Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The reserve, which boasts its own Swabian tower and an abandoned tuna-processing
plant, is an important marine environment, providing sanctuary to resident and migratory
birds, including the black-winged stilt, the stork, wild goose and flamingo. Observation
posts enable you to watch in relative comfort.
Villa Romana del Tellaro
( 338 9733084;
www.villaromanadeltellaro.com
; adult/reduced €6/3; 9am-7pm)
Going south towards
Pachino on the main SP19 brings you to this Roman villa harbouring some fascinating
mosaics. The villa was largely destroyed by fire in the 4th century, but painstaking excav-
ation has brought to light fragments of the original floor mosaics, which depict hunting
scenes and episodes from Greek mythology.
ROMAN SITE
La Corte del Sole
Cooking Lessons
( 320 820210;
www.lacortedelsole.it
; Contrada Bucachemi; per person €55-126)
Overlooking the green
fields of Eloro is this stylish hotel housed in a traditional Sicilian
masseria
(fortified farm-
house). A delightful place to stay, it also offers a range of activities including cooking les-
sons (from three hours €55) run by the hotel chef and, in winter, tours to study the 80 or
so types of wild orchids found in the area.
COOKING COURSE
TOP OF CHAPTER
Modica
POP 54,720 / ELEV 296M
With its steeply stacked medieval centre and spectacular baroque cathedral, Modica is one
of southern Sicily's most atmospheric towns. But unlike some of the other Unesco-listed
cities in the area, it doesn't package its treasures into a single easy-to-see street or central
piazza: rather, they are spread around the town and take some discovering. It can take a
little while to orientate yourself in Modica but once you've got the measure of the bustling
streets and steep staircases you'll find a warm, genuine town with a welcoming vibe and a
strong sense of pride.
An important Greek and Roman city, Modica's heyday came in the 14th century when,
as the personal fiefdom of the Chiaramonte family, it was one of the most powerful cities
in Sicily.
