traveldk.com

The Romans deforested Sicily to make way for profitable wheat farms. The result here is treeless earth, parched for much of the year and prone to drastic run-off during rains. When flooded with more water than they can handle, entire hillsides crumble into the sea.

Sicily’s first DOC was awarded in 1968 to the southern and eastern zone of Mount Etna where the white grapes Cataratto and Carricante flourish. Reds, mostly the Nerello Mascalese, grow around the volcano’s base.

This 4-star hotel is notable for the views of Mount Etna and for the gardens with swimming pool on a promontory overlooking the Bay of Naxos.

This store’s booty of Aeolian goods includes capers of every kind, sweet sundried tomatoes, honey, oregano and wine.

The rock towers at Scopello Tonnara jut out of the water, and are circled by seagulls who nest in the rocks’ crevices.

Large fava beans are cultivated in the countryside near Enna. They are eaten dressed with olive oil or used in soups.

Bright yellow, fluffy green or tall and crispy brown, depending upon the season, it covers hillsides and springs up along the side of roads.

One of the most spectacular floats of all the Sicilian festivals is paraded from Piazza di Santa Maria through the narrow streets of the village to Piazza Loreto. The tall float carries young local boys dressed up as angels, saints, Jesus and the Madonna.

Festivals for patron saints once offered the only chance for a holiday, socializing and entertainment. Celebrated in spring giving farmers a chance to rest after the planting and to pray for a successful harvest, the festa was the one day everyone came in from the fields for religious processions, games, horse races, music and fireworks. Even the gelato salesman and puppet theatre came to town. The same festivals are still celebrated as a chance to dress up and get together (see Festivals).

On a noble estate in heart of Sicily are 250 hectares of vines, olives, orchards and forest. From the outside it looks like a crumbling villa, but within are modern apartments with kitchenettes, dining room with stone arches, pool and tennis courts.