Sicilia Bedda

In Sicily the table becomes the theater of exciting flavours. So what are you waiting for? Be the protagonist and get ready to get your hands dirty! You could prove your skill by trying your hand at Norma. The standing ovation among the diners will be guaranteed! Or, have you ever tried c’anciova pasta? That too is a masterpiece of taste. We will guide you step by step in creating the tastiest and most inviting Sicilian dishes, such as stockfish fish ‘a ghiotta or cardoons fried in batter. Or the more irresistible and gluttonous ones, such as ricotta cassata and sfinci, little sins of the throat for which you won’t have to apologize. Quick and effective dishes, such as pane cunzato and the colorful Sicilian blood orange salad. Don’t be afraid to sing the arancini… Whatever happens, your audience will surely ask for an encore! You will find recipes seasoned with curiosities, anecdotes and useful advice, so you can prepare them like a real chef. But Grandma can’t fight with her snacks! Bring the flavours, shapes, scents and colors of Sicilian cuisine directly to your table, it will be a bit like having lived it! And then who knows, the appetite comes traveling … La Parmigiana di melanzane Every self-respecting Sicilian knows how to recognize its unmistakable scent even before seeing it, fresh from the oven, at the center of the table in the kitchen. And how to describe the explosion of flavours, after dipping your fork into the crunchy parmesan crust to reach the layers of fried aubergines, generously topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella or caciocavallo? Today we eat parmesan! Single dish, appetizer or side dish. Hot, warm and even cold (to savor the flavors that have defined themselves in the meantime), parmigiana is one of the most loved dishes of the Sicilian tradition, a recipe that every southern family keeps and hands down from generation to generation. And if we wanted to know more about its history, we would find ourselves at the center of the fiercest gastronomic disputes in our country: its origin is in fact disputed between Sicily, Naples and the city of Parma. But the thesis according to which the aubergine arrived in Sicily in the 15th century, thanks to the Arabs who brought it from India, convinces us that it can be a wholly Sicilian dish. Furthermore, according to another hypothesis, the term parmigiana derives from the Sicilian word “parmiciana”, i.e. from the set of wooden strips which, superimposed on each other, form the Persian window, reminding us precisely of the layered arrangement of the aubergines and condiment that make up this tasty dish. Finally, to remove any doubts about the possible Emilian origin, the Accademia della Crusca decrees that there would be no link between Parmesan and our Parmigiana: the ancient and original recipe in fact calls for the use of Sicilian pecorino. Regardless of its origins, this is a dish that is offered in every region of Italy and that can be cooked in every season, thanks to the availability of its main ingredient, which can be easily grown in greenhouses. We give you the classic recipe which calls for it to be scented with basil leaves and which can be enriched, in the tastiest variant, with the addition of hard-boiled eggs. The Recipe: Wash and dry the aubergines. Then, with a knife, remove the stem and slice lengthwise to obtain 4-5 mm thick slices. Gradually arrange the slices in a colander and sprinkle them with a little coarse salt. On the top of the aubergines place a plate with a weight, in order to purge them of the bitter vegetation water. Leave it like this for at least 1 hour. In the meantime, cut the mozzarella into cubes and put it to drain. Pour a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil into a large saucepan, add the chopped onion and brown for a couple of minutes. Then add the tomato purée and add a little water, season with salt and cook over low heat for about 40 minutes. At the end of cooking, don’t forget to add the basil leaves, breaking them up by hand. Rinse the aubergines and dry them with absorbent paper before frying them in abundant boiling seed oil, dipping the slices a little at a time. When they are golden, drain them on absorbent paper. Then move on to composition. Grease a 20×30 cm pan with a little sauce, then form the first layer by arranging the aubergine slices horizontally. Grate a little black pepper, sprinkle with Parmesan and pour the mozzarella cubes, distributing them evenly. And finally pour a little more tomato sauce, dropping the fresh basil leaves. Repeat the same procedure, this time arranging the aubergines vertically; continue in this way to form the layers, reversing the direction of the aubergines each time. On the last layer, pour the remaining tomato sauce, the basil leaves, the mozzarella cubes and the Parmesan. Finally put in a hot oven at 200° for about 30 minutes. Once ready, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your meal! Caponata From the Spanish “caponada”, the word “caponata” derives from “capone”, the name with which in some areas of Sicily the dolphin fish is called, a prized fish of the aristocracy which was seasoned with a sweet and sour sauce. The people, not being able to afford the expensive fish, replaced it with the cheaper aubergines while maintaining their tasty sauce. Recipe for 4 people: Procedure 1. Cut the aubergines into cubes, sprinkle them with coarse salt and leave to rest in a colander for at least 1 hour to eliminate any bitterness; 2. Dice the celery, put it in a pot of boiling water with a little salt and let it soften for 5 minutes. Drain them and place them on a cotton cloth; 3. Chop the onions and fry them in a little oil. Then add the capers, olives and pine nuts and cook for

