Activities
Trips and tours
Thanks to mild climate (the average temperature in winter is 13°, in spring 20°, in summer 27° and in autumn 21°) trips and tours can be organised during the whole year.
You can start from Milazzo and visit the surrounding areas. The places we suggest to visit are the following:
Capo Milazzo
A peninsula - six kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide - starts from the town centre and stretches up to the Castle and past it revealing breathtaking scenery.
You can go on foot, by bus or ride a bike along the road flanking the sea, but you can also climb up the hill in the inner narrow lanes. The end of the peninsula is dominated by a light-house; from there you can admire a wonderful landscape on the Mount Etna, on the coast towards Palermo and Messina, as well as on the Aeolian Islands.
Taormina
Taormina is one of the most famous tourist places. A visit the Greek Theatre offers a breathtaking view over the Etna, the largest volcano of Europe. A walk along the main street enables tourists to appreciate the architectural features of old buildings where smart shops are located.
The narrow side lanes live at a more traditional and less tourist rhythm; from there you can appreciate unique landscape views. You cannot leave Taormina without tasting the granita (crushed ice-drinks) of the Bam Bar.
Castelmola
Going up the hill of Taormina you reach Castelmola, a silent and quite village with gorgeous landscape views over the blue sea and the Mount Etna. If you like tasting a good wine with an almond flavour go to the Bar Turrisi; there the very nice bar owners shall lead you through the antiquities of their bar which is famous for something really peculiar...
Messina
Besides the indications contained is some guidebooks, it is worth to spend an afternoon in Messina. Starting from the Norman Cathedral you can admire the architecture of the new part of the City which was rebuilt after the 1908 earthquake and the remains of the great prestige the city enjoyed in the Mediterranean in the past.
After visiting the Regional Museum where the works by Caravaggio, Montorsoli and Antonello da Messina are kept, you can go towards Capo Peloro - the extreme end of Sicily - an area with a marvellous landscape and a high mythological value: the myths of Scylla and Charybdis dominated the waters of the Straight of Messina for centuries.
Tindari
The archaeological site of Tindari is located at about 40 km from Milazzo, on the northern part of the coast towards Palermo, on a promontory overlooking the sea. The first settlement dates back to the IV century b.C. and since then it has always played a key role in the history and politics of the island.
In Tindari you can visit the old sanctuary of the black Madonna and the archaeological site with the Greek theatre, the thermal baths and the mono and polychromatic mosaics.
In late spring - between May and June - in the unique scenery of the Greek Theatre, Greek tragedies are played in their original style, making use of the perfect acoustics of the ancient structure.
Capo Calavà
Driving on from Tindari towards Palermo you can stop at Capo Calavà and have a swim in the sea; it is generally nice to refresh oneself with a swim after visiting Tindari and there you can enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Novara di Sicilia
The old city is entrenched at about 1000 meters above the sea level at the boundary between the Nebrodi and the Peloritani mountain chains. When the sky is clear you can admire a large part of Sicily: from the Aeolian Islands to the Straight of Messina up to the Etna. Walking along the lonely streets of the village you can perceive the taste of ancient and almost forgotten life rhythms.
During Carnival, an amusing competition takes place along the streets of the village: competitors strive to make their whole cheese roll along the streets covering the longest stretch without smashing it. The winner brings in the cheese of all the other competitors... and considering the genuineness of the product is really worth to be the winner!
Montalbano Elicona
It is an old town on the Nebrodi Mountains which developed around the Medieval Castle of Frederick II of Aragon. The Rocks of Argimusco, made of sandstone, have been shaped by the weather in to strange forms; they dominate the surrounding landscape characterised by a lush mountain vegetation. The view from the town of Etna and the volcanic islands of Vulcano and Stromboli, made people think that this was a place with a religious importance where ancient sacrificial rites were celebrated.
Aeolian Islands (Lipari Islands)
Seven volcanic islands emerging from the sea in front of the western shores of Milazzo make up the archipelago of the Aeolian Islands.
Vulcano is the nearest of them all and can be reached in less than one hour by boat. It is easy to climb up the volcano and in the height you can walk along the crater and observe the sulphurous activity of the volcano, which - although being apparently extinct - is carefully and constantly kept under observation.
