PDF 1. Sicily's most intriguing areas 2. TAORMINA historic town 3. Alcantara Gorge 4. ‘‘Riviera dei Ciclopi” 5. RIPOSTO strategic port 6. CATANIA historic town 7. Mount ETNA Volcano 9. Vendicari Nature Reserve 9. SYRACUSE historic town 10. Noto Valley 11. ‘‘Villa Romana del Casale’’ Mediterranean Sea Tyrrhenian Sea Web www.sicilyyachtservices.com Email [email protected]| Yacht Agents Concierge Fuel Bunkering Provisions Shipyards · · · · Mobile 24h +39 3483430550 Greek theater in Taormina Sicily is a land of great intensity and an amazing mixture of history, architecture and gastronomic delights. The crystal-clear sea has sculpted a coastline of stunning variety and beauty. The climate is wonderful and volcanoes light up the night skies. You can be sure that exploring Sicily both by sea and land will reward you with an intense and unforgettable experience. Sicily Nautical and Tourist Informations East and Southeast 2017 Edition
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1. Sicily's most intriguing areas2. TAORMINA historic town3. Alcantara Gorge4. ‘‘Riviera dei Ciclopi”5. RIPOSTO strategic port6. CATANIA historic town
7. Mount ETNA Volcano 9. Vendicari Nature Reserve 9. SYRACUSE historic town10. Noto Valley11. ‘‘Villa Romana del Casale’’
Sicily is a land of great intensity and an amazing mixture of history, architecture and gastronomic delights.The crystal-clear sea has sculpted a coastline of stunning variety and beauty.The climate is wonderful and volcanoes light up the night skies.You can be sure that exploring Sicily both by sea and land will reward you with an intense and unforgettable experience.
1. Sicily's most intriguing areas This area was praised by poets from Homer to Goethe and prized by many ancient cultures such as the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, the Romans and Greeks, whose bones lie buried here.The coast runs from the chic town of Taormina to the enchanting Syracuse, through charming fishing villages, picturesque pebbly and sandy beaches and the bustling lava-stone city of Catania.The Volcano of Etna is the undisputed king of the area, looming on the horizon at the end of Catania’s busy boulevards, and peeking through the stage at Taormina’s Greek theater.Taormina buzzes all summer long with world-class film, theater, music and dance festivals.Syracuse, once the most powerful metropolis in Magna Graecia, has retained its ability to awe. Ancient history lovers will feel as if history is always lurking just around the next corner in Syracuse.The close mixture of sea, volcano and mountain scenery in Eastern Sicily, makes a stunning backdrop for outdoor activities and offers enough swimming, diving, hiking and climbing to build an entire vacation around the area. The Southeastern tip of the island is
home to mile after mile of largely unspoilt sandy beaches, perfect for a beach vacation.Those interested in architecture will love the towns of the Noto Valley which rose from the ashes of 1693 earthquake, adopting the appealing Baroque extravagance and Rococo style that you can see today in the UNESCO-listed towns of Noto, Modica and Ragusa.Food-lovers will find plenty to appreciate in this corner of Sicily, from the acclaimed Etna DOC wine to Catania’s colorful fish and produce markets.
