La Pace dei Sensi

When urban sightseeing is called for, head to the ancient coast city of Syracuse (half an hour’s drive) to marvel at its baroque cathedral, built over an ancient Greek temple, and the vast amphitheatre. Take time to discover the UNESCO-listed islet of Ortigia, once a powerful Greek metropolis and connected to Syracuse by two bridges. Elegant baroque-era Noto (half an hour) has ornate palaces lining the main strip of Corso Vittorio Emanuele, and lots of smart pavement cafés for sipping espresso or local wine while indulging in a bit of people-watching. If you’d rather stick with the untamed Sicilian countryside, don the hiking boots to explore the canyon running through rugged Cavagrande del Cassibile Nature Reserve (15 minutes). Take a picnic to eat on the rocky banks of the River Cassibile, or take a dip in the cooling stepped waterfalls at Laghetti d’Avola (25 minutes) wild swimming spot. A day on the Ionian coastline could take in spectacular Vendicari Nature Reserve (50 minutes), a protected marine park known for its flocks of pink flamingoes and ancient Greek archaeological sites. The park’s sandy Calamosche Beach is a small and protected cove with shallow water that’s safe for swimming and snorkelling around the rocky shoreline.