Sicily is an insular region of Italy.
Regions
Cities
Other destinations
Understand
Sicily has a long history of foreign domination, from the Greeks to the Romans, Arabs, Normans, Aragonese, Catalans. The result is a mixed culture where each domination left something to see, like and hear.
Sicily is a huge island where each small city seems to have its own culture. You will find a wide variety of local specialties in all the cities of the island.
Sicilians are a proud people. Although most are somewhat conservative, they are open-minded to visitors.
Talk
The natives of Sicily speak Italian and modern schools teach English to students. Some people are also proficient in Sicilian, an ancient Romance language that is a separate language from Italian.
To get
Travel
To buy
To eat
Making the most of its island shores, Sicily has some of the best cuisines in the world to offer. Much of the island's food is made from sea creatures. Unlike the northern parts of Italy, cream and butter are not used for typical Sicilian dishes. Instead, the natives often substitute tomato, lard (rarely) or olive oil. The cuisine is very exotic and has many unique spices and flavors to offer. Sicilians grow a unique type of Sicilian olive tree, which they affectionately call the "saracena". The food is typically Mediterranean but there are strong hints of Arabic and Spanish flavor (Sicily was conquered by many peoples during its long history). Sicilians like spices and have a particular affinity for almond, jasmine, rosemary, mint, and basil.
Sicilians notoriously have a sweet tooth and are among the best dessert makers in Italy. Try the 'cannoli' (tubular pasta filled with sweet ricotta cheese), 'granita' (ice cream mixed with real fruit and crushed juices), and their most famous export, 'cassata'. Make sure you don't pass up the pine nut and almond cookies as they are always a crowd pleaser.
"Arancini" (sometimes Arancine), fried rice balls with fillings, is a Sicilian fast food that is relatively inexpensive. They can be difficult to find outside of Sicily, so give them a try while you're there.
Drink and go out
Sicilians are not heavy drinkers of alcohol (Sicily has the lowest rate of alcoholism in all of Italy) even though the island is home to more vineyards than any other Italian region and has one of the most progressive wine industries in Italy. Noted primarily in the past for strong bulk wines and often sweet Moscato and Marsala, the island has shifted its emphasis to lighter, more fruity red and white wines.
Sicily is divided into three main wine producing districts:
Trapani province in the west; Etna in the east; Noto and Ragusa in the extreme southeast. Best known Sicilian wines: Marsala, Nero d'Avola, Bianco d'Alcamo, Malvasia, Passito di Pantelleria, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Etna Rosso, Etna Bianco.
Some Sicilian producers: Planeta; Cusumano; Tasca d'Almerita; Tenuta di Donnafugata; Feudo Principi di Butera (Zonin); Morgante; Duca di Salaparuta; Benanti; Palari; Firriato; Batoli Frame; Salvatore Murana; Icone ([14]).
Sicilians enjoy a fruity lemon liqueur called Limoncello during long, hot and dry summers.
Learn
Respect
Health
Security
As in most of Italy, you should be aware of pickpockets. The notorious mafia almost never attacks tourists. There is not too much violence, but some neighborhoods can be dangerous, especially some suburbs in big cities like Catania, Messina or Palermo.
On the train, especially at night, keep your wits about yourself, and try to stay with other travelers.
Keep in touch
Surroundings
external links
Wikimedia Commons houses multimedia content about Sicily. Commons
- Portal enSicilia.info. First-hand information to discover the true Sicily.