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.

Countryside around Corleone and Prizzi

Vast expanses of rolling terrain are planted with wheat, vines, olives and silvery blue artichokes. Colours pop up here and there amid the green, such as a large swathe of crimson sulla, bright red poppies and hearty yellow fennel growing impossibly tall (see Il Corleonese).
Cous Cous Fest, San Vito lo Capo

Chefs compete in a cous cous contest, with tastings.
Crops

The Spanish introduced tomatoes, potatoes, chocolate and the cactus Fico d’India ; the Greeks introduced olive trees and grapevines; the Arabs brought citrus fruits, sugar cane, date palms, pistachios, flax, cotton and mulberries.
Crude Oil

In 1954 crude oil was discovered off the coast of Gela. An offshore platform, port and jetty were built, and within a decade Gela was equipped with a petro-chemical plant for refining domestic and imported oil.
Cuendet

This Italian/Swiss company has 28 years’ experience renting villas worldwide. Choose from 31 properties in Sicily, from farmhouses to villas to apartments in castles.
Cusa Quarries

This natural quarry for Selinunte is located amid olive trees, with blocks of tufa and partially extracted columns. Slaves would have hauled columns 9 km (6 miles) to Selinunte.
Cycling

All but the most serious cyclists may have a rough time on the steep terrain and on roads populated by Sicilian drivers who are not on the lookout for bikes. Cycling is a great way to sightsee in towns, however, and many offer free bike rentals through tourist offices. Renting a bicycle on the offshore islands is a convenient way to get around.
Da Majore, Chiaramonte Gulfi

“Quì si magnifica il porco” (“Here the pig is glorified”) is the motto of this restaurant, which is also a butcher’s.
Da Peppe, Trapani

Near the port, Peppe cooks up Trapanese dishes, fresh fish and excellent stuffed calamari (squid).
De Simone

The de Simone family has been producing high-quality hand-painted ceramics for generations, with designs illustrating jolly Sicilian farmers and fishermen.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under €25
- €25-€35
- €35-€55
- €55-€70
- over €70