The island of Pantelleria

It is 85 km far from the Sicilian coast and 70 km far from Africa. Its territory has volcanic origins and, in fact, this island it is also called “the Black Pearl of the Mediterranean sea” because of the color of its soil mostly made up by basalt rocks.

Pantelleria overview

The volcanic rock of Pantelleria

The submarine eruptive activity goes on still today provoking on the island the presence of  fumaroles, of natural saunas, and of hot springs where it is possible to receive the benefits of the sulphuric water taking a bath in open-air basins or inside some striking caves.

This island is a very interesting natural and historical microcosm far from mass tourism. Here this wonderful sea is just one of the several local attractions because staying in Pantelleria you will also admire nice rural and panoramic landscapes, enchanting lakes, fascinating volcanic events, mysterious archaeological sites and very small villages that still carry their original Arab name. The highest peak is which one of the Montagna Grande that is an ancient crater.

The wonderful Pantelleria sea

Pantelleria, in fact, is characterized by the extraordinary peculiarity of its landscapes where natural elements are mixed with human creations like dry stones walls, the “Panteschi” Gardens and the “Dammusi”.

The Pantelleria dry stones walls

Pantelleria is also called the “island of wind” because of the constant presence in this territory of very strong winds . For this reason the ancient Arab navigators called it “The Wind’s Daughter”.

Some evidences of the Arab domination are still now visible in the local houses, gardens, dialect and in the local farming like lentils, capers and the Zibibbo grapes.

A capers plant in Pantelleria

Even if the characteristic local vegetation is the Mediterranean scrub, in fact, this volcanic territory is extremely fertile and ideal to farm grapes: this is the native land of esteemed products like the overgrown grapes used for the production of renowned wines like the Pantelleria Muscat, the famous Passito di Pantelleria and the Solimano sparkling wine.

A graps field in Pantelleria

The Passito of Pantelleria

Here houses are placed all around the port where there is the Barbacane Castle.

The Barbacane Castle

The traditional local home is the “Dammuso” whose origins are Arab. The Arab name “dammus” means “construction with a vault”: these houses bearing stones walls were shaped as an arch to support the weight of the whole home. These walls were very thick in order to face hot and cold temperatures. Today some of these residences have been renovated in order to be used as accommodations for tourists.

The typical “Dammuso”

The Pantelleria farmers tried to solve the problem represented by the very strong local wind that doesn’t allow the growth of high trees.  The solution is the “Panteschi” Gardens made up by a high circular or quadrangular stone fence that surrounds one or more citrus trees preserving them from atmospheric agents.

A typical “Pantesco” Garden

Some typical places in Pantelleria are:

The Neolithic Village: going beyond the red ancient craters called Mursia and Kuddie Rosse, after more or less 3km you will find the archaeological site where you can see the “Sesi” that are megalithic funeral constructions typical of this island. The most important one among them is which one called “Sese Grande” that is an elliptic base construction shaped as a tower and made up by big stones made by lava.

The “Sesi”

The Scauri village: it is placed on the highest part of the Falesia having a nice harbour provided with hot springs.

The Scauri harbour

The Scaura beautiful sea

The Nikà village: this small fishing port is placed in a ravine made by lava where there are rocks provided with hot springs.

The Nikà coast

The Rekhale village: This village is still characterized by the presence of several “Dammusi” and “Panteschi” Gardens.

The Rekhale village

The Saltalavecchia: this is one of the highest rocks in this island where you can admire an incredible and impressive view of the sea.

The Saltalavecchia rock

The Balata dei Turchi: this is a wide and level rock preserved from wings and so covered by a high vegetation mostly made up by wild broom and smelling pine trees. This rock represents an easy access to the sea.

The Balata dei Turchi

The Punta dell’Arco: this cape ends with the “Elephant Arch” that is one of the symbols of this island: it is made up by a spectacular arch made by lava that, because of its shapes and colors, recalls the head of an elephant that is immersing its trunk in the seawater.

The “Elephant Arch”

The Gadir: This is a small fishing port characterized by a sea full of thermal hot water.

The Gadir small port

The Ondine Lake: being surrounded by beautiful falesias and by wonderful rocks made by lava, this lake is a small basin full of seawater. It is a little emerald green natural mirror.

The Ondine Lake

The Venere Mirror (Specchio di Venere): this is an enchanting lake full of green water. In its western part there is a hot spring and its darken mud has a therapeutic and cosmetic effect on human skin. So to get all the benefits of this mud tourists used to cover all their body with this kind of natural slush.

The Venere Mirror

Tourists covered by mud

Also the Pantelleria hinterland is very fascinating: here you can do many excursions discovering the typical rural atmosphere that surrounds all the local ancient villages. You can also reach the Montagna Grande (the Big Mountain) admiring from its top a wonderful landscape that also involves the African coast. Here there also is an equipped green area.

The rural aspect of Pantelleria

The Montagna Grande

The places you can see during your excursions are:

The Benikulà Grotto: this is a natural sauna and so if you want to take its benefits you should bring a swim-suit and a towel. Once in the cave the vapor will increase more and more and so it would be better to stop at the beginning of the grotto to go on towards its internal part only after that you get used to that temperature. It is also important to avoid to remain there for a long period of time. 

The Ghirlanda Coast: this striking coast is placed in the eastern part of the Island being characterized by the presence of some graves traditionally ascribed to Byzantines.

The Monte Gibele (the Gibele Hill): this is ancient and inactive volcano. Following the path you can reach its crater covered by vegetation. Along this path you will find the “Favara Grande” a very powerful jet of hot water vapor that spouts from the soil.

The Monte Gibele

Touring on boat all around the island you will discover other marvels of this territory: you will see black rocks made by lava that clashes with the deep blue of the sea. You will note the superb wild beauty of this coast characterized by small and nice bays and by striking caves.  Between Punta Duce and Punta Polacca there are the most beautiful grottos visitable only on a small boat. This is in fact the most fascinating part of this coast thanks to its rocky walls, its dizzy heights and its stacks that arrive until the incredible Saltalavecchia rock.

The coast seen from the boat

Near this coast there also is a path that will lead you to the lighthouse of Punta Spadillo.

Pantelleria offers to sea lovers many beautiful and peaceful beaches  like Cala del Bue Marino (ideal for children), the striking Scarpetta di Cenerentola (Cinderella Shoe), Cala Gadir with its hot springs and Grotta di Sataria.

The Grotta di Sataria

Gastronomy

In addition to the esteemed production of wines and capers there also is which one of the dry grapes.

Pantelleria dry grapes

A particularly appreciated local product is the ricotta cheese and the fresh cheese called “Tumma” that can be both sweet or salted.

The Tumma fresh cheese

As a first course you should taste the delicate bitter ravioli filled with ricotta cheese and mint leaves.

The Pantelleria bitter ravioli

There also is the delicious Pantelleria pesto that is a sauce made up by tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil and hot pepper and used to dress pasta or grilled fish and boiled meat.

A local dish imported from Africa is the fish based couscous always accompanied by a big variety of vegetables and legumes and usually served as a unique dish.

Staying in Pantelleria you can also taste the Sciakisciuka (a Sicilian warm caponata made up by vegetables) and the Cuccurummà made up by tasty local zucchini.

Fish is cooked in a simple way by grilling it or by cooking it in the oven or in delicious soups.

The traditional Easter dessert comes from the East and it is called Cannateddro. However, the typical Mustazzola have Arab origins: they are made up by a simple sheet of pastry filled with bran, honey or cooked wine, cinnamon, candied orange and other spices. 

The typical Mustazzola

You can also taste the sweet ravioli filled with sugared ricotta cheese and cinnamon, the Sfinci (sort of fritters covered by honey), the Cassateddri and the Pasticciotti.

The typical Pantelleria pasticciotti

Events

The most important folkloristic events are:

- The Regatta of the Lance Pantesche – June/September:  This is a feast that recalls the beginning of the IXX century when the local sailing ships where used for the commercial network that connected Pantelleria with the whole Mediterranean area.  Now these regattas are matched with a national lottery (the Lance Pantesche Lottery).  Those who are experts at sailing can be engaged in the competition.

The typical Pantelleria "Lance Pantesche"

- International Competitions of Underwater Fishing

- The CousCous Festival – June/July: this is a gastronomical feast that involves all the local female cooks.

- The Pentolaccia Feast – the 26th of September: this feast belongs to a series of typical seafaring celebrations in honor of S. Pietro and Paolo.

- The Feast of the Madonna della Margana, the Pantelleria Patron Saint – at the end of June: all the inhabitants meet in the Margana district to attend the High Mass and then, forming a procession, they bring the Madonna’s statue ornamented with flowers in the different churches of the island. Once arrived in the urban centre they celebrate with competitions, games, dances and traditional music cooking very tasty sweets called “mustaccioli panteschi“. Celebrations end by bringing the statue back to its church among fireworks and a lot of music.

How to move in Pantelleria

The best solution is to have or rent a car in order to autonomously discover all the local marvels. For the marine excursions it is possible to rent a rubber dinghy.

How to arrive in Pantelleria

By Plain

If you come from the Italian peninsula or from foreign countries, the fastest way to reach Pantelleria is to arrive here by plain because of the presence in this island of an efficient airport that, during summertime, is connected by direct flights to many Italian airports like which ones of Rome, Venice, Milan and of Bologna  that connect this island with all the Italian territory. There also are direct flights offered by Alitalia and by Air Sicilia form both the airports of Trapani and Palermo.

By Hydrofoils

Those who are already in Sicily (maybe near Trapani) can also reach Pantelleria by hydorfoils that offer a nightly trip towards this island (this trip lasts more or less 5 hours and 45 minutes) and a morning return trip that lasts more o less 2 hours and 45 minutes. You can reach Pantelleria by hydrofoils even leaving from Mazzara del Vallo and this trip will last more or less 2 hours and 30 minutes.

These trips are carried out by two hydrofoils:

Siremar – Pietro Novelli:

Sailing from Trapani at 24:00 h. / Arrival in Pantelleria at 06:00 h.

