Author: Levi Reiss
If you are looking for a European tourist destination,
consider the island of Sicily, a region of southern Italy.
Depending on your interests, this beautiful area can be an
ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and
wash it down with fine local wine. And parts of Sicily
haven't yet been discovered by tourists. This short article
presents eastern Sicily. A companion article presents
western Sicily; another presents the capital Palermo.
Messina is Sicily's third largest city. Founded by the
Ancient Greeks it often changed hands over the centuries.
The University of Messina started out as the world's first
Jesuit College, founded by St. Ignatius himself. In 1908
the city was virtually destroyed by an earthquake and the
ensuing tsunami. Make sure to see the cathedral, the
Calapaj Palace, and the Sixteenth Century lighthouse.
The walled village of Castelmola with its ancient streets
and spectacular view is only a few miles from the coast.
Don't miss it. Go to the ruins of the Thirteenth Century
Castello Normanno (Norman Castle). It's more than a
kilometer above sea level and you'll have to climb the path
from the parking lot below. Actually there are two paths
with two different views and if you can you really should
explore both, one up and one down the mountain. What's to
see when you get to the top - the city of Taormina and the
Ionian Sea to the east, the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north,
and Mount Etna to the west. Castelmola also boasts a
Cathedral and several old churches worth visiting.
Taormina has been discovered by tourists. What a beautiful
view, especially from the funivia (gondola). The Greek
theater runs in the summer and Taormina boasts two
top-of-the-line hotels.
Mount Etna is Europe's largest and highest volcano. It is
still active. Depending on the weather report climb part of
it or take the train around the mountain base. The Hotel
Villa Paradiso Dell'Etna started as a bohemian hangout and
is now quite pricey.
Catania at the foot of Mount Etna is Sicily's second
largest city. Its volcanic soil is great for agriculture,
particularly wine. Catania was buried in lava seven times;
many of its buildings are constructed from lava. Visit its
cathedral.
Siracusa (Syracuse) was founded by Greek colonists. Its
theater was built for 15,000 spectators and produces Greek
tragedies in May and June. Make sure to see the Papyrus
Museum, the Archeological Museum, historic churches and
palaces, and the neighboring Ortygia Island, known as Citta
Vecchia (Old City) with its own cathedral.
Sicilian ices are famous even if they no longer contain
snow from Mount Etna. See our companion article I Love
Touring Italy - Eastern Sicily for a sample menu and more
information on local wines as well as an in-depth
examination of its tourist attractions. Sicily is Italy's
largest wine producer. An independent Sicily would be the
world's seventh largest wine producer.
About the Author:
Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on
computers and the Internet, but he prefers drinking fine
Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and
people. He knows about dieting but now eats and drinks what
he wants, in moderation. He teaches classes in computers at
an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his
Italian travel website http://www.travelitalytravel.
which focuses on local wine and food.
