Cave explorer trapped after being hit by fallen rocks 130 feet underground
The incident occurred on Sunday while the explorer was on an outing with friends.
Medical teams have reached the injured individual and are providing treatment inside a heated tent. The severity of his head injury means he is unable to exit the cave unassisted, the country's mountain rescue corps confirmed.
Rescuers used explosive charges to widen the cave at three key junctures so the injured man could be carried to the surface. He remained in good condition.
The Abisso Paperino:
The Abisso Paperino extends 170 meters (about 557 feet) underground, including a fossil gallery, near the town of Ormea in Cuneo province.
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The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
The Mediterranean island that Brits don't know about with spectacular beaches and it's loved by Italians
MANY holidaymakers will jet off to Italy over the summer - but few know an underrated island so special even locals gush about it. Places like Sicily will always be popular with British holidaymakers, though if you speak to Italians its the Aegadian Islands they will be heading for. 5 5 In total there are five Aegadian Islands, but only three are inhabited - Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo. Favignana is the largest of three main islands and from above is shaped like a butterfly. It's known for its blue and white fishing harbour and narrow streets. It's small, too, so there's no need to hire a car - you can cycle or walk around to see the towns or go to the beach. Another option is to take one of the many boat day trips to take a tour of the island. You'll see loads of coves and even go to the neighbouring island of Levanzo. Some of the most popular beaches on the island are Cala Rossa, Cala Azzurra, Bue Marino and Lido Burrone. One visitor said about Lido Burrone: "The crystal-clear water and white sand make it one of Favignana's most interesting beaches. It feels like being in the Caribbean." white sand. The beach is a recommended place for seeing marine life, as it's full of fish and a popular snorkelling spot. For any history buffs, Favignana was once the tuna capital of the world because of its tuna fisheries. 'Otherworldly' Italian island just three hours from the UK that featured in two huge Hollywood franchises 5 5 In the 15th century, the island was ruled by Giovanni de Karissima who was also known as the 'Baron of Tuna". When it comes to where to eat on the island, you're most definitely spoilt for choice. There's plenty of seafood dishes thanks to its island location, as well as pasta, arancini and panelle. You don't have to eat at a restaurant either, there are plenty of markets and little takeaway shacks if you fancy something more causal. There are bars dotted around the island so whether you seek shade in the towns or full sun on the beach, you can always find somewhere to have a refreshing drink. When it comes to venturing there, Favignana is 10 miles from Sicily and is easily accessible by ferry. You can travel from Trapani to Favignana all year round and in the high season there are 25 crossings a day. The trip can take up to 1 hour and 10 minutes, with tickets starting at €10 (£8.68). Or you can hop from Marsala to Favignana which has five daily crossings and is generally quicker taking 30 minutes per trip. The ticket prices start at €13 (£11.29). Here's another Italian island that's loved by celebs and the royal family - it has hidden beaches and holiday villages. And you can visit this largely untouched Italian island with red sand beaches. 5
Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Telegraph
Portofino banned tourists from picnics, going barefoot or lying down. I found the rulebreakers
Sailboats bob gently in the water, overwhelmed by the massive superyachts squeezed in beside them. The early morning sun is already bouncing off the pastel-coloured buildings that frame the charming horseshoe-shaped bay. An Italian flag flutters above my head and church bells toll from a hidden location. It's just gone 8am and there's barely a tourist in sight in the main piazza of Portofino as I take a sip of my first cappuccino of the day with a spectacular view of the water. The tranquillity tastes nearly as good as the coffee. But it won't last. Portofino has been transformed from a sleepy fishing village into the biggest drawcard on the Italian Riviera. Once an exclusive playground for the world's rich and famous, it now attracts thousands of day-trippers and Instagrammers who pour through its piazza and cram its narrow alleys in the summer season. Today, the temperatures are steamy when the cruise ship passengers start spilling out on to the wharf and racing to the gelaterias for their first ice cream of the day. Some of the tourists kick off their shoes and dip their feet in the bay, others stroll around in their bathing costumes or strip off their shirts altogether. But in doing so, they are breaking Portofino's anti-tourist rules. Under its tight restrictions, picnics are also banned, and dogs must be kept on a leash. And sitting on a bench with a beer in your hand or taking an afternoon snooze in the wrong place might also cost you. Yet most visitors have no idea they are liable for fines from €25 (£22) to €500 (£435) for violating the strict new laws, which were recently approved by the local council. Portofino's mayor, Matteo Viacava, has banned bad behaviour in a bid to restore decorum to one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. It has a weighty reputation to uphold. Over the years, Portofino has welcomed Hollywood A-listers from Charlie Chaplin and Ava Gardner to VIPs such as Princess Grace of Monaco, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Winston Churchill. In recent years, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Madonna have holidayed here, and the quaint town's luxury boutiques and designer stores are testament to the well-heeled clientele it continues to attract. Perhaps that's why poor behaviour can no longer be tolerated by the town's 350 permanent residents – unless you are lodging in a five-star hotel or on a private yacht of your own. But while I find one sign banning bare chests and bathing suits, there is no signage advising tourists of the entire list of the new restrictions, and no one in uniform seems to be patrolling the alleys or the pristine piazza enforcing the new rules. On top of that, the mayor is not available for comment and not responding to my calls ('He spoke to the press a few weeks earlier and has nothing further to say,' a council employee tells me). The chief of police is also away from the office during my visit. If anyone is curious about checking the finer details, it takes quite a bit of research to find the new ordinance on the council website. When I ask for help, one council employee tells me he can't find it either. Finally, I root it out… and, of course, it is in Italian. There's no clarity on which misdemeanour warrants a mere €25 fine and which will see you slapped with a €500 one. Back in the piazza, Danny, Harry and Otis have just landed from Huddersfield, and have immediately stripped off their shirts to soak up the sun. The bare-chested 20-year-olds are taken aback when I tell them the move could cost them a few hundred euros if they're caught. 