Without Sicily, Italy creates no image in the soul: here is the key to everything.
The purity of the contours, the softness of everything, the exchange of soft colors, the harmonious unity of the sky with the sea and the sea to the land... who saw them once, shall possess them for a lifetime"
(J.W.Goethe, "Journey to Italy", 1817)
Goethe words really sum up the essence of this land rich in history, traditions and goodness, in every way. Goodness of its food, its delicious dishes and iconic desserts; goodness of its sea and breathtaking landscapes, beautiful like few others. And goodness of people, who have always welcomed us with a big smile.
We made the complete round trip, from Palermo to Messina, driving for 800 km and choosing 4 strategic points where to stay.
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Here is our travel itinerary:
First stop check the post
Palermo
We arrived here by ferry from Naples and only had the time to have a walk in the city centre and taste the most delicious pistachio croissant of life.
San Vito Lo Capo
We booked our first B&B here, for 4 nights. The perfect town to explore the surrounding area, the amazing Riserva dello Zingaro protected marine reserve by boat and to swim into a caribbean sea, like in a postcard.
Erice
A small village perched on a promontory where you can enjoy a beautiful view, walk in narrow streets and visit historical pastry shops.
Second stop check the post
Porto Empedocle
Our second strategic accomodation, perfect to visit 2 close attractions you can't miss: Scala dei Turchi and Valle dei Templi.
Scala dei Turchi
When nature gives birth to unexpected things: a stunnng white rock wall overlooking the sea, like a stairway to the sky.
Valle dei Templi, Agrigento
One of the most impressive archaeologicl sites of Italy and maybe of the world.
The best time to visit? At sunset; it will leave you speechless.
Third stop check the post
Ragusa
Just a quick stop to take a pic of the blue dome of Santa Maria dell'Itria church.
Siracusa & Ortigia
Third accomodotation of our trip. Ortigia is a timeless place, a tongue of land in the middle of the sea, rich in baroque churches and old palaces.
Noto
One word for Noto: amazing. This baroque style pearl seems an open air museum, with its majestic cathedral and hypnotic architecture.
Fourth stop check the post
Roccalumera
We have chosen this small town for our fourth and last accomodation, ideal to visit Taormina and other close cities. A quite seafront, a cold crystal clear sea.
Taormina
You can't skip this place if you are planning a Sicily road trip: the ancient greek theatre, the square with the view on Etna volcano, the queen of Sicily dolce vita.
Savoca
On the most beautiful italian villages list and made popular by Mr. Francis Ford Coppola who chose it as the set of some crucial scenes of his masterpiece 'The Godfather'. You can still have a coffe at Bar Vitelli and imagine of being on that Oscar set.
Giardini Naxos
A walk along the seafront and a small place where you can taste the best arancini of all Sicily.
Messina
A must-see stop before leaving the island to buy an essential bunch of cannoli to fill in at home. The last souvenir of a holiday that as Goethe said 'we will possess for a lifetime'.
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