East Sicily trip

[David Pope]

A week tomorrow I'm heading to Sicily with Tim Syrad Wine Tours. We're staying in Syracuse/Siracusa. We are visiting five wineries: Occhipinti, Bastonaca, Costatino, Biondi, Marabino and possibly one other. I have heard of Occhipinti but not the others. Are there any wines that I should look out for, particularly those not available in the UK?

We're having lunch at three of the wineries and are also eating at Hotel Faraglino in Aci Castello and Perle d'Ortigia.

We will have a little spare time in Syracuse. Are there any restaurants or tourist attractions I should visit? Any good wine shops?

I have not visited Sicily before and I'm really looking forward to this.

 

[Rusnam Tano]

I know it's an obvious thing, but do try Cannoli in a few places - it's a food that for me, really doesn't travel well and the Cannoli I had in Sicily is one of my all time most memorable food memories, not at all re-lived with versions I've tried in the UK or elsewhere.

 

[Tim Carlyle]

I'm fortunate that I've been to that neck of the woods on several occasions because one of our shareholders has two estates near Cos/Occhipinti - won't mention them because of commercial interest - instead - my advice is to make sure you are 'doing local' - as David says Cannoli... again and again - every restaurant does them a little different - and I have never had a poor one... then also make sure you do stuff like Octopus - I'm not usually a massive fan - but here with the right chef... amazing. Ragusa Ibla is a terrific place to get to if you can.

This part of Sicily - Frappato is king - plus Nero d'Avola of course in DOCG like Cerasuolo di Vittoria. Don't expect Tuscan or Bordelais type finesse. Sicily is a rural place, with great deprivation, amazing produce but an island that is held by the mafia - whose hold is seen nowhere more than in rubbish being dumped in beautiful places..

 

[Nick Amis]

I had a brilliant day in Syracuse last year - incredible architecture, some nice bars and restaurants (we just used Google Maps to pick somewhere good near where we were at the time), two brilliant gelateria (Levante and Fiordilatte), and swimming in the sea off a platform right in the middle of the city.

We found this website very useful for tips of places to go Things to Do in Syracuse, Sicily and The Island of Ortigia | A Travel Guide — ALONG DUSTY ROADS

The best cannoli we had were freshly made by a place in Scicli called Cannolia, near a wonderful Baroque church. Definitely the fresher the better IMO.

As Tim says, Ragusa is also brilliant, as were Noto and Modica. You're in for a treat!

 

[Dave Dewhurst]

Another vote for Ragusa from me, stunning vista when you come in from the east. Decent food and wine too although that could be said for most of Sicily.

Cheers

Dave

 

[Julian Seers-Martin]

Benanti's tasting was good (albeit quite commercial) and I found their wines some of the most consistent performers that we had during our time there.

It's hard to go wrong in Sicily to be honest, basically everything we ate was fabulous. Particular star for me was the pistachio brioches for breakfast. Nuova Dolceria just before the bridge in Siracusa was easily the best coffee and breakfast pastries we had in our 10 days there last year. I would absolutely go there every day if I could!

 

[Gideon Davies]

Big tick for Ragusa. Lots of great restaurants, several swish * places if that is your thing. At a different level, We really loved I Bianchi: bakery by day, very reasonably priced restaurant by night. Specialities of swordfish and wonderful local pork; the pork on a bed of chick pea puree is the one meal I remember from my entire visit. Also a wonderful almond granita. Family friendly.

 

[David Pope]

Thanks for your suggestions. I don't think our itinerary will allow time to visit Ragusa but I will bear it in mind.

 

[Fletcher Clark]

We stayed on Ortigia. It’s a lovely stroll around and through the square with the old cathedral. The modern cathedral was my top Syracuse sight. Then there’s the Ear of Dionysius and the Greek amphitheatre.

When we were there plentiful sea urchin was being landed (and eaten!) on Ortigia. There’s a pasta (spaghetti I think) dish if you prefer it toned down and there’s always pasta alla norma if your sea urchin objection is conscientious or other.

There’s such wonderful produce, as has been said, you can’t go wrong with the tucker.

I recall an introduction to whole, steamed artichoke. I asked the waiter for verification when my partner showed me how to eat the leaves. I lacked trust having, not long before, been guided to eat a banana leaf along with the content.

I’d leave the cannoli (with the gun).

I’ve been on several of Tim’s tours, most recently last year to Piedmont. All good trips.

 

[Peta Radford]

Ortigia is lovely to stroll around.
If you can get out of Siracusa then visiting Ragusa and Noto is a must.
There is an excellent restaurant called Majore in a tiny hilltop town - Chiaramonte Gulfi

Have fun. I’d love to go back