Eastern Sicily Classic: Ragusa, Syracuse, and Taormina - Baroque treasures and stunning vistas

Ragusa embodies the splendour of Sicilian baroque, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake with an elegance that earned it UNESCO recognition. The city divides into two souls: Ragusa Ibla, the old quarter perched on a spur, is a jewel of lanes, noble palaces and stairways culminating in the Cathedral of San Giorgio, a masterpiece by Rosario Gagliardi; Ragusa Superiore, more modern, hosts the Cathedral of San Giovanni. The surroundings offer the landscapes of inland Sicily, dry-stone walls and farmsteads, while the coast at Marina di Ragusa offers beaches and sea. Iblean cuisine offers cheeses, Modica chocolate and hearty country dishes. Aristocratic and scenic, Ragusa enchants with its luminous baroque and authentic atmosphere.

Syracuse was one of the most powerful cities of the Greek world, and still today reveals its glorious past among ancient ruins and Sicilian baroque. The island of Ortigia, the historic heart linked to the mainland by bridges, weaves together lanes, squares and palaces facing the sea: here the cathedral rises on the remains of a Greek temple and Piazza del Duomo opens like a baroque drawing room. The Fountain of Arethusa, with its papyrus, evokes ancient legends. The Neapolis Archaeological Park guards the grand Greek Theatre, still a venue for classical performances, the Ear of Dionysius and the Roman Amphitheatre. Syracusan cuisine smells of fish, citrus and almond sweets. Captivating and luminous, Syracuse blends ancient splendour and Mediterranean charm in a rare harmony.

Taormina clings to a rocky balcony above the Ionian Sea, queen of Sicilian tourism since the nineteenth century. Its symbol is the Ancient Theatre, built by the Greeks and enlarged by the Romans, framing through its arches the view of smoking Mount Etna and the sea. Corso Umberto, lively with boutiques, cafés and medieval palaces, leads to Piazza IX Aprile, a panoramic terrace overlooking the gulf. Lush gardens such as the Parco Duca di Cesarò offer corners of peace, while the cable car descends to Mazzarò, home to the famous Isola Bella, a nature reserve linked to the coast by a thin strip of sand. Local cuisine combines fresh fish, granitas and almond sweets. Glamorous and elegant, Taormina enchants with its blend of ancient history, panoramas and Mediterranean sweet life.