Goethe wrote “Sicily points me toward Asia and Africa, and it is no trivial thing to stand in person on the remarkable spot that has been the focus of so much of the world’s history“. Since the time of the Grand Tour, a journey in Sicily has represented a complete experience which satisfies both the senses and the mind. It should be carried out calmly at any time of the year, as the traveller searches for and experiences the rich cultural traditions and the ever-changing beauty of the territory’s nature.

Easter is celebrated throughout Sicily with processions and celebrations, such as “Madonna Vasa Vasa” in Modica and “Gioia” in Scicli.  At the end of April Modica celebrates its patron, Saint George, with an euphoric procession in which a statue of the Saint is carried throughout the town until late in the evening.  Spring is also the best time for trekking in nature reserves such as Cava d’Ispica or Vendicari.  Between May and June the Greek Theatre Festival is organized in Syracuse by the National Institute of Ancient Drama. At the end of May “Cantine Aperte” has wine as its protagonist and in the first half of June the Vittoria Jazz Festival is a meeting place for great national and international musicians. In mid-June in Ragusa “A tutto volume” is an annual reference point for the publishing world.

Summer is the perfect season to taste fresh tuna, for example at the Ortigia market or in the Marzamemi Tonnara. On June 29th Palazzolo Acreide celebrates its patron, Saint Paul, with a vibrant and explosive festival in which a statue of the saint, on a golden base, is carried through the streets of the village and during the procession infants from the crowds are given blessings. Between July and August “Effetto Noto” fills the city of Noto with music and artistic events. On August 10th, in the night of San Lorenzo, “Calici di Stelle” is a special opportunity to taste wine and local produce and attend concerts and exhibitions. In the first half of September the evocative setting of the Marzamemi Tonnara hosts the “Cinema di Frontiera” Film Festival.

Autumn brings calm after the excesses of summer and tells of the scent of new wine. In October, at the Ibla Buskers Festival, Ragusa Ibla is filled with street performers from all over the world and in Palazzolo Acreide the “Agrimontana” food event let you discover the genuine flavors of the Hyblaean Mountains. In November the “Strada del Cerasuolo di Vittoria” Association organizes “Cerasuolo2day” to celebrate this special red wine – a blend of Nero d’Avola and Frappato. In early December in Modica “Chocomodica” is the event that celebrates its famous chocolate. On December 17th Syracuse celebrates its patron, Saint Lucia, by carrying a statue of her in procession among the crowds from the Cathedral to the church of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro.

In the silence of winter it’s wonderful to walk on empty beaches like Sampieri. At Christmas Cava d’Ispica is the location for the most famous living nativity scene in Sicily. Its situation among rocks and caves will remind you of the biblical Bethlehem, while the ovens of the houses prepare the “giurgiulena” – a traditional winter sweet dating back to the Arab domination. In mid-February the small port of Donnalucata commemorates the escape of the Holy Family to Egypt with the “Cavalcata di San Giuseppe” with parades of horses displaying marvelous harnesses made with flowers. And “Gusto Mare Nero”, the enogastronomic event dedicated to the cuttlefish, takes place at the same time. During Carnival, when almond trees are blossoming, floats and masks invade the streets of Avola and Palazzolo Acreide and awaken souls waiting for Spring.