Terrasini, Sicilia (November 2022)
On Tuesday, 8th November, 2022, Marika and I traveled across Sicily, from Taormina on the east coast, down to Catania, over to Palermo and out to the Palermo airport. Marika was catching a flight back to France, I'm staying in Sicily for a bit longer.
Terrasini is only a 25 minute drive from the Palermo airport, but it's a pain to get between the two on public transport. Fortunately, my AirBnB host offered to give me a lift.
Terrasini is a cute little city. In November, it feels like it's mostly locals here.
I'm here for a week, staying in this great AirBnB. It has a fantastic terrace, where I can work with a sea view. It overlooks a fountain and a statue of the Fiesta di lie Schiette. I'm surrounded by small caffes and restauratns. A a minute away from this gorgeous beach.
Downsides: Every day, the church opposite will ring there bells very loudly. Also cars playing music reverberating off the walls.
Running
I got back into running while I was here. There is a 3 mile stretch of road that follows the coast which is quite pleasant to run along. Quite a few other runners about and people just out for a walk.
Swimming
I love visiting the little beach, La Praiola. The city is about 30m above sea level, so you first get this great view down into the cove before walking down the steps.
The beach is pretty small, but always quiet, sometimes I'm the only person down there. Because it is surrounded by cliffs, the sunsets a bit earlier, so I'm normally there around 4pm to sit on the eastern side and catch the last rays.
The water is quite shallow, with a soft sandy floor. I never saw any waves out there, great for just floating around and relaxing.
It's also a great beach for skipping stones. There are plenty of flat smooth stones in the sand.
Food
This AirBnB has a great outdoor kitchen on the terrace, so I've been cooking meals this week. I haven't found in hummus in the supermarkets here. Mostly eating ravioli topped with grilled vegetables.
- Bottega 89
- Caffe right next door to the AirBnB, also happens to be one of the best places here. Great coffee and selection of pastries.
- Gelateria Vernaci
- Dangerously good gelato, best place I've seen in Sicily. Ice cream is all kept inside the tubs, so you know it's good. Great range of toppings.
- U Cuoppu Ra Favarotta
- €5 euro for a pretty decent pizza margherita
- Ouh lá lá
- French restaurant, also next door, with decent reviews. Haven't been here yet though.
Festa di li Schietti
I would like to return to Terrasini at Easter and witness the "Feast of Il Schietti".
The Li Schietti festival, which is unlike any other festival anywhere, attracts thousands of enthusiastic visitors every year. The star of the festival is a tree. The test of skill features a young man or schetto (bachelor) showing off his ability and strength to impress and win the heart of the girl he loves. To accomplish this he must pick up a 50-55 kg orange tree, raise it over his head and, with one hand, twirl it for as long as possible as a show of his strength and virility. The festival is not an old one and dates to the late 1800s – early 1900s. It recalls pagan spring festivals held in honour of Adonis and connects the beginning of the equinox with Easter and the triumph of new life.
Terrasini AirBnB
8nights
55 NZDper night
Fantastic place to stay.
