Directions to Alcantara Gorge: Take a left 9. at the NAS 1 gate. After about 3km, go Deemed somewhat of a western Taormina, TOP 10 SPOTS right and take the A19 to . After Erice has maintained its medieval feel with about 5km, take the Messina (A18) exit. Go the Pepoli and Venus castles. A lush park IN approximately 20km and exit at Giardini surrounds these castles. Other points of . Pay the toll and stay to the right. interest are the beautiful Mother Church on

Head inland, not toward the water. Follow Via Carvini, and Cordici Civic Museum in the signs to Gole Dell’Alcantara. Estimated Piazza Umberto. Driving Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Directions: Turn left from the NAS 1 gate. 2. MT. ETNA After about 3km, turn right towards the A19 The largest active volcano in Europe is headed to . Pass Palermo after definitely a must see! It is only a short drive approximately 2 hours. Go straight, following the signs for Trapani and the A29. from the Catania area. It provides 1. TAORMINA impressive views and lots of adventure for After about another hour of driving, take those who love the outdoors. See the many the Valderice exits and follow the signs for The loveliest city in Sicily and many say lava flows and hike the lower craters on Mt. Erice. even the entire country of . Taormina Etna South. There are daily excursions to has the most wonderful view of Mt. Etna the top. Shopping, a hotel, and sightseeing 10. EGADI ISLANDS and the Mediterranean. It’s a great place to spend the weekend. Or you can spend the are also available to visitors. You must have These three islands are another of the best- day shopping, eating, and enjoying the a guide to take you to the very top of the kept Sicilian hotspots. They are wonderful surroundings. Top sights to see are: the volcano. for swimming and sunbathing. The islands Greek amphitheater, Castelmola, the can be reached by hydrofoil from Trapani. aquarium, the Odeon, and the Cathedral. Directions: Mt. Etna Nord. Take a left The sea is the most amazing point of Also, a shore drive away, you can find the from the NAS 1 gate, and follow SS192 for interest! It is famous for tuna fishing in May Alcantara Gorge, Gole Dell’Alcantara. This about 3km. Get on the A19 (Catania- (mattanza). There are also Paleolithic caves is a spectacular gorge that is great for Palermo) going towards Catania. After that are great for viewing. The furthest picnics, hiking, or wading through the water. about 5km, get on the Tangenziale heading island, Marettimo, is known for its to the A18 (Catania-Messina). Exit at extraordinarily clear waters. Fuimefreddo, where you’ll pay a toll, and Directions: From the NAS 1 gate, take a follow the yellow signs for Mt. Etna. These left. After about 1km, take the A19 will lead you to Piano Provenanza. Autostrada toward Catania. Follow the signs to Catania/Messina and exit on the A18. Mt. Etna Sud. Exit right from the NAS 1 Take the exit for Taormina Sud (beach area) gate. After 1km, turn left toward Motta St. or Taormina Nord. Approximate driving Anastasia, following the blue or green signs time is 45 minutes to one hour. It’s to Catania. After Motta, turn left at the blue MWR Sigonella approximately 75km away. The A18 sign for Paterno and follow signs for PSC 812 Box 3390 between Taormina and Catania is a toll road Belpasso and Etna Sud. After the town of FPO, AE 09627-3390 in both directions. Park below the city at the Belpasso, follow signs for Etna Sud and public garage (Lumbi Parcheggio) and take Rifugio Sapienza. DSN: 624.4777 the free five-minute shuttle bus up into cOMMERCIAL: 011.39.095.86.4777 town. As is common throughout Sicily, shops are closed 1pm-3.30pm. 3. Piazza Armerina. For the Roman Villa, Directions: From the NAS 1 gate, turn left. This fantastic historical site simply must be follow signs for . After about 1km, catch the Autostrada A19 visited during your time on Sicily. Agrigento towards Catania. After the gas station, take is home to the Valley of the Temples, where 5. the next exit for Siracusa-Ragusa. Take the some of the most well-preserved Greek The natural beauty of these seven islands exit for Siracusa (after Siracusa Nord). temples in the world are located. The town creates a distinctive setting for a variety of Driving time is approximately 1 hour. also has some incredible churches and activities. The islands pose a natural beauty scenic views of the coast. Some of the nicest enhanced by endless beaches, bays, grottos, 7. PALERMO beaches can be found on the SS115. Be sure and inlets. Geological and volcanic At 2,700 years old, Palermo is perhaps the to see the temples, the cathedral, and the phenomena are abundant on all islands. most-conquered city of Italy. It was founded Santa Maria dei Greci church! There are plenty of lovely sites to go hiking, by the Phoenicians but named by the scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boarding, and ancient Greeks. Palermo became part of the Directions: Exit left from the NAS 1 gate. snorkeling. Roman Republic and eventually part of the After about 3km, go right and take the A19 Byzantine Empire. It was later under Arab Autostrada from Palermo. After about Directions: From NAS 1 gate, take a left. rule, which was followed by the Norman 90km, take the exit for . Go Then take a right after 1.5mi at the sign for conquest. In time, it would be united with straight toward Agrigento for the “Valle Dei Palermo highway. Follow the green sign for the kingdom of until the Italian Templi” (Valley of the Temples). After the Catania, about 4mi, until you see the exit for unification of 1960. The metropolitan area first exit for Agrigento, follow the yellow Catania/Messina A18. This takes you to of Palermo is the fifth most populated in sign for “Valle Dei Templi.” The town of Milazzo (about 2 hours). There are secure Italy. Agrigento is located on the hill above the parking garages in Milazzo where you can temples leave your car. It is not recommended to Directions: Exit left out of the NAS 1 gate. take your car to the islands, as they are only After about 3km, take the A19 Autostrada 4. PIAZZA ARMERINA allowed on Lipari. Regular ferry and towards Palermo. Stay on the A19 until you Nestled in the Erebit Mountains and hydrofoil service is available from Milazzo reach Palermo (180km, 2 hours). surrounded by pine and eucalyptus trees, year round. Ferries run more frequently Piazza Armerina is a beautiful sight. The during the summer months. 8. CEFALU incredible mosaics in the nearby Roman This is certainly one of Sicily’s hidden Villa del Casale make this one of the 6. SIRACUSA jewels. Cefalu has captivating views with foremost archeological sites in Sicily. Siracusa was once the most powerful city in fantastic sandy beaches. Don’t miss a walk Nearby are other wonderful archeological the western world. It was founded in 733 from Piazza Garibaldi along Corso Ruggiero sites at the Greek town of . BC and has some of the most amazing where you can see the church of Santa archeological artifacts. The Greek influence Maria della Catena and the Piazza Duomo Directions: Take a left from the NAS 1 represents only one part of Siracusa’s with the beautiful cathedral. Other points of gate. Take the A19 Catania-Palermo towards magnificent history. The area is alive with interest include the nearby towns of Palermo. After about an hour (54km), take culture and entertainment, rich in Castelbuono, Pollina, and Geraci Siculo. the exit for Mulinello and go right toward mythology and enchantment. Seafood Valguarnera-Piazza Armerina (a narrow restaurants are plentiful and offer delicious road). At the end of the road (about 5km), arrays of local cuisine. For more turn left. After another 500 meters, take information, visit: another left heading over a bridge. Then go www.bestofsicily.com/siracusa.htm straight on the SS117 towards Piazza Armerina. After about 23km, you will reach