AEOLIAN ISLANDS
The Aeolian Islands (ìsuli eoli in Sicilian), also known as the Lipari Islands, are an Italian archipelago belonging to the Aeolian arc, in Sicily. The archipelago, of volcanic origin, is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, north of the Sicilian coast. They include two active volcanoes, stromboli and vulcano, as well as various phenomena of secondary volcanism. The Aeolian Islands form an archipelago, made up of seven real islands, to which are added islets and rocks outcropping from the sea. The seven islands are arranged in the shape of a lying y, with the rod pointing towards the west. They are located off northern Sicily, facing the Tyrrhenian coast of Messina. They are visible from most of the Tyrrhenian coast of Sicily, when visibility is excellent and there is no haze. The seven islands are: Lipari, Salina, Vulcano, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi and Panarea. To book daily tours departing from the ports of Milazzo or Capo D’Orlando, contact Reception at 901.
TAORMINA
About a one hour-drive from Capo d’Orlando, there is a small town considered to be one of Sicily’s treasures. Located on top of a cliff over 200 meters high, Taormina offers an incredible view of the sea and the Etna Vulcano. Taormina is one of the most important tourist attractions in Sicily, not only for its breathtaking scenery, but also for its marine beauties, historical monuments and elegant boutiques that line the main street.
CEFALÙ
It’s impossible not to visit this village in the Province of Palermo. Cefalù, is situated on the northern coast of the island, at the foot of a famous fortress, has a very ancient history. The foundation dates back a thousand years before Christ. The city is located inside the Madornie park and is one of the most beautiful villages in Sicily. Its cathedral is a UNESCO site, but it is only one of the many attractions: the historic center, its beaches and characteristic corners are not to be missed.
ETNA PARK NATURE RESERVE
Etna Park is a destination to visit at any time of the year. In summer, the reserve offers an immeasurable amount of opportunities, like guided tours, sports activities and excursions. In winter, it is the most popular ski destination on the whole island.
NEBRODI PARK
The Nebrodi Park extends between the provinces of Messina and Catania, and is a breathtaking spectacle for its variety of attractions. Itineraries include visiting the villages of the park, heterogeneous in terms of position and characteristics, to trekking routes and food and wine tours. In total, the Nebrodi Park covers about 200,000 hectares and is located in the north-east of Sicily, between the Madonie and the Peloritani. Together with these mountain ranges, it forms the Sicilian Apennines.
TYNDARIS
Tindari is famous not only for its historical and architectural heritage, but also for its natural one. Located on a promontory in the Nebrodi Mountains, Tindari stands in a strategic position that sees it set in the Gulf of Patti with the Aeolian Islands to the north, the Milazzo peninsula to the east and the entire Peloritani chain to the south. This location offers visitors truly breathtaking views. The town has very ancient origins, so much so that it is said to have been founded in 396 BC. by Dionysius I of Syracuse and took its name from Tyndaris, king of Sparta. This place where history, myth, legends and archeology intertwine was also a great inspiration for the writer Andrea Camilleri who set an episode of Inspector Montalbano here.
PALERMO
The city is unquestionably the most important on the island. From an artistic and historical point of view, Palermo is undoubtedly a point of reference, but it is in the cultural field that it excels, rising above all other cities. The Cathedral, the Quattro Canti, the Teatro Massimo and the Politeama, the Martorana Church and the Palatine Chapel, Palazzo dei Normanni, La Zisa and Palazzo Chiaramonte-Steri or even the nearby seaside resorts of Mondello, Cinisi and Cefalù: these monuments and spectacular places represent the best that the wonderful Sicilian land offers. Do not miss the Monreale Cathedral.
ALCANTARA GORGES
The gorges were created over the centuries due to seismic events. It is possible to cross the Alcantara River, which flows in its lava bed, if you are equipped with appropriate overalls and boots which the tour provides.
CATANIA
A lively and dynamic city, cheerful and chaotic, Catania rises at the foot of the volcano. Its historic center, alive and colorful, with the scents of fruit and vegetables from the food markets, is one of those places to visit in Sicily to experience the true spirit of the island.
SANTO STEFANO DI CAMASTRA
Santo Stefano di Camastra, better known as the City of Ceramics, is an enchanting territory that lies partly along the coast and partly between the Nebrodi mountains. It offers visitors the opportunity to see every kind of landscape, from the most enchanting mountainous locations up to the coastal ones. The urban center of Santo Stefano di Camastra is located on a hill with spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes, all endowed with incredible natural beauty. The streets of the city are beautifully decorated with local ceramics, which for several centuries have continued to be produced with the ancient traditional techniques, which created splendid highly sought-after works of art. The Reception can organize guided tours inside the ceramic factories where you will assist in the production, still carried out as in the past by the skilled and expert hands of a few loyal and incomparable craftsmen.
SICILY OF WINE
Sicily is one of the territories that pays attention to the production of vines, so much so that it also has one of the highest percentages of organic wine production which favors the biodiversity present in the area. Around the Etna volcano, it is possible to observe the change of the territory and vines even at a distance of a few kilometeres. Spend a day discovering the Sicily of wine and our Reception staff will be happy to recommend some of the best wineries and organize a food and wine tour.
VILLA PICCOLO
Villa Piccolo is the elegant and refined home of the noble Piccolo family from Palermo. Even Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, author of “Il Gattopardo”, a friend and relative of the noble family, often stayed in Capo d’Orlando. It was here, at Villa Piccolo, where he wrote a large part of his masterpiece. Inside the museum there are paintings, photographs, ancient weapons that testify to the Nebrodian belle époque. Don’t miss walking through the park, where among rare trees and Mediterranean plants, it is possible to visit the “dog cemetery”, one of the few existing in the world.
SANCTUARY
The Sanctuary at the top of the promontory dates back to the 1600s, and its construction, commissioned by Count Girolamo Joppolo, took place at the conclusion of prodigious and faith-based episodes and is linked to the discovery of the tiny simulacrum of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Capo d’Orlando. It is assumed that the church was incorporated within the walls of the pre-existing castle. Inside, in addition to the votive offerings and ancient furnishings of the sanctuary, there are two paintings by Gaspare Camarda, dated 1626 and 1627: “The Adoration of the Shepherds” and “The Crucifix Between the Two Praying Monks”.
GULET PATH
The Gulet Path, which connects Piazza Tullio Trifilò with Piazzetta San Gregorio, is an extremely fascinating path for those who love nature. With over 1000 meters of paths through nature and beyond. It was once the only road connecting the city and the village of San Gregorio. You’ll experience evocative panoramas and a lot of silence, broken only by the waves of the sea. At the San Gregorio Gallery, you’ll find yourself on the “balcony of the rabbits”, named for the rodents who come out in groups at twilight looking for food.