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.

Fiera della Gastronomia dell’Etna

Throughout Zafferana Etnea, a fair of local wine, chestnuts, cheese, honey and mushrooms.
Fish and Seafood

There is always an excellent choice of fish and seafood in Sicily. Look out for soglia (flounder), triglie (red mullet), pesce spada (swordfish), tonno (tuna), mazzancolla (large sweet prawns), aragosta (spiny lobster), sarde (sardines), polpo (octopus), calamaro (squid) and gambero rosso (red prawns).
Fishing Techniques

Sicily’s now famous fishing techniques were adapted from Arabic methods. Tuna fishermen still practise the matanza in the channel between Levanzo and Favignana, encouraging tuna through a system of nets until the final so-called “chamber of death” where they are brought close to the surface to be slaughtered. Fishermen work together chanting rhythmically to haul them aboard and to shore. Near Messina, swordfish are hunted from boats called feluche . The swordfish are spotted from the tall mast and harpooned from a long plank extending from the prow.
Fishing, Favignana

You can’t join in the traditional matanza fishing ritual, although you can watch it in progress if you happen to be there when the tuna are running (see Fishing Techniques). You can also rent a boat with a local captain for a day’s fishing.
Flowering Vines

Growing out of control and perfuming the countryside are jasmine, bougainvillea, honeysuckle and morning glory.
Fonte Aretusa

The mythical Arethusa was turned into a spring and bubbles up on the shores of lower Ortygia. Along the Lungomare Alfeo a little terrace looks down on the spring that now feeds into a pond, with ducks and tall papyrus.
Food

The only things Italians consume while in motion are gelato or peanuts and the like.
Foresteria Baglio della Luna, Agrigento

Guests are made to feel at home in this restored 13th-century tower and 18th-century baglio . The bright, intimate, central courtyard leads onto terraces shaded by olive and fruit trees with views to Agrigento’s famed temples (see Agrigento and the Valle dei Templi). Rooms on the upper level are furnished with antiques. Excellent restaurant (see Places to Eat).
Forests

The few remains of once prevalent pine, oak, cork-oak and beech forests are now carefully protected.
Fortified Towers

The Spanish protected Sicily’s coastline with more than 100 defensive towers. Messages were passed from one to the other by fire signals.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
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