Sicily wine maps drivers#

Sicily wine maps drivers#

We rented a car and didn't have any issues, but I'd be remiss if I didn't forewarn you of a few things. Sicily is a big island, and driving across it, be prepared to spend a lot of time on bumpy, potholed two-lane roads let's just say the infrastructure has been a bit neglected. However, the biggest warning is the drivers we came up with the term 'Sicilian Stop.' They are almost in your lane before they stop of course, they don't hit you, but we also coined the phrase, 'the horn is your friend.' With this said, don't be afraid to venture on your own just rent a small car and channel your inner Mario Andretti. We flew into Catania because we knew we wanted to explore Mount Etna. You can fly into Palermo or Catania or ferry across from Calabria. You can discover salt flats, walk on a lava flow on Mount Etna, visit an olive oil producer, and taste chocolates in Modica inspired by ancient Aztecs' traditions. Wow - the stories this place could tell.īeyond the apparent walk through history like the Greek ruins in Agrigento, other unique experiences are worth investigating. In 1693 an earthquake destroyed the front half, which was reconstructed in the 18th century with a Baroque facade. The latter converted it back to a church. To help illustrate the point, take the now Catholic Cathedral in Siracuse it started in 480 BC as a Greek Temple, in the 6th century, the Byzantines converted it to a church, in the 9th century, the Arabs converted it to a Mosque, moving the alter position, the 12th century brought the Normans. All this combines to make this place, well, distinctively Sicilian, and a remarkable place to visit. The wine is so historical it is even referenced in Homer's Odyssey. You can find a sliver of each of them reflected in the architecture, food, and wine. Sicily is unique because so many cultures over the centuries have heavily influenced this island from the Sicanians (from whom the island takes its name) to the Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish, French, and Germans. Isolated from the mainland on the southern fringe of Europe, it has allowed their customs to be maintained they even have their own dialect. It's hard to explain, but it is physically and culturally detached from the rest of Italy. I don't even think of Sicily as Southern Italy I think of Sicily as Sicily.

If your American, the first thing that may come to mind is scenes from The Godfather although a great movie, we need to move beyond these stereotypes. Sicily is a destination that has it all great weather, dramatic coastlines, colorful fish markets, remarkable history, an active volcano, and the most burgeoning wine region in Italy. As a travel destination, I can highly recommend Sicily it's one of Europe's most affordable destinations. There is a rustic charm to Sicily that sets it apart from other Italian destinations.