Are you looking for experiences that allow you to spend a carefree and fun holiday with your family? Then Sicily is the right place for you. Here you can travel and go for walks with children in total safety and serenity, to discover beautiful and unexpected natural realities. On foot, by bicycle or on the back of friendly donkeys, you will discover a land full of unexpected treasures. The little ones can become archaeologists, equipped with the right equipment and under the guidance of experts, or scientists ready to learn which laws govern the Universe! Together you will be able to discover which rare botanical wonders are hidden around the island, visit corners of paradise such as the Bioparco di Sicilia, or test your courage in the Aventura Parks, suspended in mid-air surrounded by greenery. Drive along the writers’ road retracing the footsteps of Charles V, flying colorful kites in the air, enjoying Aztec chocolate. Let yourself be inspired and choose the most suitable experience for you and your family. Blue Flag beaches The number of “Blue Flags” awarded to Sicily in 2022 rises to 11.The ranking is drawn up every year by the Foundation for Environmental Education, the Danish NGO that assigns the prize based on quality parameters such as the healthiness of the water but also the quality of the services offered.There are six Messina beaches that have obtained recognition. Confirmed the beaches of Roccalumera, Alì Terme, Lungomare Santa Teresa di Riva, Lampare beach in Tusa and Acquacalda in Lipari. The new entry is that of Furci Siculo.It then continues in the province of Ragusa with the beaches of Marina di Modica, Raganzino in Pozzallo, the first stretch of Ciriga in Ispica and Marina di Ragusa.Finally, the Lido Fiori Bertolino of Menfi, in the province of Agrigento, was awarded. Le gole di Tiberio The Gorges of Tiberius, more than 250 meters long, are located on the Pollina river in the Madonie Park, a Geopark site recognized by UNESCO. After a long descent of steps, you reach the gorges. It is said that they owe their name to the emperor Tiberius, to whom they would have been dedicated.It is a very relaxing place, where accompanied we can visit the gorges gliding on the water with small rafts to reach two small beaches. Do not miss the charming Madonie villages of Pollina and San Mauro Castelverde.We admire the gastropod fossils in the rock walls, the numerous bird nests even a few centimeters from the water, the bandits’ caves that feed legends related to them and to the place (among all, the famous Miricu and Monster). The atmosphere is dreamlike: surrounded by plays of light created between the water and the walls, with the contrast between warm external winds and internal coolness, if we are lucky, we could even witness the flight of the golden eagle. To get there, just follow the signs that start from the state road in the direction of San Mauro. After about ten kilometers you leave the provincial road and take a small road which after a while becomes a dirt road. We can park before the stairway of 400 steps. Le gole dell’Alcantara The Gole dell’Alcantara also known as Gole di Larderia fall within the territory of the municipality of Motta Camastra and are under the protection of the Alcantara River Park. The formation of this basaltic canyon can be traced back to three distinct volcanic eruptions dated between 25,000 and 9,000 years ago. The walls up to twenty-five meters high with prism, woodpile and organ pipe rocks, contrary to what many sites claim, were not formed by the erosive action of the water but by a sudden external cooling of the lava in contact with water and slow internal cooling of the hot core. The Alcantara gorge is 400 meters long and is undoubtedly an all-Italian geological marvel. Let’s find out how to visit this fantastic canyon. Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve The extensive karst plateaus of the Iblei Mountains characterize the landscape of the south-eastern tip of Sicily, straddling the provinces of Ragusa and Syracuse. It is above all in the latter that the plateau takes on spectacular aspects due to the presence of deep fractures, called “cave”, which furrow its edges. These are canyons produced by the erosion of the water courses that still flow on their bottom, sometimes with a superb appearance as happens in the case of the Cavagrande del Cassibile nature reserve, one of the most majestic and evocative, today protected as a nature reserve, it was the seat of inhabited settlements in the Paleolithic era.Eight thousand cave-type rock tombs dating back to the 10th and 9th centuries BC have been excavated in the walls.Established in 1990 in order to preserve the natural vegetation, and restore the Mediterranean forest vegetation as well as to defend and increase the Mediterranean fauna, the Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve covers a vast area of approximately 2,760 hectares, falling within the municipalities of Avola, Noto and Syracuse .The protected area includes a stretch, about 10 km long, of the fluvial branch of the cassibile, one of the most important rivers of south-eastern Sicily, which, strongly encasing itself between the rocks of the Hyblean plateau, generates a canyon, deep in some stretches over 250 meters, with steep walls thickly vegetated. The Nature Reserve of the Vendicari Faunistic Oasis The Oasi Faunistica di Vendicari oriented nature reserve extended for 1,500 hectares is a oriented nature reserve located in the province of Syracuse, precisely between Noto and Marzamemi, particularly important due to the presence of marshes that serve as a resting place in the migration of birds. Inside the Reserve there are several archaeological and architectural settlements. In fact, it is possible to find traces of storage tanks of an ancient fish processing plant, next to which a small necropolis was also discovered. The reserve is a coastal wetland of high biological value due to the presence of different biotopes: rocky coast, sandy coast, Mediterranean maquis,

How many times have you wanted to treat yourself to a relaxing holiday, to contemplate a splendid landscape, breathing clean air and sipping a good glass of Etna DOC? To stroll in a square with open-air bars and lose yourself in a maze of narrow streets, with your nose turned up, among flowered windowsills and bell towers, noble palaces and pot-bellied balconies, peering into the courtyards. Dreams and wishes can come true: it’s time to visit the splendid Sicilian villages. Small towns by the sea, surrounded by greenery, set inland or perched on the mountains, will offer you what you are looking for, among small curiosities and new discoveries, such as houses carved into the rock and inhabited until the last century or the film set most famous of all time. In each of the nine Sicilian provinces, you will find the village that’s right for you and, nearby, many other places, perhaps less renowned but which will remain forever in your heart. Places and holidays on a human scale, to be experienced in company and in safety, where the watchword is “uncontaminated”, just like the village you have chosen. We are used to thinking of Sicily as an island of sea, sun and beautiful cities bursting with color and vitality. Yet it is not only this, in addition to the natural and folkloric beauties, the largest island in Italy offers the possibility of visiting truly unique villages where the important past of this land re-emerges among alleys and ancient monuments.  So let’s see the 10 most beautiful villages in Sicily: 1. Savoca (Messina) Small alleys, cisterns dug into the rock and ancient buildings rich in history characterize the medieval village of Savoca, famous above all because it is one of the famous sets of the film “The Godfather” with its Bar Vitelli. The houses in the historic center separated by overhangs and rock are populated by the elderberry plant which gave the town its name. The best way to visit this city is through the “seven faces of Savoca”, the seven different panoramic points of the village from which it is possible to admire the 12th century Mother Church, the Pentefur castle, perhaps built by the Arabs and then enlarged by the Normans, the medieval city gate, the church of San Michele (13th century) and that of San Nicolò which houses the statue of the patron saint of Savoca, Santa Lucia. This village represents Sicily in all its aspects, from its cinematographic role to its important history, an ideal destination for capturing the charm of this island. 2. Petralia Soprana (Palermo) The peculiarity of this center in the province of the capital is offered by the three viewpoints: that of Loreto (called u castru) which embraces Etna Enna, Caltanissetta and the valley of the river Imera; that of the Carmine which offers the panorama of western Sicily towards Palermo; and that of Piazza Duomo which turns east towards Gangi. The village is populated by beautiful squares: piazza Loreto with the Santa Maria di Loreto; San Michele square; piazza del Popolo and piazza Frate Umile. But the most scenic square in the city is certainly Piazza Duomo, with the Mother Church dedicated to the Apostles Peter and Paul, the bell tower from the Norman period and the eighteenth-century one. A city to be experienced in its entirety, therefore, and to be explored in all its spaces and panoramas. 