Sailing from Pantelleria at 12:00 h. / Arrival in Trapani at 17.00 h.

Siremar/Tirrenia NAVE veloce ” GUIZZO”

The island of Favignana

The Favignana coast

This island takes its name from “Favonio” that is a hot wind coming from the west and its shape recalls which one of a butterfly. Its chalky soil has always allowed the tufa stones mining: this material, in fact, has been used to build many houses in Sicily and in North Africa. In this chalky territory you can admire the presence of the fascinating Mediterranean scrub that surrounds a particular fauna made up by wild rabbits and by various species of birds like pelican, the flamingo, the cormorant and the bee eater.

The monuments you can admire in Favignana are:

The Florio Palace

This palace was built in 1876 by the architect Giuseppe Damiani Almeyda near the port in order to highlight the power and the wealth of the Florio family that was used to live there during the tuna fishing period.

The Florio Palace

The Church of the Madonna Immacolata Concezione

This is the most important church in Favignana and its is based on cross shaped structure. Inside this religious construction there are a VIII century wooden crucifix and a marble statue of S.Antonio from Padova.

The Church of the Madonna Immacolata Concezione

The Florio Manufacturing Plant

This is an extraordinary example of industrial architecture where tuna was worked and prepared for its preservation.

The Florio Manufacturing Plant

The Camparia

The Camparia is the symbol of the tuna fishing and still now all the inhabitants come here to pray in order to ask S. Pietro for assuring a generous tuna fishing during the day before this traditional event.

Beaches and small bays
 
Cala Rossa

Staying in this little bay you will appreciate some of the most beautiful Favignana sea beds: its turquoise-blue sea suggestively clashes with the surrounding tufa white walls.

Cala Rossa

Cala Azzurra

This bay is placed between Punta Marsala and Punta Fanfalo and it is characterized by a very transparent sea whose bed is white and pink.

Cala Azzurra

Burrone Beach

This is the biggest beach of this island: its white sand and its clean sea bed make its water very transparent.

Burrone Beach

Plaia

This beach is placed between the Camparia and the Florio Manufacturing Plant being very closed to the urban centre.

The Plaia

Punta Sottile

This is a very fascinating bay thanks to the presence of the big lighthouse being also the ideal place to admire the island of Marettimo during the sunset. On its left side there are two shingle beaches that are perfect for families.

Punta Sottile

Bue Marino

This bay is the ideal place to take a bath in a sea full of fish.

The Bue Marino

Making excursions in this island you should visit the S. Caterina hill that you will reach after having walked for 45-60 minutes. From this point you will discover the rich variety of wild grasses and of spices that are typical of the Mediterranean scrub. Going on you will find the ancient fortress that dominates all the island. You should not miss the entry to the towers because from this point you can admire a beautiful landscape on Favignana and on the whole Sicilian territory.

The ancient fortress

You can also visit the S. Nicola caves that are important evidences of the presence in this land of the prehistoric man. From this point you can also see an ancient Roman construction called the “Women’s bath” and made up by a series of basins, connected to some submarine canals, where women could take a bath in a constantly warm water.

The Roman “Women’s bath”

Favignana has two ports: the northern one is also the biggest one being used for ferries, for hydrofoils and for fishers boats, the second one is used by the pleasure crafts.

The fishers boats in the port

Gastronomy

Here the main ingredient is represented by tuna and all part of this fish are used and worked according to very ancient methods.

So staying in Favignana you can taste the bottarga (tuna eggs), the ventresca (meat of the tuna’s belly preserved in oil) and other products made up by tuna and sold by the several local shops.

The bottarga

Here you can also taste the best desserts of the Sicilian confectionery like the cannoli, the marzipan, the cassate, the almond biscuits and the Sicilian croissants.

The Sicilian croissants

To move in Favignana you need a private mean of transport that will allow you to face its peculiar streets made up by asphalt and by beaten earth. Otherwise you can use the bus service that will bring you to the most important places of this island.

However there are many points where you can rent bikes, scooters, cars and off-road vehicles at an economically acceptable price. There also is an efficient taxi service that can also bring you to the Palermo and Trapani airport.

How to arrive in Favignana

By Ferry:

You can leave from Genoa, Naples and Livorno arriving towards Trapani or Palermo. From the port of Trapani you can catch one of the Siremar ferries to reach Favignana.

By Hydrofoils

During summertime the Ustica Lines company organize trips on hydrofoils leaving from the Naples port and arriving to Favignana in more or less 6 hours.

All the year long leaving from the Trapani port you can arrive to Favignana by hydrofoils in 20 minutes thanks to the trips organized by the Siremar and the Ustica Lines companies.

By Plain:

You can arrive in the Falcone-Borsellino airport in Palermo. This airport is connected to the main European and Italian cities through charter and scheduled flights. The bus that will bring you from this airport to the Trapani port leaves at 12:45 A.M. and which one that will bring you from this port to the Palermo airport leaves at 09:00 A.M.

By Car

Arriving by car you should follow the highway towards Trapani.

By Train

Palermo Central Railway Station – Trapani Railway Station

By Bus

There is a bus that leaves from Palermo in the Politeama Square bringing you to the port of Trapani. This bus leaves every hour from 7.00 A.M. to 21:00 P.M.

…Enjoy your stay in Favignana!

Catania Landscape

Catania is placed at the bottom of the Etna volcano on the Ionic coast. It is an important industrial centre and its territory is characterized by the presence of many citrus plantations.

Today the Catania historical centre is crossed by two main streets: the first one is Via dei Crociferi where you can admire ancient palaces and baroque churches, the second one is Via Etnea that ends with a wonderful view of the Etna. Here there is the Catania University that dates back to the 1434 including the Volcanological Institute with its museum and the Astronomy Institute.

Via Etnea

The palaces and places that deserve your attention are:

The Botanic Garden

This wonderful garden extends for 16.000 square metres where you can see some neoclassic constructions used as greenhouses: here there are many species of rare exotic, aquatic and Sicilian grasses.

The Botanic Garden

The Bellini Garden

This is a perfect place to go for a walk admiring a beautiful landscape on the Etna. This garden extends for 70.000 square metres being made up by promenades, little squares, small bridges, flower beds and fountains. At the entry there are some statues representing the seven arts.

The Bellini Garden

Via dei Crociferi

Thanks to its XVIII century magnificent baroque constructions, this is one of the most striking streets  in Catania. Walking through it you can admire many opulent religious buildings like the Church of San Benedetto, the Church of the Jesuits and the Church of San Giuliano.

Via dei Crociferi

The Dome Square (Piazza Duomo)

This is the main square in Catania being characterized by harmonious XVIII century palaces and by its central monument representing the symbol of the city: the Fountain with the Elephant. This is a Roman monument made up by stone formed by lava. Always in this square you can admire the Cathedral with the Sant’Agata Chapel where there is the very precious Sant’Agata treasure and the Palace of the Elephants (Palazzo degli Elefanti) that is the seat of the Catania municipality. From this square you can arrive to the most important street of this city: Via Etnea where there are wonderful baroque buildings with their lava powder façades and many shops and pastry stores.

The Dome Square

The Ursino Castle

This is the unique medieval construction visible today in Catania. It was built in 1240 to protect this city from the sea but it was also used as a royal residence and as a prison. In 1934 it became the seat of the Civic Museum where you can admire various ancient paintings, sculptures and ceramics.

The Ursino Castle

The Bellini Theatre

This imposing theatre was inaugurated in 1890 performing the famous “Norma” by Bellini. Many architectonical features of this construction recall the Paris Opéra: the many wrought iron decorations of its porch, its big hall with 4 series of boxes and one gallery, its corridors and the frescos of its ceilings.

The Bellini Theatre

The most important Catania churches are:

The Cathedral and the Sant’Agata Chapel

This church was built during the XII century but it was completely rebuilt in 1600 after the earthquake and after the eruption that destroyed this city. Inside the Cathedral there is the Chapel of Sant’Agata, the patron saint of this city, where there is the precious Treasure. Today this church is characterized by a very elegant and ornamented façade made up by polychrome marbles and carrying an image of Sant’Agata. Its internal structure is made up by three aisles where there are the Bellini and  the Costanza from Aragona graves. Here there also are the Sant’Agata memorabilia.

The Catania Cathedral

The Church of San Giuliano

This is one of the most beautiful churches in Catania thanks to its wonderful dome enclosed in a polygonal lodge and to its internal space characterized by marble decorations and by a gilt bronze altar. This construction was built during the XVIII century by Vaccarini.

The Church of San Giuliano

The Church of San Nicola

The main feature of this church is represented by its very wide internal space made up by three 105 metres length aisles and by a 62 metres height dome. This imposing religious building is placed beside the Benedictine Monastery dating back to the XVII century. It is quite completely unfinished and its internal space is quite completely undecorated.

The Church of San Nicola

The Benedictine Monastery

This is one of the biggest monasteries in Europe being much more similar to a royal palace than to a religious construction. During the XVIII century this building was one of the most important Sicilian cultural centres and today it is the seat of the College of Philosophy and Letters of the Catania University.

The Benedictine Monastery

Visiting Catania you will also find many museum-houses that belonged to very important personalities who lived in this city. The main residences you can visit are:

The Emilio Greco Museum

In this museum there are more o less 1500 graphic works made by the Catania artist Emilio Greco: here you can see interesting engravings and lithographs. 

The Giovanni Verga Museum-House

Giovanni Verga lived the last 20 years of his life in this XVIII century palace placed in Sant’Anna street. In this house there are many objects belonging to this writer: the most relevant room is the library made up by 3000 books written by several international authors like Deledda, Tolstoj, Gorkij, Flaubert and Dumas.

The Giovanni Verga Museum-House library

The Belliniano Civic Museum

This is the house where the famous music maker lived before moving to Naples. In this museum you can see the private and artistic life of Vincenzo Bellini: here there are very interesting original musical manuscripts signed by this artist.