Lipari gives the name to the archipelago and is the largest island, besides this fact it kept its life-style unaltered. It is worth visiting the archaeological museum, also rich in marine archaeology finds, helpful for understanding and reconstructing the historical facts, which characterised the area of Milazzo and the Aeolian Islands.
Vulcano and Lipari can be easily reached from Milazzo and you can spend a week-end there.
Salina, Panarea, Stromboli Alicudi and Filicudi, on the contrary, are further from Milazzo and a daily trip is not enough to visit a single island. Therefore, it is better to organise a trip with an overnight stay.
During the nice season it is possible to go on a minicruise organised twice a week by a local navigation company with departures from the port of Milazzo. From the boat you can "grasp" an idea of the landscape - not only the marine landscape - of the islands.
If you want to choose a more elegant and traditional way of visiting the Islands you can attend an Italian language course on a sailboat organised by our School. Living the rhythm of the sea, learning Italian and sailing among the volcanic Islands, you shall discover hidden bays and an ancient culture which will remain in your heart.
Syracuse
The old city centre is really fascinating with its baroque architecture. In Ortigia (old city centre) the Cathedral of Santa Lucia is a unique example of integration among different architectural styles. The archaeological site witnesses the presence of the Greek colonists and the role of paramount importance the city played during the Greek colonisation. In the museums of the city you can admire paintings by Caravaggio and Antonello da Messina as well as Greek sculptures. Just outside the city centre you can visit the Castello di Eurialo the largest and more comprehensive military building of the Greek period.
Cefalù
The most charming and best preserved Norman Cathedral, is located in this old town, which - together with Tindari and Milazzo - was one of the safest sea settlements during the pirates raids along the northern coast of Sicily. Walking on the rock of Cefalù you can admire the old roofs of red tiles from the above, which build up a nice chromatic contrast with the deep blue sea.
Palermo
You should spend more than one day in the capital of Sicily. However, if you arrive in Palermo in a weekday you can appreciate the city lifestyle and the friendliness of people by going around the local markets of Ballarò and the Vucciria.
The Cappella Palatina and the Palazzo dei Normanni, seat of the Regional Parliament shall enchant you with their wonderful mosaics, their paintings and their architecture. The body of Fredrick II of Swabia is buried in the Cathedral; the Emperor was known as the Stupor mundi and famous for his cultural versatility and in his short but intense life, chose Sicily as his country.
You can start from Milazzo and visit the surrounding areas. The places we suggest to visit are the following:
Capo Milazzo
A peninsula - six kilometres long and 2 kilometres wide - starts from the town centre and stretches up to the Castle and past it revealing breathtaking scenery.
You can go on foot, by bus or ride a bike along the road flanking the sea, but you can also climb up the hill in the inner narrow lanes. The end of the peninsula is dominated by a light-house; from there you can admire a wonderful landscape on the Mount Etna, on the coast towards Palermo and Messina, as well as on the Aeolian Islands.
Taormina
Taormina is one of the most famous tourist places. A visit the Greek Theatre offers a breathtaking view over the Etna, the largest volcano of Europe. A walk along the main street enables tourists to appreciate the architectural features of old buildings where smart shops are located.
The narrow side lanes live at a more traditional and less tourist rhythm; from there you can appreciate unique landscape views. You cannot leave Taormina without tasting the granita (crushed ice-drinks) of the Bam Bar.
Castelmola
Going up the hill of Taormina you reach Castelmola, a silent and quite village with gorgeous landscape views over the blue sea and the Mount Etna. If you like tasting a good wine with an almond flavour go to the Bar Turrisi; there the very nice bar owners shall lead you through the antiquities of their bar which is famous for something really peculiar...
Messina
Besides the indications contained is some guidebooks, it is worth to spend an afternoon in Messina. Starting from the Norman Cathedral you can admire the architecture of the new part of the City which was rebuilt after the 1908 earthquake and the remains of the great prestige the city enjoyed in the Mediterranean in the past.
After visiting the Regional Museum where the works by Caravaggio, Montorsoli and Antonello da Messina are kept, you can go towards Capo Peloro - the extreme end of Sicily - an area with a marvellous landscape and a high mythological value: the myths of Scylla and Charybdis dominated the waters of the Straight of Messina for centuries.
Tindari
The archaeological site of Tindari is located at about 40 km from Milazzo, on the northern part of the coast towards Palermo, on a promontory overlooking the sea. The first settlement dates back to the IV century b.C. and since then it has always played a key role in the history and politics of the island.
