Dione

Nearest Airport: Palermo Puntaraisi  1 h 11 min
Nearest serviced town: within walking distance
Nearest major city: Cefalu 15 min
Driving time estimated by Google Maps

The island of Sicily offers a number of wonderful places to visit on daytrips or excursions. In the northern area, you might want to include cities such as Palermo, Monreale, Cefalù, Castelbuono, Erice, Segesta, Marsala, and Trapani to your must-see. The eastern coast of the island is also worth exploring, starting from the famous cities of Taormina, Catania, Syracuse, Noto, and Ragusa and the utterly unforgettable volcanic peak of Mt. Etna. The extraordinary city of Palermo is the capital of Sicily, so beautiful that Maupassant described it as “the most beautiful religious jewelry dreamed by human thought”. Visit the richly decorated churches, the imposing monuments and lose yourself in the little streets of the historical center. Explore the archeological site of Segesta, once one of the most important fortified cities on the north Sicilian basin. Do not pass on Erice, the ancient medieval village rich in history and charm. If you venture up to Marsala, drive along the Salt Route and enjoy the burning sunset reflected on the lagoon of the salt mines. You will never forget it! And take note that Marsala, known as the “city of wine”, has been producing a sweet dessert wine of the same name for more than 200 years. Do not leave the island without at least a bottle of this liquid gold!

WHERE TO EAT
Trattoria Altri Tempi - Local dishes, old-style. Menus are written in Sicilian dialect but the staff is happy to translate! Excellent value for money.
Via Sammartino 65, Palermo - +39 091 323 480
Osteria dei Vespri - One of the most acclaimed restaurants in Palermo, offering a modern, highly original menu on the ground floor of the historical Palazzo Gangi.
Piazza Croce dei Vespri 6, Palermo (old town) - +39 091 617 1631
Antica Focacceria San Francesco - Serves very good meals upstairs and in the square (one of the most beautiful squares in Palermo), or typical Sicilian fast food during the day. Open for lunch and dinner.
Via A. Paternostro 58 (opposite the church San Francesco d’Assisi), Palermo - (+39) 091 320 264
Between Palermo and Cefalù, if you like artichokes, stop at Trattoria Nasca, a simple trattoria where the whole menus is based on artichokes cooked in lots of different ways!
Contrada Canna 1, Cerda - +39 091 899 2716
Fior di Sale - at the Saline Ettore Infersa, recommended for the good food, and in summer the breathtaking views over the Stagnone lagoon at sunset.
Contrada Ettore Infersa 36/A, Marsala - +39 0324 896 5988 or +39 0327 407 7156
Ristorante Monte San Giuliano – good typical dishes served in a rustic atmosphere. Outdoor dining available in summer. Try the busiate (local fresh pasta) with trapanese pesto enriched with potatoes and eggplants.
Vicolo San Rocco 7, Erice - +39 0923 869595

WHERE TO SHOP
Food – Sundried tomatoes, jams, honey and pistachio cream from Antichi Sapori di Sicilia - a company that expertly preserves flavors of the Trapani province.
C/da Granatello Ciappola 35/B, Marsala - +39 0923 733007
Ceramic – the town of Santo Stefano di Camastra, one hour drive east from Cefalù, bases its economy exclusively on the production of ceramics. It has ancient tradition on shapes and decoration. The clay used to create ceramics in this area is well known for the superior quality and it is sold in many of the shops along the streets of the city center.
Clothing – La Coppola Storta – a Company who transformed the coppola (a typical Sicilian flat hat) from mafia stereotype into a symbol of a region that is changing.
Via Bara all'Olivella, 74 Palermo - +39 091 324428
Jewelry – Platimiro Florenza - one of the last coral artisans able to create wearable artworks.
Via Osorio 36, Trapani - +39 0923 20785