The Biscari Museum

The beautiful Biscari palace was the residence of Prince Biscari. Here you can admire many frescos, galleries, archaeological finds, statues, marbles and other artistic marvels.

The Biscari Museum

The Etna and the Sicilian sea

One of the Catania symbols surely is the Etna Volcano that attracts every year a great number of tourists coming from all over the world. This wide volcanic zone is included in the Etna Regional Park made up by many nature trails where you can do many excursions or guided tours.

Another important feature of Catania is the fact that it is placed on the Ionic coast where there is the Lachea Island Natural Reserve. This is a wide marine area including the Ciclopi zone: volcanic rocks created by very ancient eruptions and characterized by a sea bed full of different species of fish and of grasses. 

Catania between the Etna and the Ionic sea

Catania is also famous for its lively nightlife thanks to the presence of a great number of pubs, discos, cafés, restaurants and other amusing places.

One of the most populated meeting point is the Alessi Step placed at the centre of the university city very near to Crociferi street where there are many nightclubs. Today you can choose among 120 pubs always full of people and, in addition, there also are 25 open theatres: every one of them is specialized in a particular genre that can be the Sicilian Puppet Theatre, the grand opera, the ballet, the Greek and classic tragedy or the experimental theatre. The Catania theatrical tradition has very ancient origins being an important part of the local culture itself. The most famous theatre surely is the Bellini one, then there also are the Metropolitan, the Verga, the Musco, the Teatro Club, the Piccolo Teatro, the Nuovo Teatro, the Teatro della Città, the Piscator, the Teatro degli Specchi and the Teatro Stabile dell’Opera dei Pupi.

Gastronomy

The fertile Catania territory is at the basis of the delicious local gastronomy: the most famous first courses are the “pasta alla norma” (with aubergines, tomatoes and salty ricotta-cheese), the “ripiddu nevicato” (rice with ink black, ricotta-cheese and tomatoes) and the cannelloni alla catanese.

As a second course you can choose among the swordfish “cù sammurigghiu” (grilled swordfish slices dressed with a hot sauce made up by olive oil, water, pepper, salt, garlic, parsley, lemon and oregano), the “zuzo” ( a lemon pork jelly), the “sfinci” ( ricotta-cheese or anchovies fritters), the marinated “mascolini” (fresh anchovies marinated in olive oil and lemon juice for at least 24 hours) and the tuna “all’agliata” (tuna cooked with garlic, parsley and mint).

There also are the Sicila fried rice balls sold in all the Catania roasted goods stores that offer many variations of them: with minced meat, with mushrooms or with pistachios. The original Catania rice balls are easily recognizable because they are shaped as a cone.

The original Catania rice balls

Also the “scacciate” are a typical local dish: they are bread dough cakes filled with local cheeses (like which one called “Tuma”), anchovies and several vegetables.

Staying in Catania you can taste the best ricotta-cheese cannoli made up by a crispy sheets of pastry filled with ricotta cream and chocolate chips or glazed fruits.

Another traditional Catania dessert is represented by the “olivette di Sant’Agata” (Sant’Agata small olives) that are green almond paste sweets prepared during the Sant’Agata feast. Other famous desserts also are the marzipan and the famous almond, lemon, coffee and chocolate granitas served with handmade fresh whipped cream.

The almond granita

All the kiosks spread throughout the city offer characteristic drinks like the lemon soda water and the Tamarindo with lemon and baking soda that is ideal to digest.

The Catania wines are produced in the Etna zone and the most important among them are the Randazzo and the Linguaglossa red wine, the “shadow” wine and the white wine of the Etna di Milo and the Sparviero dell’Etna red and white wine.

The Etna territory is very full of vineyards producing some of the most important enogastronomic products in Italy. 

Traditions:

Sant’Agata Feast – February

Events:

The Cantica – November/December

Tour around the Etna by the “Littorina” train

How to arrive in Catania

By Ferry

Catania has a tourist port connected to the city through a bus service. All the ferries coming from Naples arrive in this port. The urban centre can be easily reached by car going through the A18  Catania-Messina highway or through the A19 Catania-Palermo highway arriving in the ring road that surrounds the city.

By Plain

Catania has a unique airport called International Airport of Catania-Fontanarossa that is 15 km far from the city.

This airport covers the national traffic being also connected to some European and Mediterranean countries through many charter flights. You can arrive here travelling with the most important international companies like the British Airways, the Air France and the Lufthansa and with many low-cost companies like EasyJet and WindJet.

From the continental Italian territory you can reach this airport coming from many Italian cities like Naples, Milan, Rome, Palermo, Brindisi, etc.

The Catania-Fontanarossa airport is connected to the city through a bus service called ATM Alibus: this buses leave every 20 minutes from 5:00 A.M. to 24:00 P.M. The ticket costs 1€ and it lasts 90 minutes from the authentication. This bus service will lead you from the airport to the urban centre and to the urban railway station.

Coming from this airport you can also easily reach Catania by car going through the Primosole main road.

By Train and by Bus

Catania is also reachable by train because it is crossed by the Messina-Catania-Siracusa coast railway.

There also is a second railway called Circumetnea that crosses all the villages placed at the bottom of the Etna taking more or less three hours to tour all around this volcano connecting in this way Catania to Riporto.

The Catania Central Railway Station is the main one in the city being connected to the main urban roads. From here you can catch all the lines to move throughout the city or to go to the Catania port and airport.

By Car

Coming from Messina you should go through the E45-A18 highway until the Catania exit.
 
Coming from Palermo you should go through the A19 highway until the Catania exit.

…Enjoy your stay in Catania!

Trapani is placed in the Castellammare Gulf including in its territory also the islands called Egadi and Pantelleria that are well-known for their beautiful landscape and for their crystalline sea full of delicious fish.

You should visit Trapani not only for its wonderful nature but also for its historical centre full of monuments, palaces and churches.

Trapani Landscape

This city has very ancient origins and its first name was Drèpanon because it is shaped like a sickle.

Today Trapani has many economical activities that are firstly concentrated in its port with its fishing boats specialized in the tuna fishing.

The Trapani Port

Another important economical factor is represented by the presence of the famous salt pans: the most beautiful among them can be admired in the Natural Reserve of Trapani and Paceco.

TheTrapani salt pans

The Trapani historical centre is quite completely baroque and its main streets are Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Torrearsa street and Garibaldi street where you can find many shops, historical palaces and prestigious churches, some examples are: the Cavarretta Palace (a baroque building that dates back to the XV century), the Cathedral, the Lucatelli Palace, the College church, the Purgatory Church, the church of Santa Maria di Gesù and the Saturno fountain.

Corso Vittorio Emanuele and the Cavarretta Palace

The church of the Jesuits College dates back to the XVII century being characterized by a beautiful baroque façade. In its three aisles internal space there are some remarkable XVIII century marble altars and in the main one of them you can admire a bas-relief representing the Immaculate Conception by Marabutti.

The Church of the Jesuits College

The cathedral dedicated to San Lorenzo was built is in 1421 and it is closed to the Episcopal Palace (Palazzo Vescovile).

The San Lorenzo Cathedral

In the ancient Hebraic district you should admire the Giudecca Palace built during the XVI century according to the typical Spanish Plateresc style.

The Giudecca Palace

You can also see the church of Santa Maria del Gesù where there is a glazed terra-cotta work representing the Madonna degli Angeli made by Andrea della Robbia.

The Sanctuary of the Annunziata dates back to the XIV century, while its rose window and its main door were made during the XV century and its bell tower was built in 1650. Inside this church you can admire many wonderful chapels full of masterpieces: the most famous among them is the Holy Mary Chapel. On the main altar there is the statue of the Virgin Mother: this is the Virgin of Trapani made by Nino Pisano and very venerated by the inhabitants, this is a real sculpture’s masterpiece. This sanctuary was built together with the contiguous monastery that today is the seat of the National Pepoli Museum where you can find archaeological finds, sculptures and paintings. For its striking rooms and for the rich variety of its collections, this is considered one of the most important museum in Sicily. After having visited the first floor art gallery you should visit the beautiful collection of coral creations (jewels, sacred objects and crib statues) that testify the artistic quality reached by the Trapani artisans.

The Sanctuary of the Annunziata

The National Pepoli Museum

Near the historical centre there is Villa Margherita where there is an artificial pond full of duckling and swans. In these gardens there also are some aviaries containing different species of birds and coloured capercaillies. Here you will be surrounded by majestic trees imported from Asia, America and from other foreign countries. An area of these gardens is used as a seat for musical and culture events organized by the local institution called ” Luglio Musicale Trapanese” (Musical Trapani July) that every year offers to music and theatre lovers the best local and international artists performances.

The gardens fo Villa Margherita

The Colombaia Castle was built by the Carthaginian Amilcare Barca (Hannibal’s father) on a little island to defend the Trapani Port.  This tower has an octagonal shape due to the Aragonese influences. He also built the Peliade tower that today is used as the port lighthouse.

The Colombaia Castle

Which one called Colombaia is just one of the ancient Trapani Five Towers: some of them are still visible like the Ligny Tower built in 1671 where there is the Prehistory Museum, the Impossible Bastion ( built on a marshy soil where building was quite impossible), the Pali Tower (today destroyed), and the Castello di Terra Tower visible only from the sea.

The Ligny Tower

One of the marvels of Trapani surely is its coast characterized by an uncontaminated sea: the nearest beach is which one of S.Giuliano with its very fine sand that extends for 2 km. You can also go for a walk on the Dante Alighieri seafront where you can see a wonderful landscape.

The Dante Alighieri Seafront

The Trapani uncontaminated sea seen by the seafront

Many important sailing competitions took place on this beautiful sea like the 32th American’s cup and the Luis Vitton act 8&9 together with several speedboat racings like the Rally Raid Diporto Competition.

During the afternoon you can watch the beautiful Sicilian sunsets that surround the ancient mills and the Egadi islands profiles.

