Southern Italy and the Islands
Calabria
Calabria is incredible!! As Americans, we know many people who have ancestors from Calabria, may have heard of it as some remote part of Italy... but certainly don't know anyone who has it on their tourist itinerary. That is a big mistake!
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Calabria, the part of Italy that forms the toe of the boot, kicking the football that is Sicily, contains some of the most beautiful natural beauty, as well as wonderful old villages and towns, that you will find anywhere on the Italian Penninsula.
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Scilla
One of the most beautiful evenings we have ever spent in Italy was in Calabria, swimming in a lovely infinity pool at Cally Cally Agriturismo in Nicotera. As we looked over the Mediterranean sea, we watched the sun slowly setting into the cone of the volcanic Island of Stromboli. Truly Magical!!
Nicotera
Sun Setting into The Cone of Stromboli
Agriturismo Cally Cally, Nicotera
The incredible clear, turquoise waters of the mediterranean attract holiday makers, boaters, and generations of fishermen to this stunning coastline.
Scilla
Tropea
Pentedattilo, at the bottom of Calabria, is beautiful in a remote, desolate kind of way.
Sicily
The largest of the Italian Islands, Sicily is famous throughout the world, yet not as much visited by Americans as it deserves to be. From its stunning waters to its perfect baroque towns, sicily has so many surprises in store for the adventurous traveler!
Taormina, on a slope high above the sea, offers the visitor a wide array of attractions, from Greek and Roman ruins, to a lovely medieveal old town, to beautiful sea waters.
Cefalu
Syracuse, or Siracusa, in Italian., is an ancient city, founded by greeks, and at one time equaling Athens in importance. The city is mentioned in the New Testament, as having been visited by the Apostle Paul. In fact, as you stand in the magnificent amphiteater, it's not hard to imagine Paul preaching to the crowd in that very spot! A fascinating city to Visit, you will find many architectural treasures as you stroll its ancient streets.
Syracuse
World War II Cemetery, Syracuse
In more recent years, Sicily has seen heavy fighting after the Allies landed at Sicily in July, 1943. Casualties were high. There is a war cemetery just outside Syracuse where many of those who fell in battle are buried.
Caltagirone
Caltagirone
Caltagirone, another Sicilian town, is noted for its ceramics. It is famous for the colorful ceramic tiles of these stairs, as well as many figures and other works of ceramic art.
Noto
In 1693 a tremendous (7.4) earthquake struck Sicily, destroying approximately 70 towns and villages, and causing tidal waves that destroyed many coastal settlements. In the city of Catania, alone, nearly 2/3 of the population was killed. Because of the devastating power of the earthquake, entire towns were flattened, and subsequently rebuilt in the Baroque style of the day.. Of especial note are Modica and Noto. These towns are considered among the best examples of Baroque architecture in the world. Because of the value of preserving these intact architectural treasures, they are protected as UNESCO World heritage sites.
Noto
Modica
Modica
CIndy In Modica
Nearly every Saturday, throughout Italy, you are bound to run across weddings. Some days we will happen upon three or four in one day. We ran across this happy group exiting the church in Ragusa, another beautiful Sicilian town.
The Aeolian Islands
Of all the magical places in Italy, how is it possible to say which would be at the top of the list? Whether there is a contest, or not, I would surely put the Aeolian Islands near the top. These lovely Volcanic islands, north of Sicily and west of the toe of the boot, are surely an Italian paradise. Largely car-free, they are more relaxed and quiet than the mainland. Busy in the short summer season, by September the crowds are departing, and the islands are practically deserted by winter. But, still they remain stunningly beautiful. Keith and I have visited several of the islands, and stayed on both Lipari and Panarea. If I could return to one and spend more time there, it would definitely be Panarea.
Lipari
Keith on Panarea with Resting Stromboli in the background. Stromboli smokes nearly constantly, with frequent minor eruptions.
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Panarea
Panarea