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On the Sicilian route - from Palermo to Finale di Pollina

Author: Piotr Strugała
Category: Places to visit
On the Sicilian route - from Palermo to Finale di Pollina – main image

Sicily is the most populous island of the entire Mediterranean basin. The capital of the region is Palermo, but the town of Cefalu is considered the pearl of the Sicilian coast. Its name comes from the Greek "kefale" ("cape") as it lies at the foot of the mighty rock of La Rocca. The village of Finale di Pollina is also worth visiting.

Sicily is an island of great variety. Its southern ends include kilometer-long sandy beaches, while the northern area is rocky. Tourists are attracted to this region by towns full of monuments, clean beaches, beautiful landscapes, and the still active Mount Etna. Sicily is also famous for its excellent wines (eg Marsala) and delicious Cassate ice cream, made of ricotta cheese, candied fruit, pistachios, sugar and chocolate on a sponge cake. However, in Sicily it is worth visiting not only restaurants.

Walk the streets of Palermo

For fans of criminal stories, Palermo, the capital of the Sicily region, is associated primarily with the local mafia. However, there are other, much more attractive reasons to be interested in this city. The tourist center is concentrated in the old town, where we can find the 12th-century Cattedrale di Palermo , as well as the Norman Palace erected on the ruins of an Arab castle. It is also worth visiting the unusual Capella Palatina chapel, which was entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015.

People with strong nerves should be tempted to visit the famous Capuchin Catacombs , where about 8,000 are buried. mummified bodies of monks. However, when looking for relaxation and coolness, it is worth going to the Botanical Garden , located on via Lincoln - there you can admire exotic plants and trees from all over the world.

Cefalu - at the crossroads of Arab-Norman culture

Cefalu is a town with a very rich history. The settlement was established in the 5th century BC, traces of the first settlers were found in nearby caves. However, according to legend, in 1238 BC Hercules came to the cape and built temples here on the part of Jupiter. The town was ruled by the Greeks for many centuries, then by Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards. In 1064, after the conquest of Cefalu by the Normans, the town became an important center of Christianity in Sicily.

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The biggest attraction of Cefalu is the cathedral from the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries , built on the initiative of King Roger II, which is a combination of the Arab, Byzantine and Norman styles. In the town, it is worth going to the Mandralisca Museum , where the collections belonging to the scientist and patron of the arts - Baron Mandralisca Enrico Piranio have been collected. On the other hand, from the top of the La Rocca rock you can admire not only the magnificent panorama of the town, but also the remains of the Byzantine castle and its fortifications and megalithic ruins of the Temple of Diana .

Finale di Pollina and Village & Camping Rais Gerbi

A few kilometers from Cefalu, in the district of Palermo, is the tourist town of Finale di Pollina, famous for its beautiful beaches and clear sapphire sea. There are medieval watchtowers in the area. Finale di Pollina is a charming, quiet village close to the comfortable, well-equipped Village & Camping Rais Garbi resort, ideal for a getaway close to nature and a base for exploring the area. It is worth taking a closer look at the attractions of this campsite.

Village & Camping Rais Gerbi is a wonderful family resort surrounded by lush vegetation (mainly palm trees and oleanders), located in a small bay. There are 215 pitches in the campsite with water and electricity connections. You can also rent comfortable holiday homes here, and use air conditioning for an additional fee.

The center offers a lot of attractions for children , there are, among others. playground and mini club where animators organize various games and fun. In addition, the little ones can enjoy horse riding lessons, tennis courts and a football pitch.

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Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy canoeing, windsurfing or scuba diving. From Village & Camping Rais Gerbi it is close to a rocky beach which can be reached by comfortable stairs. In addition, the campsite has a multi-level swimming pool with sea views, which can also be admired from the sun loungers. Boat trips around the bay are available.

In the center you can eat a delicious dinner in a restaurant, use the fast food bar, and stock up on fresh bread and other food products in the mini-market. The campsite has facilities for the disabled (e.g. specially adapted toilet and shower) as well as a TV room, washing machines, internet and a safe. There is a regular disco for lovers of music and dance. Village & Camping Rais Garbi means high comfort, the possibility of admiring beautiful landscapes and the perfect place to rest after exploring Sicily.

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Piotr Strugała
Piotr Strugała

Italy, Croatia, Spain ... are the countries I would like to come back to every summer. I like to discover new places, whether it is a bustling capital city or a quiet town on a mountain slope.

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