Page 292 - The Rough Guide of Sicily

their honey, perfumes or almond- or lemon-flavoured liqueurs.

ACCOMMODATION: FRANCAVILLA DI SICILIA

Hotel d’Orange d’Alcantara Via dei Mulini 0942 981 374, hoteldorange.it. On
the way into Francavilla from the Alcantara gorge, this friendly, family-run three-star

has a small pool and a restaurant-pizzeria; the hotel can rent you a car, book you onto
local tours and dispense advice about hikes in the area. Excellent deals via the
website. €55

Castiglione di Sicilia

The nicest place to stay (and eat) in the Alcantara valley is Castiglione di Sicilia.

Fused to a hilltop high above the valley, the town’s lovely weather-eroded houses
with pantiled roofs cluster below the remains of its castle. The numerous church
spires and the lofty, ruined rock-built castle make an inviting target as you approach
up the switchback road, and it’s easy to spend a couple of hours just wandering the
quiet streets of this old mountain settlement. You can meander up as far as a small

piazza at the top of town – with fabulous views of Etna – where there’s a flight of
steps leading up to the shattered castle, or Fortezza Greca (always open),
supposedly founded in the fifth century BC by Greek exiles from nearby Naxos and
offering grand panoramic views.

Just outside Castiglione in the valley below (and signposted from town) is a
perfectly restored Byzantine chapel known as La Cuba for its perfect symmetry.

Behind La Cuba, a path leads to the river where there are little waterfalls and pools.

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING: CASTIGLIONE DI
SICILIA

Alcantara Formaggi Via Federico II 0942 984 268. A small artisan cheese factory
where the Camiglia family produce and sell a range of traditional and inventive
cheeses, mostly made of local sheep’s milk. Mon–Sat 8am–1pm & 4.30–6pm.

Belvedere d’Alcantara 0942 984 037. A short walk beyond the piazza, and well
signposted all over town, this excellent restaurant has a rooftop terrace that takes full

advantage of the soaring views, as well as a €20 tourist menu and pizzas in the
evening. Tues–Sun, lunch & dinner.

Hotel Federico II Via Maggiore Baracca 2 0942 980 368,
hotelfedericosecondo.com. A chic, smart and reasonably priced little hotel with an
excellent restaurant just off the main piazza. The restaurant, Sine Tempore (daily lunch
& dinner; closed Wed if there are no hotel guests), serves local produce to great effect

in simple, tasty dishes. The mixed antipasto (€10) is a great way of trying lots of local