| Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and it's | | | | ingredients such as cus cus (couscous). Stop for a |
| more than a simple Italian island; Sicily is a unique place | | | | coffee anywhere in Sicily, even along the coastal road, |
| full of art, archaeology, history, folklore and | | | | and you'll be overwhelmed by an embarrassment of |
| Mediterranean breathtaking scenery. | | | | little riches, like fried sweet or savory dough pockets |
| Having been ruled by Asians, Africans and Europeans, | | | | stuffed with ricotta. Every town has its own trademark |
| this wonderful island is a cosmopolitan place with a | | | | snack, but they all have arancini, literally "little oranges," |
| multicultural society. Imagine this: Sicily have been a | | | | which are actually deep-fried risotto balls, one of Sicily's |
| Greek colony, a Roman province, an Arab emirate and | | | | trademark snack foods. Driving around the most |
| a Norman kingdom. The Phoenicians, Carthaginians, | | | | famous localities you can taste many specific and local |
| Swabians, Angevins and Aragonese made Sicily their | | | | cuisines. Also snacks are in rare form in Sicily. Catania |
| own, leaving behind an eclectic history that you can still | | | | is famous for sweets: pasta di mandorla, a soft cookie |
| touch today! | | | | made from almonds and honey, is a delicious |
| Knowing this is easy to understand why this land is so | | | | showcase for the famous Sicilian bitter almond. Going |
| complex, and why it's a land like no other. | | | | to Siracusa don't miss the spectacularly chaotic and |
| WHAT TO DO THERE | | | | wonderful fish market in the center of the city: fresh |
| Just because the great natural beauty of the land | | | | pesce spada (swordfish) and ricci (raw sea urchin) are |
| (Sicily is an island in the sun, with heavenly beaches, | | | | a must! |
| majestic mountains and Europe's greatest vulcan, | | | | Marsala is a sleepy town with an ancient Punic |
| Mount Etna) and the incredible complexity of it's history, | | | | warship in its archaeological museum and an amazing |
| there is really very much to do there! | | | | wine tradition that spans hundreds of years. You may |
| Basically, you can group your activities in Sicily into five | | | | encounter marsala wine more often in a dish of |
| main categories: | | | | sauteed chicken or veal than you do as a after-dinner |
| Swimming. The island's rocky coastline makes it an | | | | drink, but here, this fortified wine is taken very seriously. |
| ideal diving platforms; snorkellers and scuba divers will | | | | Palermo is the place where you can have the chance |
| appreciate the variety of marine life in its waters. | | | | to sample the island's most traditional home-cooked |
| There are also plenty of beaches to choose from, | | | | specialties. Pasta con le sarde (an emblematic dish that |
| particularly at Taormina in the north-east, which is part | | | | goes back to the Saracen conquerors, with fresh |
| of a huge nature reserve, and Mondello, near the town | | | | sardines, olive oil, raisins, pine nuts, and wild fennel) is |
| of Palermo, one of the island's most popular sandy | | | | different at every restaurant. Firm white fish such as |
| beaches. | | | | orata (sea bream), simply grilled and served with lemon |
| Climbing and Trekking. The Romans thought the | | | | and olive oil, are reliable staples as secondi piatti almost |
| 3,323-metre Mount Etna - which last erupted in 2001 - | | | | anywhere in town. And nothing is more famous in |
| was the forge of Vulcan, the god of fire. Local | | | | Palermo, or in Sicily as a whole, than spaghetti alla |
| authorities monitor its activity closely, and visitors can | | | | Norma (with a sauce of tomato, fried eggplant, ricotta, |
| take a day trip up to its lava dunes and moon-like | | | | and basil). |
| surface. If you don't fancy the hike, the 70-mile | | | | TRAVELLING TO SICILY |
| Circumetnea railway runs around the base from | | | | If you plan to bring your own car or have hired a car in |
| Catania to Giarre Riposto. A round trip takes around | | | | a different part of Italy, at some point you will need to |
| five hours. | | | | take a ferry. The same goes for if you are arriving by |
| Driving. One of the best ways to explore the island is | | | | train. |
| driving all around it, to explore the many historical and | | | | There are many option to get there with your car: you |
| archaeological places. The Old Palermo (In just a few | | | | can book your ferry from many ports (Naples, |
| hours on foot you can explore some of Sicily's most | | | | Genova, Villa S. Giovanni, and Cagliari), and you can |
| famous monuments and charming squares, such as | | | | choose four different Ferry Companies (Tirrenia, |
| the Piazza Pretoria), the Valley of Temples in | | | | SNAV, Grandi Navi Veloc,i Caronte) |
| Agrigento (The largest collection of classical Greek | | | | You can also book hydrofoils, but in this case you can't |
| ruins in the world, with many well preserved temples, | | | | bring your car with you. |
| monuments and other buildings which create a truly | | | | Getting to Sicily by Ferry, there are a few things you |
| surreal atmosphere), the Greek Amphitheater in | | | | should take into consideration, like the frequency of the |
| Taormina (The view of Mount Etna and the sea | | | | Ferry services, booking rules, and places where buy |
| beyond is absolutely superb at Taormina's 10,000-seat | | | | tickets... |
| ancient Greek amphitheater, which was erected in the | | | | Although passenger and car ferries do operate |
| third century BC and expanded by the Romans), | | | | throughout the year, Car ferries to and from Sicilia get |
| Siracusa (with it's dense archaeological zone, with | | | | extremely busy during the summer and it is advisable |
| theatres ancient churches, Greek temples, Norman | | | | to book your ticket well in advance. This can be done |
| battlements, baroque façade and much more), | | | | at the various ticket offices located in travel agencies, |
| Monreale Duomo (A jewel of Norman architecture, | | | | but what we strongly recommend is to get in touch |
| well known for its magnificent series of mosaics | | | | with a professional agency, to get all you need in one |
| adorning the whole interior), and many many other | | | | simple stop. That's what Traghetti Sicilia can do for |
| attractive places around this beautiful land. | | | | you! General information's, timetables, tickets, travel |
| Eating. Sicilian cuisine is one of the oldest in existence, | | | | assistance and much more, to help you booking with |
| and Sicilians even have a reasonable claim to the | | | | ease your ferry tickets from Naples, Genova, Villa S. |
| invention of pasta. Their cuisine represents Sicily's | | | | Giovanni, and Cagliari ports. Traghetti Sicilia Agency is |
| unique cultural mix, imaginatively combining fish, fruits, | | | | now open 24/24 and this will speed up and simplify the |
| vegetables, and nuts with Arab and North African | | | | whole process for you. |