Fly& Drives Sicilië | Italië

Über das Reiseziel: Catania is the second largest city in Sicily. Buried seven times by fierce eruptions of the Etna volcano and several earthquakes, much of its monuments have been destroyed. Nonetheless, the old town is well maintained, so much so, that it was declared a World Heritage Site in 2002. In the city center visitors will be able to enjoy the major feature of the city: its baroque architecture. The main examples are the Cathedral Square, Piazza del Duomo ,with the Elephant Fountain, the adorned Cathedral, founded in the 11th century on the ruins of the ancient baths and the impressive 13th century Ursino Castle. The remains of the Roman and Greek heritage can still be witnessed at the former Acropolis of Katane that includes the Roman Theatre, built by Greeks and reconstructed by Romans, the Odeon and the Amphitheatre. Chaotic, noisy and boisterous, Catania’s nightlife is buzzing, hundreds of bars, clubs and eateries are at hand where to get infected with the joie de vivre of the city’s population.

Über das Reiseziel: Modica ist eine Stadt und Gemeinde in der Provinz Ragusa, Sizilien, Süditalien. Die Stadt liegt in den Hybläischen Bergen. Modica hat neolithische Ursprünge und repräsentiert die historische Hauptstadt der Gegend, die heute fast der Provinz Ragusa entspricht. Bis zum 19. Jahrhundert war es die Hauptstadt eines Landkreises, der eine so große politische, wirtschaftliche und kulturelle Einflussnahme ausübte, dass er zu den mächtigsten Feudalherrschaften des Mezzogiorno gezählt wurde. Nach dem verheerenden Erdbeben von 1693 wieder aufgebaut, wurde seine Architektur als herausragendes Zeugnis für das überschwängliche Genie und die letzte Blütezeit der Barockkunst in Europa anerkannt und ist zusammen mit anderen Städten im Val di Noto Teil des UNESCO-Weltkulturerbes in Italien.

Über das Reiseziel: Caltagirone ist eine italienische Gemeinde mit 36.846 Einwohnern in der Provinz Catania, Sizilien. Ihre Fläche beträgt 382 km2. Ihre Dichte beträgt 96 Einw./km2. Sie liegt im Landesinneren der Insel, etwa 68 km von Catania entfernt. Sie dominiert die Ebenen von Catania und Gela durch ihre erhöhte Position.

Über das Reiseziel: Life in Palermo is intense. People and buildings are tightly crammed into every available space and chaotic markets render the narrow sidewalks impassable. Lush gardens exist along poor narrow streets, and drying laundry resembles the festive banners of a public festivity. Stroll along via Roma up to Corso Vittorio Emanuele, admiring the squares and the exuberant cathedral. The Palazzo dei Normani is an extraordinary fusion of styles, its Byzantine mosaics are a reminder of the city's Golden Age. The ruins of the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti stand around the corner, with its pink domes shielding an exotic cloister garden. The National Gallery of Sicily, housed in the Palazzo Abatellis, has a superb collection of paintings and sculpture. In the mornings, don’t miss the massive open-air Capo market. Most of Palermo’s nightlife occurs in the beach district of Mondello. There you can join the strolling crowds of young Italians sampling fish from seaside kitchen stalls and eating gelato.

Über das Reiseziel: At about 500 meters above sea level, Zafferana Etnea provides a cooler climate during the oppressive heat of summer. Nestled between mountain and sea, it sits among the green hills that rise up to the heights of Mt. Etna but is just minutes to the Ionian Sea, as well. The town is the launching point for excursions up to the famous volcano, with roads and trails leading into the national park. The bronze doors of the cathedral depict a scene from the eruption of 1792 and religious votives are found scattered all over town, showing the town's respect for nature and supplication to the saints to preserve it! Sitting next to Europe's most active volcano keeps the place buzzing! The glow of lava can sometimes been seen illuminating the mountain top at night and every now and then ash rains down into town. The town is blend of Old World architecture and new growth, with an economy that developed as the result of seaside tourism and winter sports. Many don't realize that warm Sicily offers downhill skiing in the winter! The name derives from what was once an important income source - zafferano (saffron!). In fact, a painting in the main church depicts a vase of crocus flowers, that saffron is painstakingly hand-harvested from. The Church of Santa Maria della Provvidenza is dedicated to the town's patron saint. The beautiful building was constructed in the 1700s. Zafferana Etnea throws a huge festa in her honor every August with religious processions followed by a city-wide street party. The Municipal Palace is a fancy Liberty style villa that houses the town hall flanked by palms and pines. An amphitheater is built along the outline of an ancient Roman one, offering lovely views and a line-up of events called "Etna in Scena," a program of concerts and plays. Zafferana Etnea was an important crossroads in the Roman era, along the inland route that connected Catania with Taormina. The town itself was established in 1387 with the establishment of a Benedictine monastery. Today it is a resort area that offers the best of the beaches and mountain activities, with views and amenities of both.

Über das Reiseziel: Catania is the second largest city in Sicily. Buried seven times by fierce eruptions of the Etna volcano and several earthquakes, much of its monuments have been destroyed. Nonetheless, the old town is well maintained, so much so, that it was declared a World Heritage Site in 2002. In the city center visitors will be able to enjoy the major feature of the city: its baroque architecture. The main examples are the Cathedral Square, Piazza del Duomo ,with the Elephant Fountain, the adorned Cathedral, founded in the 11th century on the ruins of the ancient baths and the impressive 13th century Ursino Castle. The remains of the Roman and Greek heritage can still be witnessed at the former Acropolis of Katane that includes the Roman Theatre, built by Greeks and reconstructed by Romans, the Odeon and the Amphitheatre. Chaotic, noisy and boisterous, Catania’s nightlife is buzzing, hundreds of bars, clubs and eateries are at hand where to get infected with the joie de vivre of the city’s population.