Holidays in Capo d’Orlando

Capo d’Orlando is located in the northern coast of Sicily, near Messina, overlooking the beautiful Isole Eolie. According to a legend, it was founded by one of the officers of Carlo Magno, Orlando to be precise, who chose this hill as the ideal place for building a castle, of which nowadays one can still admire the ruins and nearby the ancient walls of the fourteenth century.
Its urban planning looks very simple with its elegant streets and shops. It offers good accommodation facilities ranging from hotels, all kind of apartments, and Capo d’Orlando Sicily residences. It’s a great alternative to places like Milazzo and Cefalù to enjoy one’s holidays in Sicily exploring the Tyrrhenian coast with all its places, such as Brolo and Gioiosa Marea on one side, Cefalù and Palermo on the other side.
Sea and mountains. Capo d’Orlando is in fact the most popular seaside resort on the Tyrrhenian coast after Cefalù. Visitors choose it particularly for its beautiful beaches. Both sandy and rocky beaches extend along both sides of town. Behind the town there are the Monti Nebrodi dominating the landscape with their rich vegetation and the several wetlands, reaching a maximum height of 1847 meters above sea level.
Coming here from the mountains one can better appreciate the blue sea characterising the coast. It is very nice, for example, to visit the many little bays of the promenade of San Gregorio reaching the port and the long golden sandy beach of Testa di Monaco, surrounded by lush vegetation.

Discover the Ragusa coast

The province of Ragusa in south-eastern sicily, has a very attractive area, disseminated with towns and villages of great historical and artistic interest, related mainly to the presence of an excellent Baroque art. In the center of a territory mainly hilly there’s the Ibleo plateau. Special features are caves created by the rivers that run through the hills sloping down towards the sea. The coastline alternates very long sandy stretches at times interrupted by small rocky beaches.

On the Ragusa coast there are several coastal villages, which attract many summer vacationers, along with several Sicilian who settled their second homes right here. These are all hamlets of cities lying a little farer from the sea.

One of them is Santa Croce Camerina, 5 km far from the sea. It is located south west of Ragusa, which is 26 km far. The coastal villages that are part of the town are: Caucana, which houses a large Roman archaeological park; Casuzze, named for the houses of fishermen, Punta Secca, where there is a nice Norman tower and a lighthouse, Torre di Mezzo where there are the ruins of a coastal tower and finally Punta Braccetto, which contains the remains of a Norman tower.

These towns are now devoted to tourism and particularly related to fishing activities. They are ideal for simple and relaxing holiday with a large number of leisure facilities, and for those on holiday they offer Santa Croce Camerina Sicily holiday houses , suitable for families of for a group of friends. The recent fame they have gained is due to RAI television series “Il Commissario Montalbano”, from the novels of Andrea Camilleri. The house at the beach of the Commissioner is in fact situated precisely in one of these villages, Punta Secca.

In the vicinity of Santa Croce Camerina, just near the village of Scoglitti and at the mouth of Ippari river, there are the remains of the ancient and powerful colony of Syracuse Kamarina, founded in 598 BC. Nowadays the ruins, of great archaeological interest, are too small to illustrate the past greatness of the city to the visitor. You can still see some archaic tombs (seventh century BC) and the insignificant ruins of a temple dedicated to Minerva. Along the Ippari you can recognize the outline of the ancient harbour. The city is still recognizable in its original area by the remains of houses and pavements. In the nearby forest of Passo Marinaro can still be found the graves of a cemetery of the V – IV century BC.

For a trip a few miles away from the coast, in the ibleo inland lies one of the most prominent examples of Sicilian aristocratic residence, the Castle of Donnafugata, rebuilt in Gothic -Venician style – in the second half of the 800 on an original group probably of the fourteenth century. Around the castle there is one of the last remaining pieces of historical gardens in Sicily.

A weekend in Selinunte

Sicily never stops amazing! History and natural resources, an unmissable union that changes from area to area. The province of Trapani on the west of the island, is an area rich in artistic and archaeological resources and landscapes to admire, ranging from the hills to the sea to the islands.

The south west of the province of Trapani is one of the most fascinating archaeological treasures of Sicily. It is the ancient Selinunte, part of the City of Castelvetrano, along with the coastal hamlet of Marinella di Selinunte and Triscina di Selinunte. A small portion of the province of Trapani where spending a few days’ holiday. For your stay you can choose one of the hotels in Selinunte or of the residences in Selinunte Sicily, like Oasi di Selinunte Village Residence Club, a few steps from the archaeological site. If you want to spend your summer holidays on this coast we suggest the Selinunte Sicily holiday houses, like Apartments Club Triscinamare.

