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.

Sciacca

Dominated by Monte San Calogero and built on a terrace over the sea, this was the thermal spa town for Selinunte and still has a spa offering restorative sulphur and mud baths. The small port town has an interesting harbour choked with little blue-and-white boats, a thriving ceramics tradition and a good mix of old and new. See the Porta San Salvatore (1581) carved by local artisans with carpet-like decorative reliefs, and the Catalan-Gothic Palazzo Steripinto with its diamond-shaped rustication. Then walk the Corso Vittorio Emanuele to the Piazza A Scandaliato for views down to the port, then on to the Duomo for its Baroque façade with Gagini sculptures.
Sciacca

Fishermen arrive in the afternoon, Monday to Friday, to sell their catch on the wharf.
Scicli

Rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693, Scicli combines open, tree-lined piazzas, swirling Baroque façades and older structures with terracotta tiled roofs.
Scicli

Dominated by a high, rocky cliff, Scicli was an outpost of the Spanish barons during their long reign over the County of Modica. From the wide Piazza Italia, the via Nazionale leads up to the west, passing the side street where the Palazzo Beneventano sits on a corner, its sculptural decoration now weathered by the elements. Via Nazionale continues to the pleasant Piazza Busacca with views down into the older, residential section of town with its narrow lanes and crumbling terracotta roofs.
Scoglitti & Donnalucata

The sandy beaches along this southeast stretch of coast are long and wide and splashed with green-blue surf. There is no tourist development to speak of, beyond small fishing villages such as Scoglitti and Donnalucata with their nice markets and good restaurants, and little seaside villages that come to life in summer, such as Marina di Ragusa.
Scopello

Easy to get from Palermo, this small village is perched above beautiful coastline and right on the edge of a national park - Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro. Lots of walking, breathtaking views, amazing seafood and you can swim all year round.
Scopello di Sopra

This small village of fishermen was almost inaccessible until recent years when the road was built from Castellammare. Now the village is experiencing something of a tourist boom, but retains the charm of a tiny fishing hamlet, and you’ll still see an old mariner with nets stretched the length of the piazza, repairing the gaps with an enormous needle.
Scylla

The hideous sea monster terrorized sailors passing the Straits of Messina.
Sea Turtles

Rare sea turtles bury their eggs in the sands of the Belice Estuary and the Pelagie Islands.
See

Everybody checks out everybody else for everything from physical attributes, to fashion sense, to well-behaved children.