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SICILY
Sicily is divided into nine provinces: Agrigento, Caltanissetta, Catania, Enna, Messina, Palermo, Ragusa, Syracuse, and Trapani. Sicily is directly adjacent to the Italian region of Calabria, via the Strait of Messina to the east. Sicily is an island full of strong contrasts, a land rich in history and culture, lively, enticing cities of art, ancient fishermen's villages where time seems to have come to a standstill and amazing natural wonders, beautiful beaches and islands where you can relax surrounded by crystal clear waters. The island is a crossroads for populations who were completely different from one another, who have all left permanent traces of themselves in the island's culture.
In ancient times, Sicily was ruled by the Arabs, Byzantines, Greeks, Normans, and Spanish, who all built cities and brought a variation in the habit of people through the centuries. The ancient Greek-Roman buildings are still found here. The prominent ones include the Arabic-Norman fortresses, the imposing Baroque style buildings, and the churches with interiors covered in Byzantine mosaics. Some towns worth the visit are Taormina, Enna, Piazza Armerina, Caltagirone and Catania.
Sicily is fascinating for its thousands of years of history and for its cities of art but also for the countless natural beauties on the island. Nature here changes deeply, from the majestic sight of Etna to the gently sloping hills, full of olive groves, vineyards and citrus fruit groves, from the fine sandy beaches on the Vendicari Reserve, Pozzallo and Isola Bella to the steep cliffs, the amazing Gole dell'Alcantara and the islands, buzzing or quiet, such as Pantelleria, Ustica, Lipari, Stromboli, Favignana, Salina and Panarea.
Fish is the main food and is prepared in a thousand different ways, mixing it with herbs and spices. Sicilian cakes like cassata and frutta martorana are famous around the world. Island has a special wine Nero d'Avola to its credit.