Selinunte lies on a plateau on the coast between Sciacca and Mazara del Vallo, between two rivers: Modione and Gorgo di Cottone. Founded by the inhabitants of the colony of Megara Iblea in the mid-seventh century, the last western Greek outpost, it was one of the most wealthy and powerful centres of the ancient world with 100,000 inhabitants. The spectacular ruins of the temples are the truly evidences of the great importance that it could reach.

Today, for the large area that it covers, this site represents the largest archaeological park in Europe and one of the most striking both for its location on a hill that looms over the sea and for the grandeur of archaeological remains. The archaeological site consists of the Acropolis, of the eastern hills, of the plateau of Contrada Manuzzi (north of the Acropolis), the sanctuary of Malophoros in the Gaggera district and two Necropolis (Manicalunga and Galera Bagliazzo). All materials used to build the temples derived from the nearby Cave of Cusa. The remains of seven monumental temples, various smaller temples, numerous altars and the temple of Demetra a Malophorus, are kept in the western part of the acropolis.

The visit to Selinunte is cannot be completed unless one goes to the magnificent beach straight below from which you can admire the temples on the hill in all their majestic splendor. Continuing for a few kilometers, towards Sciacca, it is worth admiring the dunes and the beautiful beach of the Natural Reserve of the mouth of the River Belice, generally not crowded. It is worth to be discovered within the Valle del Belice, a landscape of pastures, vineyards, olive groves and villages scattered among the hills.

Renting a house in Gioiosa Marea

Gioiosa Marea, in the province of Messina, is a seaside resort on the Tyrrhenian coast in front of the Aeolian Islands. It was founded after the 1783 earthquake and the famine of the following year, that obliged the inhabitants of Gioiosa Guardia, located on Mount Meliuso, to abandon their village and build a new one on the coast. In the souvenir of their old village, but also to distinguish the new one from it, they decided to call it Gioiosa Marea. Still today there are some underpasses that connect the two villages (and that soldiers covered to reach the coast) and, on the mount, the site with the ruins of Gioiosa Guardia, from where one can enjoy a breathtaking view.

Gioiosa Marea is really worth visiting: it offers it tourists some wonderful beaches, a fabulous sea and unforgettable sunset with the sun that plunges and then goes out into the sea. You absolutely have to visit the granitic stronghold of Capo Calavà, about 3km from the village centre, where some important tourist facilities are found.

Several and varied accommodation facilities are available. In particular we point out the offer of Gioiosa Marea holiday houses: Gioiosa Marea city center apartments, such as Apartment Roma (on the second floor and with a wide terrace), and Gioiosa Marea Sicily houses by the sea, such as Apartment Ilaria (which is only 10m from the beach); smaller and more discreet apartments, such as the 4 beds houses in Gioiosa Marea Sicily (for example Apartment Lucrezia, which is ideal couples with young children) or biggest houses, such as the 8 beds villas in Gioiosa Marea Sicily, among which we point out the splendid Villa Calavà, a two-floor house with all the comforts.

A holiday in Noto, the European Capital of Baroque

Noto Sicily, a tiny Baroque jewel in the province of Syracuse, is situated on a plateau overlooking the valley of Asinaro. Of very ancient origins, it was rebuilt after that the 1963, an earthquake completely destroyed the old city, which, prior to this tragic event, raised 10 km far.

For the reconstruction it was chosen a more flat, broad and smooth area, allowing to follow the dictates of the new baroque style so that the city had a simple, linear system.

UNESCO declared it the European Capital of Baroque and many Sicilian artist gave their support for the reconstruction. The way it was built gave the city a scenic look; beautiful, of a nearly still beauty, almost unreal, fake, harmonious, perfect…that’s the town where more than in any other place you can witness the apotheosis of the Baroque. Churches, monasteries, squares, fountains, palaces, with decorated facades, the putti, the balconies of wrought iron parapet, all made up with the white and soft local limestone, finely worked forming a spectacular ‘garden of stone’, enriched by the time that gave to this stone a beautiful pink-golden colour.

Only 5 kilometers far there is Noto Marina. The Lido di Noto, easy to find, has a fully equipped beach and it is directly accessible from the promenade. In the area there are also many other beautiful beaches, first of all Vendicari, the best known of the area from the environmental point of view. It is a very long white sandy beach, set in the naturalistic oasis of Vendicari; from the beach one can see the old tonnara on the left and the small island of Vendicari on the right.

