Archive for 'Sicily and Sardinia'

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.

Cefalù must be one of Italy's most beautiful seaside towns. It boasts incredible beaches, beautiful Arab-Norman architectural gems and a wonderful scenic setting amongst rocky outcrops and lush greenery. Furthermore, it presents a dreamy palette of honey-coloured stone facades, terracotta roofs, golden beaches and gilded church interiors, rich blue waters and skies, and vibrant greenery.

No wonder, then, that director Giuseppe Tornatore chose it as a location for scenes in his famous and beloved film, “Cinema Paradiso”; it really is like a slice of paradise. If you want to experience it for yourself, just find a vacation rental in Cefalù.

The perfect spot to get well and truly get away from it all, the pace of life is slow, ideal for wandering around and just enjoying yourself. You can simply take in the harbour, with its bobbing brightly coloured boats, hang out on the sandy beaches, get lost in the winding Mediaeval streets, pop into the little shops located all over or you can check out some of the city's various attractions.

There is no shortage of beautiful towns and villages in Italy. Picturesque towns that look like something ripped right from the pages of a storybook or like a postcard come to life are scattered all across the country.

Made up of historic buildings, winding streets, great views and scenic surroundings, these little gems are the perfect place to well and truly get away with it all and experience the unique culture of Italy. One of the most beautiful among all of these lovely towns is the village of Novara di Sicilia in Sicily.

Located around 70 kilometers from Messina, the town is steeped in legend. Built where the Nebrodi mountains and the Peloritani mountains meet, it is fabled to have been inhabited by the Cyclops. Today, sadly, there are no mythological creatures to be found but there is still plenty to discover in this incredibly pretty town.

Many different cultures have variations of fruit cakes that are traditionally made and served during winter and, in Christian cultures, over Christmas, which makes sense as it allowed delicious fruits to be made available even when they were out of season in the past. Today, we have many more ways to access fruits throughout the year and more options when it comes to sweet things, in general, yet these traditional treats are so firmly connected to the festive season that they remain popular.

Sicily is absolutely no different, it has buccellato: a combination of figs, raisins, dates, nuts (usually almonds) and candied citrus like fruits (like citron) that are baked as either a round cookie shell, as a ring cake, or as small pastries. Its exact origins have been lost to the mists of time and it is uncertain as to when Sicilians began making it but it has been around for centuries. Associated with family milestones, it can be given by Godparents to the parents of their godchild or by best man or maid of honour to the parents of the bride and represents good fortune and prosperity.