In Tindari you can visit the old sanctuary of the black Madonna and the archaeological site with the Greek theatre, the thermal baths and the mono and polychromatic mosaics.
In late spring - between May and June - in the unique scenery of the Greek Theatre, Greek tragedies are played in their original style, making use of the perfect acoustics of the ancient structure.
Capo Calavà
Driving on from Tindari towards Palermo you can stop at Capo Calavà and have a swim in the sea; it is generally nice to refresh oneself with a swim after visiting Tindari and there you can enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Novara di Sicilia
The old city is entrenched at about 1000 meters above the sea level at the boundary between the Nebrodi and the Peloritani mountain chains. When the sky is clear you can admire a large part of Sicily: from the Aeolian Islands to the Straight of Messina up to the Etna. Walking along the lonely streets of the village you can perceive the taste of ancient and almost forgotten life rhythms.
During Carnival, an amusing competition takes place along the streets of the village: competitors strive to make their whole cheese roll along the streets covering the longest stretch without smashing it. The winner brings in the cheese of all the other competitors... and considering the genuineness of the product is really worth to be the winner!
Montalbano Elicona
It is an old town on the Nebrodi Mountains which developed around the Medieval Castle of Frederick II of Aragon. The Rocks of Argimusco, made of sandstone, have been shaped by the weather in to strange forms; they dominate the surrounding landscape characterised by a lush mountain vegetation. The view from the town of Etna and the volcanic islands of Vulcano and Stromboli, made people think that this was a place with a religious importance where ancient sacrificial rites were celebrated.
Aeolian Islands (Lipari Islands)
Seven volcanic islands emerging from the sea in front of the western shores of Milazzo make up the archipelago of the Aeolian Islands.
Vulcano is the nearest of them all and can be reached in less than one hour by boat. It is easy to climb up the volcano and in the height you can walk along the crater and observe the sulphurous activity of the volcano, which - although being apparently extinct - is carefully and constantly kept under observation.
Lipari gives the name to the archipelago and is the largest island, besides this fact it kept its life-style unaltered. It is worth visiting the archaeological museum, also rich in marine archaeology finds, helpful for understanding and reconstructing the historical facts, which characterised the area of Milazzo and the Aeolian Islands.
Vulcano and Lipari can be easily reached from Milazzo and you can spend a week-end there.
Salina, Panarea, Stromboli Alicudi and Filicudi, on the contrary, are further from Milazzo and a daily trip is not enough to visit a single island. Therefore, it is better to organise a trip with an overnight stay.
During the nice season it is possible to go on a minicruise organised twice a week by a local navigation company with departures from the port of Milazzo. From the boat you can "grasp" an idea of the landscape - not only the marine landscape - of the islands.
If you want to choose a more elegant and traditional way of visiting the Islands you can attend an Italian language course on a sailboat organised by our School. Living the rhythm of the sea, learning Italian and sailing among the volcanic Islands, you shall discover hidden bays and an ancient culture which will remain in your heart.
Syracuse
The old city centre is really fascinating with its baroque architecture. In Ortigia (old city centre) the Cathedral of Santa Lucia is a unique example of integration among different architectural styles. The archaeological site witnesses the presence of the Greek colonists and the role of paramount importance the city played during the Greek colonisation. In the museums of the city you can admire paintings by Caravaggio and Antonello da Messina as well as Greek sculptures. Just outside the city centre you can visit the Castello di Eurialo the largest and more comprehensive military building of the Greek period.
Cefalù
The most charming and best preserved Norman Cathedral, is located in this old town, which - together with Tindari and Milazzo - was one of the safest sea settlements during the pirates raids along the northern coast of Sicily. Walking on the rock of Cefalù you can admire the old roofs of red tiles from the above, which build up a nice chromatic contrast with the deep blue sea.
Palermo
You should spend more than one day in the capital of Sicily. However, if you arrive in Palermo in a weekday you can appreciate the city lifestyle and the friendliness of people by going around the local markets of Ballarò and the Vucciria.
The Cappella Palatina and the Palazzo dei Normanni, seat of the Regional Parliament shall enchant you with their wonderful mosaics, their paintings and their architecture. The body of Fredrick II of Swabia is buried in the Cathedral; the Emperor was known as the Stupor mundi and famous for his cultural versatility and in his short but intense life, chose Sicily as his country.