Leaving for a holiday in Noto, therefore, may turn into an interesting experience in terms of both natural and architectural features.
The offer of noto sicily holiday houses is wide, mainly placed in Noto Marina. From the holiday houses by the sea in noto sicily to the noto sicily cottages with gardens, renting a house in Noto is undoubtedly the best way to enjoy your holiday in total independence and freedom.

A stay in Fiumefreddo di Sicilia

Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, is a town in the province of Catania, located on the eastern coast of Sicily and on the eastern side of the Etna.
The geographical location of the resort at the foot of Etna, overlooking the Ionian sea – which, in this part of the coast is particularly clean, thanks to the river Fiumefreddo which gives its name to the site and that is known for its pure clear and very cold waters, generating a bathing sea always pleasantly cool – and located in the beautiful Natural Reserve of the river Fiumefreddo, where the river itself has its source, make it a very popular tourist destination.
If you are oriented toward spending a holiday in some sicily apartments, there are several Fiumefreddo di Sicilia sicily holiday houses you can choose from, especially fiumefreddo di sicilia sicily houses between sea and mountains.

Fiumefreddo of Sicily, an important strategic point for the traffic connections in addition to being the perfect final destination that offers visitors beautiful scenery created by the rare combination of sea&mountain. Is also a convenient starting point for a stopover to the nearby and famous tourist centers such as Taormina and Giardini di Naxos.

The territory of Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, set within the green of tall poplar trees and groves of eucalyptus and butternuts in the northwestern part, is made of well cultivated hills that from the slopes of Etna down to the sea, where the land becomes flat up to the charming beach of Marina di Cottone which has received the prestigious “Blue Flag”over the last twenty years.

Even more important and worthy of consideration is the Natural Reserve of the river Fiumefreddo, established in 1984, the whole Sicily is proud of it.
The Reserve extends along the last part of the river involving an area of great natural and environmental importance.
The river Fiumefreddo flows from the north-eastern slopes of Etna. Its head, known for being the largest water source of Sicily, is powered by a large underground river fed by melting snow, which, because of the presence of a very porous volcanic soil, can penetrate great depths.

On the base of the land’s features emerged a marshy area near the coast, of which now remains, in addition to the Reserve of the river Fiumefreddo, the area bound by Pantano Gurna.
The area is very important from the local flora and fauna’s point of view. In this area there several aquatic plant species, typical of cold waters, that can’t be found in any other river in Sicily but also some specimen typical of tropical climates, which make the vegetation of this place unique. Of great interest there’s also the luxuriant forest vegetation that extends to the costal area. There are also many reptiles, amphibians and waterfowl.

Houses to rent in Capo d’Orlando

Capo d’Orlando is a very popular holiday destination in the province of Messina. A mainly tourist and commercial city, situated in a coastal hilly area, at 9 meters above sea level.

The first evidence of the presence of the city dates back to centuries. The town’s name dates back to Norman invasion and originates from the Carolingian Orlando in honor of a stop during a crusade in the Holy Land.

Capo d’Orlando excels primarily for the sea, very blue, with its rocks near the shore that create hidden coves and dreamy beaches.

In Capo d’Orlando is pleasant walking along the promenade that from the bay of St. Gregory leads to the port, visiting the ruins of the medieval castle that stands on top of the promontory of Capo d’Orlando; and also admiring the Sanctuary of Maria SS. Capo d’Orlando, which was built in 1598, standing near the ruins of the old walls of the castle dating back to fourteenth-century , and the Tower of Trappeto, dating from the fifteenth century.

Capo d’Orlando’s economy is based not only on trade, handicrafts and agriculture, but largely on tourism. In summer the population doubles, and the area reacts to this influx providing a wide range of tourist accommodation in Capo d’Orlando Sicily. The old town plays a vital role for the surrounding area, thanks to a wide range of services offered, also linked to the nightlife.

Among the accommodation facilities, we underline, as usual in this blog, the capo d’orlando sicily holiday houses.

The Apartment Azzurro 1, capo d’orlando sicily ground floor apartment with a veranda, overlooking the sea, the Apartment Azzurro 2, capo d’orlando sicily house with sea view, veranda and air conditioning and the Apartment Alessia, capo d’orlando sicily holiday house with garden only a few steps away from beach, and last but not least the Apartment Acquario, capo d’orlando sicily apartment with veranda and parking place at the ground level.

