Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DON'T MISS
BEST BEACHES
Stake a claim to a sandy patch of paradise at the following resorts and throw yourself into the swing of the Sicili-
an summer scene.
Cefalù
This wildly popular resort town balances magnificent cultural attractions with a beach scene that is as
renowned as Taormina's.
Oliveri
This sandy stretch of beach beneath the ancient settlement of Tyndaris hosts fewer holidaymakers than
many of its neighbours.
Sant'Agata di Militello
A garish funfair,
gelato
vendors, gentle waves and a seafront promenade just perfect for
the
passeggiata
(evening stroll) make this boisterous resort a popular choice for families.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Caccamo
Lorded over by its imposing
Castello di Caccamo
( 0918 14 92 52; adult/reduced €4/free; 9am-1pm
& 3-7pm Sat-Mon, 8.30am-1.30pm & 3-8pm Tue-Fri)
, this hilltop town is a popular day trip from both
Cefalù and Palermo. Though the area was settled in ancient times, Caccamo was officially
founded in 1093, when the Normans began building their fortress on a rocky spur of
Monte San Calogero. The castle was enlarged by the noble Chiaramonte family in the
14th century and is now one of Italy's largest and most impressive, with walls and fortific-
ations that originally included ingenious traps for any intruder who might have breached
the outer perimeter.
Beyond the castle's first gate, a ramp leads to a broad courtyard that gives access to
several monumental, sparsely decorated rooms, from which you can enjoy magnificent
views of the surrounding countryside.
Nestled in the shadow of the castle, accessed downhill from Corso Umberto I, is the
picturesque Piazza Duomo. It's home to an 11th-century
cathedral
known as the Chiesa
Madre, which is dedicated to St George. Remodelled twice (in 1477 and 1614), the
cathedral's sacristy has some lovely carvings of the
Madonna con bambino e angeli
(Madonna with Child and Angels) and
Santi Pietro e Paolo
(Sts Peter and Paul), both by
Francesco Laurana.
For lunch, make your way to the Slow Food-celebrated
A Castellana
(
091 814 86 67;
noon-2.30pm & 7-10pm Tue-Sun)
, located in the
www.castellana.it
;
Piazza dei Caduti 4; set menus €22-25;
