​Jinglin & Lorenzo

What to do in Sicily?

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Noto is a good base to explore the Eastern Coast of the Island. If you have a car, you are no more than 1 hour drive from some of the most interesting things to do, sites to explore.

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                        The Best Beaches are all situated 15-30 minutes drive from the city centre:

 

Noto is surrounded by a large natural reserve called Vendicari. Within the reserve, you will be able to find some of Italy's finest natural beaches. The ones we like are:

 

•  Eloro

• Marianeddi (also sometimes called Marianelli or Marganelli in Italian. Marianeddi is the local name)

• Calamosche

• Tonnara di Vendicari ((it might stink of seaweed but it offers unforgettable panoramas during the sunset)

• Colonna Pizzuta (it might stink of sea weed)

• San Lorenzo

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If you are going to these places, please do not forget to bring water and food with you and take your rubbish away afterwards as no shops or rubbish bins are available. In Marianeddi and Tonnara di Vendicari you will need to leave the car in a parking space 1 km away from the shore in a paid parking space.

 

or if you are looking for a beach with some more human activity, you can explore the villages of Lido di Noto (sandy beaches) and Balata Calabernardo (cliffs).

 

                     

              Hiking and lakes: If you like climbing and jumping from 6 meters high cliffs in icy waters, you should check out:

 

- Cavagrande del Cassibile

- Cava Carosello, Concerie di Noto Antica

 

 

                         

                   Mount Etna:  Etna is the gigantic volcano that overlooks Catania. There are many agencies that organise guided tours. Please contact the Hotel Gagliardi concierge for more information.

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Winery visits – Jinglin’s recommendations:

 

In the past 10 years, a lot of wineries have sprout on the Etna and around the Noto region. To arrange a visit, it's best to give the producers a call. They all speak English. We recommend:

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Noto region:

 

Gulfi - I have never been there myself but I love their Nero d’Avola and its ‘right next door’ to Noto.

 

Gulfi:

Contact: Contrada Patria, Chiaramonte Gulfi, RG 97012, Italy

http://www.gulfi.it

Reservation: (0039) 932 928081 - open everyday from 12 -19h

 

 

Etna region:

 

I definitely recommend Bennati in the south of Etna -  the closest winery in Etna to Noto 

Salvo Foti (I Vigneri) - in Milo East of Etna (he makes the best Etna Bianco using Carricante grape, he used to make Pietramarina for Benanti). Also recommend Passopiciaro, Terre Nere, Pietradolce  in the North of Etna

 

From Noto to the North of Etna is about 2 hours - 2h30 drive. 

From Randazzo to North Etna winery zone is very difficult to drive to as no motorway available. We recommend to rent a manual and or smaller sized car.

 

Benanti: website in construction

Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 361, 95029 Viagrande CT, Italy

 

+39.095.7890928 (incoming and wine tastings)

info@benanti.it 

 

Salvo Foti:  Can pick you up from Milo city.

Write email to book: 

info@ivigneri.it

salvofotietna@gmail.com

 

Passopiciaro:

http://www.vinifranchetti.com/

Contrada Guardiola - 95012 CASTIGLIONE DI SICILIA (Catania)

LAT: 37.860523°, LON: 15.023503°

+39 0942395449 、 +39 3663589926 (mobile)

To book visit email: passopisciaro@vinifranchetti.com.

 

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Terre Nere:

http://www.tenutaterrenere.com

Address: Contrada Calderara, sn 

95036 Randazzo (CT) - Sicily - Italy

Phone: +39 095/924002 

To book a visit send email to visite@tenutaterrenere.com 

（Not open during weekend and holiday - might be closed during harvest season)

 

 

Frank Cornelissen： the crazy natural wine maker in Etna.

