Archive for 'Sicily and Sardinia'

Somehow while touring the island I always end up in the area around the mount Etna, that marvelous and still active volcano - the biggest volcano "alive" in Europe actually.

And now I have more reasons to come back because I discovered a fabulous wine called Passopisciaro, this red wine is the result of pickings that they made from vineyards on the northern side of mount Etna. The grapes from these crus ripened in various moments from the 25th of October to the 8th of November, as they lie at 500, 600, 800 mt. a.s.l. so they harvest climbing up the slope of the volcano. Generally, the higher crus are on a more gravelly soil, the lower ones in a deeper powder made with more oxidized, older lavas.

Salute !

Contact us for more information on villas to rent in Siclily.

Cagliari is the capital of Sardinia, and has been a major port on the Mediterranean since the 7th century BC.  Like many important sites across Italy the city has changed ownership many, many times but one thing remains the same: the cultural and natural beauty that can be found all around.  Despite the gorgeous palazzi, the soaring domes of the city, and the large castello district that is an ever-present site that dominates the city skyline the city has always been a busy working port city.  

With the myriad of influences that remain in Cagliari from the different occupations you will see a different side of Italy from your villa rental in Sardinia, but what a beautiful side to see!

I have a feeling we will post quite a few articles on Sicily...

In this one, I want to spend a few words on the Necropolis of Pantalica near Siracusa. It's an amazing necropolis with over 5000 tombs dating from the 13th to the 7th century BC. Pantalica is situated in the valleys of the rivers Anapo and Calcinara and together with the city of Syracuse, Pantalica is rightly listed as "Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica" on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites !

It is an important natural area with various paths allowing visitors access. The Anapo valley is accessible by a path that runs for 10km along the ancient route between Syracuse and Vizzini. The route to the plateau can also split off to the Sella di Filiporto ("Filiporto's Saddle"), starting from the Ferla region or, on the other side, the bank of the Sortino, which then leads to the Grotta dei pipistrelli ("Cavern of the Bats").