3. Castiglione di Sicilia (Catania) Located over 600 meters above sea level, a few km from Giardini-Naxos, the panorama that surrounds this village offers an exceptional variety of landscapes. From the imposing Etna volcano to the woods, from the orange groves to the Alcantara gorges, the nature that surrounds the small town in the province of Catania attracts explorers and adventurers from everywhere. The town, perched on a slope, dominates the bank of the Alcantara river and has a historic center full of monuments to visit: the ancient Cameni district with the church of Sant’Antonio (1601); the church of San Pietro, built in 1105 by the will of the Norman count Ruggero d’Altavilla; the Byzantine Castelluccio (Castidduzzu) and the basilica of the Madonna della Catena, the most important church in the town and the castle of Ruggero di Lauria (12th century) whose importance gave the town its name. The district offers many other natural beauties and historical evidence of the important past of this small village. 4. Marzamemi (Syracuse) This suggestive seaside village is set in the Ionian Sea and surrounded by clear and inviting waters. The main attraction of the city is certainly the seventeenth-century tonnara, typical of fishing villages. Next to this are the two natural ports of Fossa and Balata which offer a view of the enchanting beaches of the village. The narrow streets and the sailors’ houses add charm to the center whose views remain impressed in the eyes of the visitors. A real postcard, ideal to photograph and carry the memory with you forever. 6. Montalbano Elicona (Messina) Dominating the profile of this village is the castle built on pre-existing Byzantine and Arab structures, in the Norman-Swabian period. The building is one of the most important medieval testimonies of the whole of Sicily and reflects, in its numerous architectural phases, the different foreign dominations on the territory. The village winds along a rocky promontory; next to the castle is the church of Santa Caterina (1300) while entering the historic center you can get lost among the fifty medieval houses restored and used as hotels. From the Portello viewpoint you can admire the peaks of the Nebrodi, Capo Milazzo and the Aeolian Islands. 7. Ferla (Syracuse) The small town in the Val di Noto was completely rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693. The Baroque architecture and natural beauties have earned it the Unesco title of “World Heritage Site”. The entire area of Ferla is populated by rock complexes ranging from the Greek to the Christian era, from the Byzantines to the Lombards and from the Arabs to

There are treasures that you don’t need to touch to feel their rarity. However, on this triangular and evocative land, you will constantly come across the signs left by history, by the passage of man and by his ingenuity. Get ready to discover how many ways Sicily is able to amaze you. He will do it when you least expect it, while walking along the street you will come across old artisan shops, guardians of traditions handed down from father to son. Ancient craft activities, such as the processing of obsidian or the unique and precious Mediterranean coral. Some keep alive arts and traditions that are now considered a World Heritage Site, such as that of the Sicilian Puppets protagonists of the Opera dei Pupi, or the art of dry-stone walls that embellish the landscapes with their archaic beauty, both registered in the Oral Heritage and intangible UNESCO World Heritage Site. And what about archaeological sites? Of the 7 Sicilian UNESCO, we find some that are recognized as among the most beautiful archaeological sites of all time! Pantalica, the Valley of the Temples or the magnificent Theater of Taormina! All clues to a glorious past in vivid colors just waiting to unfold before your eyes. UNESCO Sicily is among the regions of Italy with the largest number of sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The seven “precious gems” that give it eternal beauty are: The archaeological area of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, which testifies to the greatness of one of the most important cities of antiquity, with Doric temples in an exemplary state of conservation; Syracuse, the largest and most beautiful Greek city according to Cicero, and the rocky necropolis of Pantalica, a site of great naturalistic, archaeological and ethno-anthropological importance, characterized by the presence of tombs dating back as far as the 12th century BC; the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, with its priceless mosaics that tell surprising insights into the society of the time; Mount Etna, among the most important active volcanoes on the planet, which guarantees history and mythology the spectacle of its continuous eruptions and hosts, between lava and snow, unparalleled ecosystems; the Baroque of Val di Noto, and Palazzolo Acreide simply sparkling architectural and artistic heritage, is the common thread that connects, between palaces and churches, eight cities in the south-east; the Arab-Norman route from Palermo to Monreale and Cefalù which unwinds in nine stages and which, between civil and religious buildings, testifies to the contamination and the perfect stylistic encounter between Islamic, Western and Byzantine civilizations; finally, the Aeolian Islands represent a unicum for global volcanology and geology, a rich and happy archipelago in its complexity.