A typical Sicilian sunset in Trapani

Which ones called Egadi are three islands very closed to the Trapani coast. You can reach them in very few minutes leaving from the Trapani port: once arrived there you will be surrounded by a unique uncontaminated atmosphere where time goes by very slowly. Other beautiful islands are Pantelleria and Favignana that is the most famous one of this archipelago with its wonderful sea and its butterfly shape. This is the ideal destination for those who want to unify relax and amusement because this island will offer them all its lidos and its restaurants and night clubs.

The Eolie Islands seen from Trapani

Moreover staying in Trapani you can also visit several parks as the Zingaro Oriented Natural Reserve, the Natural Reserve of Pantelleria and the Marine Riserve of the Egadi Islands. In all these parks you can make excursions admiring their incredible variety of  vegetal and animal species.

The Zingaro Oriented Natural Reserve

Traditions

One of the most typical local traditions is the “Processione dei Misteri” (the “Mysteries Procession“) that starts on the Good Friday lasting for 24 hours. For this reason it is defined the lengthiest religious event in Europe. This procession parades for 2 km throughout the historical centre streets carrying 18 wooden statues representing the Cross Stations called “Mysteries”. The two main statues (representing the Madonna Addolorata and the Christ’s sepulchre) are carried on shoulders by the Massari (odd-job men). Every group called “Mystery” is followed by its own musical band that plays its own funeral pieces.

The "Mysteries Procession”

Gastronomy

Among the typical local products there are the Pantelleria capers, the Nubia red garlic, the salt, the delicious olive oil and the several desserts made up by ricotta cheese and almonds. You can also taste the different cheeses produced in this zone and the fresh fish of this beautiful sea. One of the most famous and appreciated dishes is the couscous with fish. This is an Arab recipe that needs a long and laborious preparation: the couscous should be steamed in the proper pan. Once cooked it is served with fish and shellfish cooked in the same broth used to dress the dish. Another variant of this recipe is the couscous with meat.

The Trapani Couscous

How to arrive in Trapani:

By Plain

Travelling by plain, you can reach the Palermo Airport called Falcone-Borsellino and placed in Punta Raisi that is 80 km far from Trapani. This airport is connected to the most important European cities.

Otherwise, you can reach the Trapani Birgi Airport placed between Trapani and Marsala. It is just 25 km far from Trapani.

By Car

Many ferries connect the Palermo Port to which one of Naples, Civitavecchia (a city near Rome) and to which one of Genoa. This is the best solution for those who want to arrive in Trapani by car.

From this port you can reach Trapani going through the A29 highway towards Mazara del Vallo, and once near Alcamo you should take the Trapani exit.

The Trapani Port is reachable by ferry leaving from the ports of Livorno, Cagliari and Tunis. Moreover this port is connected to the islands of Pantelleria and of Ustica and to the Egadi islands (Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo).

From the Falcone-Borsellino Airport in Palermo you can reach Trapani by car going through the A29 Palermo-Mazara del Vallo/Trapani highway and this trip will last more or less 50 minutes.

From the Trapani Birgi Airport you can reach Trapani by car in about 15-25 minutes.

From Catania or from the Fontanarossa Airport you can arrive in Trapani by car going through the A19 highway towards Palermo. Once arrived in this city you should go on through the A29 highway towards Trapani. This trip will last more or less three hours because Catania is 300 km far from Trapani. Both the A19 and the A29 highways are free.

By Train

There isn’t a direct connection between the Italian continental territory and the city of Trapani. For this reason those who want to arrive there on railway should catch a train towards Palermo. Once arrived here it is possible to catch a train belonging to the Palermo-Trapani line even if the easier and faster solution to arrive in Trapani is to catch one of the several Segesta company buses that are available beside the Palermo Central Railway Station.

Guy de Maupassant, 1885, from “Towards the Golden Skies,” diary of a journey.

Taormina  is placed on the Tauro hill at 200 meters height next to the Ionic river. Thanks to its location, from this city you can admire a wonderful landscape made up by the highest European Volcano (called Etna), by a beautiful blue sea and by many smelling citrus plantations placed in the plain below.

Taormina landscape

Taormina has a characteristic historical centre: its most important street is Corso Umberto I defined  by two arches called Porta Messina (Messina Door) and Porta Catania (Catania Door) and full of many shops and cafes. Crossing this street you can reach all the main squares of this city.

Taormina historical centre

This city offers you prestigious architectonical natural and archaeological locations and elements to visit and to admire.

In the past Taormina fascinated many poets, writers and intellectuals like Johann Wolfang Goethe, Guy de Maupassant, Henry Faulkner, Paul Klee,Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams, someone of them lived here for a very long time. Even several Hollywood stars spent here their holidays like Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Audrey Hepburn and Liz Taylor with Richard Burton.

You can easily visit Taormina by foot just in one day: at the end of Corso Umberto I there is the IX Aprile Square where you can admire the Church of Sant’Agostino, the Church of San Giuseppe and the “Porta di Mezzo” with its striking Watch Tower. Staying in this square you can admire all the Messina Gulf spending some time in one of the elegant open-air cafes that will surround you.

The IX Aprile Square

In Taormina there are many constructions that testify the presence in this territory of different ancient cultures, the most important monuments you can visit in this wonderful city are:

The Badia Vecchia

This is the most characteristic monument of the medieval city. It is a XIV century Gothic building that looks like a fortress thanks to its battlements. Today this is the seat of the Regional Archaeological Museum where you can see some finds like sculptures, ceramics, finds belonging to the Teatro Antico, ancient tableware and other historical objects.

The Badia Vecchia

The Santo Stefano Duke Palace

This is a XIV century Sicilian- Gothic building also characterized by Norman- Arab influences. This sort of fortress is made up by three floors and by beautiful capitals and wonderful biforas whose inlayed frames are made up by stones formed by lava. Today it is the seat of the Fondazione Mazzullo where you can find many works of this Sicilian artist.

The Santo Stefano Duke Palace bifora

The Corvaja Palace

The initial part of this medieval palace was built by the Arabs during their domination. It was a cube shaped tower used to defend the city. Successively Corvaja Palace was added to this tower becoming the seat of the Sicilian Parliament. This palace was transformed throughout time maintaining its mixture of different styles: the Arab one (the tower), the Norman one (the XV century room used for the Parliament’s meetings), and the Gothic one (the shape of the façades windows). In its courtyard you can see a bas-relief representing the birth of Eve, the original sin and the man condemned to work. Here there is the Sicilian Museum of  Popular Arts and Traditions where you can admire many handcrafted artistic works made between the XVI and the XX century like wooden sculptures, ceramics and Sicilian carts.

The Corvaja Palace

The Villa Comunale (Public Park)

At the end of the XIX century this park was the private garden of the English noblewoman Florence Trevelyan who was keen about botany and ornithology. Even now that it belongs to the Taormina municipality, you can find in this garden some rare grasses and some eccentric constructions that look like Chinese pagodas called “Victorian follies” and due to the original fancy of this noblewoman.

The Villa Comunale

The Teatro Antico Greco-Romano (Ancient Greek-Roman Theatre)

This wonderful monument will leave you breathless. This Greek theatre placed on the Tauro hill is considered  one of the symbols of Taormina. It was successively enlarged by the Romans and then partially destroyed by the Arabs. From this important archaeological place you can admire all the marvels surrounding Taormina: the Etna, the Naxos Bay, the crystalline Ionic sea and Castemola. Today it is one of the biggest theatres in Sicily, the second one after that of Siracusa. This monument is today the seat of the event called Taormina Arte: an international festival of Cinema, Theatre and Dance.

The Ancient Greek-Roman Theatre

The Odeon

This is a small theatre built with clay bricks for the Emperor Ottaviano.

The Odeon

The Naumachie

After the Teatro Antico, the Naumachie is the oldest construction of this city. This 130 metres long imposing wall dates back to the 1st Century before Christ and contains some niches where in the past there were the gods statues. It is a ruin of an ancient Roman spa placed near the centre of the city.

The Naumachie

The Ciampoli Palace

This is a XV century construction whose style testifies the importance of the Aragonese historical period for this city.

The Ciampoli Palace

Among the various XV, XVI, XVII century constructions it is possible to quote: the elegant XVI century Floresta House; the main door and the rose window of the ex Church of S. Domenico with its cloister and its convent (that today is a hotel) where you can note all the Renaissance splendour; the Taormina Castle near the Madonna della Rocca. In the Duomo square you can see the ancient fountain built in 1653 and bringing the symbol of the city: the Minotaura.

The most striking churches you can visit in Taormina are:

The Church of S. Agostino

This church was built in 1486 and now it is the seat of the Taormina public library.

The church of S. Agostino

The Cathedral Dome

This Gothic church was built during the XV century having the aspect of a fortress. It has a Latin cross structure with three naves. This church ceiling is made up by wooden girders carved according to the Arab style.

The Cathedral Dome and the ancient fountain

Church of San Pancrazio

This church was built during the XVI century on the ruins of a Greek temple. Its internal space is made up by polychrome marble and by Taormina stone keeping a beautiful fresco representing the San Pancrazio martyrdom. Unfortunately, this wonderful church, dedicated to the city Patron Saint, is often closed.

The church of San Pancrazio

However, Taormina is famous also for its sea: even if it is not directly placed on the cost the Mazzarò, Isola Bella and the Naxos Gardens beaches are well connected to Taormina and so easily reachable from the urban centre.

Mazzarò can be reached by cable-car o by foot. It is a beautiful inlet delimited by the Sant’Andrea Cape. After this Cape there is the other wonderful famous beach of Isola Bella that has now become a Natural Reserve.

The Mazzarò Sea

The Isola Bella

The Naxos Gardens are placed at the bottom of the city: they represent a renowned Sicilian lido and, in the past, they were a Greek colony. Today you can still admire the ancient city walls and the ruins of some ancient districts. The other archaeological finds are preserved in the Archaeological Museum of Naxos.

Here there are many modern lidos and hotels where you can spend your holidays scuba diving to watch this beautiful sea bed or making boat excursions to visit the several caves and inlets of this coast.

The Naxos Gardens

If you love nature, you should visit the River Park of the Alcantara where you can cross the Alacantara river being surrounded by enormous basalt rocky gorges.

