Archive for 'Main Islands'

Levanzo, as we have noted in the last post, is an island off the coast of Sicily where you won't find endless tourist attractions but, instead, an incredibly charming and beautiful slice of paradise. A former agricultural settlement that is now home to just 200 people, it is a sleepy and peaceful place that boasts crystal-clear waters, an amazing cave full of prehistoric paintings, a single (but very pretty) village, and astounding views. It makes for the perfect day trip location if you are exploring the area. Just find a vacation rental in Sicily and come explore it for yourself - you're sure to fall in love.

After checking out the town and the Grotta del Genovese, if you still feel like exploring, the whole island is a treat for hikers and casual walkers alike as the island is small and none of the walks are especially demanding.

The island of Levanzo is a charming and beautiful place that is not flashy or action-packed but, rather, a natural gem that makes for the perfect peaceful day trip location if you have found the perfect vacation rental in Sicily.

Levanzo is the smallest of the three Egadi Islands, located just off the western coast of Sicily. The island is home to only about 200 people, who live in the one village on the island, which is made up of a cluster of pretty buildings established around the port. Once an agricultural settlement where grains were produced, it is now mostly only used for sheep farming. Fishing, however, remains important to this day, both as an industry and an activity, and visitors are attracted to the island to try their hand at it, go boating, enjoy other water activities and to take in the peaceful nature of this sleepy and beautiful little mass of land.

Sicily has a long history of having a succession of rulers from a variety of places and cultures. The island was especially influenced by the Islamic conquest of 827AD to 1091AD and the Norman rule of 1071 to 1194. The ideas introduced under these rules and Byzantine influences, led to a multi-ethnic culture that saw Western and Islamic cultures combined in art and architecture among other areas of culture. Palermo, in particular, beautifully reflects this meshing of cultures in her architecture and if you rent a luxury villa in Sicily and you can readily see it for yourself as you explore the city. In fact, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for precisely this reason.

Among the many beautiful Arab-Norman buildings in the city, there is San Giovanni degli Eremiti, an incredible five-domed church on a little hillside in the middle of a rather rundown neighbourhood. Dating to the 6th century, it was converted to a mosque after the Islamic conquest of Sicily and then made back into a Benedictine church in 1136. It was modified over the years but its medieval appearance was reinstated during restorations in the 1880s.

Picture this: You have taken the time off work. You've organised transport. You found someone to water your plants and take care of your dog. You've even found a perfect villa in Sicily. Now, all you have to do is plan what to do with the long, lazy days ahead. If you're looking for just a little bit of adventure and somewhere to cool off from the typical Sicilian heat, you might consider paying a visit to Etnaland.

Etnaland is Southern Italy’s largest theme park and combines thrill-seeking rollercoasters and rides with pools and waterslides. There are a whole host of different rides and slides to choose from including 25 water rides and 8,500 square metres of swimming pools and a theme park with five different themed areas. The rides include the Dark Kamikaze, Hydro Kamikaze, Stukas, Kamikaze, Twin Twister, Rafting River, Wild River, Big Foam, Red Cannon, Black Hole, Niagara Falls, Miniland, Etnaland Tower, The Storm, Drifting Karts, Eldorado, Love Lagoon, Hip Hop Coaster, Mini Tornado, Brave Kart, Crocodile Rapids, and Dragon River.

Syracuse is one of the oldest and most influential cities in the Mediterranean and began as the small island of Ortygia when the Greek Corinthians settled the area around 734 BC. Ortygia then grew outwards and developed into the much larger city of Syracuse over the centuries. The small island remains today as its historic heart and soul and a reminder of its origins. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, it is easy to see why it has captured the hearts of so many as it is an utterly picturesque gem; surrounded by the impossibly blue waters of the Ionian Sea, it stretches out into the water as a walled diamond of winding little streets and glittering white buildings.

Wandering the labyrinthine ancient streets is a joy in of itself and getting a little lost (you can't really get lost as a few minutes walk in any direction will get you back to a main street) is half the fun but there are plenty of little delights that you can stumble upon around the district. Among them is the incredible Cathedral of Syracuse that is built on a site dating back to the 5th century BC and which was an ancient Temple of Athena. The Greek Doric columns of the temple are still visible inside the church today.