Holiday hungry? Here’s why travelling to Sicily in winter is an absolute MUST this year
Virtu Ferries vows to stay true to its motto – travel made simple.
The end of October is drawing nearer, and cooler weather is finally settling over the Maltese islands (and the rest of the Mediterranean, for that matter).
With the first day of winter just under two months away, there really is nothing stopping us from getting into the festive spirit – and what better way to do so than by planning a cheeky vacation to Sicily?
December brings about its fair share of public holidays as well as a weeks-long break from school. In short, there’s literally nothing that can stop the travel bug from taking over.
With that being said, here are all the reasons why we believe that a trip to Sicily this winter season is an absolute must.
The winter fare
Italian and Sicilian food hold a special place in any Mediterranean’s heart.
The sheer seasonality of Sicilian cuisine means that whatever traditional dish you may choose to consume is made using nothing but the freshest local ingredients.
Winter, for example, is the perfect season to sample Sicily’s oranges, lemons, grapes, and mandarins. Produce aside, however, a trip to this Italian isle throughout the cold months will get you up close and personal with an array of mouth-wateringly decadent snacks and sweets.
Think oozing arancini, creamy cassatas, and moreish semifreddi. Make sure you’re sampling the best confections by heading to any local pasticceria.
The iconic towns
Many are those that regard Sicily as a summer destination and nothing else. Big mistake.
Checking out Sicilian towns throughout the colder months will reward you with a new perspective on spots you might have visited many times before.
Take Taormina, for example. This touristic hotspot has something for everyone and visiting it in the winter months will likely result in a less hectic holiday, sans unending flocks of summer tourists.
If you’re into the arts, make sure to check out Taormina’s Greek Theatre, as well as a couple of spots that once served as backdrops for cult classic The Godfather (like Vitelli Bar). If centuries-old places of worship are your cup of tea, then a visit to the Chiesa Madonna della Rocca is an absolute must.
History aside, Taormina houses plenty of stunning natural sites, such as the Alcantara Gorge, the nearby Aeolian Islands, and of course, Mount Etna. Speaking of nature, no visit to Taormina is complete without a quick stop at the Isola Bella Nature Reserve.
The winter sports
Adrenaline junky? Then Sicily’s got just what you’re looking for.
Mount Etna’s got not one, but two different skiing resorts boasting thrilling downhill slopes and stunning scenes of nature. Should you be planning a skiing holiday, we’d highly recommend heading to Mount Etna anytime between the final months of 2022 and the first few months of 2023 to enjoy excellent snow coverage.
If skiing’s not really your thing, worry not – there are plenty of other Etna-related activities you can get up to. Try your hand at high altitude trekking, if moving about is your thing, otherwise just sit back, relax, and enjoy some stunning views of unspoilt nature.
The Christmas cheer
Big on the festive season? You’re going to be absolutely spoilt for choice in Sicily.
This Italian island takes its festivities very seriously, so you can expect to find Christmas markets and villages scattered all over Sicily throughout December. Catania and Agrigento both offer impeccably traditional and authentic Christmas villages, whilst Ragusa’s version strikes a fine balance between tradition and modernity.
Now it wouldn’t really be Christmas without gifts, and you’ll be pleased to hear that there are plenty present-shopping opportunities around Sicily.
The quintessential Sicilia Outlet Village in Agira is home to an unending range of brands, covering anything from designer clothing and streetwear to makeup and jewellery. Centro Sicilia, situated just outside Catania, is home to some of Malta’s favourite clothing brands; we’re talking Primark, H&M, and Zara.
Got you raring to go on holiday? Then all that’s left is booking your journey!
For this step, we’d look no further than Virtu Ferries.
This highly regarded Sicily-Malta catamaran service will stop at nothing to keep its customers happy and satisfied. Testament to this is its latest ‘Family Plan’ offer.
With this top-notch deal, one child goes free with every paying adult (to pay charges and extra supplements, when applicable). Terms and conditions apply.
To learn more about the ‘Family Plan’ offer or to book your next big holiday, click here.
Travelling to Sicily with Virtu Ferries means choosing from a large selection of trips (sure to satisfy the busiest of schedules), boarding state-of-the-art vessels, and getting to and from your destination as quickly as can be.
In short, Virtu Ferries vows to stay true to its motto – travel made simple.
Get booking!
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