Top Five Tourist Destinations in Sicily, Italy

The island of Sicily is full of fascinating places to visit. If you are planning a tour of the island, your choices of things to see and do could keep you busy for months. From ancient theaters to Greek temples, stunning mosaics to an active volcano, Sicily is sure to become one of the most memorable vacation destinations you can make.

Below are this author's top five destinations to explore with an unjustly brief description for each.

Taormina

The ancient town of Taormina is perched atop a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea. On the east coast of the island, it is located halfway between the cities of Messina and Catania. Wandering the picturesque streets can keep one busy for hours. Here, you can visit many shops specializing in local art and crafts, antiques, coffee bars and boutiques. A large section of the town is closed to automobile traffic, which helps retain some of the original beauty of this ancient place.

Below the cliff are seaside resorts and rocky beaches, and a gondola to take you up the rocky slope and within walking distance of the most ancient sector of town.

Taormina is one of the top tourist destinations in Europe with many hotels and restaurants. The top site to see here is the ancient Greek theater, or Teatro Greco, located on the east side of town. Originally constructed by the Greeks,it has been added to over the centuries and is still in use today. One can see performances ranging from Greek Tragedies to world movie premiers at this ancient outdoor theater.

Mt. Etna

Mt. Etna is one of the world's most active volcanoes. Because of her constant activity, she is also considered one of the safest volcanoes. This is because she is constantly releasing pressure whereas other volcanoes which may lie dormant for long periods of time can violently explode.

This does not mean that Mt. Etna is harmless. Prior to the eruption of 2002-2003, she had been dormant for for some time. She then spit ash which was carried far into Africa, destroyed the ski resort and shops located atop the mountain and threatened the nearby town of Nicolosi. It was during this eruption that explosives were first successfully used to divert her lava flow from a populated area.

Mt. Etna can be successfully visited by car or tour bus, and there are many tour companies available to choose from. Some will take you to the newly reconstructed resort atop the mountain, others are more specialized which can take you right up to the craters or on a rugged hike to one of Etna's ice caves.

Villa Del Casale at Piazza Armerina

Piazza Armerina is located south of the city of Enna in the center of the island of Sicily. The Villa Del Casale is an ancient Roman villa which was constructed sometime in the fourth century. This spectacular excavation site is a prime example of the technology employed at that time. The entire villa is covered with amazingly well preserved mosaic images. If the mosaics aren't enough to blow you away, then the heating system surely will. This is a definite must see for anyone interested in ancient cultures.

One thing of note, is that in order to protect the mosaics from erosion, the entire site is covered by a glass roof, which can make the inside temperature unbearably hot in the summer. Don't let this keep you away, just ensure you have plenty of water on hand and dress appropriately.

Siracusa and the Island of Ortigia

Siracusa, in ancient times, was an important Greek city. Here, you will find the largest Greek amphitheater in Sicily, which is still in use today. While touring this site, you can also visit the stone quarries one of which is known as the Ear of Dionysus, named so for its amazing acoustics. A roman coliseum is next door, as well as an astoundingly large altar. An extensive collection of antiquities are available to view at the nearby Archaeological Museum.

Another place to visit while in Siracusa is the Isola di Ortigia. This ancient city, now a sort of extension of Siracusa is accessible via a bridge. It is known for its ancient historical significance and sheer beauty.

Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples

The Valle Dei Templi; or Valley of the Temples, is the number one place to visit in Sicily. Located near the south-central coast, next to the city of Agrigento, these Doric temples are the most famous ruins on the island. To get the most of a visit here, I suggest visiting in the spring, if possible. The grass is still green, the weather is not yet too hot, nor are there too many stormy days. This will give you the best pictures possible, for the contrast between the green grass, the hint of orange in the ruins and blue sky is absolutely breathtaking.

Whichever destination you choose, careful planning is key, as well as learning about the site prior to departure. Understanding the history of the area will give a greater sense of awe when actually face to face with some of these astounding sites.