Baroque, wine ice cream, and donkey sausage? You bet, Ragusa has it all. Ragusa in Sicily is one of the baroque towns in the Val di Noto. Wander through the historic center and alternate between baroque churches and palazzos with terrace hopping. Ask for the house specialties, and suddenly, you’re on a culinary journey, too. I’m happy to share some travel tips for Ragusa with you.
The magic of the town of Noto in southeastern Sicily becomes clear around sunset. The many baroque buildings take on a warm, golden glow. It almost looks like a movie set (and it turns out it actually is). In this blog, I’m sharing the 10 best things to do in Noto, Sicily.
Syracuse is probably my biggest surprise on my Sicily trip. It’s a town on the southeastern coast of Sicily, and I’d never heard of it before. Without any expectations, I step onto the Ortigia peninsula, and I’m completely smitten. The old center is car-free, packed with charming terraces, and along the narrow streets are typical Italian buildings in warm, earthy tones featuring elegant balconies. In Syracuse, it’s easy to lose track of time.
Catania in Sicily may be located on the coast, but it’s Mount Etna that steals the show. From here, you can easily take a trip to Etna, but Catania itself is definitely worth visiting too. The city center is on the UNESCO list for good reason, and the food culture will make you want to stay at least another month.
Etna is Europe’s most active volcano, and you can actually see it up close. So, if you’re in Sicily, you absolutely must reserve some time to see Etna. You can ski there, hike there, and drink wine. I’m happy to share my tips for visiting Etna, plus how I experienced my sunset Etna tour and wine tour.
Taormina is absolutely for the rich and famous, but also for you! This coastal town in Sicily is wonderful to wander through—not just the streets but also the attractions. The Greek theater is impressive because of its location, and then there’s the little island Isola Bella: wow, the perfect picture. So, definitely plan a day for Taormina.
Most tourists skip right past Enna. Honestly, I’m fine with that because it means I get to have this Sicilian mountain village almost all by myself. But you should consider going there too: the mountain town offers a welcome change from the typical sun-sea-beach vacation. So go ahead and book a night in Enna, and I’ll gladly tell you what you can do there.
Craving delicious food AND cocktails this weekend? Amsterdam is bursting with spots to enjoy brunch and sip unlimited mimosas. Aka: a boozy brunch! I’ve put my liver to the test (someone’s gotta do it!) and found the best places for you. Here’s to your weekend… and the afternoon naps that follow!