New Airport in Sicily

Author: K J S
When planning a holiday, straightforward access to information about possible choices is an important part of the process. It should only require a few clicks to discover the dream place that will forge wonderful memories; the amount of time busy professionals and parents can dedicate to this task is after all limited. As for the convenience of renting a house or booking flights and hotels on-line, it plays a major role. Finally, the global budget that can be allocated to the trip has to be considered and low-cost airlines can quickly become a favourite way of travelling, especially for families.
For the countries and regions that depend heavily on tourism as a mean of income, often primary, good infrastructures and easy connections to their beautiful landscapes and wonders are a must. The South of Europe is a prime example: Italy, Spain and Portugal have all earned the status of beloved destinations over the years and developed accordingly. A dense network of motorways, roads, trains and flights nowadays gives the eager traveller several options to get to the chosen vacation spot. The news that an additional airport in Sicily was about to become a reality was therefore very welcome.

The airport of Comiso opened at the end of May 2013, with perfect timing in regard of the holiday season. The first airline to announce its presence was low cost company Ryanair, with liaisons from Brussels Charleroi, London Stansted and Rome Ciampino. Charter flights from Malta are now also available and further airlines have announced flights in the near future.
This new civil airport was built on a NATO airbase that had fallen into disuse. The refurbishment work started back in 2004 and lasted five years. Its location in the Southeast part of Sicily makes it attractive to people dreaming about the magnificent beaches on offer. It is also an ideal base to visit the many wonderful baroque towns scattered around the island, such as Modica or Ragusa, as well as fascinating historical sites. Another advantage for Comiso is that it represents an alternative should the airport of Catania end up being temporarily closed due to ashes coming from Mount Etna. The car journey between the two airports only lasts about an hour.
Ryanair is obviously confident in the success of this new route also outside of the summer season, as the company has already announced it will be included into its winter schedule.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/flights-articles/new-airport-in-sicily-6703449.html
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Writer, blogger, social media & MarCom consultant. First novel in progress.

Sicily – A Land Of Contradictions

Article first published as Sicily - A Land of Contradictions on Technorati.

The picturesque miniature villages, forgotten by modern life and going about at a slower, somehow more genuine pace. The gorgeous sand beaches leading to waters so clear you can spot the details of the tiny fish swimming near the bottom of the sea. A culinary tradition of such richness  that every visit to this Italian island unveils new delights and entices you to come back again and again. Vibrant cities such as Palermo and Taormina, with their cultural heritage and many architectural wonders. Dramatic volcanoes, the Etna winning the prize of the most famous one, the green plain of Catania spreading under its looming shape. An abundance of citrus fruit, almonds and vegetables. A bountiful production of wine and oil, as well a thriving fishing trade. Add natural resources such as sulphur, gas and salt. Yes, Sicily has it all.

But this blessed part of our planet is also steeped in contradictions. Let's concentrate on a few in particular.

The majority of the population has of course elected to live in the coastal areas, the massive exodus resulting in the inner, rural territories being seriously under populated. This is unlikely to change and is creating an imbalance in the financial circumstances of the population. Did Dolce & Gabbana's three months casting in Sicily to discover non-professional models for their latest men summer collection included the whole territory? It would be interesting to know.

A little bundle of joy will soon be joining your family. As your pregnancy progresses, you will no doubt appreciate to find out that parking spaces are reserved especially for you. But will this delicate attention make you forget about the lack of pavement and how dangerous this makes walking in the streets? Not so sure.

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the Sicilian beaches are out of this world, and you will find that they are often not crowded at all, which definitely has its importance in making the experience an enjoyable one. You leave the seaside after soaking up the sun the whole day, feeling contented and relaxed. The last thing you fancy coming across are various heaps of garbage strewn around. Sadly, this might well be the case, casting an unpleasant shadow over your stay in heaven.

You will also almost certainly step into a beautiful grocery store that has retained the flair of an era long vanished. You find yourself unable to resist filling your basket with artisanal goodies, wrapped in colourful paper or moving gently inside an old-fashioned jar or bottle. The shock of the bill at the till will certainly make you leave your reverie at once.

Sicily, a land of many contradictions. But so worth discovering.

Egadi Islands - Favignana

Favignana, Marettimo and Levanzo are the names of the three principal Egadi Islands, located off the magnificent western coast of Sicily. This article focuses on Favignana, the largest one.

It is situated between Trapani and Marsala, and its proximity to Trapani international airport makes it easily accessible, while remaining unspoilt. It has a land area of about twenty square kilometres and the two plains on either side of a chain of hills have given Favignana its "butterfly" nickname. A tunnel running through the hills connects the two parts. The island is composed mostly of calcareous boulders, and visitors are also usually fascinated by the "cave di tufo", huge cavities which are the result of years of quarrying. These gaping holes can surprisingly conceal a precious area of greenery, or be filled with pretty pools of sea water. The most wondrous can be found around Scalo Cavallo, Bue Marino and Cala Rossa. The rugged coastline means that the beaches are often small and sometimes hard to access, but Favignana is a sought-after spot for all types of diving activities. Its turquoise waters have been protected by a marine reserve and there is no shortage of diving centres.

The main town, also called Favignana, is where the ferry stops. Built around a pretty port, it is dominated by Santa Caterina Fort, once a Saracen observatory post, nowadays in military hands. Facing the sea, the heritage of the rich Florio family, which used to be active in the production and export of Marsala wine as well as tuna fishing, can be found. It takes the shape of the Palazzo Florio and the tonnara (tuna fishery). Tuna fishing is still going strong, Favignana being one of the few places in Italy where the bloody mattanza method is still alive. It is however a historic ritual performed every year in May or June, and one of the principal tourist attractions.

Apart from scuba diving, snorkelling and swimming, other options include boat tours and cycling. You can hire your own craft, or participate in an excursion. Boatmen will also come to you spontaneously in the harbour, with ideas of a trip to secluded beaches or around the island. You can book a fishing trip too. With its flat landscape, exploring the island on a bike is popular. If you did not bring your own, you can hire one at a low cost without problem, and either set off alone or join a guided tour.

For sustenance, you have a choice between shops selling everything from tuna steaks to take-away pizze, or a wide range of restaurants. The prices are fair for a touristic place, and if you like fish and seafood you will be in heaven.

Are you after authenticity and unpretentious beauty? Then Favagna is for you.