The biggest island of Mediterranean Sea is located in the Southernmost part of Italy making the top of ‘Italian shoe’ on a map.
The landscape of Sicily is dominated by the presence of still active volcano Etna ( 3 350 m ).
The lava from volcanic eruptions of Etna, the force sometimes destructive, overall made the local soil more fertile, bringing to the island development of citruses plantations, walnut trees, cypresses and vineyards.

Sicily

Due to its location between Europe and Africa the island has been invaded numerous times by different tribes thorough its long history. Many of intruders settled there and brought their own culture, which remained till today in numerous architecture structures scattered all over Sicily.
Valle di Tempi south of Agrigento hosts the biggest group of Ancient Greek buildings outside of Greece.The oldest Temple there dates back to 6th century B.C. Greeks were replaced by Romans, later to the island came Vandals and Ostrogoths. There are not many buildings left by the other visitors Arabs, but the strong influence Arabic style is visible in Medieval and Baroque architecture details in Palermo and Catania. After Arabs came Norman, who left cathedrals in Cefal and Monreale.
The development of Sicily has been stopped several times by activities of Etna. The eruption from 1696 destroyed old town of Catania, rebuilt later in Baroque style. The last big eruption in 1969 destroyed the ancient town Nicolosi.

The biggest city of Sicily is Palermo with an international airport and the port with ferry connection to Naples on the continent.
The second airport is located near Catania, which is located on the opposite side of the island, in the Catania Bay, which features the best beaches in Sicily.
Another sea port Messina is located in the closest spot to the continent and became another entry gateway to Sicily via the ferry boats from Calabria shore.

The Sicily cuisine is typical to Southern Italy. The dishes are flavoured with local addictions made of swordfish, sardines, ricotta cheese or red chili.
To taste are granita ice-cream and marzipan sweets made from colorful almond paste mixed with sugar.

[photo courtesy of macorig paolo]