Hello my dear readers,
I hope your week is awesome so far 🙂
Today let’s discover Sicily, the first Italian region that knew the tomato plant and one of the most beautiful and fascinating regions of Italy, rich in history, wonderful beaches and particularly suggestive natural landscapes, a dazzling blend of rolling hills, volcanic mountains, and coastal beaches that meet sparkling seas.
Sicily, a magnificent island of a thousand souls, splendid in the Hellenic, then Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Norman grandeur, and all these diverse chapters of history have soaked into the soil of Sicily, creating the unique culture that continues to captivate the rest of the world.
Sicily is a surprising travel destination, rich in UNESCO World Heritage, warm of the kindness of welcoming and wonderful people, with wild and serene landscapes, very white beaches, lapped by turquoise waters, and roaring volcanoes.
Sicily is comprised of one large island, the largest in Italy in fact, with many smaller isles adorning its shores. Nature lovers will not want to miss the still-smoking volcanoes, like the iconic Mount Etna in Catania. For a taste of the region’s incredible biodiversity in one small area, you may visit the Aeolian Islands, a stunning archipelago of seven islands that stretches across crystal-clear waters. The region’s perfect combination of ancient lands bound by the sea, reveal how Sicily has been seducing visitors since Homer’s Odyssey.
Culture lovers will not have to wander far as Sicily’s historic cities are bursting with archaeological wonders, from Siracusa’s Ancient Greek temples to Palermo’s ninth-century palazzi.
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The cities to visit in Sicily are many, and in a vacation on the island there a lot of things to chose from. This Italian region, in fact, is a treasure chest and offers tourists endless possibilities for spending unforgettable holidays. Beaches, cities of art, typical villages, mountain peaks, excellent cuisine: Sicily is objectively one of the most beautiful places in Italy and therefore deserves to be discovered in every single aspect. Whether you choose to land in one of its magnificent beaches, or dedicate yourself to culture.
The ideal period to visit Sicily is between March and May and between September and November. The weather is pleasant and you can swim if you wish! If, instead of going to the sea, you prefer a more cultural journey, you could also go in winter but take note that many shops are closed. If you don’t like the crowds, it is preferable to avoid the summer because of the suffocating heat and lots of tourists pouring on the beaches, unless you opt for the mountains.
The mid-season is the best period for a trip to Sicily. The temperatures neither too cold nor too hot are perfect to fully enjoy the beaches, not yet crowded with tourists and therefore you can have a swim in peace, take an excursion on Etna or Stromboli or practice the countless water sports. In short, you won’t be bored for even a second!
The Sicilian gastronomic tradition is certainly among the most important and richest in Italy, as it is the result of influences from all the cultures that have settled in Sicily over the millennia.
It is a complex cuisine full of Mediterranean flavors, enclosed in a unique balance between land and sea.
In the various areas of Sicily it is natural to discover typical Sicilian products that are always different and closely linked to the territory, which inevitably transform any cultural and tourist itinerary into a delicious food and wine itinerary.
Sicily’s cuisine is celebrated for its flavorful, plentiful dishes founded on simple, readily-available ingredients. We can thank the region for many recipes now popular across the world, from the savory arancini, risotto balls fried in breadcrumbs, classic flavors are with meat sauce and butter, but there are numerous variations such as “alla Norma” and even chocolate; granita, grained semi-frozen liquid based on water, sugar and extract of the main ingredient: lemon, pistachio, coffee or others, is the typical Sicilian breakfast since ancient times, especially in the warm months of the coastal areas; pasta alla Norma which is characterized by typically Mediterranean flavors prepared with macaroni or various types of short pasta, and seasoned with tomato, fried aubergines, salted ricotta and basil, a delicious first course; to the sweet cannoli, considered the king of Sicilian pastry with many centuries of history and consists of a waffle of rolled fried dough filled with fresh ricotta.
Thank you for reading and joining me in this discovering journey. I hope you liked it and you may consider it as a destination for your vacations 🙂
Join me next time and enjoy a good, easy, fast and fresh bruschetta siciliana with tomatoes, perfect for summer appetizers.
