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Siracusa is on the sea, some...

by lichinga

Siracusa is on the sea, some 80 km South of Catania, but the sea and beaches themselves are not so attractive themselves: I mean, they're good, but the reason to go there is not just for diving and sun-tanning.
The best thing is to visit the interior region, all the places I will mention are very important touristic and cultutal targets: Palazzolo Acreide (old Greek town), Noto (the capital of Baroque), Ragusa (also very imprtant Baroque monuments), Piazza Armerina (incredible ruins of a Roman Villa). Then, you may want to visit the Natural Reserve Area of Vendicari, the ancient 'tonnara' at Capo Passero or Capo delle Correnti, the 'tonnara' is the place where tuna-fish and sword-fish were coolected by fishing vessels. Or you may buy a very special wine, 'Cerasuolo'. Cerasuolo is may favourite red wine, very strong, around 13-14° alcohol, it is produced in the area of Vittoria and Modica, between ragusa and the sea (the Sicily Channel).
Many of these places are illustarted in my Travelogue - the picture at the bottom is taken in Ragusa, 40 km from Siracusa.

RIPOSTO

by KoalaB

"Coastal city of Riposto"

Riposto is a small city on the east coast of Sicily with a beautiful marina (it had just been completed when we arrived).
I didn't know that the live volcano, Mt Etna, towered above it! The experience of sitting onboard our yacht enjoying our evening meal and watching the rivers of lava flow down was really quite amazing.
The markets which sold fresh seafood, fruit, vegetable and bread were excellent and not expensive. So much nicer buying your own fresh food.

"Mt Etna"

What an experience going up Mt Etna! A small tour bus took us to the base of the mountain and from there we went via cable car up higher. Once we reached the end of the cable car ride there were huge 4WD vehicles which held about 20 people to take us up higher again. Then it was get out and do some walking with our guide.
The higher we got the colder it got and as we didn't have a lot of warm winter clothing with us we were very glad that we did at least have the brains to put on our windcheaters, water proof jackets, socks and sneakers. My ears nearly froze though!
We were walking on dark grey loose gravel (from previous erruptions I imagine) which actually had steam coming up from it and yet our guide surprised us by digging down about 1 foot (30cms) and bringing up a large clump of ice. Locals go sno skiing here in the winter time!

"Mt Etna"

Had to take this photo with the chunk of ice in my hand. Our tour guide had dug it up and then we watched in fascination as he threw it into one of the 'hot spots' which sent out steam and red sparks! Needless to say we all moved back fairly quickly!