Sicily is the largest island (25,710 square km) in the southeastern Mediterranean Sea, the Sicilia Channel has divided it from Africa (Tunisia), while the Strait of Messina separates it from Calabria to the east. The island is bordered by the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north, the Ionian and the east, and the Sicilian Sea to the south-west.
Next to Sicily there are a number of archipelagos that belong administratively to the island: the Aeolian Islands, the Ustica Island, the Aegadian Islands, the Pantelleria Island and the Pelagian Islands. The mountain system comprises a part of the Apennines, Peloritanians, Nebrodians, Erei and Iblei.
In the southeast is Etna (3,323 m), the largest active volcano in Europe. The capital city of the island is Palermo (675,000), the island's population is about 5,100,000 inhabitants.

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Sicily is one of the most fascinating destinations in the Mediterranean, with a coastline of around a thousand kilometers, offering visitors the widest imaginable variety of terrestrial and marine environments: white sandy beaches, cliffs, small remote beaches, fantastic historic cities, baroque treasures. , volcanoes, world famous resorts, an interior enriched with the remains of ancient civilizations and the survival of centuries-old traditions.
Nature has given Sicily Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano, dramatic coastline and fertile soil. It is a land of breathtaking coasts and lush tropical vegetation, layered cultures, fallen empires, and ancient myths. There are huge Romanesque cathedrals, the best preserved Greek temples in the world, Roman amphitheaters and magnificent baroque palaces.
Sicily is an island full of history, sun and sea, a treasure trove of artistic and natural treasures. Cradle of ancient civilizations and rich in monuments and Arabic, Byzantine, Norman and Baroque architecture, reflecting the different cultures that have occurred over the centuries.
Sicily, in addition to its many historical references and archaeological sites, attracts tourists to its natural environment, its coastline and sea, the islands of the surrounding archipelagos, and natural wonders such as the largest volcano on the European continent, the Etna.
The tourism industry is a growing activity, the result of the presence in the territory of numerous archaeological sites (Morgantina, Agrigento (Valle dei Templi), Selinunte, Segesta, Tindari, Piazza Armerina (Villa Romana del Casale, Syracuse, Pantalica etc), splendid cathedrals. from the Norman period (Cefalù, Palermo, Monreale), Sicilian Baroque churches (Noto, Scicli, Modica, Ragusa Ibla etc), well-known localities such as Taormina, Caltagirone, Acireale, Syracuse, Palermo, Monreale, Cefalù.
Those interested in the scenery can choose from the nature reserves of Etna, Madonie and Nebrodi, the volcanic island of Pantelleria, and the archipelagos of the Pelagian, Aeolian and Aegadian islands.
Sicily is home to five UNESCO World Heritage sites, including several famous archaeological sites, such as the Archaeological Area of ​​Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, and the city of Syracuse with the Necropolis of Pantalica. Other UNESCO World Heritage sites include the late Baroque cities of Val di Noto in southeastern Sicily and the Aeolian Islands.

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Sicilian cuisine is Italian cuisine, but with its special peculiarities. Sicilian cuisine is very much based on the products of the countryside, sea, and livestock, a cuisine that can be seen in many local restaurants, a fusion cuisine with Italian and Jewish North African cuisine, resulting in a cuisine interesting.
The cuisine in Sicily is essentially Mediterranean, it is the fusion of many dishes, virgin olive oil, fresh meat, fish and seafood, vegetables that are the basis of Sicilian cuisine combined with pasta. For all this, it has influences of North African cuisine and Jewish cuisine.
Pizza, Carpaccio, Parmesan, fresh pasta, olive oil are the traditional ingredients and dishes in the local cuisine. In addition, in the island's tourist destinations you will find restaurants specializing in other cuisines, such as Moroccan cuisine, French cuisine, American cuisine or Asian cuisine. Restaurants with a little of everything, with a little more international cuisine.

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Sicily has a Mediterranean climate, one of the most beautiful in Europe, with mild, wet winters and hot and dry summers due to the sirocco, which is a hot, dry wind that blows from North Africa.
Summer is long, hot and dry. Spring and fall offer a continuation of the typical high summer temperatures, plus long hours of daylight and sunshine. Rain is mainly for the winter and fall months, especially those between October and January. Rainfall varies by island area, is generally higher along the north coast, where annual averages are around 700 mm, while on the rest of the island, rainfall decreases to between 300 and 400 mm per year. .
The southern part of the island is warmer and more arid. On the summit of Etna snow is usually present from December to April.
The Sicilian Sea is great for swimming from mid-May to November when the seawater temperature exceeds 20 ° C. In August, the sea temperature reaches 27 ° C.
The mild Mediterranean climate makes a pleasant trip to Sicily year round, but the best months to visit the island are April, May, June and September.

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