Mediterranean Coast - Sicily - page 503

Driving Tour:
Temples, Art & Beaches
STARTSCIACCA
ENDLICATA
LENGTH150KM/THREE TO FOUR DAYS
Start in the lovely seaside town of Sciacca . After exploring the centre's many elegant palazzi , descend to
the working port for a lunch of fresh fish. Later, opt for a spa treatment or a stroll around the Castello Incantato,
where you'll see eccentric local art in natural surroundings. Some 30km east, at Eraclea Minoa , dip your
toes first into ancient history at the archaeological park and then into seawater at the eponymous beach. Follow
the green-coloured people and smother your self with rejuvenating clay at the mud rock. Further is the spectacular
Scala dei Turchi , a starchy-white rock formation in the shape of a giant staircase. It's a great place to watch
the sunset and have a picnic dinner.
The peak of the tour is Agrigento's Valley of the Temples ( Click here ), Sicily's greatest site. Take an en-
tire day to wander the expansive park. At the end, dine at one of the restaurants overlooking the temples, lit by
night lights and beaming over the valley. Don't miss the spectacular Farm Cultural Park ( Click here ) at
Favara, 14km northeast of Agrigento - this local art project has taken over an entire part of the historic centre of
the dilapidated town and injected vibrancy into the local community. Explore the beaches east of Agrigento and
take the slow road towards Gela, heading for the wild and unspoilt expanses along the Gela Riviera. Avoid the
town of Gela but, if you want some more ancient art, check out Capo Soprano ( Click here ) at its western
edge, where you'll find the town's ancient Greek fortifications and the ruins of Sicily's only surviving Greek
baths. Double back on the SS115 to end your tour at Licata , where the Michelin-starred restaurant Ristor-
ante La Madia awaits - considered one of Sicily's finest, it makes a great finale for the journey.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Caltabellotta
It's quite a drive up to Caltabellotta. Not so much because of the distances involved - it's
only 19km northeast of Sciacca - but because the road rises almost vertically as it winds
its way to the hilltop village at 949m above sea level. But make it to the top and you're re-
warded with some amazing panoramic views of 21 (apparently) surrounding villages. The
highest vantage point is the ruined Norman castle at the top of the village, where a peace
treaty was signed in 1302 ending the Sicilian Vespers. Viewed from here, the town's terra-
cotta roofs and grey houses appear to cling to the cliffside like a perfect mosaic. The town
was originally named Kal'at Bellut by the Arabs, meaning 'oak rock'. Below the castle,
the restored Chiesa Madre retains an original Gothic portal and pointed arches. On the edge