Siracusa
Syracuse was one of the most important cities of the western world for over a thousand years. Located near the south-eastern corner of Sicily on the Ionian coast, Syracuse is built on an ancient Greek settlement founded in 734 BC and is said to have had over one million inhabitants in those days.

It became so rich and influential that it rivalled Athens as the most important city of the Greek world.

According to the legend the Greek came here after the oracle of Delphi predicted a place with a fresh water spring just off the coast. And indeed the famous fountain of Arethusa with luxuriant papyrus plants in the historic centre on the peninsula Ortigia is a remarkable spot, only a few meters divided from the (salt) seawater.

The diversity of monuments, spanning from the Hellenistic, early Christian, medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras, combined with its inspired location, this medley makes Syracuse one of the most enjoyable towns to visit in Sicily.

In addition to things to see, there's no shortage of good restaurants in Syracuse, from charming pizzerias to gourmet seafood dining. More than any other modern city in Sicily, Syracuse is unsurpassed for its ancient architecture and warm people.

Apart from the historic Ortigia, Syracuse is also very interesting for the famous Archaeological Park and the archeological museum "Paolo Orsi". The latter is set in a palm-shaded park and named after Sicily’s greatest archaeologist; it houses perhaps the greatest hoard of Greek art between Athens and London with lots of historical information and is definitely worthwhile a visit.

The Archaeological Park has some splendid surprises, such as the Altar of Hieron II and the Ear of Dionysius, formerly a limestone quarry.

The well preserved Greek amphitheatre (semicircular and open) and Roman amphitheatre (oval and closed), both carved out of the rock, are definitely a must see, especially when Greek Dramas are performed, in the theatre season that runs from May to June (see for details www.indafondazione.org)

The Baroque Triangle: Noto, Modica, Ragusa
Together with Modica and Ragusa, Noto is part of the so called Sicily’s Baroque Triangle, with its fine buildings of the early eighteenth century considered among the main masterpieces of this era.

Noto, at the foot of the Iblean Mountains has its origins already in the Roman period and was called Netum. Over the centuries the town expanded and enlarged its limits. However, in 1693 everything was totally destroyed by an earthquake.

The current town, rebuilt after this earthquake on the left bank of River Asinaro, was planned on a grid system by Giovanni Battista Landolina. This new city occupied a position nearer to the Ionian Sea. The presence of architects like Rosario Gagliardi, Francesco Sortino and others, made the new Noto a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque, dubbed the "Stone Garden" by Cesare Brandi and is currently listed among UNESCO's "World Heritage Sites". The new structures are characterized by a soft tufa stone, which under sunlight assumes a typical honey tonality.

Spring
The third week of May is the splendid Spring event: the Noto Flower Festival. All along Via Nicolaci, in 700 square meters (122 meters long by 6 meters) wide, stretches of flower mosaics are exposed. The Baroque buildings form the perfect décor to enhance the colours and designs of these 400 000 flowers! - typical to the Mediterranean coast and in particular from the Noto area.

Vendicari
Close to Noto lies the nature reserve "Riserva Vendicari" with unspoiled beaches, bird reserve and breeding places for turtles.

Modica
The earthquake of 1693 almost completely wiped out the splendours of Modica’s most glorious days during the Aragonese rule. Almost all of what is today the province of Ragusa was controlled by the Chiaramonte family belonged to this dynasty. When the town was rebuilt it got the look of splendid baroque style.

Modica is famous in Sicily and Italy for its chocolate.

Ragusa
The heart of Sicilian ’Baroque’, Ragusa and its close neighbour Ragusa Ibla were both rebuilt in the early 1700’s after an earthquake devestated the area. Both host a wide array of Baroque and neo-Calssical architecture, including several stunning palaces and churches.

Wind your way around the narrow and charming lanes in the Unesco world heritage listed historic centre, rich in churches and mansions in the Late Sicilian Baroque style.

Portopalo di Capopassero
The southern point of Sicily (degreed under Tunesia, Africa) where the Ionion Sea and the Mediterranean meet. The town itself is not really attractive, but is known and therefore quite visited by Italians in summer for the nice beaches close by.

Marzamemi
Visiting Marzamemi is stepping back in time. A fishing village that still breathes the atmosphere of past times and you can imagine how simple life of fisher men used to be.
The piazza Bianca, surrounded by old fisherman houses that are now refurbished into trendy bars and cosy restaurants is the centre of town, where the inhabitants and visitors for the restaurants gather and meet. Especially at evenings in summer time, when Italians from the north (and often native to Sicily) enjoy their holidays, there is a pleasant buzz.