Sicily the Smaller Islands

Sicily the Smaller Islands

We shove off from the harbour of Palermo and we quickly get to Ustica: the emerged part of a great submarine volcano, it is as well the most ancient island, outcropped long before the Eolie isles. Its lavic-originated jagged coastline hides splendid caverns, inlets and coves. In town, the walls of the characteristic houses are painted as canvas by painters, who portrayed landscapes, trompe-l’oeil, portraits, still life and imaginary subjects. The town is ruled by the Tower of St. Mary, housing the Archaeological Museum, from which we see in the distance the second leg of our journey: Pantelleria, the greatest of Sicily’s satellite isles. Though it is under the province of Trapani, its latitude is equal to the one in Tunis. The warm climate is yet temperated by the omnipresent onshore winds. Its basaltic soil, the patrimony of its ocean floor and its steep and terrace-cultivate hillsides award it the appellation of “Black Pearl of the Mediterranean Sea”. Therefore, it’s worth spending more than one day to visit it through. We then hire a dammuso, the traditional habitation of Arab origins, of a typical squared shape: they are often surrounded by the “giardini panteschi” (circle or quadrangular high fences carved in stone), inside which citrus fruits and flowers grow out of the wind.

The following day, nearby a village probably founded in the Neolithic, we visit the sesi: megalithic funeral buildings typical for the island, similar in shape to the nuraghes of Sardinia. Back en route, we embark towards the Egadi, also situated in front of Trapani. In the distance, Favignana appears in the likeness of a butterfly, whose wings unfold over the blue flower of the sea. Recently its history is bound with that of Florio family, who established a set of tunny nets; its impressive mass still overlooks the landscape near the harbour. Tuff quarries, which bestow the scenery a pierced appearance, provide the most singular aspect of these places; they develop in big and mysterious drifts, to be explored only supplied with a torch.

Levanzo is on the contrary characterized by numerous caverns, among which that of the Genovese: it was discovered by chance in 1949, and holds rocky engraves representing anthropomorphic figures, quadrupeds, fishes and idols dating back to the prehistory. Very characteristic is the Faraglione, a conic islet linked to the main island by an isthmus. Stay on the island is reserved to those who deeply love the sea and calm walks. Circumnavigation of the isle is necessary to appreciate fully its beauty and to discover the colonies of the rare Black Coral.

We finally dock at Marettimo, a concentrate of dug-out pathways and white alleys between mountain and sea. Very few beaches are accessible from the land, alternating with tiny shingle bays, sheer on the waters, which are still extraordinarily limpid. It is the most mountainous, green and wild among the isles: a luxuriant garden amidst the sea, where over 500 different botanic species grow, also thanks to soft water springs. The Arabs built in the 9^th century a sighting tower on the promontory of Punta Troia, and later the Spanish added the Castle. Before ending our journey, it is necessary to visit the group of Pelagie. Among these, Lampedusa: situated amid the Channel of Sicily, it is equidistant from Agrigento and from the African continent. In 1996, the Assessorship for Territory and Environment of the Region set up a Marine Reserve aimed to preserve a natural habitat hosting animals and plants threatened by extinction. From the most famous beach of the isle, Cala dei Conigli, one can reach the tiny islet where turtles lay their eggs. The hatching occurs between August and September, when the little turtles make their way towards the sea, following their primordial instinct.

• Siracusa
• Palermo
• Agrigento
• Trapani
• Messina
• Catania

Hotel Siracusa e Provincia

AGRITURISMO BADIULA

C.da Badiula
cap 96013
Carlentini, (SR)
Tel. 0957836193
Email: digiorgio@badiula.it
Sito Web: www.badiula.it

GRAN BRETAGNA

Via Savoia, 21
cap 96100
Siracusa, (SR)
Tel. 093168765
Email: info@hotelgranbretagna.it
Sito Web: www.hotelgranbretagna.it

MEDITERRANEO

Via Tripoli, 40
cap 96100
Siracusa, (SR)
Tel. 0931445047
Email: reservation@siracusahotelmediterraneo.com
Sito Web: www.siracusahotelmediterraneo.com

Hotel Palermo e Provincia

VILLA SCADUTO RESIDENCE

Corso Baldassare Scaduto, 9/11
cap 90011
Bagheria, (PA)
Tel. 091931320
Email: info@villascadutoresidence.it
Sito Web: www.villascadutoresidence.it