Climate and landscapes allow you to practice many outdoor sports in Sicily, combining well-being and fun: you are spoiled for choice. If you love the sea, you can dedicate yourself to diving and snorkelling, experiencing the emotion of contact with the most evocative fauna and flora and discovering the “Divers’ Paradise” on the seabed of Ustica, in the heart of the first Italian marine reserve. With your eyes you will capture images and chromatic combinations that you thought were pure science fiction. On the surface, however, the sea allying itself with the wind projects you into the light dimension of kitesurfing: practice it in the splendid setting of the Stagnone in Marsala! For any level of fatigue, for all ages and for any prerequisite for physical activity, from fitness to the search for the limit, the Sicilian natural scenery offers an original and fully comprehensive solution: between a walk with children along familiar paths and the extremes of climbing and ski mountaineering, you can choose commitments with very different coefficients of difficulty, from golf which can be practiced both in the western and eastern parts of Sicily to the most suggestive itinerary by bicycle, from an appointment with freedom on a sailing boat to excursions on horseback, perhaps on Etna or crossing the Argimusco.The hinterland of Sicily, the heart of the island, is little known. Here the perception of time, the contact with the locals takes place in a natural and wonderful way. Many cultural expressions and millenary traditions, many archaeological, architectural and naturalistic treasures await us. From the slopes of Etna to the Simeto Nature Reserve, full of lava caves, waterfalls, rapids and lakes. From the Piana degli Albanesi Lake, teeming with life, to the Ficuzza Wood, to find ourselves in the heart of the Madonie Park, dotted with small towns that with their slowness will make you want to never go away.Enna, the highest capital of Italy, from where you can enjoy a panoramic view over all of Sicily. Caltanissetta with its historic center full of Renaissance and Baroque monuments. Sutera, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. The Andromeda Theater in Santo Stefano Quisquina is a magical place surrounded by the bucolic landscape of the Sicani Mountains. Even if you are in the center of Sicily, far from the coast, you will happen to enjoy the incredible and privileged view of the Aeolian Islands, and only then will you become aware that you have just concluded a journey to discover the most unusual and, probably, Sicily of the more authentic one. If there is one thing that Mother Nature has given to this island, it is a wide choice of natural treatments that regenerate body and mind. Relaxation, sensory well-being, enveloping pleasure, are these your essential travel priorities? You have chosen the right place: Sicily is truly an immense open-air SPA!Whatever your destination and the duration of your holiday, you will discover that the simplest and most natural things have an extraordinary power on your health. Breathe deeply and find your balance by taking advantage of the wisdom of ancient woods and the energy of frozen waterfalls. Surround yourself with sun and beauty, linger on the salt crust in the surreal scenery of the Stagnone, or explore and find refreshment in the natural caves dear to the gods of the smaller islands. A quick glance at the beaches, shores and coves, in the marvelous sea in Sicily, surprising for its transparency and richness of colours.Let’s start from the south coast of this incredible island, which from Capo Passero in Syracuse to Capo Granitola in Trapani, proudly shows us its golden sand that looks exotic. Marina di Ragusa, Pozzallo, Punta Secca in the Ragusa area, the Torre Salsa Reserve near Sciacca, the island of Lampedusa and the Scala dei Turchi in Agrigento, have very long beaches, often not very busy, which instill harmony and the “out of this world” relaxation we all seek. This sandy coast extends as far as Mazara del Vallo and Marsala and continues with the Via del Sale, the Stagnone Reserve and Mozia in Trapani. Here we discover how salt is produced and its dedicated museums. The Riserva dello Zingaro and the fine white beach of San Vito lo Capo need no introduction and open us up to the Tyrrhenian coast, characterized by a succession of beaches and rocks. The island of Ustica, Cefalù and Mondello in the Palermo area, the Aeolian Islands, Capo d’Orlando and Tindari in the province of Messina and the Egadi Islands in the Trapani area, all overlook the Tyrrhenian Sea, where the blue of the sea is intense and snorkelling is very pleasant. From Messina begins the east coast with the lava rocks and pebble beaches of Taormina and Giardini Naxos; the Timpa di Acireale Nature Reserve and the rocks of Aci Trezza. Then the sand resumes in the Gulf of Catania, Syracuse, the Vendicari Reserve, up to Marzamemi and the Isola delle Correnti, the precise point where the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea join.