Riposto – Catania : Km 32
The city containing the maximum expressions of Sicilian Baroque architecture (Via Etnea, the Cathedral, Via Crociferi, the Monastery of the Benedictines, the Massimo Bellini Theatre, Palazzo Biscari). Enriched by the remains of the most ancient civilisations, the Svevo Castle, the Greco-Roman Theatre, the Odeon, and the Roman Amphitheatre testify the coming and going of foreign dominations, violent earthquakes, and the rivers of lavic flow which submerged the city. Also worthy of note are the Bellini Gardens, the Verga museum, the Fishmarket and la fera o luni (a market rich in colours).
Riposto – Etna : Km 43
The highest active volcano in Europe. A complex unique eco system made up of continuous eruptions, centuries old forests, lunar landscapes, as well as flora and fauna unique in the world. And it has a Park with an enchanting landscape. Also worth visiting: Montagnola on the south of the crater, the most important occasional cone of Etna”, the Monti Silvestri formed in 1892, easy to reach from the Sapienza Hut; the Sommatali craters, and over 200 Grottos.
Riposto – Palermo : Km 241
Due to the dominations it suffered, among Sicilian towns and cities, Palermo is the richest in art and architecture; from Gothic to Baroque, from Art Nouveau to neoclassicism. The Arab domination was particularly important. It had an influence not only in terms of architecture and ‘botany’, but also on the culture of its inhabitants. The Teatro Massimo also numbers among the most famous monuments (the largest in Europe and famous for its perfect acoustics).
Riposto – Gole dell’ Alcantara: Km 19
In the course of thousands of years, the Alcantara river, flowing through its natural bed of basalt rock, excavated the impressive gorges, making the scenario truly unique. There cannot be a better landscape for those who love uncontaminated nature.
Riposto – Noto : Km 191
Noto, between Syracuse and Ragusa is the most famous Baroque town in Sicily. The town’s fascination is highly enhanced by the fact that it was built on marvellous yellow stone, which confers splendour to the palaces and churches, but the architecture itself is out of the ordinary! The most attractive characteristic of the palaces is the series of balconies bearing grotesque figures or animals, in turn supported by grotesque masks and angels’ heads wrapped in deeply engraved acanthus leaves.
Riposto – Taormina : Km 34
Pretty, enchanting, with a rich history, Taormina was the town most loved by the Roman Empire, which made it a province where the nobles spent their holidays. To this day, it is the town richest in tourists, it is famous all over the world for its panorama, sea and archaeology, with the famous Greco-Roman Theatre. Illustrious and noble people have visited this marvel. Today, Taomina also offers one of the most important film festivals, which every year attracts actors, directors and tourists from all parts of the world.
Riposto – Siracusa : Km 283
Cicero defined it the greatest and most beautiful Greek town. It has an extraordinary Archaeological Park, Dionysus’s Ear is marvellous, and the Greek Theatre. Worthy of a visit is also the Paolo Orsi archaeological Museum and the nearby baroque island of Ortigia.
Riposto – Acireale : Km 18
Noble and aristocratic, a proud ‘exhibition’, through its baroque architecture, the golden era of the 18th century. It is renowned for its Palaces and its 100 Bell towers. But above all, it is famous for its characteristic carnival, among the most renowned in Italy.
Riposto – Caltagirone : Km 106
Famous for its splendid ceramics and its particular architecture, Caltagirone offers tourists a unique spectacle of colours. Don’t miss the important “stairway”, characterised by the ceramic tiles, all hand decorated.
Riposto – Piazza Armerina : Km 131
It is famous all over the world for the superb Mosaics of the RomanVilla of the Casale. It is surrounded by forests of Eucalyptus trees, and goes back to the XIII century – you should also visit nearby Morgantina, an archaeological zone.
Riposto – Isole Eolie : Km 114
Islands with a savage appearance and coasts with gloomy colours, sheer over the sea, are followed by islands with gentle shapes and green slopes; large sterile squalid zones, extend side by side with fertile smiling gardens; inaccessible winding coasts follow, by antithesis, low welcoming beaches; small islands of bold shape, that are vigorously profiled in the sky, stand beside other flatter or slightly wave shaped islands. In addition to similar contrasts, some typical peculiarities, make all the archipelago interesting: cliffs, where nature indulged in whims to create strange, giant human and brutal shapes; split cliffs which imitate bold bridges and rampant arches; areas with a boiling sea (caused by underwater fumaroles); broad beaches dressed with all the colours of the iris (due to the exhalations of underwater fumaroles); rocks with a grid of fissures from which burning water gushes; hills with savage shapes emitting lava and projecting incandescent lapilluses and scoriae.
Riposto – Agrigento : Km201
An indispensable stage for those looking for knowledge of the Magna Grecia, an obligatory path for pilgrims with the western spirit, a votive place dear to the philosopher seeking knowledge also inside volcanoes, Agrigento is the meeting point of all civilisations which influenced the external and internal scenario of Sicily, and its proud inhabitants. The Valley of the Temples is Agrigento’s best known and most highly praised place: The monuments which stand there are what has remained from the ancient town of Akragas founded in the VI century BC, by Gela settlers and, in almost one hundred years, it became “the most beautiful town of mortals”.