The River Park of the Alcantara

On a high ground there is a very nice little village called Castelmola that is just 5 km far from Taormina. You can reach it going through some winding narrow streets that will lead you to the ruins of the ancient Norman castle of this village. This place deserves an excursion for the incredible beauty of its landscape, for its delicious pastries and for its typical almonds wine production.

Castelmola seen from Taormina

Gastronomy

The traditional local breakfast is made up by a delicious coffee Italian ice called “Granita” garnished with fresh cream. You can drink it eating a typical Sicilian croissant or the famous cannoli.

The typical Taormina breakfast

Staying in Taormina you can choose among several traditional first courses like pasta dressed with a sauce made up by tomatoes, capers, basil and anchovies or a delicious lemon risotto.

As a second course you can choose char-grilled meatballs wrapped in some lemon tree leaves or swordfish and blue fish (like tunas, mackerels, sardine, and anchovies) cooked in different ways according to the several traditional Sicilian recipes.

As a dessert you can choose a citrus fruits mousse drinking a glass of Castelmola almonds wine that should be served frozen with a citrus fruits peel to exalt its taste.

The typical Taormina citrus fruits mousse

Events

These are all the events organized in Taormina all the year long:

From the 07th to the 10th of October 2009

Sinopoli Festival

From the 26h of October 2009 to the 31th of December 2009

Tour around the Etna by “Littorina” train

From the 1st of July 2009 to the 31th of August 2009

Taormina Arte

From the 13th to the 20th of June 2009

Taormina Film Festival 2009

From the 23th of May 2009 to the 07th of June 2009

Classical Theater Festival in Tindari and Taormina

How to arrive in Taormina

By Car:

From Palermo you should take the A19 Palermo-Catania highway and then go on through the A18 highway until Taormina. From Siracusa go through the 114 main road until Catania and then take the A18 highway to the Taormina exit. From Agrigento take the 640 main road towards Caltanisetta and then go on through the A19 highway until Catania, finally take the A18 highway until Taormina. From Trapani take the A29 highway towards Palermo, then go on through the A19 Palermo-Catania highway and finally through the A18 highway until Taormina.

Coming from the Italian peninsula you should take the A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria highway to the Villa San Giovanni exit. Here you can reach Messina on a ferry. From Messina you should take the A18 highway that will rapidly lead you to Taormina.

By Train:
Taormina is placed on the Messina-Catania line where there are frequent train rides for both the two directions. Coming from Palermo or from other Sicilian cities you should  change train. Some trains that directly arrive to Taormina ( through Napoli) leave from Rome: the trip lasts 9-10 hours.

By Plain:

The International Catania Airport is 50 km far from Taormina. This airport is connected to the main national and international cities. Every 20 minutes the shuttle service will bring you to the Catania railway station. It is also available a direct bus service Airport-Taormina by Etna Trasporti.

…Enjoy your stay in Taormina!

The Santa Maria di Leuca Cape

From the natural point of view, the Salento landscape is characterized by the Mediterranean Scrub that changes from place to place according to the particular soil where it grows up.

The Salento countryside is characterized by native holm oaks woods, eucalyptus, olive trees, vineyards and by centenarian oak trees.

Near the coast there are aromatic herbs (like sage, mint, rosemary, herb-laurel and thyme), prickly pears and agaves that perfectly fit with the chalky nature of this territory.

This long coast is also characterized by the presence of several ancient sighting towers, of funeral monuments like the Dolmen and the Menhir, and of rural constructions like the “trulli”, the “pajare”, the “masserie” surrounded by typical dry stones walls. Visiting this wonderful land you can also admire the Baroque creations made up by the “Leccese stone” and used to decorate monuments, palaces and churches. Moreover, you will certainly observe the typical “star shaped” vault of the unique Salento houses.

An example of Salento Masseria

A typical Salento “pajara”

 You can admire the wonderful cobalt blue sea of the Salento by going through its fantastic 250 Km long coast.

The cobalt blue sea of the Salento

In order to do that, you can begin this amazing journey starting from Porto Cesareo where you will find a 17 km. long coast characterized by the Isola Grande (the Big Island), the ancient sea bed of the Fumo port of call, the Strea inlet and by the Cesàrea Tower.

Porto Cesareo sea

From here you can arrive to the ancient city of Nardò with its fortified masserias and its coast sighting towers. Near to this city there are the two very nice seaside villages called S. Maria al Bagno and S. Caterina. Going on, after having passed another small coast village called Lido Conchiglie, you will arrive to Gallipoli where you will be surrounded by the unique colours of its houses and of its sea.

The Ionic city of Gallipoli

After having visited Gallipoli, you can keep on admiring this wonderful coast arriving to other seaside villages placed near the Ionic Sea: Marina di Mancaversa, Posto Racale, Torre Suda and Torre S. Giovanni. Finally you will reach the most southern part of the Salento peninsula where you will find the seaside villages of Torre Pali and Marina di Pescoluse that offer you well-equipped lidos, white sand and a limpid sea together with several monuments and important archaeological finds.

Marina di Pesculuse

Going on with this journey throughout the coast, you can admire the seaside villages of Torre Vado, Santa Maria di Leuca, Marina di Andranno, Tricase porto, and of Marina di Novaglie, until the striking cliffs of Porto Badisco, Porto Miggiano, Castro and of  S. Cesarea Terme. You will finally arrive to Otranto and to the white sand of the Alimini Lakes. Going on through this Adriatic side you can visit beautiful places like Torre dell’Orso and San Foca characterized by wide rocky inlets, by a very thin sand and by ancient sighting towers.

The white sand of the Alimini Lakes

The Torre dell’Orso sea

However, in this territory there also are some hills: the southern ones are called Murge Salentine and the most important among them is called Serra dei Cianci. The northern ones are called Murge Taratine and are placed near the Ionic coast.

The Salento culture and traditions are reflected by the beautiful cities you can admire in this land: their squares, monuments and museums will marvel you with their unique colours and art. The main towns that deserve your attention are Lecce, Maglie, Galatina, Nardò, Castro, Santa Cesarea, Otranto, Santa Maria di Leuca and Gallipoli. These are artistic and historical cities that were crossroads of different people who mixed together their treasures and cultures that still now characterize the architecture and the costumes of this territory. The local idiom talked through different varieties in all the Salento villages is affected by Latin, Greek, Spanish and Norman influences.  

Sant'Oronzo square in Lecce

The city of Otranto and its sea

Staying here you can taste all the delicious local dishes following the “wine and the olive oil routes”. The Salento gastronomy is made up by poor ingredients like vegetables, cheeses, fishes and few meat. You will eat homemade pasta like orecchiette, cavatelli, minchiareddhi, sagne dressed with tomatoes sauce and vegetables like turnip greens. Another option is represented by legumes cooked for many hours in terracotta saucepans called “pignate” put on the fire of the chimney. An important role is played by peppers, aubergines, zucchini, and olives preserved in oil and by the tomatoes and hot pepper conserves used to dress meat or the local “frisella” (toasted loaf of bread divided into two parts). Fish is very often fried, grilled and cooked in some tomatoes sauce forming delicious dishes. Another typical Salento dish is represented by the traditional “Pittule” especially prepared on Christmas.

Among the most famous local traditions there are the Focare and the folkloristic dance called Taranta.

…Enjoy your stay in Salento!

Santa Cesarea coast

Therefore Santa Cesarea Terme  welcomes vacationers and tourists for two reasons:

first, therapeutic, as the sulphurous waters of its four caves are used to cure skin ailments and of joints;
the second, for summer vacations of those who love, among other things, being able to spear fishing and swimming in clear water, surrounded by the scenario of a location different from the usual beaches, full of rocks and caves.

It should not be neglected a reference to inhabitated centre, a collection of villas and residential buildings used mostly for the holidays.

Higher up, a beautiful scenic road that winds above the coastline bordering an old Saracen tower, entered into a lush pine forest dotted with cottages and ends on a magnificent viewpoint from which you contemplate the coast between Otranto and Capo Santa Maria di Leuca.

The road along this stretch of coast, passes a string of perched villages of fishermen, dominating the difficult and clenched landings between rocks.

The deep and dark sea beats against the rock, the arches and the empty caves with the boats aground on the shelves of the access road. The villages have tall and narrow houses from the Moorish styles, from the thick walls of tuff to keep the cool in summer and warm in winter, the small windows.

The walls of Santa Cesarea are dyed white, a sharp and blinding lime white;  the sun burning seems that  dies above without reflections.
In the deserted streets when the sun is high, the shadow of the houses is painted with a game of geometry.

Thermal Centre

According to a Christian legend was The virgin Cisaria, who sought refuge in a cave to escape the incestuous wishes of her father, to transmit its purity to water. The phenomenon of hot springs inside the caves of this coastal stretch of Salento coastline was known since the earliest times and used spontaneously by the locals.

The sulphurous waters of Santa Cesarea Terme, received directly with wells located in the first inland, have been scientifically  exploiting since the last part of the nineteenth century. Today the baths are in three areas near the sea: the administrative offices; the large Gattulla establishment (the centre for inhalation, treatment of deafness and departments for mud-baths, massages, etc.) built in 1910 in striking position overlooking the cliffs and well recognized by the fanciful Moorish architecture; the elegant Palazzo establishment, connected to the hotel of the same name, and equipped, as well as care units of Gattulla, of Spa Blue Line offering customized programs for psycho-physical equilibrium of the individual, even with the use of Eastern techniques and a line of skin cosmetics.

Gattulla establishment

Therapeutic indications

• Skin diseases
• Locomotive apparatus diseases
• Breathing apparatus diseases
• Urinary apparatus diseases
• Gynecological problems.

Spa treatments

• Aerosols,
• Therapeutic baths
• Nasal showers
• Water messages
• Hot-humid inhalation
• Insufflation
• Nasal  irrigation
• Vaginal douches
• Nasal sprays
• Thermal pool

Other treatments

• Physiotherapy
• Counseling
• Health education
• Fitness,
• Breathing exercises
• Massage
• Cosmetic medicine,
• Anti-stress programs
• Rehabilitation
• Physical therapies

How to arrive there

By car:  follow the road S.S. 16, passing Maglie and Poggiardo, or take the coastal road at south of Otranto.

