Reasons You Should Book a Trip to Sicily ASAP

Want to island-hop and visit active volcanoes? Book Culture Trip’s 10-day adventure, which will show you the best Sicily has to offer.

An island with its own islands. In fact, Sicily has three sets of islands: there are the seven Aeolians to the north, three Aegadian off the eastern edge, and the Pelagie Islands nearer to Malta and Tunisia than mainland Italy. You have your choice of vibes ranging from the jet set glamour of summertime Panarea in the Aeolian islands, to the barefoot chic of Favignana, to the rugged charm of Linosa.

The beach at San Vito lo Capo in northwest Sicily is regularly named among the best beaches in the world, with miles of white sand, rocky outcrops and crystal-clear waters. There are also national parks with long empty stretches of sand and tiny rocky coves on virtually unknown islands. The water in Sicily is calm and warm, with the best time for swimming from June until well into October.

In the southeastern corner of the island, there are a cluster of towns that are a baroque architectural wonderland. Noto, Ragusa and Monica are each filled with flamboyant churches and palazzos in soft ochre tones and plenty of swirls. A devastating earthquake in 1693 destroyed this part of Sicily and the result was the creation of new cities and lavish buildings. Look out for details such as elaborate balconies and putti (plump winged cherubs).

Did you know that Chef Boyardee SpaghettiOs are actually based on a traditional Sicilian dish? Or that it’s perfectly acceptable to eat gelato for breakfast in Sicily? This is just the beginning of the culinary wonders you can find only in Sicily. Look for anelli – which means little rings – in the pasta section of the market as a unique souvenir. Sicilian wines are world renowned, with the reds and whites grown in the ashy volcanic soil near Mount Etna particularly delicious.

Sicily has two active volcanos, Etna which rumbles occasionally and Stromboli on the Aeolian island of the same name which puts on a nightly show. This volcano has been continuously active for roughly 2,000 years with short bursts of flame and ash. Occasionally you might catch a deep red lava flow from a crater down to the sea below. You can take an evening hike to the top or a boat cruise and watch nature’s fireworks from the sea.

The seaside town of Catania, on the eastern coast of Sicily, is the place to be if you like to stay up late and dance the night away. The city is home to a large university, so start your evening at one of the low key bars in the historic centre. There are brew pubs and live music venues around the Teatro Massimo, and Banacher is a lively nightclub near the beach.