece, a Roman
province, a Byzantine stronghold, an Arab Caliphate, a Norman
kingdom, a pawn for Spain and the Bourbons, and ultimately part
of a unified Italy. The vestiges of bygone eras are ever-present, so
it is no surprise that the island has developed a powerful identity
all of its own – so much so that the great German writer Johann
Wolfgang von Goethe said that “without Sicily, Italy creates no image
in the soul; here is the key to everything”.
Today, Sicily still holds that key: the largest island in the Mediterranean
is an explosion of colours and idiosyncrasies that are both enticing
and baffling to visitors. But as you stroll past the crumbling ruins,
experience the liveliness of the markets as locals go about their
everyday business, observe old men playing cards in the town
square, and feast on the delectable food the island is renowned
for, it is impossible not to be charmed.
Whether you’re here for a weekend or a week, our Top 10 guide
brings together the best of everything Sicily has to offer, from
immacu late beaches and verdant mountains to archaeological
treasures and ornate royal palaces. The guide gives you tips
throughout, from seeking out what’s free to avoiding the crowds,
plus seven easy-to-follow itineraries designed to help you visit a
clutch of sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring photography
and detailed maps, and you’ve got the essential pocket-sized travel
companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Sicily.
Clockwise from top: Cefalù; La Scala dei Turchi; church of San Cataldo, Palermo; Favignana;
Ten Girls in Bikinis mosaic at Villa Romana del Casale; Stromboli; Temple E, Selinute
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6 ❯❯ Top 10 Sicily
Exploring Sicily StroSmtrobmoliboli
Given its size and number of sites, it’s impossible to see all of
FilicFuildiciudi SaliSnaalinaPanPaarneaarea
Sicily in less than a week. Here we help you maximise your
time, with a seven-day itinerary covering the key sights in AlicAuldiciudi
LipaLripiari
Sicily, and a two-day itinerary just for the Aeolian Islands.
0 km0 km 3030
0 m0il emsiles 3030 GolfGo odlif oP adtit Piatti
Seven Days GolfGoolfo Cas dtCeeallls aGdtemeollll mfaGomaorlmfeoarePalePramleormPoGaollePfGroamo ldleofirom doi MilaMzizlaozzo
di Bdoin Baogniaagia
in Sicily EricEerice
MoMnroenarleeale
Day 1 TaoTramoirnmaina
SegSeesgtaesta
Spend the morning visiting old
Palermo (see pp12 –13) – don’t MoMunotu Entnt Eatna GiaGrdiainrdiini
miss the Palazzo dei Normanni NaxNoasxos
CasCtealsvteetlrvaentroano
and the Cappella Palatina. Lunch
at one of the city’s outdoor markets. SeliSneulnintuente
Take bus 389 from Piazza
VillaV iRlloam Roamnaana GolfGoolfo
Indipendenza to the del dCeals Caalesale di Cdait aCnaitaania
bottom of the town, Day 3
then walk to Monreale Drive or
AgrAiggernigteonto
(see pp14–15), a take the bus
glorious church from to Selinunte
SyraScyurasceuse
the Norman era. (see pp36–9) and see
Marvel at the glittering what remains of the GolGfoolfo
di Gdeil Gaela
12th-century mosaics mighty Selinus Acropolis.
inside, then explore the The Valle dei Templi in NotNootoGolfGoolfo
di Ndoit Nooto
adjacent cloisters. Villa Romana Agrigento (see pp32–5) is
del Casale home to beautiful temples.
Day 2 The Temple of Concord
Hire a car or take the train to Segesta features a Paleochristian church.
(see p44), the romantic site of the
only freestanding limestone temple Day 4
in Sicily, as well as a 3rd-century BC Drive to Villa Romana del Casale
theatre with stunning views. Head near Piazza Armerina (see pp30–31).
to Erice (see p99) and visit the View Roman-era mosaics, including
Castle of Venus, then head to Maria the famous Ten Girls in Bikinis. Drive
Grammatico to buy sweets. Stay the to Noto (see pp28–9) and spend the
night at Agriturismo Antica Tenuta afternoon exploring this Baroque town.
dei Pignatelli in Castelvetrano,“City Stay in Syracuse (see pp24–7) at the
of Olives and Temples” (see p102). Grand Hotel Minareto (see p144).
The Temple of Concordia,
Agrigento, dates from 430 BC
but is remarkably intact.
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Exploring Sicily ❮❮ 7
Key
StroSmtrobmoliboli
Two-day Itinerary
Seven-day Itinerary
FilicFuildiciudi SaliSnaalinaPanPaarneaarea
AlicAuldiciudi
LipaLripiari
0 km0 km 3030
0 m0il emsiles 3030 GolfGo odlif oP adtit Piatti
GolfGoolfo Cas dtCeeallls aGdtemeollll mfaGomaorlmfeoarePalePramleormPoGaollePfGroamo ldleofirom doi MilaMzizlaozzo
di Bdoin Baogniaagia
EricEerice
MoMnroenarleeale
TaoTramoirnmaina
SegSeesgtaesta
MoMunotu Entnt Eatna GiaGrdiainrdiini
CasCtealsvteetlrvaentroano NaxNoasxos The Aeolian Islands each have their
own unique character and beauty.
SeliSneulnintuente
way to the beautiful Teatro Antico.
VillaV iRlloam Roamnaana GolfGoolfo
del dCeals Caalesale di Cdait aCnaitaania Make sure you take part in the
traditional passeggiata (evening
stroll). Before leaving Sicily, visit
AgrAiggernigteonto
the beaches at lovely Giardini Naxos
(see p109), just below Taormina,
SyraScyurasceuse
where Greek colonization began.
GolGfoolfo
di Gdeil Gaela
Two Days on the
NotNootodGi NodlofGiot Noolofoto Aeolian Islands
Day 5 Day 1
Syracuse was once the most MORNING
powerful city of the Mediterranean – From Milazzo go to the Aeolian
its Greek Theatre held 20,000 people. Islands (see pp16–17). Disembark at
Don’t miss the Ear of Dionysius in Lipari for the Museo Archeologico
the Latomia del Paradiso and the Regionale Eoliano (see p51).
Temple of Apollo. Explore the AFTERNOON
beautiful island of Ortygia. Take in Travel to the eastern isles with
the Piazza Duomo, then visit the Avventurisole Viaggi Eolie (www.
Cathedral, built within the Temple of eolietour.com). Pause on Panarea,
Minerva. Finish at Castello Maniace. sample pizza on Stromboli, and
watch the volcano from the boat.
Day 6
Visit Mount Etna (see pp20–21) from Day 2
Piano Provenzana. Take the cable car MORNING
at Rifugio Sapienza, and once you’ve Island hopping starts from Alicudi.
arrived at base camp, hop into one of Take the hydrofoil and head eastwards
the jeeps that shuttle visitors to the to Filicudi, famous for its lentils and
top. Take in the Valle del Bove, a capers. Next it’s east to Salina, where
valley filled with lava flow. Stop in at Malvasia grapes are harvested.
a beekeeper’s and buy some honey. AFTERNOON
Back on Lipari, visit the stunning
Day 7 Cava del Pomice, a former pumice
Taormina (see pp18–19) is home to rock quarry, now a beach. Finish the
Italy’s glitterati. Visit Palazzo Corvaja day with a drink at Il Piccolo Bar on
and the Odeon, before making your Via Marina Garibaldi, Canneto.
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Top 10 Sicily
Highlights
Temple of Juno, Valley of
the Temples, Agrigento
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