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Alive and kicking during the springtime and the autumn, Siracusa is also a great place to visit in winter, for many good reasons. First, the vegetation: especially for those arriving from the North, the winter never ceases to amaze for the lush ficus, citrus and papyrus trees. Second, the tranquillity: a few closed restaurants and bars, a few limited visiting hours at museums and archaeological sites – you have to be well informed in advance, though. This is very rewarding since you can visit everything without crowds, in an almost intimate dimension. Third, the climate: warm coats and jackets are necessary, but when the sun comes out it feels like spring.
Founded in 734 BC, Siracusa became capital of Magna Greece in the 5th century BC, competing first with Athens and then with Rome. Praised by Cicero as the largest and most beautiful of all the Greek cities, it has had its share of many famous people: first of all, Archimedes, to whom a brand new multimedia museum (www.arkimedeion.it) is dedicated. In the peninsula of Ortigia, a real City Centre, there’s the Piazza Duomo, the ancient Acropolis, where you can also admire Caravaggio’s painting “Il seppellimento di Santa Lucia” (The burial of St. Lucy) – beloved patroness of the city – preserved in the Church with the same name. But every corner comes with a new surprise to discover, even nature ones.
The province has more than three millennia of history, with a rich cultural heritage, and the architecture offers a plethora of styles ranging from Greek to the Baroque era. In this area there is also the highest number of nature reserves of Sicily. The late Baroque cities of Val di Noto, Siracusa and the rupestral necropolis of Pantalica are all part of the UNESCO.
We would like to bring your attention to an interesting offer if you wish to stay for 3 nights in Siracusa, by March 30, 2012, with reservation from the website www.siracusadinverno.it: you can receive a contribution on the trip valid for any type of transportation means used (car, train, ship or airplane) up to a maximum amount of € 85 for every booked room; or, you can buy a roundtrip airfare ticket with Wind Jet for the price of € 85 per person including taxes and duties, applicable also for other people travelling with you (for example: 2 people x 3 nights in a 4-star hotel at € 160 + 2 flights a/r to € 170 = 165 euros per person). All the details of this offer in addition to photos and useful information for visiting the city and surrounding areas are available on the website.
Another interesting aspect is the dates of the flight may be different from that of the hotel reservation. Therefore you can decide to spend more time in Sicily where you want. However you must stay the three nights in Siracusa and take advantage of the “bonus”.
