Vendicari - hike along the coast

Easy hike along the coast of the Wildlife Sanctuary of Vendicari. The shallow lakes are popular stop over for migration birds even though the pink flamingos in recent years have stayed all year long. So you can be quite sure to spot them during the winter months.

The Nature reserve also includes a "Tonnara", the ruins of a former tuna factory. One of the most important income sources in the past.

Along the hike you also pass by some beautiful beaches. The sea stays warm until late December, then it cools down. But even during the coldest months the water temperature never drops below 15°C. So you may dare a quick dip into the water...

Calamosche beach

Ruins of the "Tonnara"

Winter hikes in Sicily

Winter in Sicily can be really mild. Sure, you can catch a week of pouring rain and the days are shorter. But most of the time weather is just wonderful, the sky is clear and the visibility is just incredible. You can see Mt. Etna from Siracusa and sometimes even Calabria on the mainland. So perfect weather to explore!

This winter I want to make the best of my free time, spend as much time outdoors as possible before the season starts and takes over the control of my time.

Here are some photographs of the hikes I did so far in the last weeks.

Plemmirio - Ortigia - Mt. Etna

Climiti mountains

Climiti mountains

Climiti mountains

My favourite rides 2019 - part 2

Cycling in my backyard

Over the summer it can get seriously hot in Sicily, so if you want to cycle you should get up early. You can cycle during the day, there is always a little breeze and with enough water the heat is manageable, but it is far more pleasant in the fresh air of the morning. So I set my alarm clock for 5.30 AM to be out on my bike not later than 6 AM.

Once you are out of town, the hinterland of Siracusa offers some truly great rides with nice climbs and fast descents. And there is almost no traffic. Quite likely, on a Sunday morning, you will meet more cyclists than cars!

Can you spot Mt. Etna? 

Fusco climb to Sortino

Anapo River

my vintage bike (don't worry, not one of the rentals)

On the way to meet a group, I stopped at this beautiful church in Ferla, the Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Abate. The left tower has been destroyed by the earthquake of 1908. Ferla is a tiny village on the Iblei Plateau and my favourite among them. On the short main street there are five churches, all beautifully restored in recent years. 

Next to the church is a bar with amazing Saffron icecream: Nuova Dolceria di Manuele Francesco on Corso Umberto 138, Ferla