Round trip Sicily – travel planning:
Eight days were planned for the round trip on the island of Sicily. The journey to Catania, the starting point of the tour, was by plane from Germany.
In order to keep travel times to the chosen destinations as short as possible, I have reserved accommodation in Ragusa, Cefalú, Nicolosi and Castelmola.
The best time to travel to the island is between May and mid-October. If you are planning to climb Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, you should definitely pack warm and weatherproofed clothing and sturdy shoes.
Arrival on Sicily:
For the duration of my stay, I reserved a rental car with insurance at Catania airport through Rentalcars.com. Due to the sometimes extremely narrow streets and alleys as well as the nature of the roads outside of the cities, insurance cover is definitely advisable.
From Catania we drove to our first accommodation, the Giardino Sul Duomo in Ragusa. Ragusa is one of the must-see baroque towns in the south of the island that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
The hotel is just a few minutes' walk from the center. Freshly prepared, delicious breakfast is served in the adjoining conservatory. We stayed here for two nights.
Ragusa:
The view of the town of Ragusa from the ring road. The old town itself can easily be explored on foot. Due to the sometimes narrow streets, driving a car is not advisable.
You can also enjoy the wonderful panorama from the garden of the accommodation. In the center there are numerous small shops and restaurants. Here you can end the evening wonderfully and enjoy the Sicilian cuisine.
Noto:
East of Ragusa is Noto, another small baroque town. Unfortunately, the weather was not ideal that day, but the streets and alleys invite you to stroll here too. The dark cloud cover creates a unique atmosphere.
In Noto you should definitely visit the cathedral and enjoy a view over the roofs from the tower.
Noto Cathedral and Town Hall are both part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
It looks colorful in the souvenir shops. Small souvenirs made of ceramics are offered here in all imaginable colors.
The Festival Infiorata di Noto takes place every year in May. During this time, beautiful and elaborately designed flower arrangements can be admired everywhere in the streets of the city.
Modica:
Located in the west of Noto, Modica is another small baroque-style town worth seeing. You can easily visit both cities in one day.
The Church of San Giorgio offers a particularly impressive sight, especially during the flowering period in spring.
The panorama and the alleys with hidden cafés also make a visit worthwhile.
Caltagirone and Piazza Armerina:
On the way to the north of the island you pass Caltagirone. Here you should definitely climb the 142-step staircase decorated with ceramic tiles, which leads you from the upper to the lower part of the old town.
North of Caltagirone you pass Piazza Armerina, a municipality with a long history. Even from afar you can see the Colle Mira with the Dom Maria Santissima Assunta.
Villa Romana del Casale:
The Villa Romana del Casale is a building from the late Roman period. It is located near Piazza Armerina and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The colored mosaics, which have been almost completely preserved to this day and decorate the floors of the palace building, are unique.
Cefalù:
In Cefalù I booked the Hotel Hotel Kalura for two nights. We especially recommend the rooms with a balcony and sea view. The included breakfast buffet is rich and tasty.
The hotel is characterized by its quiet location right by the sea. The town and the sights can be easily reached and explored on foot.
The rooms are sufficiently large and modernly furnished. On the sea side, they have their own small balcony with sun loungers.
A small bay with parasols and loungers is also part of the Kalura hotel complex and can be used free of charge as you wish.
The signpost in the center shows the most important sights, restaurants and hotels. You should definitely plan a trip to the mountain La Rocca.
The ascent is varied and entertaining. Again and again you have spectacular views over the town and the sea.
The view from the summit down to the small harbor is simply breathtaking.
After returning from La Rocca, it's time to explore the center of Cefalù. Numerous cafés and restaurants invite you to linger and enjoy their delicacies.
A particular specialty here is the bruschetta, which is offered in different versions.
After lunch we went to the sea. The old promenade with the small fishing boats is a wonderful place for a relaxing stroll.
The next morning we continued to Catania via Enna. On the way you will always come across wonderfully blooming fields.
Catania:
Catania is the second largest city in Sicily and is located at the foot of Mount Etna. The city is also known for its sometimes weird ceramic figures, which can be found scattered in the center. On a clear day, Etna can be seen from the center of Catania.
The well-kept parks in the city invite you to relax and are also a popular meeting place for young and old.
