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Siracusa Travel Blogs

Background: Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north.

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By Beebe
November 16th 2009

Feels like Spring.... Europe » Italy » Sicily » Siracusa

Pillbox, left from WWII

Day 26 Modica Yesterday we took the bus into Noto, about and hour from here, and walked around the baroque city for a few hours...everything here closes down from 1:00 pm to 3:00pm...so it's hard to plan a trip of any distance, since we end up arriving just before closing time at 1:00! We managed to see the cathedrals and the Theater after they reopened, and before our bus (the last of the day...since it was Sunday) left at 3:55.... Today we took the train past Noto to another baroque town: Modica. This city is located in a gorge carved by [View Full Entry]

By Randa
September 30th 2009

Sicilian Sun Europe » Italy » Sicily » Siracusa

Sicilian love

Sicily was never a place high on my to do list but when the opportunity arose for Adam to present at a conference in Catania, it seemed the perfect excuse to book a car, hit the road and see what adventures there were to be had. Before visiting, I knew very little about this Italian province. I had some vague awareness of Palermo being the capital (alla Marco Breciano, Socceroo star and midfielder for Palermo). Beyond that, the only other thing that came to mind when I thought of Sicily were imaginings of the Italian mafia, conceptualised almost entirely through scenes [View Full Entry]

By The McDermotts
May 2nd 2009

6 days in Sicily! Europe » Italy » Sicily » Siracusa

Easter begins a day early

We decided to head south for Easter. Sicily seemed the perfect place: warmer, way older, and friendly sicilians! We rented a car and drove wherever we wanted....when we got tired, we found a hotel. The children really enjoyed the trip...we all loved loved loved Siracusa! [View Full Entry]

By lenka154
January 1st 2009

Sicily 3 Europe » Italy » Sicily » Siracusa

our first touch with this place

wonderful historical city, great for culture and architecture lovers [View Full Entry]

By jrfromafar
October 7th 2008

Siracusa was my first stop Europe » Italy » Sicily » Siracusa

Pictures 002

Siracusa was my first stop [View Full Entry]

By inspire and shine
October 2nd 2008

Italy with Kids - Syracuse Europe » Italy » Sicily » Siracusa

02 Oct 2008 We headed back to see the archeological area of Syracuse, and maybe the catacombs, and to check out another beach. Today was again set to be a lucky day - all day we dodged the rain. First we visited the archeological area. Although most towns have greek or roman ruins of one type or another, this is probably the first real ruins (as opposed to existing structures) outside of Rome that we'd visited. Liam had a great time, chasing all the green lizards that were sunning on the rocks around the greek theatre (Teatro Greco). [img=http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg71/inspi [View Full Entry]

By inspire and shine
October 1st 2008

Italy with Kids - Ortigia Europe » Italy » Sicily » Siracusa

01 Oct 2008 The aim today was a drive to Syracuse, to see the sights there and at the island of Origia. We decided first however to visit a beach, the Fontane Bianche, that was recommended in Frommer's. The exit off the A that we needed for FB was closed, so we ended up at a place called Avola, with long yellowy sandy beaches. The waves were enormous, and Joseph, Liam and I had a ball romping around in the surf. We then wandered our way back to Syracuse on the back roads [View Full Entry]

By Kurtis
September 23rd 2008

Noto and Siracusa Europe » Italy » Sicily » Siracusa

Noto

Monday 8th August Licodia On Monday, Giuseppe took us to a pretty place 45 minutes away called Noto in the town of Syracuse. There was a tiny theatre that sat less than 400 people and was named after Vittorio Emanuele, the first leader of a united Italy. There have been monuments dedicated to him everywhere. All around the theatre were busts of famous artist, politicians, and musicians. The guide spoke enough English for Kurt and the kids to understand. We sat in the balcony seats and had photos taken like aristocrats. Later we went to visit Palazzo Ducezio with its Sala [View Full Entry]

By Gini
September 12th 2008

Siracusa & Mt Etna - Sicily 2008 Europe » Italy » Sicily » Siracusa

A Treat from the Sun

A week in Siracusa in Villa Scogliera, stopping off at Fontane Bianche, Mt Etna, Siracusa, Ortegia and tasting the best pizza in the world - twice... ;) [View Full Entry]

By Byrnesy
July 5th 2008

3rd Weekend trip: slightly out of order Europe » Italy » Sicily » Siracusa

Siracuse, the coast

(June 13th) We got Friday off this week, as the previous week we had worked 6 days in a row. This trip was taken by everyone (as most of the weekend excursions are optional, since it's extra money to go), as we were told that this is not a place to miss. We visited the Siracuse museum, where Pietro actually helped organize a number of the displays in the Sicilian archaeology collections they had there, as well as participating in some of the excavations. There are no pictures allowed here either. We spent about 2 hours here, and then we were [View Full Entry]

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