By train:  reach the railway station of Lecce. Then you can take a bus of the local transport services STP Ferrovie del Sud-Est along the line Lecce – Maglie – Gagliano del Capo or Salentointrenoebus, working only during the summer.

By air:  the nearest airport is Brindisi from where you can rent a car or use the shuttle service to Lecce, and then continue by bus.

Castro marina coast

Castro Marina is located along the coast extending from Otranto to Leuca and is known for the incomparable scenery of the Zinzulusa cave. Its origins date back to the Greeks and the Cretans. Throughout history, Castro has been dominated by various invaders, like Romans, Gothics and Byzantines. Castro’s main monuments are the Cathedral and the Castle.

The Cathedral

The Cathedral of Castro, with Latin cross, was built in 1171, probably on the ruins of a greek temple. It consists of a single nave with three small central apses. The continuing operations and reconstructions have significantly altered one of the finest monuments of Romanic architecture of Salento.
It consists of a front part, rebuilt several times until the replacement of its wooden roof in 1600, and a rear part, accessed through seven steps, formed by two chapels and the central altar.
The chapel on the left, almost destroyed in a remake of 1000, was raised by the family Gattinara, while the central altar was built in Baroque style by the bishops De Marco and Capreol, enriched by two canvases of various sizes depicting the Madonna Annunziata protector of the city.

The castle

The castle of  Castro, was built in the thirteenth century on the ruins of a Byzantine building. In 1480, just as happened in Otranto, the city was invaded by the Turks and the castle was almost destroyed.
It was composed of an entrance protected by a moat and drawbridge, now removed. Entering in the castle there is a courtyard, used in the past for the storage of agricultural products that were sold, and a large staircase for accessing to upper floors. The courtyard give also access to the rooms. The room on the west overlooks the sea and has an outside access  to the gardens below , while the room of the east, has been lost.
Today the Castle of Castro undergoes a series of works started in 1982.

The Zinzulusa cave

The Zinzulusa cave is one of the most interesting examples of this karst phenomenon in Salento area. It is located along the coast  from Santa Cesarea Terme to Castro Marina, a coastline, really evocative for its landscape.
The name  Zinzulusa derives from the presence within it of numerous stalactites and stalagmites that in the dialect of Salento  are called “Zinzuli” namely rags as if they remind those particular tissues.
One of the first historical references to the Zinzulusa  cave is present in a letter written by the Bishop of Castro, Monsignor Del Duca, who in 1793 provides to Ferdinand IV a detailed description of the karst cavity. About the birth of the cave and its bizarre sculpture,  the prelate wanted also to recognize the columns of a temple dedicated to Minerva, erected as a tribute to the support given to Hercules in the clash with the Giants.

View of the cave

A real scientific study on the cave dates back to twentieth century, particularly since 1922 when an intensive work of collection and cataloging of plant and animal species found in the deeper parts of the cave was begun. Special interest was immediately aroused by the presence of species of crustaceans of very ancient origin and present only in this cavity.

The interest of the Zinzulusa cave not is limited to just biological aspect but also to the discovery of many remains of artifacts that appear to date back to Neolithic times until reaching the Paleolithic period and the Roman times.

The cave is divided into three parts:
1. The first part starts from the entrance and is characterized by great variety and number of stalactites and stalagmites. In this area you can find the presence of an area where a sweet and very clear water stagnates.

2. The cave continues with a large cavity called “The Cathedral” originated by an erosive phenomenon dated back to Cretacico period. The phenomenon of stalagmites began to attenuate.

3. At the end of the cave you find waters called “Cocito“, that is a stratification of waters, brackish and warm the lower ones, cold and sweets the higher ones.

In more recent periods Italian universities have made detailed studies through which  unknown species of aquatic fauna have been discovered such as the Salentinella gracillima, the Stygiomysis hydruntina and the sponge troglobia.
All these species are characterized by their ancient origin and the peculiarity of being present only in these cavities with few rivals in the Mediterranean.

The Romanelli Cave

It is situated in a wide inlet at 8 meters above sea level, about 25 meters long and with a width of about 15. Discovered at the end of last century, it was the subject of research of many scholars, who have managed to climb to its age, around 11,930 years ago. Many are the figures on the walls of the cave, animal and human bodies from primitive forms.

The Azzurra Cave

It rises a few hundred meters from the Zinzulusa cave, reachable only by sea. Being able to visit the cave it’s a very beautiful experience because thanks to the refraction of light,  water acquires a variable luminescence of  green cobalt color.

Azzurra Cave

The Palombara Cave

It is a sea cave with high vaults, located, like the others, to the bottom of a broad coastal niche at the intersection of two major faults. In the local dialect is called “Palummara” for the presence of pigeons that nest in the crevices of its stones.

Coast between the caves

How to arrive there

By car:  from Lecce take the road SS 16 towards Maglie, exit Santa Cesarea Terme – Castro.

By train:  reach the railway station of Lecce. Then, you can take a bus of the local transport services STP Ferrovie del Sud-Est and Salentointrenoebus, working only during the summer.

By air:  the nearest airport is Brindisi from where you can rent a car or use the shuttle service to Lecce, and then continue by bus.

The Sorrento territory is, in fact, characterized by hills, mountains and sea cliffs. Other peculiar features of this city are its several terraces with their citrus trees. Thanks to its mild climate you can visit Sorrento in every season of the year. Here you can find many naturalistic trails that still keep their original features. All these elements make Sorrento one of the most famous place in Italy.

Sorrento Landscape

This coloured city is the Torquato Tasso native land having also represented a real refuge for many international artists and writers like Byron, Keats, Scott, Dickens, Goethe, Wagner, Ibsen and Nitzsche.

Today Sorrento is a modern city where you can visit a prestigious museum (called Correale di Terranova): here you can find important objects recalling both the local history and which one of the traditional craftsmanship of the inlaid wood. In Sorrento there are also many cultural events (like the Scientific Cinema Meetings), and several musical events (like the Sorrento Musical Summer). Moreover this city’s location allows tourists to reach all the surrounding most attractive villages like Capri, Ischia, Naples, Ercolano, Pompei, Positano and Amalfi.

Visiting Sorrento you can also admire a big heritage made up by important monuments, churches, museums and squares. Sorrento still preserves its ancient shape of Roman city together with some ruins of the XVI century defensive walls that surrounded it.

The most important monuments that deserve your attention are:

The Sorrento Cathedral

This Romanesque church dates back to the XV century. Here you can admire some XVIII century paintings created by the artists of the Naples School, a marble throne and a inlaid wood chorus made by some local artisans during the XX century. On the bell tower you can admire an ancient ceramic watch.

The Sorrento Cathedral

The Cathedral bell tower with the ceramic watch

The San Francesco Cloister

This cloister dates back to the VIII century. It is characterized by a mixture of architectonical styles while its refectory has kept its original XVI century structure. Beside this cloister there is the S. Francesco Church that dates back to the XVI century. Inside this church you can admire a wooden statue representing San Francesco with the crucified Christ.

The San Francesco Cloister

The San Antonino Basilica

This basilica was built during the X century in honour of San Antonino who is the sailors protector. In its crypt there is the San Antonino grave where there are thousands of exvotos put by local sailors.

The San Antonino Basilica

The Chiesa delle Grazie

This XVI century church has an unique nave where you can admire artistic works made by artists coming from the southern part of Italy between the XVI and the XVIII century.

The Chiesa delle Grazie altar

The Sedile di Porta

The name of this construction derives from the fact that it was built near the most important entry (“Porta”) of Sorrento.

Sedile di Porta

The Walloon of Mills

Among the five Sorrento Peninsula Walloons used in the past to separate all the villages from each others, the better preserved one is the Walloon of Mills whose name derives from presence of in its territory of a mill used to grind the grain.

The Walloon of Mills

The Sedile Dominova

This building dates back to the XIVcentury and has a Renaissance architectonical structure. It is ornamented by very interesting frescos like which one representing the Sorrento coat supported by a group of angels. In the past the urban nobles used to meet in this building to deliberate laws and to take economical and administrative decisions.

The Sedile Dominova

The Veniero Palace
 
This Arab – Byzantine building dates back to the XIII century. Its big windows are surrounded by yellow and grey tuff strips.

The Veniero Palace

The Correale Palace

This palace dates back to the XIV century being characterized by a wide window carrying the family coat. The main door is built according the Naples style.

The Correale Palace window

The Vittoria Hotel

This elegant hotel gave hospitality to very important personalities like Lord Byron, Wagner, Totò and Caruso.

The Vittoria Hotel

The Tasso Square

This square was created during the XIX century after the transformations underwent by the city of Sorrento. This place is today the wonderful centre of the city.

The Tasso Square

Marina Grande

Marina Grande has perfectly preserved its peculiarities of a seafaring district. Here, in fact, inhabitants consider the beach both as a space of amusement and of work. This attitude is testified by the presence of several fish nets, of nautical tools and of boats. At the centre of this village there is the Sant’Anna church: Sant’Anna is the protector of this district and she is celebrated on the 26th of July.

The Marina Grande

Marina Grande during Sant'Anna Feast

The sea of “Punta Campanella” offers unique emotions to all nature lovers. Here it is possible in fact to do some guided excursions discovering the historical and archaeological marvels of this territory. The landscape you can see from this place is really wonderful especially if admired under the water through guided skin diving or through scuba diving courses.

Punta Campanella

Sorrento is also very famous for its beaches. From the centre of the city you can reach by foot the beaches of Marina Piccola and Marina Grande. Both these two beaches are characterized by black sand and by a low sea bed.

The Marina Piccola Beach

This particular colour of the sand is explained by the fact that Sorrento is placed on a tuff coast that was created 39.000 years ago by the eruption of the volcano present in the Campi Flegrei area.

