Christmas at Sicily Italy, Croatia, Greece

Greek Ruins in Sicily

We’re accustomed to thinking about the Roman ruins that we might see when visiting Italy. Italy is, after all, where the Roman Empire got its start. But it sometimes comes as a surprise to find that, particularly in the southern part of the country, Italy is also home to some of the best-preserved Greek ruins as well. The Greek ruins on Sicily are some of the island’s most popular tourist attractions, and with good reason.
The Greeks occupied Sicily and much of the southern part of Italy starting in about 750 B.C.E., when this made up part of what was known as Magna Graecia. Their most important settlement was at present-day Syracuse (Siracusa, in Italian) on the southeastern coast of the island, so it’s not surprising that the oldest Greek temple on Sicily is in historic Syracuse on Ortygia Island. That 6th century B.C.E. temple is dedicated to Apollo, and was later used as a mosque and a Christian church. Also in Syracuse are the remains of a 5th century B.C.E. Greek temple dedicated to Athena that were incorporated into the city’s cathedral, and a Greek Theater at which plays are still staged.
The Greek Theater at Taormina is Sicily’s second-largest (the one at Syracuse being the largest), although it’s more popular with visitors thanks in large part to Taormina’s popularity as a seaside resort. Taormina’s theater dates from the 4th century B.C.E., and overlooks the town and the sea below. This theater is also still used for plays and other performances today. There is another Greek Theater in Segesta, which also has a well-preserved limestone Greek temple.
Perhaps the most famous Greek ruins in Sicily are the ones near Agrigento in the so-called Valley of the Temples (although it’s not a valley at all). Here, you’ll find the remains of seven different Greek temples – some of them are considered the best-preserved Greek temples in the world. The temples at this archaeological site range in age from the 6th to the 5th centuries B.C.E., and the Valley of the Temples is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sicily. The temples of Juno Lacinia and Concordia are the two best-preserved on the site. Another temple dedicated to Zeus is believed to have once been the largest Doric style Greek temple ever built, although it’s in ruins now.
Even if history isn’t your first sightseeing thought when you think of a Mediterranean island, you’d be well-served by a guided tour in Sicily that focuses at least in part on the Greek ruins on the island. Sicily is such a melting pot that understanding each of the cultures that left its mark on the island can go a long way toward understanding the people who live there today.

“The Godfather” Sites in Sicily

The first Godfather film is a Francis Ford Coppola classic, beloved by millions, and although the majority of the story takes place in New York there is an important Sicilian component. There are some critical scenes filmed in Sicily at locations you can still visit today, essentially unspoiled and looking as they did in the early 1970s when the movie was made.

Norman Architecture in Sicily

Sicily sometimes feels like one of the most “conquered” places in the world. Over the centuries, the island’s strategic position in the Mediterranean meant that it was invaded and then ruled by the Greeks, Romans, and Arabs before eventually becoming part of a unified Italy. Among the conquering cultures were the Normans, who ruled over Sicily from 1061 until 1194. They left behind many buildings that are still standing, with a unique version of Norman architecture in Sicily. Indeed, the Normans occupied most of southern Italy, so you’ll see examples of Norman architecture from this period on the mainland, too.

Christmas in Sicily

The Christmas season is a fun time to be in Italy, as it’s a major holiday on the Italian calendar. Each part of the country has its own twists on celebrations, including Sicily. What makes visiting Sicily at Christmastime especially nice is not just the festivities but also the fact that the weather is usually milder on the island than it is further north in the Italian mainland.

Messina: Things to Do

Messina serves as the gateway city to Sicily from the Italian mainland, sitting as it does just across the Straits of Messina from the Calabria region. But Messina is one of the largest cities in Italy, and has enough attractions to keep most people entertained for at least a couple of days. If you want to get off the regular tourist trail a bit, let everyone else pour further into Sicily from the port in Messina – you can stick around and see the sights.

Where to celebrate New Years Eve in Croatia

Croatia’s hard-partying reputation makes it one of the best places in Eastern Europe to see in the New Year and visiting Croatia in winter is a great time to save on flights and accommodation. Among the most popular places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Croatia is Dubrovnik, where many of the city’s clubs and hotels host special parties, and locals gather along the central Stradun, where they’ll be live music from traditional Croatian klapa bands and rock and pop acts, family-friendly entertainment and plenty of street food to keep you busy until the countdown to midnight.

