Sicily has been at the crossroads of civilizations for millennia, and is one of Europe's most diverse and fascinating places to travel to. Located at the heart of the Mediterranean, the island's identity has been
shaped by cultures and traditions from Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Distinctly different from mainland Italy, Sicily offers spectacular architecture, ancient archaeological sites, vibrant urban centers, stunning natural landscapes, incredible food and friendly people. In this video, I'm traversing Sicily, on one of the most surprising
and rewarding journeys I have undertaken. From the bustling streets of capital Palermo to the charming
mountain towns of Enna and Erice. From the slopes of Mount Etna volcano to the
ancient temples in Agrigento. From religious celebrations around Catania's festival of
Saint Agatha to the tranquil nature reserves of Trapani. From seaside villages like Scopello and Taormina
to the stormy coastal city of Siracusa. And from the moving earthquake memorial of Cretto di Buri
to the imposing baroque churches and palaces of Noto. So join me, exploring the magnificent island of Sicily. We begin our journey in Catania, Sicily's second largest city,
located on the East coast of the island. Founded some 2,700 years ago, Catania brims with culture and history, but today is also an important industrial and transportation hub. At first glance, it seems a bit rough around the edges, but once you dig a little deeper, you'll find a charismatic
and vibrant city, with lively street markets and welcoming people. The Piazza del Duomo, the historic central square of Catania, is filled with imposing buildings and statues,
and is buzzing with activity around the clock. It's a popular place to sip some coffee, indulge in some local pastries,
or simply admire the striking architecture. Make sure to climb the rooftop of the Badi di Sant'Agatha
church for panoramic views over Catania, all the way to Mount Etna on a clear day. Not far from here are Catania's most impressive ancient ruins, the 2nd century Roman Theatre, and the tranquil Via Crociferi, a narrow street famous for its extravagant baroque churches and palaces. Other notable landmarks include the Ursino castle, and the church and Benedictine monastery of San Nicola Arena,
which is now part of the city's university. While worth visiting year-round, I was lucky enough to travel to Catania
during one of the busiest and most exciting religious festivals in Europe. Every year in February, an estimated one million people take to the streets
to commemorate the life of Sant'Agatha, the city's patron saint. An intriguing mix of devotion and folklore, the celebrations spread over 3 days,
and connect people from all walks of life. The festivities are centered around a slow procession
that starts in front of the cathedral. From here, the supposed remains of Saint Agatha are carried
through the streets, past crowds of people. While the size of the event can feel overwhelming at times, I found the atmosphere to be mostly calm, intimate,
and sometimes even emotional. Celebrations continue day and night, and include wax offerings and fireworks. We leave Catania behind and travel onwards to Mount Etna,
the largest active volcano in Europe. At 3,326 meters, it dominates the landscape of Eastern Sicily Both a beautiful and fearful sight, Mount Etna has regular
eruptions and is closely monitored for seismic activity. Reaching the slopes of the volcano can be an adventure,
especially in Winter season. Strong, unexpected wind and extreme cold made
trekking to the summit impossible, but lower parts could be visited with expert guides. So we're now at 2,7 kilometers (2,700 meters), just 600 meters
short of the top of Mount Etna. And from here you can see the top of the Etna,
that is the Southeast crater. Because this is 2080 (meters). From here, the views were simply breathtaking. Sunny weather created a stunning contrast between
black lava and white snow, all amidst a surreal lunar-like volcanic landscape. We take a short break to introduce you to Skillshare,
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will receive a 1 month free trial. We briefly visit Acireale, a small coastal city located
under the shadow of Mount Etna. While it has an attractive historic center, it’s best known for its
spectacular annual carnival, one of the best in Italy. Parades of colorfully decorated floats navigate through the streets,
carrying giant puppets the size of buildings. Our next destination is Taormina, one of Sicily’s most popular
holiday destinations, and for good reason. The town is built on the side of a mountain and offers spectacular vistas
of the surrounding landscape. Narrow, steep alleys contrast with elegant shopping
