This island, the largest in Europe, has the particularity of offering travelers many different landscapes: mountains, hills, seaside, plains... volcanoes! Two options to choose from: plan a tour of the island to get an overview, never sleeping in the same place twice, or stay on one of its coasts, to the north around Palermo or to the east, around Catania.
Enchanting landscapes
If you opt for the east, you can then travel along the entire coast to Messina and its strait, starting from the majestic Syracuse, which Henri Salvador so dreamed of visiting. You will pass through the adorable town of Taormina, hanging on the slopes of Etna and of which Guy de Maupassant said: “A man would only have to spend one day in Sicily and would ask: “What should we see there?” I would answer him without hesitation: “Taormina”. It is nothing but a landscape, but a landscape where we find everything that seems made on earth to seduce the eyes, the mind and the imagination. »
Fragrant citrus fruits… for the most delicate citrus tea
Another advantage of Sicily at the beginning of spring, and not the least: the orange and lemon trees are in flower, a feast for the eyes and like a perfume, which instantly changes your scenery. A little later in the season, bougainvillea and their endless purple clusters will invade the facades, coexisting with palm trees and oleanders...
But back to citrus, because Sicily is indeed the island of oranges (the red blood, irresistible), lemons, tangerines and grapefruits, which it produces in very large quantities (60% of Italian citrus fruits come from Sicily), but also of excellent quality. This has also earned them certifications granted by the European Union: Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for Ribera oranges and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for Syracuse lemons and Sicilian blood oranges, among others.
Fans of dried fruits will not be left out! Who has never tastedalmonds d'Avola did not really tastealmond…A perfect oval, a unique flavor! The same goes for the famous pistachios of the town of Bronte, nestled at the foot of Mount Etna, or for the prestigious walnuts and hazelnuts of the island. They also enhance many Sicilian dishes.
In reality, no one can resist the charms of Sicily. Imagine... You are sitting in the sun, on a terrace, and after your arancino (rice ball, mozzarella and meat or vegetables) and your cannolo (delicious pastry topped with sweet ricotta cream), you enjoy a almond green tea. This morning, you admired a sumptuous Greek theater and later, you will contemplate the bay of Catania from the slopes of Etna. Isn’t this a very attractive program? Allora andiamo !