This Underrated European Island Known As The ‘Santorini Of Italy’ Is All The Rage Right Now
Dwelling to Blanche ‘choras’ that cling vertiginously to cliff-sides, and picture-ready blue dome church buildings, it’s no marvel Santorini is likely one of the hottest European summer season getaways.
If solely Greece’s most picturesque island weren’t so extremely crowded, and overnights in these iconic cave motels with swim-up suites wouldn’t value hundreds of euros an evening…
However hey, who mentioned Santorini retains a monopoly on the whitewashed-island aesthetic?
Over in Italy, within the Tyrrhenian Sea, there’s a tiny island most vacationers are but to find, and Instagrammers haven’t ruined, providing quaint coastal cities, lovely sea coves, and a style of that gradual Mediterranean life:
Ever Heard Of Italy’s Hidden Santorini?
Mendacity off the coast of Sicily, a brief 30-minute hydrofoil journey from the busy port metropolis of Trapani, Favignana is the most important island within the Egadi archipelago, and the up-and-coming summer hotspot you have been ready to listen to about.
I imply, it is even been handpicked by Christopher Nolan because the setting for his subsequent huge Hollywood blockbuster, The Odyssey, which is, you recognize, a traditional Greek story.
A tiny landmass masking an space of solely 14.2 sq. miles but packed stuffed with historical sights and pure wonders, Favignana is a type of locations you may simply see in full over a few days or an extended weekend, however you will not be in a rush to go away when you’re there.
Image a flat shoreline interspersed with coastal settlements and shallow bays bathed by turquoise waters, and a lush countryside criss-crossed by biking pathways, passing idyllic farms and rolling vineyards: la dolce vita at its prime.
Oh, and did we point out the picture-perfect capital?
A Charming Harbor City & Scrumptious Meals
The primary city on the island, Favignana (identical identify because the island) is dotted with family-owned trattorias, cozy cafe terraces and gelato outlets, and it is well-known for its low-rise cubic buildings coloured mild sand or off-white:
Not putting white, like Santorini, however the parallels are there to be discovered, particularly alongside the waterfront, the place there’s a variety of boutique motels and renovated villas which have been given a chalk-white makeover.
The most effective seashores on the island, Cala Rossa is a peaceable sand-and-gravel strip backed by a limestone cliff, a scenic 20-minute bike journey away, and for those who occur to be craving some pasta and native wine, Trattoria da Papù has an extended checklist of Sicilian delicacies at inexpensive costs.
Have You Seen All These Turquoise Calas?
Past the quaint harborside capital, Favignana is dwelling to a storied tuna cannery. As soon as the property of the Florio household, it’s now a museum chronicling the island’s wealthy tuna fishing historical past—for sure, there is not any higher place to get souvenirs.
A fairytale fortress on prime of a hill overlooking the teal-colored Mediterranean and a rocky shoreline, Castello di Santa Caterina is a must-do hike for tradition buffs and nature fanatics alike, and for the water infants on the market, choices are infinite:
There’s Bue Marino, a stretch of coast encompassing stone quarries and secret coves; Grotta Perciata, a sea cave framed by lovely arches and providing picture ops and snorkeling alternatives; and remember the aptly named Cala Azzura, with a few of the bluest seas you have ever seen.
Favignana Is Pretty Inexpensive—And Higher Even, Uncrowded!
Santorini-esque as it could be, Favignana is nowhere as crowded, or costly as the long-lasting Greek island: actual visitation figures are unclear, but it surely appears to common under a million per year, and we suspect it is primarily Sicily-originated.
As for all that scrumptious pistachio pasta, made-on-the-spot sourdough pizzas, and nonna-baked mandorle sweets, you may hardly blow the finances by treating your self a bit of in Favignana:
Count on to pay roughly $10–$15 for a important dish in a neighborhood restaurant, or $30–$40 for a 3-course dinner by the harbor.
Lodging-wise, a one-bedroom residence within the middle of Favignana City will set you again $ 82 an evening (take a look at La casetta in Centro), or for those who’re extra of a resort particular person, a single room on the 3-star Favignana Hotel prices from $123 to boook.
This summer season, Individuals can fly nonstop from New York (JFK) to Catania (CTA), in southeastern Sicily.
Although it’s 145 miles from Trapani, the gateway to the Egadi Islands, Catania has prepare and bus providers going just about in every single place in Sicily: as soon as there, you may don’t have any concern discovering a land-side connection to Trapani.
One-way hydrofoil or ferry tickets from Trapani to Favignana begin from a cheap $7.
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