If you are in the mood for touring Europe, you should really consider the island of Sicily, a region of southern Italy. Depending on your interests, this beautiful area can be an ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and wash it down with fine local wine. And many parts of Sicily haven't yet been discovered by tourists. This short article presents eastern Sicily. A companion article presents western Sicily; another presents the capital Palermo.
Messina is Sicily's third largest city. Founded by the Ancient Greeks it changed hands quite often over the centuries. The University of Messina started out as the world's first Jesuit College, founded by St. Ignatius himself. In 1908 the city was virtually destroyed by an earthquake and the ensuing tsunami. Make sure to see the cathedral, the Calapaj Palace, and the Sixteenth Century lighthouse.
The walled village of Castelmola with its ancient streets and spectacular view is only a few miles from the coast. Don't miss it. Go to the ruins of the Thirteenth Century Castello Normanno (Norman Castle). It's more than a kilometer above sea level and you'll have to climb the path from the parking lot below. Actually there are two paths with two different views and if you can you really should explore both, one up and one down the mountain. What's to see when you get to the top - the city of Taormina and the Ionian Sea to the east, the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north, and Mount Etna to the west. Castelmola also boasts a Cathedral and several old churches that are worth visiting.
Taormina has been discovered by tourists. What a beautiful view, especially from the funivia (gondola). The Greek theater runs in the summer and Taormina boasts two top-of-the-line hotels.
Mount Etna is Europe's largest and highest volcano. It is still active. Depending on the weather report climb part of it or take the train around the mountain base. The Hotel Villa Paradiso Dell'Etna started as a bohemian hangout and is now quite pricey.
Catania at the foot of Mount Etna is Sicily's second largest city. Its volcanic soil is great for agriculture, especially for wine. Catania was buried in lava seven times; many of its buildings are constructed from lava. Visit its cathedral. Mount Etna is Europe's largest and highest volcano. It is still active. Depending on the weather report climb part of it or take the train around the mountain base. The Hotel Villa Paradiso Dell'Etna started as a bohemian hangout and is now quite pricey.
Siracusa (Syracuse) was founded by Greek colonists. Its theater was built for 15,000 spectators. It hosts Greek tragedies every May and June. Make sure to see the Papyrus Museum, the Archeological Museum, historic churches and palaces, and the neighboring Ortygia Island, known as Citta Vecchia (Old City) with its own cathedral.
Sicilian ices are famous even if they no longer contain snow from Mount Etna. See our companion article I Love Touring Italy - Eastern Sicily for a sample menu and more information on local wines as well as an in-depth examination of its tourist attractions. Sicily is Italy's largest wine producer. An independent Sicily would be the world's seventh largest wine producer.
Apulia forms the heel of the Italian boot. It is situated in the southeast corner of Italy and borders the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Apulia was frequently invaded by both the ancient Greeks and Romans. It was ruled by many including the Byzantines, Goths, Lombards, Normans, Spaniards, and Turks. Apulia's moment of greatest glory was in the Holy Roman Empire during the 13th Century, when majestic Romanesque cathedrals and palaces were built. This article presents the eastern and usually southern part of Apulia. A companion article presents the rest of the region including the administrative center of Bari, the largest city in southern Italy.
Trulli are truly remarkable. They are human habitations in the shape of beehives with a hole in the top to let the smoke escape. To me they resemble giant limestone teepees. They can be found in only one place in the world, and that is eastern Apulia. The road linking the touristy city of Alberobello and the historic town of Martina Franca with its baroque and medieval architecture is peppered with trulli. Some of them have been transformed into wineries, hardly surprising given the local vineyards.
The little town of Castellana is known for the nearby caves; Grotte di Castellana is part of the largest network of caves in all Italy. The port of Brindisi is a short ferry ride away from Greece. You should stop by to see some historic churches, the Duomo (Cathedral), and a Roman column dating back to the Second Century.
Lecce has often been called "the Florence of the south." Its architecture is mainly baroque. Make sure to see its historic churches and the remains of a huge Roman Amphitheatre.
Otranto is the easternmost city in all of Italy. This city was a major port in the days of the ancient Greeks. Some of the city walls are still standing. Be sure to visit the Spanish Castello (Castle) and the Norman Catedrale (Cathedral). Then take the coastal road to Leuca with its lighthouse and marina.
Apulia's classified foods include two Cheeses, Clementines, Olives, and four Olive Oils. Be sure to see our companion article I Love Touring Italy - Eastern Apulia for a sample menu and more information on Apulia wines as well as an in-depth examination of eastern Apulia's tourist attractions. The choice of local wine is so great that before long you should find at least one to your liking. And there's a fairly good chance that it will be a bargain.
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