Explore the Delightful Region Around Palermo
As the site of one of the two major international airports serving Sicily, villas in Palermo are often mentioned as a great base for travels to the province. From there, one has myriad choices to get around the island - from buses, taxis, and private cars to railway cars, domestic flights, and even cruise ships.
The region comprises nine provinces, ten major cities, and various islands, so one may be forgiven for feeling pressured to see as many locations and attractions as possible€"from Mount Etna in Catania to the Aolian Islands. To those seeking the €idyllic pastoral' side of Sicily€"villas ensconced in olive groves and agriturismo farmhouses, for example€"the bustling city of Palermo may seem quite mundane. However, possibly no other place can better showcase the diverse history and culture of Sicily: villas turned into B&Bs or trattorias, ancient cathedrals, bustling palazzos, ornate Baroque fountains, and mercatos overflowing with rich produce and hand-made treasures. Listed below are a few must-see attractions that will no doubt make any visitor yearn to stay longer in Palermo.
Sicilian Food
For those who are fans of Italian, and particularly Sicilian, food, this place is the jackpot! Whether one is just passing a few hours on the way to somewhere else, on a day trip to see the sights or holidaying in this great city, there will always be times during the day when food is the top priority. Many establishments around the area serve up the very best of the entire region.
Whether in a humble hole-in-the-wall or a posh trattoria, the sea plays a great part in the meals being served. Plenty of fresh seafood finds its ways to the tables, combined with many elements of the mainland's culinary styles. Pasta alla Norma is one of the first things that must be tried. This classic pasta dish makes use of fried eggplant, ricotta salata cheese, basil and tomato. Fish stew and lobster tagliatelle are also good options to sample the unmistakably fresh bounty from the sea. Then, do as the locals do and top off your meal with an espresso and a pastry!
Not Your Typical Accommodation
In Sicily, villas can mean anything from private homes to large palazzos and everything in between. A great example of an atypical accommodation is Villa Malfitano. It's half English and half Italian in design, built by the Yorkshire family that is said to have invented Marsala wine. Packed with antique furniture, magnificent objects and a tonne of the history of the island, Villa Malfitano is an attraction that offers not just great sights, but many unusual stories.
Get Out and Explore
According to experts, a visitor can spend as much as three months to half a year in Palermo without experiencing everything it has to offer. However, should you ever feel the need for a change or want to explore other parts of the region, the city has great travel and transportation options to help you do just that. The city is also a great base for short excursions or daytrips into nearby areas such as Cefal, Erice, Segesta, Agrigento, and other destinations of beauty around the island.
The region comprises nine provinces, ten major cities, and various islands, so one may be forgiven for feeling pressured to see as many locations and attractions as possible€"from Mount Etna in Catania to the Aolian Islands. To those seeking the €idyllic pastoral' side of Sicily€"villas ensconced in olive groves and agriturismo farmhouses, for example€"the bustling city of Palermo may seem quite mundane. However, possibly no other place can better showcase the diverse history and culture of Sicily: villas turned into B&Bs or trattorias, ancient cathedrals, bustling palazzos, ornate Baroque fountains, and mercatos overflowing with rich produce and hand-made treasures. Listed below are a few must-see attractions that will no doubt make any visitor yearn to stay longer in Palermo.
Sicilian Food
For those who are fans of Italian, and particularly Sicilian, food, this place is the jackpot! Whether one is just passing a few hours on the way to somewhere else, on a day trip to see the sights or holidaying in this great city, there will always be times during the day when food is the top priority. Many establishments around the area serve up the very best of the entire region.
Whether in a humble hole-in-the-wall or a posh trattoria, the sea plays a great part in the meals being served. Plenty of fresh seafood finds its ways to the tables, combined with many elements of the mainland's culinary styles. Pasta alla Norma is one of the first things that must be tried. This classic pasta dish makes use of fried eggplant, ricotta salata cheese, basil and tomato. Fish stew and lobster tagliatelle are also good options to sample the unmistakably fresh bounty from the sea. Then, do as the locals do and top off your meal with an espresso and a pastry!
Not Your Typical Accommodation
In Sicily, villas can mean anything from private homes to large palazzos and everything in between. A great example of an atypical accommodation is Villa Malfitano. It's half English and half Italian in design, built by the Yorkshire family that is said to have invented Marsala wine. Packed with antique furniture, magnificent objects and a tonne of the history of the island, Villa Malfitano is an attraction that offers not just great sights, but many unusual stories.
Get Out and Explore
According to experts, a visitor can spend as much as three months to half a year in Palermo without experiencing everything it has to offer. However, should you ever feel the need for a change or want to explore other parts of the region, the city has great travel and transportation options to help you do just that. The city is also a great base for short excursions or daytrips into nearby areas such as Cefal, Erice, Segesta, Agrigento, and other destinations of beauty around the island.
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