Sicily

Come with me to Italy’s most rustic and untouched land, where blue waters, volcanoes and slow-paced living define the island.

The capital of Sicily, Palermo is a vibrant city full of life, historic buildings and sights, and cultural experiences. In the warm weather, have a chill swim at Mondello beach and cool down with a freezing granita in one of the many bars around. For lunch, treat your senses to an arancini at Sfrigola restaurant and enjoy it on a walk through the historic center. For the best focaccia, try Antica Focacceria San Fransesco. Immerse yourself in history at Piazza Pretoria where the rustic colors dance throughout the plaza. Take a stroll to the Palermo Cathedral where the area is full of bars and restaurants to sit down enjoy an Aperol Spritz. Visit the Church of San Cataldo, an architectural feat of the Arab-Norman period!

Cefalú is one of the island’s major tourist attractions and only a car ride away from Palermo. With only a little over 10.000 residents, it manages to attract up to millions of tourists every year who come to enjoy the city’s crystal clear waters and rustic charm, coined one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy"). Visit the cathedral for a marvel of architecture - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - and enjoy an affogato with the view. Get lost in one of the many charming streets of the city, full of colors, life and energy. Visit Cefalú’s Lungomare beach and swim with the view of old rustic buildings embracing the path along the beach. Don’t miss Cefalú on your trip!

Taormina is one of Sicily’s most cinematic cities - straight out of a vintage film. In the summer, visit Isola Bella for the clearest waters and a cooling swim & enjoy lounging by the sparkling water. Visit Chiesa del Varò and have a drink at the picturesque piazza with the view of the sea. You can’t visit without trying the famous granita at Bam Bar - expect long lines and for flavours to run out fast so go as early as possible! Many cultural events take place annually in Taormina so don’t forget to check the event calendars to see what interesting events are going on while you’re there! Still don’t know where to go in Sicily? Add Taormina to your list!

If you’re a cinephile like myself you’ve seen or at least heard of Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic trilogy “The Godfather”. Ever imagine what the village from the movie would look like in real life? Well you don’t have to, you can just go and see it for yourself! Built in the deep mountains of Sicily lies a charming village that was simply made for the silver screen called Savoca. You can visit the cathedral where Michael Corleone got married where the movie is always playing on a loop on a small screen and even have a coffee at the cafe where Michael asked Apollonia's father to meet his daughter (Bar Vitelli). If you love classic films and are visiting Sicily, do not miss out on this gem!

This ancient city is older and more interesting than you can imagine. Originally Greek, Syracuse has ancient ruins dating back a millennia - Aristotle actually lived here for a while! Get lost in the old streets of Ortygia, where history is literally written in the walls and in the stone streets. If you’re a science nerd like me, you must visit the Archimede & Leonardo da Vinci Museum, where large replicas of feats of scientific innovation by history’s most famous inventors are free for your own play and entertainment. Syracuse is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites and for good reason - Piazza Archimede and Piazza Duomo will leave you feeling like you walked into a slice of the ancient world!

One of the seven Aeolian Islands, Alicudi is undoubtedly the most untouched and natural island of them all. Frozen in time, the stone streets are harsh and uninviting but worth the climb up to reach the levels of the island and marvel at the most stunning sights you will see in all of Sicily. Arriving at the port you will find a small shop where you must stock up on supplies to live off while you’re staying there in order to save yourself the hundreds of stairs trip up and down the island. But don’t worry - a donkey will take your supplies and luggage for a small fee, leaving you free to walk at your own pace. In the summer, try to make the trip in the early morning or late afternoon as the harsh heat can make the trip more difficult. Want a warm home cooked meal? There’s no official restaurants but there are kind nonnas who will happily cook a local meal for you for a decent price. You will probably have to hike there and the hike back in the pitch black can be a little unpleasant (there’s no street lights) but you will be left with a tummy full of warm food and local wine that will get you right to sleep and ready for the hike down to the beach for a boat ride the next day. This island is home to various local legends consisting of flying women and drug-infused bread (the latter being a real story!) but these tales make the island all the more charming and mythical. Stay at Casa Tre Archi for an authentic experience where the lovely Elise will accommodate you. Take a shower with the most stunning view and enjoy the simple beauty of this home. If you’re ready for an adventure, add Alicudi to your list!

Sicily is the perfect summer vacation spot for a slow escape yet full of adventure, history and culture. If you’re visiting the island, make sure you put aside at least a week so you can truly see evey corner and discover the beauty and history of this special place. Don’t stay in one place - rent a car and spend two nights at each spot, always moving and discovering. If you don’t drive no problem - you can use the trains available on the island to move around - but trust me, you must see as much as possible while you’re here. From palermo to scopello, from stromboli to filicudi, you must experience as much of the island as possible while you’re here. Avoid the crazy crowds and heat by visiting off season while it’s still warm for a sea swim like may or september. Bring sunscreen and wear comfortable clothes, as sicily must be experienced on foot, visiting every charming street, village and picturesque beach. still not sure where to go next year? Sicily and its rich history, culture and food are waiting for you!