September ice cream festival in Sicily

September is a lovely time to visit Sicily. Temperature-wise, the first two or three weeks are an extension of the long summer, but of course the island is much quieter.

The harvests are also just beginning, with the picking of grapes, pistachios, almonds and other nuts, as well as prickly pears (which Italians call 'fichi d'India').

On the northern coast, 75 kilometers east of Palermo, lies Cefalù a medieval town built on the site of an ancient Sicanian and Greek settlement. All that remains of these ancient cultures today is a small structure, the Temple of Diana, on the mountain overlooking the town. With its magnificent view of the town, cathedral, mountains and sea, it is well worth the climb.

From the 15th – 18th September Cefalù celebrates its own Ice Cream Festival (Sherberth Festival - Festival Internazionale del Gelato a Cefalù). Along the main street it’s possible to taste ice creams made by 30 different ice cream shops in Sicily, with lots of different flavours from the classic to some very peculiar ones like wine sorbet!

Essential Italy recommends the following accommodation option:

Casa Lilla (sleeps 4)
Casa Lilla shares the land with 2 smaller apartments (Rosa and Ulivo – both sleeping 2) A good sized pool is shared by all but there is plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the superb views across the countryside over to the vibrant blue sea, just 5km away from the coastline.
Location: Lascari 4km, Gratteri and Cefalu 12km, Collesano 12km, Palermo 110km
Price:  Casa Lilla £935 per week, Rosa and Ulivo £715 per week.

For more information and bookings, visit: essentialitaly.co.uk