Cantina: Via Canonico Zumbo 1 - 95012 Passopisciaro (CT), Etna Nord

Contact Giacomo Bardazzi to book:

Public Relations & Estate Visits

Cell.: +39 392 2951504

 

Vittoria region:

 

 

Occhipinti - rustic and interesting natural approach wine - amazing cantina

Cos: delicious amphora red and white wine with indigenous grapes - traditional winemaking and natural wine, orange wine

They are very close to each other.

 

Near Vitoria region by the sea there s a delicious seafood restaurant called Sakalleo that is definitely worth trying: Piazza Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 12, 97019 Scoglitti RG, Italy

 

Occhipinti

http://www.agricolaocchipinti.it/en/

CANTINA Occhipinti

SP68 VITTORIA-PEDALINO KM 3,3

97019 VITTORIA (RG)

SICILIA, ITALIA

Tel： +39 0932 1865519

To book  a visit please email: INFO@AGRICOLAOCCHIPINTI.IT

 

Cos: 

SP3, Km 14,300, 97019 Vittoria RG, Italia

http://www.cosvittoria.it/en/#close

To book please email: locanda@cosvittoria.it

Opening hour: Monday-Friday 9.00-12.00/14.30-16.30

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                     Other cities: Around Noto, you could visit other Baroque cities. We recommend:

 

• Ragusa Ibla (45 mins drive): home to some of the most beautiful sceneries and restaurants in Sicily. One restaurant called "Duomo" holds two Michelin stars.

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•  Modica (45 mins drive): You could stop here on your way to Ragusa. Modica is famous for its quirky desserts: sandy chocolate that doesn't melt, and pig blood cocoa cookies are among the delicacies

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• Marzamemi (30 mins drive): a fishermen village famous for its restaurants and tuna slaughter houses. It’s the home of tuna based products: tuna eggs, tuna sausages, tuna sauces, tuna meat etc

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• Syracuse and Ortigia (40 mins drive): Syracuse is the closest proper city to Noto, capital of Greek Sicily around 3000 years ago. There you will be able to visit the Greek theatre (built 3 milleania ago but still used today for ancient and modern plays) and the Dyonisius ear, the old Greek prison built inside a mountain crack, famous for its terrific echo. The two sites are part of the same archeological park located at the entrance of the City. 

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• Ortigia is the “new” Baroque town built on an island connected to Syracuse via short marble bridges. Oritigia is the ideal place for a walk, a romantic dinner and fancy drinks.

 

• Catania (1 hour drive): It’s a classic Mediterranean university city. Maybe not very tourist friendly at first, but the perfect place for enjoying the Sicilian night life, street foods and art galleries.  

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• Taormina (1 hour 30 mins drive): Classic stop of posh tourism in the Island. Famous for its fancy beach resorts, its majestic Greek theatre, night life, restaurants, and 5 star hotels.

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• Palermo (3 hours 30 minutes drive on a good day): The capital of the Island. It’s a city of contrasts: aristocratic and rough, blessed by nature and extremely polluted, peaceful and chaotic. Its night markets, art galleries, street food, beaches, churches and mosque will make your stay unique. If you are planning to go there, plan carefully as it is not always safe. If you are around Palermo you may want to explore other places like: Monreale, Marsala, Bagheria, San Vito Lo Capo, Cefalu’ etc. 

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• Minor Islands: The entire island is surrounded by volcanic archipelagos and larger minor islands. 

1. Towards North, you may find the Eolian Islands: a group of 7 volcanos each animated by its unique culture: extremely lively and posh islands (like Panarea, Lipari, Stromboli, Vulcano) are sided by extremely quite and untouched other ones (Salina, Filicuti, Alicuti) [Direct boat connections from Milazzo (near Messina, 2 hour drive). You could arrange a sailing tour with an agency].

2. Towards South Lampedusa (direct flights from Catania, 20 mins flight or a couple of hours by boat from Pozzallo, 30 mins drive from Noto) or Pantelleria (direct flights from Palermo) offer unique natural reserves and sailings spots. 

3. Towards West, the Egadi archipelago is famous for its unique marine fauna (including Mediterranean seals!).