Another useful suggestion  to stay in Capo d’Orlando is to rent one of the  Mare Blu Apartments Capo d’Orlando, six apartments with all the comforts,  located in front of the sea and very close to the city-center.

Holiday houses in Scicli 2

Scicli is located in the south-eastern part of Sicily and it is dominated by Mount Iblei, in the province of Ragusa. It is not very far from the coast. It winds through the hills, the valley and the caves that nature has created in this area of Iblei. Destroyed by the earthquake of 1693, as other towns in the Valle di Noto, Scicli was surprisingly rebuilt palace after palace and church after church. Today is a welcoming town that shows its beautiful buildings typical of the Sicilian Baroque, as Beneventano Palace and Palazzo Fava. The ancient city stood on the hill of San Matteo, where even today there are the remains of a castle and the impressive church of San Matteo.

The position of Scicli is ideal both for exploring the wealth of the surrounding area as Modica, Ragusa – the whole province of Ragusa rich in art and history- Noto, Siracusa, and for going to the sea. Its coast is characterized by evocative villages and districts that with their simple beauty are in contrast with the splendors of the Ibleo baroque style. Today there are many facilities for tourists who come on sicily holiday – among other things, they are attracted by the fact that these are the sets of the famous Italian TV series “Commissario Montalbano” – and offer the possibility of relaxing in cheap facilities at the same time, especially if you choose to rent a house in scicli.

Among the villages on the coast – Sampieri, Donnalucata, Cava D’Aliga and Playa Grande – perhaps the most evocative and Sampieri, of ancient origins, with its small stone houses and picturesque alleys. It was once a fishing village but now it has taken a highly tourist vocation. On the reef of Pisciotta, just east of Sampieri, there is a fascinating example of industrial archeology, the Fornace Penna, an old factory for the production of bricks that was burned in 1924.

Cava d’Aliga and Playa Grande, are very young Townships devoted exclusively to tourism. Cava d’Aliga is perched on a hill overlooking the sea. The beach of the village is in a pretty sheltered bay protected on each side by two cliffs. On the promontory to the west of the beach lies the small town of Bruce, from which branches off the long beach reaching to Donnalucata. Playa Grande is mainly composed of houses surrounded by greenery. In front of it the beach stretches for a mile to the nearby nature reserve of the river Irminio.

Donnalucata has ancient origins. It lives mainly out of fishing and it takes place daily a small fish market near the pier. Its look is characterized by the low houses of fishermen. The two beaches complete the painting: a long avenue della Repubblica and the other, called “Micenci”, very long, including the extensive shore of Micenci, Spinasanta and Philippa.

Renting a house in Scicli 1

Scicli is a beautiful town situated in Ragusa province. It is rich in nature, landscapes and arts. It is surrounded by a valley rocky hills between, where three narrow valleys known as ‘quarries’ meet: that of S. Bartolomeo, S. Maria La Nova and Modica’s dry riverbed.

Scicli has ancient and uncertain origins. The most reliable theory is that it may derive from “Siclis” the name of the very first inhabitants of this land, the Sicilians, coming from Illiria. The first settlement was built on the hill, now called San Matteo, where one can still admire the remains of the castle and of the triangular tower, almost certainly used as a means of defense, and some cemeteries excavated in the rock.

Scicli, along with the towns of Caltagirone, Militello Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo, Ragusa Acreide, is among the Baroque towns of the Val di Noto, which were designated in June 2002 “World Heritage” and enter the UNESCO list of world heritage.

Its architecture is based on the principles of Baroque, with special care given to the arrangement of buildings, churches and urban plan which allowed Scicli to become the elegant baroque jewel it is nowadays.

Rich in baroque and neoclassic eighteenth-century styled palaces and churches, it has become an important tourist destination. There are several monuments worth to be visited such as, Palace Benevento, Palazzo Fava, Palazzo Spadaro, the Church of St. Matthew, the Church of St. Bartholomeo the Apostle, the Church of Santa Maria La Nova and the Convent of the Cross.

Scicli offers its visitors a wide choice of accommodation, particularly regarding Scicli holiday houses.

Depending on one’s tastes, needs and type of holiday, one can choose a comfortable house with veranda scicli or a scicli villa with pool or you can opt for a scicli house by the sea or a city center scicli house.

Relaxing on the beaches, discovering the old town or walking in his enchanted valleys, Scicli will in anyway give you a dreamy holiday!

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