Your Travel City Guide

The historic and scenic Italian island of Sicily is an often overlooked holiday destination.  With festivals, food, wine, and ancient ruins, this is a great place for a quick getaway, or a longer holiday.

Archaeological Sites

Human settlement on the island dates back nearly 10,000 years, and Sicily has been an important location throughout history.  Several archaeological sites allow visitors to experience a bit of this long history.  Many of the ruins here date back to the time of the Greek colonies, about 600 B.C., or the later Roman occupation.  Both are included in the ruins found at Syracuse.  Naxos, near Taormina, was the earliest Greek colony and also has ruins that visitors can view.

Food

Sicilian food is simply outstanding.  With a long tradition of fishing, seafood is always on the menu.  Sicilians also use a lot of olive oil, tomatoes, and their unique variety of olive – called the Saracen olive – in their dishes.  All of the food here is influenced by the many cultures that have been present on the island throughout history; Arab and Spanish influences are particularly prevalent.  The desserts of Sicily are some of the best to be found anywhere in the world, and tourists should be sure try cannolis, granita, and cassata.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Sicily is quite lovely and there are plenty of ways for travellers to enjoy the outdoors here.  The beaches are plentiful, as are the mountains.  Visitors can sunbathe, swim, or enjoy water sports along the   coastline.  Those who like to hike can find trails in many of the mountains.  The Madonie Mountains in the centre of the island are home to the Madonie National Park which features hiking trails, wildlife, and stunning views of the Mediterranean.