1Opera house in Catania
Volcano Etna
«Classical Play» in Syracuse
We can arrange private tourswith guide and driver English speaking
Ÿ TaorminaŸ Alcantara GorgeŸ Volcano EtnaŸ CataniaŸ SyracuseŸ OrtygiaŸ Noto ValleyŸ Villa Romana del Casale
2. TAORMINA historic town The queen of all resorts, Taormina, perching on a clifftop above the sea, is sophisticated, chic and exclusive. Despite its unashamedly touristy nature, Taormina’s historical side is ubiquitous and the town remains an achingly beautiful spot, full of ancient charm.Medieval walls enclose beautifully restored buildings, fascinating archeological monuments and a giddy network of winding streets and tiny passages, each with its own secrets, shops, restaurants and cafes. Some of these intriguing places are secluded gardens hidden by stone walls, others are set on terraces overlooking the coast or in more public but equally pleasant squares.Taormina buzzes all summer long with world-class festivals of film, theater, music and dance staged at the famous Greek Theater. The town is beautiful by day but in the evenings its atmosphere is simply enchanting, whether you decide to stroll along the illuminated streets or indulge in the view of the coast over a delicious dinner.Then there is the rarer spectacle of Etna’s nocturnal fires as lava from the volcano flows along the snow-covered slopes of Europe’s greatest natural wonder, leaving a stream of steam and light in its wake.The main attraction is the stunning setting of the
Greek Theater and its memorable views towards Volcano Etna and the Bay of Naxos down below.Other sights include the main avenue - Corso Umberto I, lined with antique and jewelery shops, delis and high-end designer boutiques; the charming Rococo church (Chiesa San Giuseppe), the palaces of Corvaja and Duca di Santostefano, the mosaic icon of the Mother of God which has been perfectly preserved in the archway passage under the Clock Tower, the Piazza del Duomo square complete with the 13th Century Cathedral and Baroque fountain, the Villa Comunale public gardens, a lush paradise of tropical plants and delicate flowers and the Church of Saint Pancras, one of the examples of a temple being converted into a church with the introduction of Christianity.The best views can be enjoyed from the Greek theater, Piazza IX April square, the Villa Communale public gardens and the two medieval fortresses, the Saracen Castle and the castle of CastellmolaThe best swimming spots are the pebbly beach of Mazzarò, the tiny island of Isola Bella which is set in a stunning cove, the sandy beach of Spison and the long beach of Giardini-Naxos which consists mainly of sand and coarse grey pebbles.The Giardini Naxos is the oldest Greek settlement in Sicily, dating back to 735 BC. Unfortunately only scant remains can be visited.
3. Alcantara Gorge The Gola dell’Alcantara is a vertiginous natural gorge formed by volcanic stone and bisected by the freezing waters of the Alcantara river, running off the slopes of Etna and the southern regions of the Nebrodi Mountains. Indeed, the Alcantara river is one of the few rivers in Sicily that actually has water all year round. Its mouth is near Giardini-Naxos, emptying into the sea.It took at least a thousand years for the rushing waters – in the past much more voluminous and forceful than they are now - to form the basalt columns that can be seen today.The name Alcantara is of Arabic origin, “al qantara” meaning “the bridge” and refers to a bridge from Roman times found by the Arabs.The canyon reaches a depth of around 65 meters, of which some 50 meters are above the average water level.It’s possible to take a dip in the icy waters, and sunbathe or hike along the river’s banks, where native vegetation grows.
4. «Riviera dei Ciclopi» The coast owes its name to the rocky islets that the ancient Greeks believed were boulders hurled at Ulysses by the Cyclops which lived on the summit of Etna, however, the towering black rocks that rise out of the sea are actually great hunks of solidified lava.The myth of Ulysses and Polyphemus is probably the most well-known legend about this area. It comes to us from the poet Homer’s book “The Odyssey” dating back to the 11st century B.C.The enormous rocks thrown by the Cyclops into the sea after Ulysses and his men can still be seen along the coastline and are known as the “Faraglioni di Aci Trezza” The “Faraglioni” stacks and the rocky islets are in the “Area Marina Protetta delle Isole Ciclopi”, one of the six Protected Marine Reserves in Sicily.
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Alcantara Gorge Handcrafted coral of Sicily
Riposto«Riviera dei Ciclopi»
5. Riposto A historic town and fishing village, Riposto is also a strategic point on the coast between Taormina and Catania, and a way to access Mount Etna.The main sights are the scenic harbor, the seafront promenade, the Dome and the “Madonna della Lettera” sanctuary.
