Sicilia: Italy's Southernmost Region

Hills, volcanic mountains and coastal beaches that meet the sea: Sicilia packs natural and cultural marvels into one island. It is the southernmost region in Italy, and it keeps drawing travelers with ancient ruins, unique dialects and food and drink so distinctive that the island earned the nickname "God's Kitchen."

Before you plot your voyage, here is a short guide.

What to know

Sicilia is ringed by the Ionian, Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean seas. It is one large island — the largest in Italy — with many smaller isles along its shores. A Mediterranean crossroads, it has been inhabited for a very long time: anthropologists have dated cave drawings by the Sicani to 8000 B.C. Many civilizations ruled it, the Byzantines among them, until Italian unification in 1860. Those chapters of history soaked into the soil and created the unique culture that still captivates visitors.

Where to go

For nature, start with the still-smoking volcanoes, like the iconic Mount Etna in Catania. To see the region's biodiversity in one small area, visit the Aeolian Islands, an archipelago of seven islands across crystal-clear waters. This pairing of ancient land and sea is why Sicilia has been seducing visitors since Homer's Odyssey.

For culture, you won't have to wander far. The historic cities are full of archaeological wonders, from the Ancient Greek temples of Siracusa to the ninth-century palazzi of Palermo. And while the worn cobblestone streets evoke long-ago days, the region is alive and well. Visit Acireale during Carnevale for an especially rich and bustling experience. It is held in February and repeated, deliciously and perhaps unorthodoxly, in August.

What to taste

Citrus aromas drift on the breeze, and the climate suits fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood. The cuisine is known for flavorful, plentiful dishes built on simple, readily available ingredients. Many recipes now popular worldwide come from here, from savory arancini, risotto balls fried in breadcrumbs, to sweet cannoli, tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough filled with ricotta.

For a true Sicilian meal, pair bucatini con le sarde (long pasta with sardines) with a glass of wine from local varietals such as Grillo, Catarratto and Ansonica. Best enjoyed on a seaside patio in Sicilia, or pretend you're there with the flavors of "God's Kitchen."

Buon viaggio in Sicilia.