Sicily: The Key to Paradise

Sicily, traditionally regarded as a bridge between Italy and South Africa, is a unique place for holidays, permanent living or renting out, thanks to its amazing spots and pleasant weather. Indeed it is brimmed with archaeological areas, historic sights, sunny beaches and food of course. This means that a journey or stay in this magic land should definitely be on your list of ideal locations.

Highlights and favourite destinations are all along Agrigento with its wonderful Valley of the Temples, living proof of its ancient Hellenic domination and where at the moment sculptures of the contemporary artist Igor Mitoraj are displayed until November; Taormina which is a splendid renowned place perched on a cliff overlooking the sea and the Mount Etna, an active volcano but good for hiking or even skiing during the winter. Now tourists can also visit Isola Bella of Taormina, a delightful naturalistic museum open to the public just before this summer. In addition, be sure to tour other places of interest, for instance the cities of Siracusa and Palermo, the regional capital, which testifies its status as crossroads for various populations. Moreover you cannot ignore its numerous islands, namely Egadi, Aeolian and Pelagie Islands; Lampedusa, Ustica and Pantelleria Islands. Thus you will find out a treasure in every corner.

Lampedusa in particular has lately become the symbol of all the shadows that try to undermine the image of the splendid region which is Sicily. In fact in the last months it has been associated only with the arrival of massive groups of African immigrants on its shores. But the truth is that many efforts were made to keep the situation under control, so that now everything has reverted to normal and visitors are able to enjoy its crystalline waters and bewitched landscapes, hardly to find everywhere else.

What is more, Sicily is extremely captivating from a culinary point of view too. In effect, not only it boasts a wide variety of wines and grapes but also savoury and flavourful dishes including pasta con le sarde (pilchards), frittedda (peas, fava beans, artichokes); or desserts such as cannoli and cassata (both made with ricotta cheese and candied fruit), otherwise martorana (a form of marzipan).

Therefore if you want to buy a second home in Sicily do not wait any longer because in the last years Sicilian destinations are listed among the most popular as those of other region like Sardinia or Tuscany for example, so more and more people are appealed to this relatively new real estate market.
Being such a tourist region, property prices can be very high. However, if you fancy owning a home in some of the fantastic country-side of Sicily you can find very good bargains. You could buy for instance a nice 220 sq.m. stone house to be restored set in the wonderful country side just outside the baroque city of Vizzini for just €90,000, or maybe you prefer to restore a 60 sq.m. house with amazing views over the sea of Augusta, close to Syracuse, for sale at €70,000. If you are more the town type you might like a fancy house of 140 sq.m. in the centre of the famous town of Modica (popular also for its peculiar chocolate) with fantastic views of its charming cathedral for sale at €180,000, or if you prefer a historic apartment set in a palace of '800 with vaulted and frescoed ceilings in the very centre of Catania, this one goes for sale at €650,000 but it is all worth it.

Then what else to say, do not put it off but buy a home in the stunning island, you will not regret it!