Visiting Cavtat from Dubrovnik

Just 18km south of Dubrovnik, the tranquil coastal town of Cavtat makes a popular choice for a day trip and as Croatia’s southernmost town, it’s the starting point for ferries to islands like Kolocep, Lopud, Sipan, Lokrum, Supetar and Mljet. With regular buses and boats running down the coast, visiting Cavtat from Dubrovnik is easy, and you’ll have plenty of time to take the sights in a day.

Discovering Split’s Islands in Winter

Winter might seem like an odd time to visit Croatia’s liveliest beach resorts, but with dramatic reductions on flights and accommodation and milder temperatures than the rest of Europe, a surprising number of out-of-season travelers are venturing to the coastal city of Split. Many of the resorts and attractions of the summer months close down throughout the low season, but there are still regular ferries and discovering Split’s islands in winter offers a rare chance to enjoy their beauty unmarred by the tourist hoards.

Shopping in Zagreb

One look at the designer-label-clad locals and you’ll be in no doubt that Zagreb is a city that loves its fashion and with everything from homegrown designer boutiques to international high street chains, the capital is Croatia’s top shopping destination.

Walking Dubrovnik’s City Walls

There are few European cities as undeniably picturesque as Dubrovnik, with its remarkably preserved medieval city walls soaring above the coastal cliffs, a crumbling fortress looking over endless swathes of glittering blue ocean and an expanse of orange-tiled roofs laced together by marble-paved boulevards. Not only is this one of Croatia’s most beautiful walled towns, but it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and, most recently, a top filming location for HBO drama Game of Thrones.

Best Winter Destinations in Croatia

Croatia is all-to-often written off as a summer-only destination, but visiting out of season does have its advantages and winter in Croatia is the time to bag a serious bargain, make the most of the country’s many spas or enjoy sightseeing without the high season crowds. Whether you want to make the most of the snow with a skiing trip, enjoy the last of the sun along the Adriatic coast or celebrate the festive season in the capital – here are 5 of the best winter destinations in Croatia.

Romantic Things to Do in Split

Whether you’re seeking an idyllic destination for a couples weekend, planning a honeymoon cruise around the Mediterranean or just want to make some unforgettable memories, the dazzling ocean views, top-end restaurants and secret island retreats offer plenty romantic things to do in Split.

Reasons to Visit Dubrovnik in Autumn

The summer holidays might be over for most of us, but Dubrovnik still hasn’t lost its appeal and the pearl of the Adriatic makes an ideal choice for a fall getaway. Still not convinced? Here are 4 good reasons to visit Dubrovnik in autumn.

How to Spend One Day in Zagreb

It might be one of few Croatian holiday destinations without a beach, but what Zagreb lacks in sand and surf, it makes up for with timeless charm and an effortless sense of style, and it’s hard not to be won over by the lively capital. The city is split into two main areas – Donji Grad, the ‘Lower Town’, and Gornji Grad, the upper town – so with just one day in Zagreb, you’ll need to plan your itinerary carefully to maximize time and make sure you don’t miss anything.

Skopelos, the Mamma Mia! Island

Hidden away in the Northern Sporades east of Athens, the unspoiled island paradise that is Skopelos has shot to world fame thanks to the 2007 shooting of the record-breaking film version of the ABBA musical Mamma Mia!. Doubling up as the fictional Greek island ‘Kalokairi’ in the film, lush little Skopelos stole the show and fans went to great lengths to uncover its identity.

Ski Resorts in Greece

As the country is primarily considered a summer destination it comes as a surprise to many people that there are ski resorts in Greece. But in fact the Greek mainland is composed almost entirely of mountains and foothills, from the Peloponnese in the south to the north around Thessaloniki.

Christmas in Athens

Greece is a deeply religious country and accordingly celebrating Christmas in Athens is a solemn occasion centered around family and the Greek Orthodox church. Celebrations may be more muted than ever in 2013 following several years of austerity.