Since 1998, the Laghetti of Marinello have been an ‘Orientata’ Nature Reserve, comprising all the area underneath the promontory of Cape Tindari and including the marine area in the Gulf. The usually mild climate with warm sea water permits excursions to be made almost all year round; in fact it is popular with pleasure craft from Portorosa which is only a few miles away. Worth a visit is an excursion to the little lakes with their brackish saline water right up to the rocks of Cape Tindari.
On route for Ustica and a few miles from Marinello, is Cape Calava, next to the bay of the same name and worth visiting for its long beach of about 1km which is covered in splendid Mediterranean vegetation. This promontory, together with Cape D’Orlando (from which the town takes its name), enclose an enormous Gulf. The green of the vegetation which is very luxuriant on this northern coast goes right to the beach, contrasting with the blue of the sea. In the middle of the gulf is the small town of Brolo with its Medieval Castle – a landmark for navigators. On the northern coast of Sicily, Cefalù is the most popular tourist destination. Rich in history, monuments and well-preserved artworks, it is a corner of paradise for lovers of the sea. At the foot of a rocky promontory, it is part of the Madonie Park.
Not to be missed is a visit to the town because there are many things to see. The famous Norman Cathedral, the church of the Purgatory, the Piraino building with its precious late 14th century portal, the medieval building Palazzo Maria, Palazzo Vescovile, the Mandralisca Museum containing a large numismatic collection and a library with 6,000 books and various works of art. A walk through the streets and alleys of the historical centre set in a panoramic position will make you remember a corner of Sicily.
The renowned beach known at international level along with Mondello, is Taormina and will remind you of Cefalù. The island of Ustica is a real “Treasure Island”, above and below the sea, situated 36 miles from Palermo and has for years been the headquarters of the International Exhibition of Underwater Activities. Rugged and uncontaminated, Ustica has surprises in all months of the year with its crystal clear sea which exalts the colours of the corals, madrepore, gorgon fans and abundant fish species.
Since 1959, the exhibition was the basis for making this island the first marine reserve in Italy, with the most authoritative scholars in the world meeting to tackle the numerous problems linked to the sea. Every year since 1996 there has been an open photographic competition which awards the best photos of the Ustica sea. In 2000, the Island was awarded the Blue Guide by the Legambiente with “Le 5 Vele” (5 sails category) for its sea. The requirements for this top award were: clear sea, clean beaches, closeness of protected areas, and also the services for seafarers, bathers and the tourist infrastructure which all make Ustica a destination not to be missed.
