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news and special offers
| >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>SPECIAL OFFERS<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< |
| >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>LATEST NEWS<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< |
| Review Doug McKinlay's Trip to Sicily - The Times |
When Doug McKinlay of the The Times wanted to visit Sicily he turned to Open Sicily to assist him with choosing suitable accommodation. Doug wanted to stay in traditional Sicilian accommodation so choose various options from our Sicily farmhouse section. These included Baglio Fontana in Trapani Province, Baglio San Vincenzo in Agrigento Province & Sant’ Agata in Palermo Province. |
| New Ryanair flight launched from Liverpool to Trapani |
A new Ryanair flight has launched for 2010 between Liverpool and Trapani airport. This service offers twice weekly flights departing on Wednesdays and Sundays. This flight joins the 3 existing Ryanair flights into Trapani, which depart from Stansted, Luton & Dublin. . |
| Self Drive Tours of Sicily |
| An increasing number of our clients are looking for accommodation to enable a self-drive tour of Sicily. Set out below are a number of different accommodation recommendations that can be combined to create a tour of the Island.
Some of the sites worth visiting within the Province, include the Mediaeval hill-top town of Erice, the ancient theatre at Segesta, the Zingaro National Reserve, the coast and beaches near Scopello and San Vito Lo Capo, the Egardi Islands (hydrofoil from Trapani) and the towns of Marsala and Mazara del Vallo.
Duca di Castelmonte - this farmhouse is located a few kilometres from Trapani and offers self catering apartments on a b&b basis. It acts as an excellent base for touring Trapani and also has a swimming pool and restaurant. Prices start from £56 per night based on two adults sharing an apartment on a bed & breakfast basis.
Some of the highlights in this Province include the UNESCO listed Valley of the Temples, the historical site of Selinunte, the Roman spa town of Sciacca and the lovely beaches near Menfi.
Baglio San Vincenzo - located in Menfi this farmhouse offers b&b accommodation and a restaurant. Prices start from £60 per night based on two adults sharing a room on a bed & breakfast basis
Attractions include the Villa Romana, one of the best preserved examples of a Roman villa in Italy. Other areas of interest include the hill top town of Enna and Caltagirone, the ceramic capital of Sicily.
Gigliotto - located near Piazza Armerina, this farmhouse offers b&b accommodation, has a swimming pool and a restaurant with an excellent reputation. The cost of the accommodation starts from £58 per night based on two adults sharing a room on a bed & breakfast basis.
Siracusa has a host of historical sites and nearby towns to see. The old quarter of the city is called Ortigia, whilst the archaeological park includes the ancient Greek Theatre, one of the largest examples outside of Greece. Other sites include Pantalica, the largest necropolis in Europe, the Baroque town of Noto and Cava Grande, an area of outstanding natural beauty located near Avola.
Palazzo del Sale or Alla Giudecca. Palazzo del Sale is a b&b located in the heart of Ortigia, the old quarter of Siracusa,
whilst Alla Giudecca offers self catering apartments on a b&b basis and is also located in Ortigia. The cost of the Palazzo del Sale is £65 per night based on two adults sharing the room on a bed & breakfast basis, whilst Alla Giudecca is £86 per night once again based on two people sharing on a bed & breakfast basis.
Mount Etna is perhaps the most popular attraction in the Province, which in addition to the actice volcano, also offers a host of towns and villages on the lower slopes with unique architectures and history.
Le Cisterne - this farmhouse is located close to the town of Adrano on the lower slopes of Mount Etna, but within the confines of the National Park. It also offers a swimming pool and a restaurant. The cost of the accommodation starts from £80 per night based on two adults sharing a b&b room, or £86 per night for an apartment.
The Province includes Taormina, one of the premier resorts in Sicily and offers some lovely beaches. It can also be a good base for exploring Mount Etna. The Aeolian Islands fall under the Province and offer stunning scenery and beauty along with crystal clear seas. All of the Islands are connected by an excellent hydrofoil service (originating from Milazzo), so it is possible to Island hop and see as many of them as you want.
Hotel Bel Soggiorno - this is a 3 star family run hotel located within walking distance of Taormina town centre. The cost of the hotel is £94 per night based on two adults sharing a room on a bed & breakfast basis
Hotel Signum is located on the Island of Salina. The cost of the accommodation starts from £80 per night based on two adults sharing a standard room on a bed & breakfast basis. Superior and deluxe rooms are also available.
In addition to Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily, the Province also offers the beach resort of Cefalu, the beautiful cathedral at Monreale and the Madonie Mountains.
Susafa - this farmhouse offers lovely b&b accommodation and has a rural location in the heart of the Madonie Mountains. The cost of the accommodation is £65 per night based on two adults sharing the room on a bed & breakfast basis.
The accommodation above is only used as a guide and numerous other options exist. Our Travel Consultants will be happy to discuss your own individual requirements.
Please be aware that the prices quoted are generally for off peak periods. Please refer to the full accommodation description on our website for other pricing periods.
Many of the farmhouses and hotels operate a minimum stay requirement. Generally single and two night stays cannot be facilitated.
