DK Travel : Sicily

The island of Sicily is Italy’s largest region and is also its most varied. In terms of geography, there are offshore islands, endless coastline, rugged mountains, rolling wheatfields and volcanos, but its history and architecture are also of note. Sicily formed a significant portion of the Greek empire, was strategically vital to Rome, and was invaded in succession by the Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French, Spanish and Bourbons, before unifying with Italy. Each conquest left its mark, to create a palimpsest of cultures on the island.

Cistercian Monastery, Agrigento

The nuns at the monastery of the Santo Spirito still offer pastries from behind the grate. They may look like something you’ve seen at other shops, but take a bite and taste how special they are. Order ahead for the speciality, “cous cous” (see Abbazia di Santo Spirito).
Citrus Fruits

Excellent lemons (there is a small, sweet variety) and oranges (with numerous blood-red varieties) abound.
Civiletto, Sutera

A country restaurant set in a former monastery with tasty, hearty fare, including wood oven-baked bread, local cheeses and olive oil.
Club Med Cefalù

A holiday village with 496 straw huts. Activities include swimming, volleyball and a gym. Bring your own towels and a padlock for the hut.
Club Med Kamarina, Scoglitti

A Club Med village with 149 rooms and 529 bungalows. Facilities include restaurants, bars, tennis, windsurfing, sailing, a spa, volleyball and children’s activities.
Co-operative Produce

In and around Corleone, several co-operatives under the umbrella Libera Terra cultivate land confiscated from mafia bosses to create jobs and strengthen the economy of the area. Wheat is grown for pasta, grapes for wine, as well as fruits, cheeses and honey.
Coast House Residences

Apartments for rent in the Kalura area to the east of Cefalù, with clear blue water and rock formations. The apartments are built on a cliff side, with shady terraces and a path down to the small private beach.
Corleone

Made famous in the film The Godfather (see The Godfather), Corleone is the largest village in the area. A few 13th-century structures are visible in the centre.
Coseduce or Cuccidati

Traditional fig-filled biscuits that exist under various names in every part of the island. Elaborate versions are made for St Joseph’s Day (see San Giuseppe, Belice Valley) and called squartucciati .
Count Roger

Norman crusader Roger de Hautville (also known as Count Roger or Roger I) took Sicily at the end of the 11th century. He was the first of a century of Norman rulers who slowly changed Sicily from an eastern to a western society, albeit one with exotic flair (see Norman Palermo).

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