LA GIARA

Via Veterani, 40
cap 90015
Cefalù, (PA)
Tel. 0921421562
Email: hotel-lagiara@libero.it
Sito Web: www.hotel-lagiara.it

EUROPA

Via Agrigento, 3
cap 90141
Palermo, (PA)
Tel. 0916256323
Email: info@hoteleuropa.palermo.it
Sito Web: www.hoteleuropa.palermo.it

RESIDENCE LE MAGNOLIE
B&B
Via Imperatore Federico,70
cap 90143
Palermo, (PA)
Tel. 3384954086
Email: lemagnolie@bbpalermo.net
Sito Web: www.bbpalermo.net

Hotel Agrigento e Provincia

COSTAZZURRA

Via Delle Viole, 2 - (san Leone Mare - Valle Dei Templi)
cap 92100
Agrigento, (AG)
Tel. 0922411222
Email: reception@hotelcostazzurra.it
Sito Web: www.hotelcostazzurra.it

IL MARCHESE
B&B
Via Marco Polo 43b
cap 92019
Sciacca, (AG)
Tel. 0925992446
Email: info@ilmarchesebb.it
Sito Web: www.ilmarchesebb.it

Hotel Trapani e Provincia

IL PESCATORE
B&B
Via Castore E Polluce, 31
cap 91022
Castlvetrano, (TP)
Tel. 092446303
Email: il.pescatore@alice.it
Sito Web: www.affittacamereilpescatore.it

LA PINETA

Viale Nunzio Nasi
cap 91016
Erice, (TP)
Tel. 0923860127
Email: info@lapinetadierice.com
Sito Web: www.lapinetadierice.com

BAGLIO CUDIA TURISMO RURALE

Contrada Spagnola, 381
cap 91025
Marsala, (TP)
Tel. 092374546
Email: info@bagliocudia.it
Sito Web: www.bagliocudia.it

SAMMARTANO HOTELS

C.da Srasatti Di Marsala,708
cap 91025
Marsala, (TP)
Tel. 0923961482
Email: direzione@hotelconcorde.net
Sito Web: www.sammartanohotels.it

MURSIA E COSSYRA

Contrada Mursia
cap 91017
Pantelleria, (TP)
Tel. 0923911217
Email: info@mursiahotel.it
Sito Web: www.mursiahotel.it

VIVERE PANTELLERIA

C/da Scauri S. Gaetano 45
cap 91017
Pantelleria, (TP)
Tel. 0923916307
Email: info@viverepantelleria.it
Sito Web: www.viverepantelleria.it

Hotel Messina e Provincia

VILLA REGINA

Punta San Giorgio
cap 98030
Castelmola, (ME)
Tel. 094228228
Email: info@villareginataormina.com
Sito Web: www.villareginataormina.com

VILLA SONIA

Via Porta Mola, 9
cap 98030
Castelmola, (ME)
Tel. 094228082
Email: booking@hotelvillasonia.com
Sito Web: www.hotelvillasonia.com

BOAT & BREACKFAST PORTOROSA
B&B
Via Prestipaolo 27
cap 98054
Furnari, (ME)
Tel. 3331331580
Email: portorosasicilia@gmail.com
Sito Web: www.portorosabarchegommoni.com

PORTOROSA CASE VACANZE

VIA PRESTIPAOLO 27
cap 98054
FURNARI, (ME)
Tel. 3331331580
Email: portorosamessina@gmail.com
Sito Web: www.portorosamessina.org

VILLA NEFELE

Via Vulcano 2
cap 98030
Giardini-naxos, (ME)
Tel. 094256583
Email: info@hotelvillanefele.com
Sito Web: www.hotelvillanefele.com

L'ARIANA

Via Rotabile 11
cap 98050
Leni, (ME)
Tel. 0909809075
Email: info@hotelariana.it
Sito Web: www.hotelariana.it

RESIDENCE ALBERGHIERO EOLIE

Corso Vittorio Emanuele 101
cap 98055
Lipari, (ME)
Tel. 0909817047
Email: info@residenceeolie.it
Sito Web: www.residenceeolie.it

