If you want your 2019 holiday to include sun, beach, culture and food to die for, then look no further than Letojanni. Located on the southern Italian island of Sicily, Letojanni is a small coastal town known for its beautiful beaches, chilled vibe and delectable local cuisine. While away your days in the blazing sunshine, cool off in the clear Mediterranean sea and quench your thirst with cocktails from the local bars.
If you’re craving a little more action, Letojanni is located close to buzzing towns such as Palermo and Taormina, which are jam packed with shopping destinations, bars and nightclubs. The island of Sicily is also home to the infamous volcano Mount Etna, a great location for an exhilarating hike or helicopter ride. Gaze into its crater and right into the belly of the earth itself. Holidays in Letojanni really have it all: a chance to relax on the beach one day, and have an adventure the next!
Letojanni not only has beautiful beaches but is also a wonderful place to wander around for its architecture and history. The square Palazzo Durante is a local hotspot, with people visiting the cathedral at all hours and is an excellent place to sit and and eat an ice-cream, absorbing the local atmosphere. For more architectural delights, take a visit to Parrocchia Di San Giuseppe which has some beautiful mosaics and interesting interior. Letojanni is all about eating well and taking things slower, so there are plenty of squares with fine eating and drinking, great for people watching and sitting through the evening.
As well as the beach, Letojanni is surrounded by gorgeous countryside and is a prime area for vineyards and olive groves. Explore around these because in certain places you can pick your own olives and buy local wine directly from the vineyard or have a go at pressing grapes.
Head away from the town on a boat trip along the coast and visit nearby stunning locations such as Mazzaro or the Isola Bella of Taormina where people head to sit on the beach and swim and relax in the majestic scenery.
Italy loves its food. And the world loves Italy’s food. Pizza, pasta, ice cream –what’s not to like? Italy is a foodie’s paradise, so a holiday in Letojanni would certainly be incomplete without sampling a dish on every menu or, at least, on as many as possible. Letojanni is an especially great place to go for seafood and shellfish. Located on the coast it gets the freshest catches of squid, mussels and swordfish, to name a few. If the sound of that tickles your taste buds then head to Da Nino – it’s famed for its assortment of fishy delicacies and perfect pasta dishes. Be sure to book ahead though as this popular restaurant can be very busy even in the off-season.
After visiting Da Nino consider finishing your meal at The Blue Sky Café, one of the finest dessert places in town. Try the creamy gelato and top it off with a delectable Italian coffee. You’ll be stuffed full, but it will be so worth it.
If you want a day out the whole family will enjoy, then consider taking a jaunt to one of the many olive groves and vineyards on the hillsides that surround Letojanni. Italy is world renowned for its olive oil and Sicilian wines, so come and explore where it all begins and see the olives and grapes grow in their native land. Some groves will even let you pick the olives straight from the vine, and have a go at pressing wine yourself. Or make the kids press it, while you sip away – there really is something for everyone.
Once you’ve educated the kids on a bit of Italian culture, why not surprise them with a trip to Etnaland Themepark and Aquapark. This huge two-park attraction is sure to excite every member of the family. It has flumes and rollercoasters that vary from tame to down-right terrifying. There’s something to entertain everyone from the toddler to the teenager. Take your kids to Etnaland and they certainly won’t forget your Letojanni holiday in a hurry!
If you’re an adrenaline junkie eager for a fix, then a holiday in Letojanni will be right up your street. Sicilian company Etna Fly, which operates in locations across the entire island, is your one-stop company when it comes to parasailing. With a flying spot right above Letojanni itself, you don’t have to travel far in order to take flight. As you ascend and watch as the ground below gets smaller and smaller, you will feel weightless. The views will be unparalleled as you look down on the gorgeous Letojanni hillside, olive groves and, of course, the beautifully blue ocean in the distance.
Mount Etna, perhaps one of Sicily’s most famous landmarks, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s just a short drive from Letojanni and a must-see sight for anyone interested in geology, hiking, or even just taking an awesome Instagram pic. Protruding dramatically from the earth, this often snow-capped volcano overlooks the province of Catania. Mount Etna is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and most recently erupted in March 2018. Nevertheless, it is a hugely popular tourist destination, which includes easily accessible driving routes, hiking trails and even two ski resorts.
As expected, Letojanni has a beautiful Mediterranean beach that you will want to spend day after day sunbathing on with a good book. The hot pebbles and white sand next to the mesmerising blue of the sea will transport you away from the stresses and strains of everyday life back home. Watch as the blazing sun sparkles on the rippling water and forget your troubles. This is the problem with a holiday in Letojanni – you just won’t want to leave!
But Letojanni isn’t the only beach on the island. Sicily is home to many, so why not take part in a boat tour and explore all that the island has to offer? Mazzaro beach, for instance, is a must-see on any holiday to Letojanni. It boasts beautiful rocky cliffs and clear, warm waters, all surrounded by that quintessentially Mediterranean red-roofed architecture. It’s paradise at its finest.
The sleepy town of Letojanni doesn’t have much in the way of buzzing nightlife, but what Letojanni lacks in party animals it makes up for in charming and chilled bars. None are loved more so than the Twin Pub. This place is frequented by locals and visitors alike and has a delightfully calm yet fun atmosphere. Locals come here to listen to the live music and visitors come here for the al fresco dining and fascinating array of music memorabilia. The Twin Pub is definitely worth going to for an evening of cocktails in the warmth of the Mediterranean night. It will be a highlight of your trip.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for something to appease your inner party animal, head to the nearby town of Palermo. Kursaal Kalhesa is an upbeat late night bar that is sure to get you buzzing. This eclectic fusion of bookshop, restaurant, bar and concert venue is located in a beautifully restored aristocratic palace and will make you feel like one of Italy’s chic socialites. Make sure you check out the wine cellar for a glass of Sicilian vino.
If you’re a couple with style holidaying in Letojanni and want to indulge in a little retail therapy, head to Taormina’s Corso Umberto 1, a go-to destination for the finest Italian designer brands. If you get peckish while you shop, there’s also a large open-air food market next to the local cathedral, which sells the finest in Sicilian street food. Along this beautiful promenade, you’ll find gift shops galore intermingled with high-end stores like Prada and Gucci. Go on, treat yourself –you’re on holiday!
For more romantic day trips and activities, consider watching a traditional Italian opera. Book a private box at The Teatro Massimo in Palermo and watch in awe as you hear some of the world’s greatest classical signers show off their pipes. Or, if opera isn’t your thing, consider hopping on a helicopter and flying over the famous Mount Etna. Sip on bubbly as you gaze into Etna’s crater. It will be and experience you will never forget.