Italia: Sicilia en auto

About the destination: Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily, is a city where layers of history, architecture, and culture overlap at every corner. Founded by the Phoenicians, shaped by the Arabs, Normans, and Spanish, it offers a unique mix you can see in its golden mosaics, baroque churches, and lively street markets. Wandering its streets, you’ll pass crumbling palazzi next to elegant theatres, hidden courtyards, and small shrines tucked into alley walls. It’s chaotic, noisy, and utterly captivating. Start in the historic center with the Norman Palace and its dazzling Palatine Chapel, where Byzantine mosaics shimmer in gold. From there, stroll to the Cathedral of Palermo, a masterpiece that blends Arab-Norman, Gothic, and Baroque elements in one structure. Explore the Quattro Canti crossroads and nearby Piazza Pretoria, famous for its dramatic fountain adorned with statues. Don’t miss the churches of La Martorana and San Cataldo, another perfect expression of Palermo’s Arab-Norman heritage and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Palermo’s soul truly reveals itself in its markets. Ballarò, Vucciria, and Capo overflow with fresh produce, seafood, and street food, accompanied by the singsong calls of vendors. Try local specialties like arancine (fried rice balls), panelle (chickpea fritters), sfincione (thick Sicilian pizza), and cannoli filled with sweet ricotta. In the evening, dine at a trattoria in the old town, then join locals for a passeggiata, a leisurely stroll along Via Maqueda or down to the seafront. Use Palermo as a base to discover the surrounding area: the seaside town of Mondello with its sandy beach, the dramatic cliffs of Monte Pellegrino, and the archaeological site of Segesta are all within easy reach. Whether you’re drawn by art and history, food and wine, or simply the pleasure of getting lost in atmospheric streets, Palermo offers an intense, authentic taste of Sicily that lingers long after you’ve left.

About the destination: When it comes to seeing the sights in Cefalu, every corner holds nothing but beauty and absolute grace. The fishing port that is actually quite ancient is dominated by a magnificent Norman cathedral that is huddled right below the Rocca, which is a large limestone crag. Cefalu has something that everyone can enjoy, whether it’s a day at the beach watching the water, or wandering around taking in all the sights. One of the best things to see in Cefalu in the Festa di San Salvatore that takes place during the first weekend of August, from the 4th to the 6th. Hundreds of men participate in the traditional barefoot dash, the Corsa degil Scalzi, between San Salvatore and Cabras. The run itself is spread over a two day period, and commemorates the episode during 1506, where all the townspeople rushed to save a statue in San Salvatore. This statue was from the Moorish sea raiders, and was the Holy Savior. There are many traditions in Cefalu, Italy, but the most popular one is the Ntinna a Mari. This is one of the most exciting things to see while in Cefalu, because all of the residents love participating. Cefalu is famous for their fishing ports, which is something to see in itself, but this tradition is something that should never be missed while visiting or living there. These events begin on the Saturday, everyone participating is dressed in white and barefoot, and accompany the statue that is along eight kilometers of paths that leads to San Salvatore. However, this portion is just the halfway point. The day after, they go backwards and take the statue all the way back to Cabras, so it can be kept safe in the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta. This festival is extremely important to the people of Cefalu, and is not one that should be missed

About the destination: Messina is in the northeast of Sicily, Italy. It is only 5 km across the Straits of Messina to the region of Calabria on the mainland. It is the 3rd largest city on the island of Sicily. Excursions over land and sea allow for the discovery of every corner and angle of the Aeolian Islands, rich in beaches and tiny coves where one can stop to explore, even if just for a few hours. The active volcano Mt. Etna, dominates over the landscape and reveals a vegetation interrupted by trails of black, solidified lava flows. Caves and different environments alternate along its slopes; traverse them in order to reach the peak, where a great “mouth of fire” awaits. One definite must is Pollara Beach on the island of Salina; Pollara was the result of a crater formed by the six volcanoes making up Salina, around 13,000 years ago. The Ancient Theatre, one of the greatest of the Greek-Roman epoch, is immersed in an expanse of olives, oranges and almond groves that fill the air with their exotic perfumes.

About the destination: Syracuse was the greatest of Sicily’s Grecian cities, at one time rivalled only by Athens. Its sites are better than many in Greece. Hot and dry, this provincial capital encapsulates Sicily's timeless beauty. Go to the island of Ortigia, the lovely historic centre, for the Temples of Apollo and Athena. The latter, now the city’s cathedral, has a richly embellished baroque façade, added in the 18th century. Across the street, the Museo Archeologico Nozionale has some exceptional Greek vases. Another museum in the Palazzo Bellomo has a superb collection of paintings and sculpture, amid miniature courtyards, fountains and elegant stairways. For the big sights, travel across town to the archaeological park, Neapolis. Here is the Greek theatre, where classical Greek plays still perform. The many well-preserved reminders of its ancient glory make Syracuse a city of lingering and romance.

About the destination: Agrigento is charming city on the southern coast of Sicily. Agrigento is famous for its Temple Valley, the best preserved Greek ruins outside of Greece. The city has a beautiful old town centre and is a place of great historical and architectural importance. The Valley of the Temples is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world and in 1997 it was named a UNESCO World heritage site and is one of the most mesmerising sites in the Mediterranean. The temples, a dozen of them, erected in 5 BC, are located on the ridge to the south of the town. Back in town, explore the maze of tiny alleys, piazzas and side-streets, see the Norman Duomo of Saint Gerlando, the Church of Santa Maria dei Greci built on the steps of a Greek temple and the Church and Convent of Santo Spirito where you can taste almond sweets made by the local Cistercian cloister nuns. The wonderful Doric monuments, the cobalt-blue sky, the salubrious climate at the peerless view make Agrigento a desirable place were a long stay is delightful.

About the destination: Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily, is a city where layers of history, architecture, and culture overlap at every corner. Founded by the Phoenicians, shaped by the Arabs, Normans, and Spanish, it offers a unique mix you can see in its golden mosaics, baroque churches, and lively street markets. Wandering its streets, you’ll pass crumbling palazzi next to elegant theatres, hidden courtyards, and small shrines tucked into alley walls. It’s chaotic, noisy, and utterly captivating. Start in the historic center with the Norman Palace and its dazzling Palatine Chapel, where Byzantine mosaics shimmer in gold. From there, stroll to the Cathedral of Palermo, a masterpiece that blends Arab-Norman, Gothic, and Baroque elements in one structure. Explore the Quattro Canti crossroads and nearby Piazza Pretoria, famous for its dramatic fountain adorned with statues. Don’t miss the churches of La Martorana and San Cataldo, another perfect expression of Palermo’s Arab-Norman heritage and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Palermo’s soul truly reveals itself in its markets. Ballarò, Vucciria, and Capo overflow with fresh produce, seafood, and street food, accompanied by the singsong calls of vendors. Try local specialties like arancine (fried rice balls), panelle (chickpea fritters), sfincione (thick Sicilian pizza), and cannoli filled with sweet ricotta. In the evening, dine at a trattoria in the old town, then join locals for a passeggiata, a leisurely stroll along Via Maqueda or down to the seafront. Use Palermo as a base to discover the surrounding area: the seaside town of Mondello with its sandy beach, the dramatic cliffs of Monte Pellegrino, and the archaeological site of Segesta are all within easy reach. Whether you’re drawn by art and history, food and wine, or simply the pleasure of getting lost in atmospheric streets, Palermo offers an intense, authentic taste of Sicily that lingers long after you’ve left.