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| Two New World Hertage Sites in Sicily |
Siracusa and the Necropolis of Pantalica |
| New airport opening in Sicily 2008 |
A new airport is being built in Ragusa (Comiso airport) and is projected to be operative in 2010. |
| Easy Jet launch new flight to Sicily (Gatwick/Palermo) |
Easy Jet has just launched a new daily flight (commencing 18 June 2007) from Gatwick to Palermo, please refer to www.easyjet.com |
| Travel Map of Sicily |
Sicilian travel guide & map of Sicily Italy |
| Lonely Planet - Sicily |
by Alta MacAdam (Author), Sicily Macadam (Author) Comprehensive and detailed book that covers it all. Drawings of the greek temples of Agrigento, Selinute and Segesta. Maps of what the sites would have looked like. Explanations of the dozens of layers of history and conquest that is Sicily's legacy. 319 pages of well layed out information in a region by region basis. Good overview of transporation options and how to get to the more remote sites. Good color map section in the back. |
| Blue Guide to Sicily |
by Ellen Grady (Author) |
| Open Sicily accept most major credit and debit cards |
Open Sicily can accept payment by credit or debit card including American Express. Please be aware that for credit card transactions a 2.5% surcharge is levied whereas debit card transactions are free of charge. |
| Sicilian Wines |
Wines of Sicily by Kate Singleton (McRae Books) Wines of Sicily website Visit: www.winesofsicily.info |
| Rail Tour around Mount Etna |
Circumetnea is a narrow railroad track operating since 1859 that goes around Mount Etna, among the lava trenches and citrus orchard, unravelling all its most peculiar secrets. It is a fascinating way to discover the imposing scenery of Etna and to explore the towns that for centuries have been perched on the slopes of the great volcano. On Sundays you have the option of taking a tour organized by the Etna Wine Route Association. A trip aboard an old 1937 railcar will get you to visit some wineries where you will savour Etna wines and other local products. Departure and journey termination is at Riposto. Travellers Information Center - info@circumetnea.it |
| >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>UPCOMING EVENTS IN SICILY<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< |
| Eurochocolate - Modica April 2009 |
The 2008 spring edition of Eurochocolate, Modicamente, takes place in Modica, a splendid baroque town near Ragusa in Sicily. Adopting the "White Night" formula, events on the opening night (23 April) continue until the early hours. The following days feature a combination of art, sightseeing, games and competitions. Previous editions have included city tours with strategic pit-stops for chocolate sampling, a chocolate sculpture exhibition, a design exhibition reinterpreting the traditional chocolate bar and film screenings, among many other tasty activities. Related Information Website:Eurochocolate Website |
| Performances at the Greek Theatre, Siracusa - 9 May - 21 June 2009 |
Each year, live performances of "classic tragedies" are held at the ancient Greek Theatre in Siracusa. This year the planned performances are Medea and Edipo a Colono which will run between 9 May and 21 June. For full details of the shows and the performance dates please speak to one of our Travel Consultants. |
| Flower Festival - May 2009 |
Every year the last week of May is dedicated to l'infiorata of the city of Noto, an event in which this year is affiliated with the national lottery ( the infiorata lottery of Noto ). This event Is one of the best events on the Island of Sicily.It came about 20 years ago when Gezanese and Noto artists met and it is right at Genzano in the Province of Rome that this beautiful picturesque Technique is developed.Corrado Nicolaci is the street in which l'infiorata is born, the impact is strong where the church of Montevergini is opposed to the Palace of Prince Nicolaci "Villa dorata" With balconies which have been defined as the most beautiful in the world. |
| Teatro Massimo - Palermo |
Palermo's famous Teatro Massimo is located in Piazza G Verdi, in the heart of Palermo. It offers visitors to the city the chance to experience classical opera, ballet as well as pop concerts. For this season's current schedule please refer to: www.teatromassimo.it or call on (0039) 091 6053111 |
| >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>ANNUAL EVENTS IN SICILY<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< |
| Spring events in Sicily (Mar - May) |
Skiing on the slopes of Mount Etna - 22 Dec - 21 Mar Bread festival - Easter week Days of suffering - Easter week - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Devils dance - Easter week - Sunday Classic theatre in open-air greek theatre - May Egadi week - May Flower festival - May |
| Summer events in Sicily (Jun - Aug) |
International tennis tournament - June Strawberry and berry festival - June The Taormina Internation Film festival - June (tbc) Verdura festival - 25 Jun - 10 Aug (tbc) WOMAD Festifal - July (tbc) Festa di Santa Rosalia - July Pepper festival - July International Medieval and Renaissance Music week - July Festa di San Giuseppe - July Festa di San Giacomo - 24th & 25th July Wheat festival - 1st - 10th August |
| Autumn events in Sicily (Sep - Nov) |
Honey Festival - September/October Bread festival - September Sausage festival - September The Couscous Festival - 25-30 September Grape festival - September Horsemanship cup - September Bellini festival - Opera festival - September Etna wines - September Peach festival - October Extempora Antiques' fair - October 20th Century festival - October Ottobrata - local produce fair - October Religious music week - November |
| Winter events in Sicily (Dec - Feb) |
Handicrafts fair - December Festa di Santa Lucia - 13th December Christmas in Taormina - December / January Morgana festival - January / February Almond festival - February Carnival - 25-28 February Sausage, pastry and trout festival - February |
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July 31, 2010, 9:37 pm |
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