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Sicily is full of Unesco World Heritage sites (seven, adding Mount Etna), however, the unspoiled shores of the southeast of this Mediterranean island have a fresher appeal thanks to the good luck of the fictional detective Inspector Montalbano.
Jumping from the pages of Sicilian Andrea Camilleri’s best-selling novels and animated throughout her local country, the television adaptation has millions of enthusiasts around the world, adding in Britain.
The Italian actor Luca Zingaretti, who plays Montalbano, is undeniably as charismatic as the tanned, wild and rugged landscape of Sicily, it is the latter who proves to be the true star of the series as the backdrop to his enviable lifestyle.
Sicilian splendour: Rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1693, the ancient city of Ragusa Ibla is part of the Montalbano Inspector series
The first date from Montalbano and her friend Livia began at a bus stop in Ragusa Ibla (pictured). Bridget says it is appropriate for his stopover to start with a bus trip to Ragusa Superiore Hill (high town). She writes: “We are inspired by the view, on the terracotta shingle roofs, the spiings of the churches and the bright blue domes.”
The captivating Piazza Duomo of Ragusa, with its Baroque cathedral, the Duomo of San Giorgio. This has been the backdrop for many episodes.
Who wouldn’t like to walk along the beautiful beach just below their own terrace? Or dine in beach restaurants with new seafood, sprayed with elegant wine? No matter how terrible a case may be, it never turns out that Montalbano stays away from his food.
A simple walking tour is a brilliant way to whet your appetite and explore Montalbano’s Sicily. I joined about 20 British travellers over the age of 50, adding individual guests, couples and friends, when we left the Il Barocco Hotel in Ragusa, guided at moderate speed by our consultant Adagio.
The Baroque of the city of Ragusa, our impressive house for the week, is simply stunning. Rebuilt after a devastating earthquake of 1693, this expanding city is now divided into two parts: the ancient city of Ragusa Ibla, which clings to the gorge under the more fashionable Ragusa Superiore, with its panoramic views. No wonder this ordinary region plays the role of the fictional Vigata in drama.
The first date from Montalbano and his friend Livia at a bus stop in Ragusa Ibla, so it is appropriate that our stopover starts by taking the bus to Ragusa Superiore Hill. We are inspired by the view, above terracotta shingle ceilings, church spiings and bright blue domes.
Sophisticated: The Baroque city of Noto, pictured, is known for its beautiful architecture and provides a very good backdrop for Inspector Montalbano
Italian actor Luca Zingaretti, who Montalbano in the hit TV series
As we slowly descend into hidden alleys, ancient jewels and spaces that look like the stories of Montalbano stand out. From the street of the palm-lined park of Giardini Iblei, where the inspector meets a former thief; the neoclassical Circolo di Conversazione, where Montalbano interrupts the card games of the coroner Dr. Pasquano; and the captivating Piazza Duomo, with its exceptional Baroque cathedral: the Duomo of San Giorgio, the backdrop for many episodes.
Relaxing in the square, having a coffee as the inspector would, is idyllic. At lunch, we taste Montalbano’s favorite local specialties, such as arancini (fried rice balls) and cannoli, a delicious sweet stuffed with ricotta.
In the evening, we are treated with abundant amounts of seafood, meats, pastas, pizzas, cheeses, caponata (aubergines stew), desserts and wine. In A Rusticana, another way known as Trattoria San Caloge, one of the same old dens of the inspector, we appreciate photographs of the cast.
Other getaways come with personal guided tours to Baroque villages that look like places in Montalbano. In the ancient Greek city of Syracuse, the sea breeze of the nearby island of Ortygie is welcome because even in last autumn, the temperature is 26 degrees Celsius.
The best ancient city of Modica, home to the famous Bonajuto chocolate kitchens in Italy
Noto, appreciated as the Sicilian capital of Baroque and Unesco treasure, is known for its prominent Roman gates as well as for its formidable architecture.
A delicious walk along the coast in the Vendicari Nature Reserve, a paradise for migratory birds, discover herds of pink flamingos paddling near a desert tuna fishery, recognizable from Montalbano.
The morning in Modica, one of the best images, is memorable for a personal tasting and in Bonajuto’s famous chocolate kitchens.
Then, some brave souls of our organization even climb to the perched cathedral and Palazzo Polaro.
The ancient city of Scicli, where the city corridor also serves as Montalbano police station in the TV series.
Giardini Iblei’s palm-lined park avenue, the inspector encounters a former thief in the hit TV drama
Bridget enjoys a pleasant walk along the coast in the Vendicari Nature Reserve (pictured), a paradise for migratory birds recognizable from Montalbano
Adagio (adagio.co.uk) gives away the seven nights of the Sicilia of Montalbano from 1375 euros in line with his children.
The value includes flights, half board accommodation with dinners at local restaurants, local guides, all local transportation prices and upfront rates.
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Edited through Associated Newspapers Ltd
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