FIORELLO

Via Luigi Fulci 16
cap 98057
Milazzo, (ME)
Tel. 090
Email: fiorello@infomilazzo.it
Sito Web: www.infomilazzo.it

RIVIERA DEL SOLE

Via Del Mare 39/a
cap 98060
Piraino, (ME)
Tel. 0941535111
Email: info@rivieradelsole.com
Sito Web: www.rivieradelsole.com

VILLA RUGGERI
B&B
Via 2° Giampaolo 9
cap 98043
Rometta Marea, (ME)
Tel. 3479269565
Email: ruggerisps@gmail.com
Sito Web: www.villaruggeri.com

MADDY
B&B
Via Panoramica
cap 98030
S. Alessio Siculo - Zona Taormina, (ME)
Tel. 3299898019
Email: maddasagli@tiscali.it
Sito Web: www.bbmaddy.it

HOTEL CAPO DEI GRECI

Strada Nazionale 421
cap 98030
Sant'alessio Sculo, (ME)
Tel. 0942756984
Email: info@hotelcapodeigreci.it
Sito Web: www.hotelcapodeigreci.it

MARABEL

Via Musumeci 29
cap 98030
Sant'alessio Siculo - Taormina, (ME)
Tel. 0942750502
Email: info@hotelmarabel.it
Sito Web: www.hotelmarabel.it

LA PLAYA BLANCA

Contrada Fiumara
cap 98077
Santo Stefano Di Camastra, (ME)
Tel. 0921331248
Email: cardinaletony@interfree.it
Sito Web: www.laplayablanca.it

EXCELSIOR PALACE HOTEL

Via Toselli 8
cap 98039
Taormina, (ME)
Tel. 0942628968
Email: excelsior@tao.it
Sito Web: www.excelsiorpalacetaormina.it

HOTEL VILLA CARLOTTA

Via Pirandello,81
cap 98039
Taormina, (ME)
Tel. 0942 626058
Email: info@villacarlotta.net
Sito Web: www.hotelvillacarlottataormina.com

HOTEL VILLA DUCALE

Via L. Da Vinci,60
cap 98039
Taormina, (ME)
Tel. 0942 28153
Email: info@villaducale.com
Sito Web: www.villaducale.com

Hotel Catania e Provincia

MALAVOGLIA INN

Via Provinciale, 5
cap 95026
Aci Castello Fraz Di Acitrezza, (CT)
Tel. 0957117850
Email: albergoimalavoglia@tiscali.it
Sito Web: www.albergoimalavoglia.it

MARINA PALACE HOTEL & CONGRESS HALL

Via Provinciale 1
cap 95026
Acitrezza, (CT)
Tel. 0957117800
Email: info@marinapalace.it
Sito Web: www.marinapalace.it

VILLA MARTOGLIO
B&B
Via Prima Retta Ponente, 246
cap 95032
Belpasso, (CT)
Tel. 095918544
Email: info@bebvillamartoglio.com
Sito Web: www.bebvillamartoglio.com

HOTEL VILLA MICHELANGELO

Via O.san Bernardo 8
cap 95030
Catania, (CT)
Tel. 095.910176
Email: info@hotelvillamichelangelo.it
Sito Web: www.hotelvillamichelangelo.it

HOTEL VILLA ROMEO

Via Platamone, 8
cap 95131
Catania, (CT)
Tel. 095534714
Email: info@hotelvillaromeo.it
Sito Web: www.hotelvillaromeo.it

RIGEL HOTEL

Viale Liberta 63
cap 95129
Catania, (CT)
Tel. 095534911
Email: info@rigelhotel.it
Sito Web: www.rigelhotel.it

PEGASUS
B&B
Via Badaò 17
cap 95013
Fiumefreddo Di Sicilia, (CT)
Tel. 3467042174
Email: infopegasus@virgilio.it
Sito Web: www.bbpegasus.it

HOTEL SCRIVANO

Via Bonaventura, 2
cap 95036
Randazzo, (CT)
Tel. 095921126
Email: info@hotelscrivano.com
Sito Web: www.hotelscrivano.com

AIRONE

Via Cassone, 67
cap 95019
Zafferana Etnea, (CT)
Tel. 0957081819
Email: info@hotel-airone.it
Sito Web: www.hotel-airone.it