Finest for: historical lovers
Flight time: 3h10 minutes to Catania, which is around an hour’s drive from Syracuse
Train time: around 24 hr from London by means of Paris and Milan and consisting of a sleeper train throughout the Strait of Messenia to Sicily
In its Greco-Roman prime time, Syracuse was the world’s biggest and essential ancient city– and today, it’s house to a few of Europe’s most popular historical ruins. However this small, sun-drenched Sicilian city (a couple of years earlier, it taped Europe‘s highest-ever temperature level) is even more than the amount of its historic parts. With Mount Etna smouldering silently in the background, glassy Porto Grande Bay carefully curling around the city and a seductive mix of Baroque, Greek, Roman and Middle ages architecture loaded into the narrow streets, the setting itself does much of the talking. A fast hop throughout the water leads you to Ortigia, Syracuse’s historic centre, where the day-to-day grocery store is a hit on the senses and the modern dining establishments draw important recognition. In the summer season, increase early to snaffle an area on the little pebbly beach at Spiaggia di Cala Rossa, or settle in for a coffee and some people-watching in flashing Piazza Duomo. Following your nose is the only genuine method to check out, however whatever you do, ensure you discover your method to Antica Giudecca– their jumbo arancini balls are by far the very best street food in the area.
Where to remain: Spread throughout 2 beautifully-restored 19th-century palazzi, Hotel Gutwowski rests on the water’s edge in Ortigia. Ultra-minimalist, dreamy-creamy bed rooms keep an eye out over the shoreline, and there’s a beautiful roof balcony for absorbing the salted air.