streets and restored medieval buildings, changing your perspective at every corner. Taormina is also home to one of the most beautifully
located Greek theatres in the world, overlooking the Mediterranean coastline below. Dating from the 3rd century BC, it’s the prime tourist attraction in Taormina, but is also regularly used for concerts, festivals, and other events. Make sure to walk down to the seaside as well, to explore
some of the charming beaches, rocky coves, and small islands, like the famous Isola Bella. Good morning from Siracusa, one of the great ancient
cities here in the South of Sicily. As you can see, I'm sitting in my hotel room, because
when I look outside the weather is extremely bad. The weather ('met') offices here put out a red weather warning. People are advised to stay inside, schools are closed etc. However, I do have this small GoPro and I'm going to head out soon just to
give you an impression what this city looks like in this massive storm. I think it's even called a cyclone. So let's have a look. Things have gotten really rough now. As you can see behind me everything is closed. Walking around Siracusa during this extreme weather
proved both challenging and intriguing. Streets were mostly deserted, and water built up in low-lying areas,
causing local flooding. People generally followed the weather warning and mostly stayed inside, either
at home, or in some of the restaurants and cafes that remained open. If you’re in a similar situation, please always pay attention to warnings
from the authorities and don’t take unnecessary risks. Now we're at the very epicenter of the cyclone. It's rough, it's wild, it's impressive. You feel very small right now as a human being. Mother Nature at work. Siracusa itself played a key role in ancient times and was one of
the great powers around the Mediterranean. Founded some 2,700 years ago by Greek Corinthians and Teneans,
it briefly rivaled Athens in size, before it became part of the Roman Republic and Byzantine Empire. Today, it is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities on Sicily, with atmospheric alleyways and imposing squares filled with stunning buildings. Siracusa's true colors returned on the morning of my departure, providing glimpses of the attractive Ortygia peninsula, and the
incredible archaeological park of the Neapolis. We continue our journey to Noto, a picturesque town in the Southeast
of Sicily, known for its magnificent baroque architecture. Its main street is lined with graceful mansions, palaces, and churches,
the star of which is the massive San Nicolo Cathedral. Today’s Noto is an unusual town, as it was entirely rebuilt
after a devastating earthquake struck the region in 1693. In the decades that followed this tragedy, architects and city planners were given a free hand to create
a perfectly proportioned urban center. After traversing Eastern Sicily, we head inland to the hilltop town of Enna, surrounded by a landscape of rugged mountains and broad valleys. It has an attractive medieval center, and a calm, authentic atmosphere,
untouched by mass tourism. Good morning from a cold but beautiful Enna a town that just a few days ago was covered in massive snow,
that has now mostly disappeared however. I arrived here yesterday night. I'm going to spend a few hours here, walking up to this
spectacular castle, Castello di Lombardia. So let's have a look. We leave the cold but appealing Enna behind, and drive onwards to
Agrigento, through green rolling hills and farmland. Here we find the Valley of the Temples, a fascinating archaeological site
boasting some of the best-preserved Greek temples outside Greece. While impressive indeed, it’s almost hard to imagine these
temples are merely the remnants of an even greater sight, the ancient city of Akragas, once the 4th largest city in the world. So in the evenings they actually light up the buildings, which makes it
a completely different experience from the afternoon or the morning. Definitely worth staying around for. We return to the shore, this time in the Southern part of Sicily, and briefly
stop at the peculiar rock formations of Scala di Turchi. Freely translated as ‘Stair of the Turks’, these white cliffs are made of marl, a type of sedimentary rock and stand in sharp contrast
with the surrounding landscape. For our next destination we follow the coastline towards Sciacca. The colorful homes of this town form the backdrop of the
large and bustling fishing port below. It’s a fun and interesting place to visit for a few hours, especially when
some of the boats return with the catch of the day. The fishing industry forms an integral part of Sicily’s economy, and the
island has the largest fishing fleet in the whole of Italy. Historically, the port of Sciacca was also significant, as it formed
an important commercial hub for trade with North Africa. We drive inland and traverse the Valle del Belice, a region that was
