What to See and Do in Sicily For a Week

Dear Traveler,

Why Sicily you may ask? If you have seen most of mainland Europe, the island of Sicily offers an idyllic Mediterranean escape blessed with longer summer-  high temperatures (80 F) often through the whole month of September. Similar to its neighbor island nation of Malta (see the previous blog about Malta), Sicily will satisfy every diverse taste with its unique blend of rich history, local culture, and maritime traditions.

Here are basic facts you need to know:
  • Sicily is a part of Italy and is the largest island in the Mediterranean (9,927 mi²)
  • The large size of the island requires spending at least one week there to enjoy it.
  • Unless you have experience of driving in Europe/Italy (the majority of signs are in Italian), it's better to use the reliable local bus company called Interbus & the well-developed railway system connecting major cities such as Palermo (the capital), Taormina, Syracuse, Messina). If your budget allows, hiring a local guide/driver is always an advantage. 
  • The summer season is a month behind compared to the mainland 
  • The island proud of its delicious local cuisine and world celebrated wine.
  • Sicily's history dates back to Antiquity with the Phoenicians & Greeks establishing one of the first and largest settlements followed by Roman, Germanic, Byzantine & Arab rule -- archaeological sites are spread out in the entire island
  •  Sicily has two main airports-respectively in Catania (CTA)  & Palermo (PMO), Catania being the primary one. There are buses departing from the airport to different parts of the island, and you can easily transfer with the Interbus or train-ItaliaRail to the northeast and the southeast coast sea towns (frequent choices being Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Syracuse & Noto) or opt-in for a private transfer. 
                                                                                Taormina's main street

                                                                                         Local artist
Travel tips you might find helpful
  • If you are visiting for just a week is better to have one home base town and to opt-in for a day trips from there. After some research, my parents and I choose Taormina- a popular resort town perched on the top of a mountain offering breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea. The best part: Taormina is pedestrian-friendly!
                                                            The Ancient Greek Theatre is still used for performances

                                                                                          Isola Bella Island
  • There are various accommodations to choose from- high-end boutique & locally run budget hotels & AirBNB's. We loved the town's long pedestrian street called Corso Umberto with its boutique shops, charming cafes, and gourmet restaurants! Visit the Ancient Greek Theater, Villa Communale (public gardens), Isola Bella (the closest beach to Taormina which is a natural preserve, accessible via Funivia (cable car) its a must! Are you a foodie? Take a cooking class or a culinary walking tour!
                                                                          The Great Hunt Scene, Villa Romana
                   
                                                                              Valley of the Temples, Agrigento

                                                                                Syracuse town center
  • From Taormina, there are many day trips to choose from. If you appreciate Ancient History, there are organized tours to Syracuse (the birthplace of the mathematician Archimedes), Valley of the Temples, Agrigento & Villa Romana, the last two are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  For nature lovers seeing the sunrise at Mount Etna is an unforgettable experience!   
    Ready to start planning your Mediterranean Escape?

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