Ragusa area

The province of Ragusa, in the south-east of Sicily, with its baroque towns and sun-kissed scenery, traditions and cuisine, boasts the highest number of UNESCO world heritage sites on the island. The heart of the historic town itself, rising between two valleys, is Ragusa Ibla with its imposing cathedral of St. George, its steps and alleyways, wonderful churches and aristocratic buildings. Alongside Ragusa, seven other towns in the Val di Noto area are UNESCO sites, built in late baroque style following the earthquake in 1693. Nearby Modica, which also has a cathedral of St. George, is famous for its traditional handmade cold-worked chocolate. Equally charming and beautiful is Scicli, a lively town renowned for its art and culture. The peaceful natural landscape of the Ragusa area with its old dry-stone walls perfectly frames the charming towns and villages and makes for a perfect holiday. The sea is never far away with golden sandy beaches such as those of the Marina di Modica and exciting Marina di Ragusa. Other places worth visiting are those made famous by Camilleri’s “Inspector Montalbano”, such as Punta Secca, Donnalucata and Sampieri, the Donnafugata castle and the archaeological site of the Cava d’Ispica.