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by
Well Traveled
1 year ago
Welcome to Sicily: The largest island in the Mediterranean and one of the most beautiful regions in Italy. When you’re not marveling at its beauty, you’ll find yourself sipping on a spritz, exploring ancient ruins, sunbathing on the beach, strolling through charming streets, and of course, snacking on simply amazing Italian food. But before you go - we’ve rounded up a few must-sees, must-stays, and more for you to plan the ultimate island getaway.
As we said above, Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, so you’ll need more than a few days to fully explore. Ideally, we’d recommend a 2 week trip to take in all the island has to offer, including 3 days in Palermo, a Cefalù day trip, 3 days in Catania, a day trip to Taormina, and 2 days in Syracuse.
Whether you’re traveling for 2 days or a full two weeks like we recommended, a car is pretty much a must. It’ll also make it easier to explore different parts of the island as you please!
Being the lowest part of Italy, it’s no surprise that Sicily is consistently one of the warmest areas of the country. The beautiful beaches and plenty of sunshine make for a perfect summer getaway.
You really think we’d give you a guide to Sicily without including the iconic White Lotus resort? If you’re not already familiar with the hotel from the show, a stay here is the ultimate luxury. The property overlooks the Ionian Sea, complete with a clifftop infinity pool, magnificent Italian gardens, Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.
If you’re looking to stay in Palermo, Villa Igiea is a stunning 5-star property to stay at. This luxurious escape is perfectly situated between the city and the sea, offering an array of restaurants, bars, and all the art-deco charm.
Palermo is well known for its colorful and bustling open-air markets, and Vucciria is just one of them. Shop for seasonal fruits and vegetables and taste Sicilian fried treats at the numerous stands packed within an ancient quarter of central Palermo.
Mount Etna is one of the world's most active volcanoes and is in an almost constant state of activity. If you’re into hiking, it takes about 1.5 hours to climb. If you’re not, you can always take the cable car up to the top of the mountain, or head to Piazza IX Aprile for a breathtaking view of it along the sea.
Italian beach club? Yes, please. Calette Reef Club has it all - sweeping sea views, large lounge chairs and beds facing the water, a beach, an outdoor bar and restaurant, and even activities like paddle boarding. If you need a relaxing break from exploring neighborhoods and ancient ruins, and you’re visiting from June to September, definitely pencil in a day here.
Sicily has more than 450 wineries with 23 subregions of vineyards, altogether covering up to 250,000 acres of vines. There are plenty of tasting rooms to explore across the island that you could probably dedicate a whole day to just sipping wine (and we won’t complain about that). One of our favorites is Fischetti Winery, which also offers outdoor cooking classes.
Would it be a trip to Italy without an Aperol Spritz? Or better yet, give a Sicilian Spritz a try!
Fine, this isn’t really a drink, but it’s made with water so it kind of counts. A granita is a semi-frozen dessert made from sugar, water and various flavorings - kind of like a upscale snowcone - originating from Sicily. Think of it as a cross between sorbet and Italian ice, but with a smoother, more crystalline texture. Some of the best can be found in Taormina, at Bam Bar.
When on a gorgeous Italian island, you need to plan for at least one dinner with a view - and this should be it. Enjoy all the pizza, pasta, and wine your heart desires while soaking up all the sea and island views. We’d recommend making a reservation right around sunset!
It’s a restaurant in a hidden lava cave, do we really need to say more? Enjoy some traditional Sicilian food in a cool & colorful atmosphere before heading out for a night on the town.
Try the best sandwiches in Italy and sip wine while you wait - the owner, a master cheesemaker turned panini chef, gives free wine and cheese to customers as an "Auguri" (a little cheers) while your food is cooking.
And last but not least, you NEED some good Sicilian-style Pizza before you leave.
Alvicolo is known for their big wood oven pizzas for a great price point - less than 10 euro! And be sure to add the black truffles…trust us.
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