You can discover the rare botanical wonders hidden around the island together with your family. You can visit corners of paradise such as the Bioparco di Sicilia. Or you can test your courage in the Adventure Parks, suspended in the air amidst the greenery. Blue Guide Sicily Ellen Grady – Edited and revised in 2012 by Michael Metcalfe, the guide on this tour and our Italy specialist, this is the best archaeological and cultural guide to the island currently in print. Noto, half an hour from Siracusa, is easily the most harmonious town of those rebuilt after the earthquake, and during the mid-nineteenth century, it replaced Siracusa as provincial capital. Self-catering apartments are widely available, though again summer is very busy and there’s often a minimum stay of three or even seven nights.

Savoury dishes include arancini, a popular street food — bite-sized breaded balls of deep-fried rice mixed with ragu, peas and mozzarella. In Palermo, pasta con le sarde features on every menu — spaghetti with sardines, fennel, pine nuts and sultanas — whereas in Catania it’s pasta alla norma, named after Bellini’s opera, cooked with aubergine, tomatoes and salty ricotta. Every Sicilian nonna has a recipe for caponata, a rich aubergine ragout. History of Sicily: Ancient Sicily to the Arab Conquest ( USA) Moses Finley – This book is now sadly out of print, but is still the most brilliantly written, concise and accessible book on Sicily from the arrival of man until the 9th century AD. If you see a copy, snatch it up. The 2nd edition is best, but the 1st is still better than every other book currently in print. Colour-coded places chapters with detailed coverage of places and sights, presented in a points-of-interest structure Princes under the Volcano ( USA) Raleigh Travelyan – A fascinating investigation of the lives of a group of English merchants who dominated the artistic and social life of Sicily in the 19th century. Sicily General On the whole they do leave on time, with the notable exception of those on the Messina– Palermo and Messina–Catania/Siracusa routes that have come from the mainland. These can be delayed by up to three hours, though around an hour late is more normal. By busThis novel, set during the rise of fascism, follows a man who sets out on a journey to Sicily to escape the “abstract furies” of modern life. There isn’t much in the way of plot. The narrator drinks wine with a few acquaintances, and makes small talk with some artisans. His real concerns, though, are existential and spiritual in nature. The result, translated by Alane Salierno, is a powerful meditation on how to find meaning, and live well, when the world seems to be falling apart. If you have read the world famous novel ‘The Godfather’ by Mario Puzo, you will surely know the legendary land of Sicily of Italy which is also the beautiful southernmost island with tradition of producing wine for more than a thousand years. Not only being the “land of Mafia”, this place also contains many interesting and strange things. Peaceful town. Sicily street Rough Guides' rundown of Palermo, Cefalù, the Aeolian Islands and Messina’s best sights and top experiences helps to make the most of each trip to Sicily, even in a short time.

Landscapes of Sicily, a Countryside Guide IN (USA) Peter Amann – The best walking guide to the island. You can follow the verses and passages of the greatest writers in world literature, from Sciascia to Camilleri, from Tomasi di Lampedusa to Pirandello. Travel along the literary routes that will lead you to discover an unusual side of Sicily. Although bars have no set licensing hours, outside the cities it’s often difficult to find a bar open much after 9pm. Here’s where to eat and drink in Sicily. Catania Born in 1840 in Vizzini, a small village near Catania, Verga is the best-known of the Italian realists. This 1999 anthology, translated by GH McWilliam, gathers together stories from Life in the Country and Little Novels of Sicily, which together give an intimate insight into 19th-century rural life. Whether describing the daily routine of labour in the fields, superstitious rituals, or revolts against greedy landowners, Verga speaks on an equal level with his subjects like few others of his generation.This beautiful island with a typical Mediterranean climate, fertile soil is very suitable for growing grapes, and this is the region with the oldest winemaking tradition in Italy with famous wines such as DOCG, DOC, white wine Moscato di Noto and other famous red wines. Sicilian wine | sicily travel guide Sicily travel guide: What to eat? Easy-to-follow maps (including a full-color overview of the island, Palermo street map, and the Mount Etna area)