What is the first thing that comes to mind when weDo we hear the name of the island? Mount Etna, the Sicilian mafia, Archimedes. Yes, indeed, the most famous Sicilian, a resident of Syracuse - Archimedes - discovered all sorts of laws of mechanics, which centuries later received his name. And there is hardly a person on earth who does not know his name. We will definitely tell you about the volcano, but the Sicilians do not like to talk about the mafia. The island at the sole of the Italian "boot" is the birthplace of exquisite wines and a place where butterflies have their own home. All this can rightfully be said about Sicily? and at the same time not lie with a single word. If you prefer islands to noisy continents, then a holiday in Sicily will be a wonderful choice for you. The area of the island is more than 25 thousand square meters. It is comfortably located among three seas - the Ionian, Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean. This is a land where everything is worthy of wonder - history, nature, climate, people. Throughout its centuries-long history, Sicily has seen many rulers: it was conquered by the Greeks, the Romans, and the Phoenicians. And from all their conquerors, the fertile land and the people who inhabited it were adopted and left to their descendants only the best - architecture, culture, cuisine. And yet, Sicily has not lost its identity: although the island is an autonomous region of Italy, they speak their own special Sicilian dialect, which people who speak Italian have difficulty understanding.
Nature and sights of Sicily
Tourists from all over the world come to rest onSicily to admire the active volcano Etna, which occupies a huge area on the island. The volcano never calms down, it makes noise and gets angry, spewing lava from its countless craters. The speed of the lava flow is so low that you can run away from it on your own feet. Scientists note that with each century, the height of Etna decreases by about 60 meters. Over the centuries, the cooled lava feeds the fertile land on which fragrant vineyards, citrus orchards, and olive trees grow. The unique nature of Sicily has made the island a tourist pearl of Italy, and the island's residents are happy with such an influx of guests - they have something to show and be proud of. The surprisingly mild Mediterranean climate, endless sandy beaches stretching along the coast of Sicily for a good one and a half thousand kilometers, moderately hot sunny summer make a beach holiday in Sicily a heavenly pleasure and attract numerous tourists to the island. In terms of popularity, Etna can only be compared to the main city of Sicily, Palermo. This city has a great many palaces, churches, cathedrals, museums and catacombs, bearing the imprint of centuries of history and traces of the cultures of peoples that have long since disappeared into oblivion. Vacationers in Sicily are sure to visit the Palazzo dei Normani, the Palatine Chapel, the National Museum of Archaeology and the Cathedral. The National Museum of Dolls, where colorful shows are held, deserves special attention.
Cuisine of Sicily
The national cuisine of Sicily is extremelySicilian cuisine is diverse, with many dishes borrowed from the peoples who inhabited Sicily many centuries ago. The wonderful Sicilian climate gives the fruits and vegetables that grow here a unique taste. And this, in turn, makes traditional Italian dishes - such as pizza, pasta, cheeses, seafood and fish dishes - especially refined and appetizing. Sicilian cuisine borrowed rice and spices from the Arabs, and sweet peppers from the Spaniards. Only here will they prepare such dishes as "scoppularicchi" - fried squid and cuttlefish, or "stoccu a missnisi" - dried cod with vegetables, or the famous "Falsomagro", Sicilian meat - minced meat rolled into a roll, stuffed with boiled egg, ham and cheese. Sicilian cuisine has many unusual and original desserts. Pistachios, hazelnuts, almonds, covered with honey, green zucchini jam have an unforgettable and very unusual taste. Cannoli - sweet tubes with cream or cottage cheese, are considered a purely Sicilian dessert. True connoisseurs of wine and travel believe that on the island of Sicily, a holiday is associated with a constant feeling of the wonderful taste of Italian wines on the lips. Sicily produces many high-quality wines from a variety of grape varieties. Marsala wine is known throughout the world for its tart aroma and taste. The biggest secret of Sicilian winemakers is the artificial limitation of the grape harvest. When no more than two or three bunches of grapes are allowed to ripen on the vine, they get the maximum from the earth and sun, and the wine, accordingly, is of the highest quality.
Ettaland
The largest one was built in Sicilyentertainment center in Europe – Etnaland. It has a zoo with many rare animal species listed in the Red Book, and a water park with various types of water slides and tracks. There is also an unusual park, strongly reminiscent of the famous "Jurassic Park" of Cameron, in which huge dinosaurs "live", made in life-size, and which you can touch. Fans of extreme types of pleasure will not remain indifferent to the attraction "CROCODILE RAPIDS" - rafting on a stormy river inhabited by hippos, flamingos and elephants, constructed in life-size. Along the way, travelers can be "attacked" by flocks of bats or a whole horde of crocodiles!
Butterfly House
There is an amazing house in Sicily – the Butterfly House.This small room in the town of Via Grande is densely populated by various species of tropical butterflies from all over the world. If you come to visit them in bright clothes, they will mistake you for a flower and, fluttering among the exotic flowers, can sit on your head, shoulders or hands. Next to the house there is a beautiful garden with cyclamens, and the house itself is located in a majestic forest reserve. It is better to visit the butterflies on a sunny day, since they do not like to fly in cloudy weather.
Diving
It is impossible to imagine a tourist who wouldI dreamed of exploring with the spontaneity of a child not only the land, but also the seabed around the island, the underwater world of which can amaze with its beauty and enchant any oceanographer with the diversity of marine life. Scuba diving is especially popular. Vacationers are attracted by the fact that the coastal zone of Sicily has been preserved in relatively pristine purity, due to the absence of any industry on the island. There are a huge number of grottoes under the water, which beckon to explore their mysterious depths. While vacationing on the beaches of Sicily, you can visit diving schools, of which there are a huge number, and only the lazy will not learn scuba diving or diving with a mask. However, on rocky beaches you can get by with a mask, since the amazingly crystal clear water helps you contemplate the beauty of the underwater world without swimming far and deep into the sea.
Snow and lava
Solidified lava on the northern and southern slopes of EtnaIn winter it is covered with snow and attracts lovers of skiing. On the southern side of Etna there is the ski station Nicolosi, from where an unforgettable view of the city of Catania with its bay opens up, as well as the entire coast of Sicily from the city of Regalbuto to the city of Leontini. The northern ski station - Linguaglossa offers views of Taormina and the continental coast of Calabria. What makes skiing down Etna unforgettable is the combination of snow, fire and water. Dazzling white snow, black basalt masses of solidified lava peeking out here and there, and the Ionian Sea sparkling far below in the sun's sparkles - these views are amazing, impossible to forget. It is worth considering that Etna is not only a volcano, but also one of the highest mountains in Italy, and skiing down it with a constant change of stunning landscapes is maximum pleasure and impressions. Sicily is a unique place not only in Europe, but also in the whole world. There is such a variety of cultures here, and at the same time Sicily is unique and colorful as a piece of Italy. Once you have experienced what a holiday in Sicily is, it is impossible not to want to return there again.
