Andiamo! | Citalia Magazine Volume 1 2024

Savouring
Sicily
with Helen Adamson
Citalia’s Managing Director shares the joy
of exploring Sicily at your own pace.
Despite being the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily is one of
those places where it feels like time has stopped. I’ve always found
Sicilian people to be so friendly and generous with their time. Whether
you’re in bustling Palermo, in a medieval hilltop town, or staying along
the dramatic coastline, the atmosphere always feels laid-back.
There’s such a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural splendour
to stitch together. That’s why, rather than sticking to just one spot, I
highly recommend you visit a couple of destinations so you can get a
better sense of the island’s diversity and get more out of your time.
Cefalù
I love Cefalù as it’s a real gem tucked away up on Sicily’s north coast.
It’s a town of two worlds really: you’ve got a lovely beach where azure
crystal-clear waters meet soft golden sands for a very relaxing beach
day, and then you’ve got the centro storico that’s oozing with charm.
It’s lovely to just wander around and soak up the scenery and
atmosphere of the narrow side streets with their ornate balconies. In the
centre, I find myself stopping often to pop into the many independent
shops, which are filled with local and handcrafted goodies.
If you feel adventurous then there are ample opportunities. You could
go on a scenic boat tour along the coastline to the Aeolian Islands,
or perhaps enjoy some watersports, but I am equally happy finding a
café in the cathedral square where I can watch the world go by with
an Aperol Spritz!
Taormina
For me, a holiday in Sicily is incomplete without visiting Taormina,
which sits on a cliff overlooking the glittering Ionian Sea on the eastern
coast. Its archaeological sites are enticing and draw you in with their
dramatic backdrops, from the Greco Roman amphitheatre to the Greek
ruins. It’s also a great town to just roam around and absorb all the
beautiful baroque churches and buildings.
You may recognise Taormina from the TV show The White Lotus, which
was filmed here in 2022. Taormina is undergoing a chic modernisation,
so it’s now not unusual to find designer boutiques like Dior and Louis
Vuitton, and elegant cocktail bars.
If you come across the popular Bam Bar, then I highly recommend
you join the long queue as it’s worth it for tasting the best traditional
granita (a refreshing and fruity shaved ice treat) that’s served with a
sweet brioche roll, which is a Catanian speciality. The café itself makes
for a pretty picture with its eclectic decoration of painted tiles!
Just before dusk I like to visit the botanical gardens, as this is where
musicians and singers gather for live performances, which I think always
wonderfully capture the essence of Sicily’s allure!
I recently had a return stay at Hotel Villa Belvedere, which has been
a popular hotel for our Citalia guests for many years and continues to
deliver with its welcoming hospitality. The views here are stunning: ​
when you head out to the swimming pool and turn back, you’re graced
with the most beautiful Italian villa with Juliet balconies, which is
framed by the surrounding countryside!
While I was in Taormina this time, I also took the liberty of going on a
few of Citalia’s newest private experiences.
My first one was of Taormina’s old theatre, where I was rewarded with
exquisite views that stretched as far as my eyes could see!
I particularly enjoyed my traditional cooking
class with an Italian nonna, where I learnt to
make ravioli, meatballs, and tiramisu, so that
I was able to return home with a few more
authentic Italian recipes under my apron!
In each destination, I suggest you plan a
walking tour for the day after you arrive so
that you can better orientate yourself. If you
find something that looks interesting enough
to go back and explore further then you can,
but it also means that you won’t miss out on
any of the best gems either.
Then I took a private tour of the surrounding countryside in a vintage
Fiat 500, which really made me feel like a Citalian!
One of the places we visited was the small village of Castelmola, which
feels like something out of an old film with its central square where an
old church sits.
When I entered, I noticed lots of little signs offering fertility, and good
luck, which I think I received when I was handed a glass of their famous
and delicious almond wine, which is locally known as the ‘elixir of love’!
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