Syrakus:
About 50km south of Catania is the city of Syracuse. The city has a history of more than 1000 years and is strongly marked by Greek influence. Syracuse is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
Ruins of once Greek buildings are still visible today and characterize the cityscape.
The Sicilian police, on the other hand, is equipped in a modern and sporty way.
The Piazza Archimede with the Fountain of Diana is surrounded by historical buildings. These tell the architectural history of Syracuse from the Middle Ages to the present day.
The Aretusa fountain also bears witness to the Greek influence. The fountain is located right on the promenade, from which you can enjoy a wonderful view of the sea.
From Syracuse we drove up to the upper part of Nicolosi, which lies on the high plateau of Mount Etna. From here, weather permitting, you can either take the cable car up the volcano or go on a guided excursion to the summit craters.
Expedition to Etna Volcano:
In Nicolosi we stayed for two nights at the Corsaro Etna Hotel&Spa. The hotel is located at 2000 meters altitude in the Etna Regional Park, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. In the in-house restaurant you can eat just as delicious as in one of the restaurants in town.
The rooms are relatively simply furnished but still comfortable. If you want, you can also book and enjoy a spa in the hotel.
The included breakfast is rich, fresh and tasty.
The base station for guided volcano hikes is just a few minutes' walk from the hotel. For such a hike, warm, windproof and weatherproof clothing is a must. Sturdy alpine shoes are a must, as is appropriate sun protection.
Even in May, deep snow fields can be hiked through, which are often covered by fresh, volcanic rock. On our tour, the last eruption was just over and the ground was still hot at times.
Due to the loose rock, the ascent to the summit is tedious and exhausting. In good weather, the view over the island is fantastic.
At the summit crater of Etna you can perceive the activity of the volcano with all your senses. Dense smoke, smelling of sulphur, billows from the crevices.
You can almost burn your hands on the ground, the rock is so hot. From time to time, the rumble from inside the volcano can also be clearly heard.
The crater is traversed by sulfur deposits that give the summit fascinating colors. Sometimes the smoke escapes so densely that visibility is severely restricted.
It is much more pleasant and much faster to descend from the summit.
On the return there is a magnificent view of Nicolosi and at sunset one can follow Etna's shadow beyond the horizon. A fascinating natural spectacle.
Aci Castello:
On the way to the next accommodation in Castelmola you come to Aci Castello, a place named after the castle by the sea.
A short stop for a visit is particularly worthwhile at dusk.
From Aci Castello we continued to Castelmola and when we arrived at the hotel we were able to enjoy another view of Mount Etna.
Taormina:
In Castelmola, which is a little north and above Taormina, we stayed for two nights in the Hotel Villa Sonja. The hotel has spacious rooms, a terrace where you can have breakfast when the weather is nice and an outdoor pool that invites you to swim.
If the visibility is good, you can also see Mount Etna from the terrace.
In Taormina, a walk to Isola Bella is worthwhile. The island, which is located in a small bay and is a nature reserve, can be reached on foot via a sandbank. It provides a habitat for numerous rare animal and plant species.
The path across the stony beach to Isola Bella is heavenly. Crystal clear water and a wonderful panorama.
Many sea creatures can be observed in the shallow water even without diving equipment.
There are also some quiet spots with excellent views on the small island.
In Taormina you will also find a number of excellent cafés and restaurants to stop off at. In the Timoleone Café you can enjoy freshly prepared local specialties on the terrace.
After a refreshment in the café, we visited the ancient theater of Taormina, which is the second largest in Sicily after Syracuse.
The pedestrian zone and the city park of Taormina also have a lot to offer and are worth a detour.
Back at the hotel, we were able to watch another fascinating sunset from the hotel terrace, with Mount Etna in the background.
The return flight to Germany was planned for the next day.
Conclusion:
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is a destination where everyone gets their money's worth. Whether hiking, mountaineering, lying on the beach or visiting cities, you can experience everything in Sicily.
Due to the size of the island and the distances covered, it is advisable to book several accommodations. This shortens travel times considerably.
A particularly fascinating adventure is the excursion to Mount Etna accompanied by an experienced volcano guide. The hikes to the summit craters can only take place in good weather. If possible, stay in the area for a few days so that you have some leeway.
In any case, Sicily is a destination that is highly recommended for anyone who likes to discover something new.
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