Other famous beaches are:

- The famous Bagni della Regina Giovanna: here among the chalky cliffs you can also admire some Roman villas ruins. You can reach this beach through a path that starts from the olive trees. From this point you can see all the Sorrento Peninsula. This is a spectacular landscape that you can admire by taking a bath in the little lagoon connected to the sea by a natural arch. This will be a really unforgettable experience.

The natural arch and the lagoon of the Bagni della Regina Giovanna

 - Those who love relaxing under the sun should choose the Puolo Beach. Here, in fact, there are several seaside resorts.

The Puolo Beach

- Another option is represented by the seaside resort called Conca Azzurra where you can even find swimming pools for adults and children.

- A nice beach made up by shingles and sand is placed in Meta di Sorrento where you can arrive from Sorrento through the Circumvesuviana or through the bus service.

Meta di Sorrento

In Sorrento you can have great fun thanks to the presence of elegant open air cafés, of typical restaurants, of discos and thanks to the organization of concerts in the villas gardens.

You can also make a promenade admiring all the Via San Cesareo shops.

Via San Cesareo shops

Sorrento has many cultural traditions: from the carnival to the very famous Easter processions, from the several summer and autumn town festivals gladden by the Sorrento ancient folkloristic dance called “Tarantella” to the rich Christmas events.

Another important Sorrento feature is the craftsmanship whose most important representation is the inlaid wood. But there also are relevant boatyards and the famous production of handmade ceramics, needlework and laces. Finally there even is the famous production of typical spirits made using local agricultural products like lemons, mandarins, oranges and walnut.

The Sorrento Peninsula dishes are indissolubly connected to the products that grow up in this fertile territory: the mild climate allows the farming of citrus trees, of oranges and lemons, of olive trees and of vineyards that represent one of the peculiar features of the Sorrento landscape.

Thanks to the generous sea also fishes and shellfishes are very used in many typical dishes.

Every recipe is dressed with the local sweet olive oil obtained by the olive trees farmed in this zone.

Here you can drink very good wines like the Red of Sorrento or the Gragnano, both of them are the result of the vineyards farmed in the local terraces.

One of the symbols of the Sorrento gastronomic traditions is the limoncello: the famous delicious digestive spirit obtained through the infusion of Sorrento lemons skins in the pure alcohol. Another typical spirit is the “Nocino” made up by Sorrento walnuts and coffee beans.

Some traditional Sorrento first courses are the Paccheri alla Sorrentina and the Spaghetti with Walnuts. As a second course you can choose is the Saltimbocca alla Sorrentina and, then, as dessert you can eat the Sospiri or the Folloviello.

Events

One of the most traditional celebrations is which one in honour of the Sorrento Patron Saint: Sant’Antonio. This feast occurs every year on the first Sunday of May when this Saint statue is carried throughout all the urban streets by a long procession.

During the first Sunday of August in Marina Piccola there is the feast in honour of the Santa Maria del Soccorso. During this celebration inhabitants construct a greasy pole covered with soap to make it hard to climb to reach the final prize.

Other important events are:

- Sorrento Music Summer (Estate Musicale Sorrentina) – From July to September 2009.
 
- Sorrento Cinema International Meetings (Incontri Internazionali del Cinema di Sorrento) – On December 2009: Since 1963 there is in Sorrento this International Cinema Festival that offers screenings of new Italian and foreign films and short films. Special prizes are given to the best productions.

- Cultural Exhibitions in Sorrento (Mostre culturali a Sorrento) – From the 10th of April to the 31th of December 2009 in the San Francesco Cloister and in the City Library (Biblioteca Comunale)

- A Year In Music (Un Anno In Musica) – From the 15th of April to the 31th of December 2009: This a series of concerts of the Piccola Orchestra (Little Orchestra) of Sorrento. These events will take place every Wednesday at 20:30 P.M. in the Carlo Di Leva Room of the Azienda Autonoma di Soggiorno di Sorrento e Sant’Agnello. The entry is free. 

- Concerts On The Terrace 2009 II year – From the 1st of July to the 2nd of September 2009 on the Hotel Gardenia terrace.

- 100 Years Together – Enrico Caruso and the Neapolitan Song – From the 10th of July to the 30th of August 2009.

- Summer Time 2009 – From the 12th of July to the 13th of September 2009 in Piano di Sorrento: a series of  musical and theatrical shows that will take place in Piano di Sorrento.

- Urban Art Festival – From the 1st to the 30th of August 2009: This festival takes place in the Sorrento historical centre offering every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 A.M. to 22:30 P.M. a typical street market where you can find antiques and handcrafted products like the local inlaid wood creations. Every Sunday from 19:00 P.M. to 22:30 P.M. you can visit many stands full of local gastronomical products being accompaigned by live folkloristic music.

- Sorrento Music Meetings (Incontri Musicali Sorrentini) – From the 21th of August to the 15th of September 2009 in the San Francesco Cloister.

- Sorrento Jazz – From the 31th of August to the 4th of September 2009 in the Parco Ibsen and in the urban streets.

How to arrive in Sorrento

By Car:

Coming from Rome or from the north of Italy you should go through the A1 highway until Naples, then go on through the A3 “Salerno-Reggio Calabria” highway towards Salerno until the Castellamare di Stabia exit. Now you should go on through the toll-free motorway 145 until Sorrento. Coming from the south of Italy you should go through the A3 highway until the Castellamare di Stabia exit, after that,  you will arrive in Sorrento going through the toll-free motorway 145.

By Plain:

The Naples Capodichino airport (NAP) (Phone: 848.888.777) offers national and international flights towards more than 40 European cities and towards many other international cities with 27 companies. You can arrive in Naples both with traditional and low coast flights.

The closest intercontinental airport is which one of Roma Fiumicino (FCO). From this airport you can reach Naples both by train and by plain: there are, in fact, daily flights Naples-Rome that last 45 minutes.

To reach Sorrento from the Naples Capodichino airport you can catch the Curreri Buses that directly connect this airport to the centre of Sorrento. There are daily bus rides that also stop in the different villages of the Sorrento Peninsula. This bus service is available all the year long and the tickets can be bought on the bus itself paying € 10,00 (Phone: +39.081.8015420).

You can also use a taxi to arrive in Sorrento from the airport. You can find taxies outside the Terminal in the Arrivals Area and a single ride will cost more or less € 100,00.

By Train:

Arriving in Sorrento by train is very easy and cheap. From the Naples Central Railway Station in Garibaldi Square you can catch the train of the “Circumvesuviana” that directly arrives to Sorrento. These trains daily leave every 20 minutes towards Sorrento stopping in all the Sorrento Peninsula villages. The trip last more or less an hour and reservation is not required.

By hydrofoil or ferry:

Many hydrofoils and ferries leave from the Beverello pier in Naples towards Sorrento. You can choose one of these two companies:

LMP (Linee Marittime Partenopee)
(Phone 081 7041911)
 
NLG (Navigazione Libera del Golfo)
(Phone 081 5520763)

Many hydrofoils for Sorrento and Capri also leave from the Mergellina pier that is very closed to the namesake railway station.

The hydrofoils service is usually much faster than the ferries one but its price is higher. All these services are much more frequent in summer.

…Enjoy your stay in Sorrento!

This territory is divided into 6 municipalities: Barano d’Ischia, Casamicciola Terme, Forio d’Ischia, Ischia, Lacco Ameno, Serrara Fontana. It is provided with two main ports: which one of Ischia and which one of Casamicciola Terme. Other minor ports are which ones of Forio, of Lacco Ameno, and of S.Angelo.

The Epomeo hill is the highest one in the island and in the past it was an active volcano: to reach the mountaintop you can go by car until the route is paved then you should go on by foot for more or less 3 km. Once there you will admire a wonderful landscape and the striking small church of San Nicola.

The Epomeo Hill and the San Nicola Church

The island of Ischia has volcanic origins being also characterized by one of the richest thermal heritages in the world: in this territory there are many spas where you can cure particular illnesses or just rejuvenate your body and your spirit.

Visiting this beautiful island you will be fascinated by its mild climate, by its wonderful nature, by its culture and hospitality and by its unique smells.

Ischia is often described as the “Green Island” because of its lush green territory characterized by many rural small villages dominated by the Epomeo hill.

Ischia Landscape

The Ischia municipality is placed on the eastern part of the namesake island. Its urban centre is divided into two parts: the most ancient one is called Ischia Ponte and the most modern one is called Ischia Porto. On the right side of this port there are several pubs, restaurants, night clubs, discos, craftsman’s laboratories and shops. The Roma Street starts exactly from this point to arrive until the Ischia Ponte historical centre made up of coloured small houses.

Ischia Ponte

Ischia Porto

Visiting this island you will find many naturalistic oasis like:

The Spas

Visiting the National Archaeological Museum in Lacco Ameno you will admire some bas-relieves that testify the importance that these hot springs already had during the Roman Empire. To rejuvenate your body and your spirit you can take a bath in one of the several Ischia hotels swimming pools full of thermal water choosing then a customised treatment specific for your needs: thermal mud compresses, aesthetical massages, thermal vapours inhalations ideal to cure respiratory problems. Otherwise, if you would like to directly experience the beauty of the Ischia nature, you can also take a bath in one of the several natural basins where thermal water is mixed with which one coming from the sea.

Ischia SPAS

 The Lacco Ameno “Mushroom“

In the Lacco Ameno thermal area, the smallest one in the island, you can admire a striking geological phenomenon connected to the dry land by a thin strip: this is a 10 metres height tuff stone block that is now shaped as a mushroom having underwent the water erosion.

The Lacco Almeno Mushroom

The Botanic Park of the Mortella Gardens

This wonderful park is placed in Forio and it is part of the contiguous villa owned by the English composer Walton who commissioned an English botanist to create this garden that contains wonderful tropical and Mediterranean grasses.

The The Botanic Park of the Mortella Gardens

The Faiano Pine-wood

Visiting the Barano village you can admire the biggest pine-wood in the island where you can be totally surrounded by nature: here, in fact, there are wonderful pines, chestnut and oak trees mixed with typical Mediterranean brushes and with stones formed by lava. You will discover how all these elements creates a real magic and mysterious atmosphere.

