Natural settings for sport and relaxation.
Rural tourism.
Farms, bagli, noblemen's country residences and Baroque or Liberty-style
villas are hidden among "enclosures" of ancient olive
groves, middle-eastern gardens of citrus fruits, above green hills
filled with vineyards or red hills filled with "sulla"
- a strange pulse used as fodder - which dominate these landscapes
that take your breath away. Ancient lands full of great emotions.
And excitement if you are interested in matters of the soul. This
is Sicily.
Many of these buildings are now rural tourism centres that offer
an ancient asset: hospitality. A value that the Sicilian people
continue to honour. Together with the flavours of a cuisine that
is deep rooted in the rural-farming world of the Siceliots, the
Greeks of Sicily. With a glass of wine on the table, they will
tell you a thousand stories about those who created them. These
are perhaps the same stories told to everyone that has preceded
you in the last three thousand years.
Hospitality, relaxation, good food and a discreet invitation to
come and learn about the territory. There are lots of things to
do: from skiing down the slopes of Etna, swimming if you are on
the coast, canoeing or sailing, if you want to feel the thrill
of the wind. Or diving into the sea's, depths that hide the remains
of ancient sunken ships. And the pleasure of little discoveries.
On foot, on horseback, on bicycle, to follow the traces of their
civilisation step by step. A civilisation that on this island
is truly ancient.
The Sicilians have always been used to strangers. However, they
can make you feel as if you are the first to arrive, privileged
to enjoy their food and their friendship. You will feel like gods
all of a sudden. And you will not feel time slipping by. Because
"where the Gods lived walking around as men, there can be
no dull days like in other parts of the world". That is what
Frances Elliot wrote. |