Residence to Blanche ‘choras’ that cling vertiginously to cliff-sides, and picture-ready blue dome church buildings, it’s no surprise Santorini is without doubt 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 inns with swim-up suites wouldn’t price 1000’s 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, stunning 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 biggest island within the Egadi archipelago, and the up-and-coming summer hotspot you’ve got 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 realize, a traditional Greek story.
A tiny landmass masking an space of solely 14.2 sq. miles but packed filled with historic sights and pure wonders, Favignana is a kind 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 depart 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 gentle sand or off-white:
Not hanging white, like Santorini, however the parallels are there to be discovered, particularly alongside the waterfront, the place there’s a variety of boutique inns and renovated villas which have been given a chalk-white makeover.
Probably the greatest 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 in case you occur to be craving some pasta and native wine, Trattoria da Papù has an extended record of Sicilian delicacies at reasonably priced 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 no 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 lovers 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 stunning arches and providing photograph ops and snorkeling alternatives; and remember the aptly named Cala Azzura, with a number of the bluest seas you’ve got ever seen.
Favignana Is Pretty Reasonably priced—And Higher Even, Uncrowded!
Santorini-esque as it might 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 will hardly blow the finances by treating your self a bit in Favignana:
Anticipate to pay roughly $10–$15 for a foremost dish in an area restaurant, or $30–$40 for a 3-course dinner by the harbor.
Lodging-wise, a one-bedroom residence within the heart of Favignana City will set you again $ 82 an evening (take a look at La casetta in Centro), or in case you’re extra of a resort particular person, a single room on the 3-star Favignana Hotel prices from $123 to boookay.
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 practice and bus providers going just about all over the place in Sicily: as soon as there, you will don’t have any subject discovering a land-side connection to Trapani.
One-way hydrofoil or ferry tickets from Trapani to Favignana begin from a reasonable $7.
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