The Faiano Pine-wood

Staying in Ischia you can also admire an unique artistic and architectonical heritage made up by small Mediterranean churches and fortified castles.

You should visit for example the Assunta Church re-built according to the Baroque style: in this church there is a Renaissance baptismal font, a XIII century wooden crucifix and some paintings by Giacinto Diano.

Other interesting churches are which one of Sant’Antonio built during the XVIII century and which one of the Spirito Santo where you can admire the Madonna delle Grazie by Paolo de Matteis.

Other monuments that deserve your attention are:

The Soccorso Church

This picturesque white small church is placed on the striking little square of Punta Soccorso in Forio: from this point you can have a wonderful view of the crystal clear Ischia sea. This is a typical charming Mediterranean landscape.

The Soccorso Church

The Santa Restituita Sanctuary

This church is placed in Lacco Ameno and its original structure dates back to the Early Christian age even if it was rebuilt during the year 1000 undergoing many transformations throughout centuries. Here there is the important Santa Restituita wooden statues created during the XVI century and kept in this church together with the Santa Restituita memorabilia.

The Aragonese Castle

This surely is one of the most ancient and distinctive castles in Italy: it is placed on a 113 metres height oxbow near Ischia Ponte accessible through a stone bridge. You can arrive on the oxbow going through  a mule track or through a modern lift. You can enter in the castle through a gallery and once arrived on the top of the fortress you can watch the ancient cathedral ruins whose crypt is still ornamented by the Giotto School frescos. Here there also are the Clarisse Convent with its panoramic terraces and its cemetery, the S.Pietro a Pantaniello church built during the XVI century and the political prisons where personalities of the Italian Risorgimento were imprisoned.

The Aragonese Castle

Once in Ischia you can also visit the following museums:

The Pithecusae Archaeological Museum

This museum is placed in the wonderful Villa Arbusto in Lacco Ameno and here you can admire archaeological finds the recollect this island history starting from the prehistory to the Roman Empire. The most important find is the famous Nestore Cup quoted by Homer in its Iliad.

The Sea Museum

This museum is placed in Ischia Ponte inside the Watch Palace (Palazzo dell’Orologio). Here you can admire an important collection of nautical and fishing tools and many models of boats, sailing ships and fishing boats that used to sail away form this islands ports in the past.

The Farmers Museum

This museum is placed in Panza near Forio. Here there are many finds that recollect the original rural life of this island as all the tools used by farmers like many beautiful amphora.

The Ischia Beaches:

The Ischia Lido

This Lido is very near to the urban centre and it is made up by many sandy beaches also characterized by some rocks and pine-woods. The most famous beach is the “Fishers one” that extends from Ischia Ponte to Ischia Porto.

Cartaromana Beach

This beach is placed between the Aragonese Castle and the Sant’Anna rocks and it is characterized by one of the most beautiful landscapes in the island. Here there also are famous hot springs of warm water that allow tourist to take a bath even in winter.

Cartaromana Beach

Marina dei Maronti Beach

You can reach this 3 km long beach going through a striking panoramic street starting from Barano arriving to the sea. Another funny way of reaching this beach is using a water taxi leaving from the quaint small port of Sant’Angelo. The Maronti beach is the biggest one in the island being full of hot springs and natural basins.

Marina dei Maronti Beach

Citara Beach

This beach is placed at the bottom of the Epomeo hill being one of the most loved placed in Ischia. In this gilt sandy beach the sea water is mixed with the thermal one allowing to enjoy a refreshing bath in the sea taking at the same time advantage of the thermal benefits.

The Citara Beach

San Montano Bay

This really is an unique beach placed between Monte Vico and Monte Zaro: its crystal-clear sea is very warm and its sea bed is extremely low.

San Montano Bay

As it has been already said, this island is divided into six municipalities having each one of them their own peculiarities, the following list briefly describes you these six villages and their features:

The Ischia Village

This is the widest village in the island being divided into two parts: Ischia Ponte (the oldest part) and Ischia Porto. Here you can find many artistic marvels walking through the beautiful beaches of its coast. The Ischia most attractive features are the Aragonese Castle, the Guevara Tower and the Sant’Anna rocks. 

The Guevara Tower

The Barano Village

Barano is placed in the south-western side of the island and it is divided in several districts characterized by their autonomous cultural identity like Buonopane and Piedimonte. In Barano there are many hot springs as which one placed in Marina dei Maronti. The Buonopane district is well known for its “Ndrezzata” and for its production of bread whose fragrance will surround you every morning.

Marina dei Maronti

The Serra Fonatana Village

This village is characterized by the presence of many small urban centres like which one of Sant’Angelo. This little district is only a promenade area and it is made up by coloured houses and by narrow streets rising steeply from the sea.

Sant’Angelo urban centre

The Forio Village

Forio is a very characteristic village and for this reason it is often considered the most beautiful place in the island. From this point you can even admire a wonderful landscape. This nice village is made up by winding narrow streets, very small white houses, an imposing Tower and by many beautiful churches. Among these ones there are the Church of Santa Maria Visitapoveri, the ancient Cathedral of San Vito and the Soccorso Church.

The Forio Village

The Soccorsco Church

The Lacco Ameno Village

At the bottom of the Vico hill and near the San Montano Bay there is the village of Lacco Ameno that is the smallest one in the island. Here you can admire many monuments like the Aragonese tower built during the XV century and the Santa Restituita Sanctuary.

The Lacco Ameno Village

The Casamicciola Terme Village

This village was already well-known during the Roman Empire thanks to its spas that still today attract many tourist in this area of the island. Many important personalities arrived here to cure their health like Giuseppe Garibaldi, Benedetto Croce, Henrik Ibsen and Alphonse de Lamartine. Many beaches surround Casamicciola where you can also make some excursions in the beautiful nature that characterizes the pine-wood of the Bosco della Maddalena.

The Casamicciola Terme Village and its SPAS

The Ischia Gastronomy

The Ischia gastronomic culture is characterized by many particular dishes made up both by typical Campania products and by specific ingredients of this island.

A typical Ischia dish is the “Acqua pazza” fish whose ingredients are blue-fish, onion, hot pepper and parsley.

The most traditional dish is the Ischitana rabbit whose most important ingredient is the “Ditch rabbit” called in this way because it is raised in a big ditch created by farmers. Once that it is grew up it is cooked with white wine, onion, little tomatoes and hot pepper. This particular breeding techniques is still today applied offering a very high quality type of meat.

In this very fertile territory there also are very esteemed vineyards used to produce the famous Ischa wines like the white ones called Forastera and Biancolella or the red ones called Piedirosso and Guarnaccia

Another gastronomical feature of this island (in particular of the Forio village) is the handmade production of delicious honey.

Events

During spring and summer you can find in Ischia many cultural and religious events like:

- Vinischia (on July): this is a special event entirely dedicated to the Campania’s gastronomy and handicrafts that takes place every summer in the Guevara Tower placed in Ischia Ponte. You can taste many typical dishes watching shows, concerts and ballets.

- Settembre sul Sagrato (September on the Churchyard) (on August and September): this is a village fate that takes place in the Battistessa Square in front of the San Pietro Church. This fate lasts two days offering you art exhibitions, ancient costumes parades, wine tasting, concerts and shows.

- Ndrezzata Feast (on Easter Monday): this feast takes place every year on the Easter Monday in Buonopane that is a district near Barano. The “Ndrezzata” is a typical local dance that reproduces a rhythmical, violent and spectacular fight. All the dancers wear traditional local costumes fighting with wooden swords.

- Sant’Anna Feast (on the 26th of July): this feast takes place every year in Ischia. During this day you can admire a striking parade on the sea made up by folkloristic vessels coming from the different island municipalities. This celebration ends with the final prize giving and with a fireworks show.

- Ischia Film festival (on July): this is a film festival made up by thematic previews and retrospective exhibitions whose locations are placed in Europe and especially in Italy. Ischia has often been a special location for famous films like “Vacanze a Ischia” with Vittorio De Sica, like “Cleopatra” with Richard Burton and Liz Taylor and like the most recent ” The talented Mr Ripley ” with Matt Damon and Jude Law.

- Historical Parade of the Ischia Costumes (on August)

- “Ischia Jazz Festival” (from the 6th of September to the 10th of September): This festival returns for its 11th season being dedicated to the jazz music and characterized by the presence of many international famous artists.

How to arrive in Ischia:

By Plain:

The nearest airport is which one of Naples Capodichino. From this point you can reach all the ports where you will find the boats that connects Ischia to the dry land. To travel on hydrofoil you should reach the Beverello pier otherwise to travel on a ferry you should reach the Porta di Massa port. To do that you can get a taxi or you can catch a bus (Alibus Line or the number 3S). Moreover these two ports are connected between them by a free shuttles service.

By Car:

If you arrive in Naples by car you can reach the Porta di Massa port that is well connected to the A1, A3, A16 highways. If you have booked a ticket your entry will be Varco Bausan, otherwise if you don’t have a reservation your entry will be Varco Pisacane.

By Train:

The main railway stations in Naples are the Central Railway Station placed in the Garibaldi Square and the Mergellina Station.

If you arrive in the Central Railway Station you should get a taxi to reach the Beverello pier that is just 2 km far from there. From this port you can reach Ischia by hydrofoil. If you don’t want to get a taxi you can even catch a bus (Alibus Line or the numbers 3S, 1, R2).

Once in Beverello you can also reach the Porta di Massa port thanks to the free shuttles service that connects these two piers. From this second port you can reach Ischia travelling by ferry.

The hydrofoil trip last more or less 90 minutes and the ferry trip lasts 50 minutes.

From the Naples-Mergellina Railway Station you should reach the Mergellina terminal that is just 500 metres far from the namesake station. From this pier you can reach Ischia by hydrofoil in more or less 40 minutes.

…Enjoy your stay in Ischia!