6. CATANIA Catania is a wonderful bustling city, with lively streets and nightlife and a beautiful UNESCO-listed historic center. In the background, Mount Etna volcano broods on the Horizon adding a thrilling edge and a beautiful backdrop to the city. Etna is ever-present and has, to a large extent, shaped both the history and the actual existence of Catania. In the late 1600s, disaster struck twice. In 1669 the volcano erupted, covering Catania in boiling lava. Then, in 1693, a huge earthquake shook the town to its foundations. But out of the ashes arose the city that stands today - the entire old part of town was rebuilt in Baroque style, with large, wide open squares and avenues. The lava was used as a building material, thus Catania looks dark grey in color. The most well-known tale about Catania concerns the life of virgin martyr Saint Agatha, the city’s patron saint. Her relics lie in the Cathedral. Agatha was put to death for her steadfast profession of faith during the Decian Persecution in 250 AD - the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Trajan Decius. A legend tells that the young virgin Agatha resisted the advances of the nefarious Roman prefect Quintianus and was horribly mutilated. Another legend says that carrying Saint Agatha’s veil, taken from her, in procession has averted the eruptions of Etna. Saint Agatha’s jewel-drenched effigy is venerated on the 5th February in one of Sicily’s largest festivals.Another interesting annual festival is “Etnafest” which
takes place from from July to December with classical music concerts, puppet shows and a varied program of rock, pop, blues, reggae and jazz concerts. The attractions of the city are many and include the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Roman ruins, the “La Pescheria” fish market and the “Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia” museum which illustrates the history of the Allied landings in Sicily. Also worth seeing is “Porta Uzeda”, an impressive 17th century gate built to connect the main shopping avenue Via Etnea with the port. Not to be missed are the Teatro Bellini opera house and the charming retreat of Villa Bellini, both of which which are named after the great composer Massimo Bellini born in Catania. Last but not least, the central square - Piazza del Duomo, is where you will find the Cathedral of Saint Agatha and the smiling fountain “Fontana dell’Elefante” with the obelisk towering over it. Castles and churches worth seeing include the Church of Sant’Agata al Carcere, where you can visit the jail in which Saint Agatha was imprisoned and suffered the atrocities, the 13th century foreboding castle “Castel Ursino”; and many other palaces, mansions and churches, especially the baroque imposing palaces and exuberant churches along the Via Crociferi.The gastronomic delights of Catania are many and include the “Pasta alla Norma” pasta dish, the famous “Arancini”, the “Cassata Siciliana” and “Cannoli” desserts and the “Granite” water-ice. Ingredients for other delicacies of the area including Bronte pistachios, Zafferana Etnea honey and Etna DOC wine are grown on Etna’s volcanic slopes.
44View to Etna from Catania «La Pescheria» in Catania
8. Vendicari Nature Reserve Situated on the southern-most part of Sicily’s east coast, Vendicari is a mixture of lagoons, sand dunes, rocky coastlines, and sandy beaches. It is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. The high salinity of the ground provides an ideal habitat for Mediterranean maquis, herbs such as thyme and rosemary and other prickly customers such as juniper bushes.Thousands of migrating birds spend a few days here on their way to or from Africa. Flamingos, herons, storks and cormorants are regulars during the autumn season, while in the winter, ducks, mallards, pintails and terns take over. An ornithologists’ paradise, there are several hides for those who bring their binoculars.For those whose interests are of a more active kind, Vendicari offers a wonderful environment for a good seaside walk with only the sound of the waves, birds and the wind for company.
45Flamingos in the Vendicari Reserve
Beach in the Vendicari Reserve
7. Volcano ETNA The volcano of Etna, with its majestic slopes and woodlands and standing at almost 3350 meters high, reigns indisputably over the whole Sicily. The volcano and its slopes are part of the Parco dell’Etna Nature Reserve.Never content to sit still, Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe, continually belching out sulphurous steam and sending fireworks into the night sky. Myths about the origins of Etna come to us from past as the populations of the place viewed the volcano with awe from ancient ages. But in actual fact, Etna emerged out of volcanic activity which occurred about 35000 years ago and the first recorded eruption took place in about 1500 BC. The most devastating eruption occurred in 1669. More recently, there was a spectacular eruption in 2002 and a violent eruption in 2007.Sights and activities on Etna include the summit craters, which you can climb up to or just admire from afar, “Pizzi Deneri” and the volcano observatory, the village of Rifugio Sapienza, the walking trails in Piano Provenzana and the Pineta Ragabo pine grove. Gastronomic treats of Etna include Bronte pistachios, Zafferana Etnea honey made from orange blossoms, chestnuts and lemons, the highly rated Etna DOC wine, mushrooms and delicious blood oranges.Whatever you decide to do there, Etna is an unforgettable part of the Sicilian experience.
