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Simply Unmissable: Most Beautiful Places in Sicily
Taormina
If you want a true taste of pleasure and luxury, Taormina is the perfect destination for it. You’ll find rows of shops and first-class restaurants with a backdrop of sweeping views of Mount Etna. The whole town feels more modern compared to the medieval (中世纪的) winding roads and broken castles in the surrounding cities, but Taormina has breathtaking ruins to see as well. The Greek theater ruins are a must-see, and there is Greek-influenced architecture everywhere you look.
Palermo
Palermo is Sicily’s capital city, a historically important trade port that was taken over by many of the surrounding countries throughout history. You can look for the signs of Sicily’s past conquerors (占领者) in the present-day architecture. The Palermo Cathedral, with Romanesque, Baroque, Gothic and Modern influences, is a great example of competing architectural styles within one building. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, head to the Catacombs of the Capuchins, where 8000 dead bodies between the 17th and 19th centuries are on display.
Mount Etna
A trip to Sicily’s east coast wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Mount Etna. It looks extremely impressive from afar, but there are plenty of ways to enjoy Europe’s largest active volcano up-close as well. Take a cable-car to the top, explore the dramatic valleys and be amazed at the lava (熔岩) flows. In the winter, you can also ski down with a glass of Etna Rosso, a wine that’s made in this area. The grapes are grown in volcanic soil, resulting in bright and red wines.
21. What can you probably find in Taormina?
A. Broken castles. B. Amazing ruins. C. Active volcanoes. D. Unique wines.
22. Why is Palermo’s architecture a mixture of various styles?
A. Because Palermo is the capital city of Sicily.
B. Because the authorities have a passion for varieties.
C. Because it copies those of the surrounding countries.
D. Because Palermo used to be occupied by many other countries.
23. Which of the following is typical of Mount Etna?
A. Coast and theaters. B. Shops and restaurants.
C. Volcano and wines. D. Dead bodies and grapes.