tragically struck by an earthquake in 1968. Some of the main towns, such as Poggioreale, were severely damaged,
and over 200 people lost their lives. Most survivors decided to leave in the years that followed, and Poggioreale
eventually turned into an abandoned ghost town. Not far from here, on a green hillside, stands the monument of Cretto di Burri. Both an impressive and unsettling sight, this memorial is made from the
ruins of Gibellina village, and was created by Alberto Burri. Its maze-like layout resembles the original street plan of the town,
which was hit by the same earthquake. When visiting this area, please make sure to
stick to the main roads, as navigation systems sometimes suggest routes that no longer exist. We travel onwards and reach the West coast of Sicily, to visit
the salt pans of Saline di Trapani. These vast shallow salt pools stretch from the city of Trapani
all the way to Marsala, and are a remarkable sight. Most of the area is now a protected nature reserve popular with migratory birds, but there are a few museums where you can explore
the traditional salt pans and windmills. Today, a small salt industry remains, but in its heyday, this was one
of the most important salt production sites in Europe. A steep road up leads us to the medieval town of Erice, one of Sicily’s
most beautiful mountain villages. Located 750 meters above sea level, it has 360 degree views
towards the Mediterranean and valleys behind. Navigating Erice on foot feels like stepping back in time, with narrow stone paved alleys, and historic churches and castles. Don’t leave the town without tasting the local specialty, Genovesi Ericini, delicious shortbread cookies with a delicate custard. We continue our journey around Sicily in the Gulf of Castellammare, a region filled with attractive towns and rugged coastal scenery. From the blue waters and crescent-shaped beach of San Vito La Capo to the castle and harbor of Castellammare del Golfo. By far my favorite spot here, however, is Scopello, a seaside village set in a landscape of craggy mountains and cliffs. The main attraction here is an historic tuna factory, or tonnara, that can be visited on appointment, or when you stay
in the town’s accommodation. We arrive in Palermo, the bustling capital city of Sicily,
and our final destination. This metropolis has been at the intersection of civilizations for centuries and is influenced by cultures from the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Famous for its history, architecture, and food, Palermo evokes the imagination of many travelers,
and has a distinct, almost mysterious character. The historic city center is one of the most intriguing in Europe, filled with grand churches, quiet monasteries, and baroque palaces. At the very heart stands the city’s cathedral, a massive structure
that has been renovated and altered multiple times over the years, but remains a great example of Sicily’s unique architectural style. Not far from here is the Norman castle, which holds one of Palermo’s
most visited sights, the Cappella Palatina. The chapel contains spectacular mosaics, muqarnas, and marble
floors, mixing Byzantine, Arabic, and Norman styles. Other landmarks include the Quattro Canti, nearby Pretoria fountain, Chiesa del Gesu, and Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy. Don’t miss the small ‘No Mafia Memorial’, where you can learn
about the city’s struggle with the mafia, and the peaceful monastery of Santa Caterina d’Allessandria. Both a church and cloister, this complex is a world in itself,
and also houses a traditional bakery, serving one of Sicily’s most celebrated desserts, the cannoli. While you can spend days admiring Palermo’s stunning buildings, I found exploring the city’s streets and alleys perhaps even more fascinating. From neglected neighborhoods filled with colorful street art,
to vibrant markets, where local vendors sell fresh produce, Palermo surprises at every corner. On top of all this, the city is also gaining a reputation
for its delicious street food, with mouthwatering dishes served fresh on the spot. And if you are still hungry in the evenings, the main streets in the
old center are filled with buzzing restaurants and cafes. And that concludes my journey around Sicily,
a unique and diverse travel destination, with remarkable historic landmarks, intriguing traditions, vibrant street scenes, spectacular natural landscapes, wonderful food, and friendly people. I realize I have only scratched the surface, and you could spend
months exploring this Mediterranean island. Yet I still hope this video gave you some travel inspiration, or at least provided a glimpse into this captivating place. Thanks for watching, and I hope to see you again next time. Travel safely!