tombs cut into the rock near open stone quarries, most of them dating from the 13th to 7th centuries B.C. The archaeological site “Parco Archeologico della Neapolis” is home to a staggering number of well preserved Greek and Roman remains. The main attraction is undoubtedly the Greek Theater, still used for an annual Greek theater festival running in May and June.Other important sights include the fountain of Arethusa, the remains of the Temple of Apollo, Piazza Archimede and Piazza del Duomo squares, and the cathedral built on the site of an ancient Temple of Athena. The baroque palaces and the church of Saint Lucia, the “Castello Maniace” bastion and the Byzantine Miqwe (Jewish baths) are all worth visiting. Not to be missed are the Latomie del Paradiso limestone quarries, the “Ear of Dionysius”, the Roman amphitheatre and the Archaeological Museum. There is also a colorful daily morning street market.On crossing the bridge, the best way to see the island of Ortygia, is just to wander around the center which is packed with over 2500 years of history. Architectural styles vary widely, encompassing Greek and Roman remains, medieval Norman buildings and a great deal of Baroque. Restaurants and bars abound and it is especially nice to sit out on the western side of the city in the late afternoon, warmed by the sun and with a view over the lagoon.Annual festivals worth mentioning include the “Cycle of Classical Plays” in the Greek theater in summertime and the feast of Saint Lucia in December.
46The Cathedral of Syracuse Temple of Apollo in Ortygia
View to Ortygia Island
9. SYRACUSE historic town Syracuse encapsulates Sicily’s timeless beauty. Ancient Greek and Roman ruins rise out of lush citrus orchards, cafe tables spill onto dazzling baroque piazzas, and medieval lanes lead down to the sparkling blue sea.Today a lovely small city, Syracuse was, during the Magna Graecia age in the 1st millennium B.C., the most powerful state of Sicily and the Mediterranean area, more powerful than Athens and Corinth. It remained Sicily’s capital under Roman rule and was briefly the capital of the Byzantine Empire.In 1693, the earthquake of the Val di Noto area, was the catalyst for energetic urban renewal, as planners took advantage of the damaged city to undertake a massive program of Baroque reconstruction.Some of the best beaches in Sicily are to be found south of Syracuse at the Vendicari Nature Reserve.Syracuse is also well known for being the birthplace of the preeminent mathematician and engineer Archimedes.Syracuse’s sights are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites and consist of the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica in the countryside near Syracuse, the Neapolis Archaeological Park in Syracuse’s mainland and the historic center on Ortygia’s island which is the heart of Syracuse.The Necropolis of Pantalica is an important Iron Age and Bronze Age necropolis and contains over 5000
11. «Villa Romana del Casale» This villa in the town of Piazza Armerina is home to some of the world’s finest Roman mosaics.Buried for centuries under a layer of mud, they are remarkable for their scale, use of color, and scenes of mythological monsters and bikini-clad girls working out with weights.
4Staircase with the 12 Apostles in Modica 7 Mosaics in «Villa Romana del Casale»
Baroque of Noto
10. Noto Valley UNESCO World Heritage Sites The Val di Noto encompasses the UNESCO-listed towns of Noto, Ragusa, Modica, Scicli and Caltagirone which are of immense architectural importance - shining examples of Sicilian Baroque extravagance and Rococo invention after the rebuilding which the towns underwent following the massive earthquake in 1693.The cheese is particularly good around Ragusa (try Ragusano DOP), while Modica is famous for its “Cioccolato al peperoncino” (chilli chocolate). The “Cerasuolo di Vittoria” and “Nero D’Avola” wines produced in the area are of excellent quality. The old fishing villages of Portopalo di Capo Passero and Marzamemi continue in their tradition of preparing and packaging seafood delicacies such as dried tuna roe salamis.
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