'We got a few funny looks, we didn't know that,' says Danny, a maths student at Leeds University. 'I don't think I could even afford that,' he adds with a grin. Nicole, a 22-year-old cruise ship passenger from St Louis, Missouri, is also surprised she could be fined for taking off her shoes and putting her feet in the shallows. 'I am not interested in a fine,' says Nicole, as she rubs the sand off her feet. 'I think we need to cut this short and put our shoes on,' says her now-panicked mother, Julie. The following morning, local police are spotted patrolling the streets and stopping for coffee, but there is no indication of whether they intend to fine any of the tourists for flouting the rules. 'I am not authorised to speak to you,' one police officer tells me. 'But are you issuing any fines?' I ask. 'You have to go to the town hall. I can't say anything.' Outside Gepi, one of Portofino's most popular gelaterias, tourists are lining up for their favourite flavours, which are sold at a premium. In keeping with the mayor's sentiment, local residents have taken the initiative and placed their own signs saying 'Do not sit here' to deter ice-cream lovers from any errant licks or loitering. 'They were put here by my neighbours because they are annoyed by the mass influx of people,' says 29-year-old Gianluigi Mariotto Rocca, who opens the doors of his ice-cream parlour from 7am to midnight in the summer. He's unapologetic about the enthusiastic ice cream lovers. 'I sell gelato, I don't sell big-name designer brands. There are a lot of people so there's plenty of business.' Mariotto Rocca thinks the council is doing a good job representing the best interests of Portofino and insists bad behaviour is not confined to the tourists who visit the town. 'They're everywhere. It has nothing to do with the tourists here. There are badly behaved people all over the world. It's not just here.' As the sun goes down, the day trippers return to their cruise ships docked in Portofino Bay, the streets empty out and the town recaptures its quiet equilibrium and timeless elegance. Cocktails are being served at the Splendido Mare Hotel overlooking the square and the superyachts have switched on their lights. The aroma of fresh fish and garlic wafts across the alleys from the windows of the restaurants in silent anticipation of their guests. Michela Nicosia, the manager of the Splendido Mare, has worked in Portofino for 30 years and insists the town has lost none of its charm. And no amount of restrictions is going to stop tourists from making the most of their experience. 'Portofino is special during the day, but when you see the VIPs coming down from their mega yachts in the evening, you can still feel la dolce vita because at the end of the day, this is la dolce vita. This is what people are here for.'
Times
5 hours ago
- Times
21 of the best hotels in Sicily for 2025
If you've been inspired to visit Sicily after watching back-to-back episodes of The White Lotus or Inspector Montalbano, then you'll already know it's a place full of plot twists. Those coming in search of luxury will certainly find it here — in the grande dame, riviera-style resort hotels of Taormina, or the historic palazzos at baroque towns of the southeast like Syracuse, Ragusa, Noto and Modica. But there's another side to this rugged, volcanic island, too: a timeless world of olive farms, vineyards, traditional villages and hill towns way off the tourist track, where many locals still speak their own dialects and rarely make it out to the glitzy, developed coast. And then there's the Aeolian archipelago, where you can walk on black sand beaches, watch the fireworks from one of Europe's most active volcanoes, and stay at exclusive island havens on Panarea and Salina, frequented by the Italian jet set. Our favourites include family-friendly stays, rustic retreats, hotels with spas and pools, and those with great food. Here are the best hotels in Sicily. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue ££ | Best for playing an eccentric patron of the arts To stay at Palazzo Previtera is to experience all the atmosphere of a living museum. This newly restored guest house may only have three bedrooms alongside two cottages in the grounds, but the place oozes culture: there's a 12-room museum and library charting over 500 years of Sicilian history, a contemporary art gallery and a thriving programme of acclaimed artist residences. Built in 1649 on the slopes of Mount Etna for the Previtera family, who kickstarted the wine industry in Sicily, you can expect a riot of frescoed ceilings, antique floor tiles and traditional Sicilian furniture mixed with contemporary art. While here, join an embroidery lesson or a Sicilian cookery class, or head to the library for a peep at its 1758 limited edition of Milton's Paradise Lost. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for masseria living with all the mod cons This chic boutique eco-hotel in the heart of the Val di Noto is surrounded by vineyards, orchards, orange groves, olive and carob trees and offers an upmarket agriturismo break within easy reach of Noto, one of Sicily's most dramatic baroque towns. A traditional Sicilian manor house with gorgeous internal courtyards and squishy sofas set in mature gardens, its 22 rooms have a cool, restful palette and fabulous views. Dine alfresco at the poolside grill or on the restaurant's open terrace; unwind in the heated infinity pool and spa, enjoy open-air movie nights or grab a bike and explore the spectacular countryside — you won't want to leave. ££ | POOL | Best for baroque views from a boutique bolt hole Modica looks so ravishing that it could be a film set — a jumble of honey-stone houses tumbling down a steep hillside towards its centrepiece baroque cathedral. Indeed, you may even recognise it from Inspector Montalbano. A complex of renovated cottages, Casa Talia offers a grandstand view, particularly enjoyable in the warm glow of sunset — repayment perhaps for the steep, thigh-taxing hike up from the centre. Each of its rooms and suites has distinct character, from stone floors to patterned-tile walls and bamboo ceilings, and comes with a private balcony or terrace overlooking a sweep of the city. Breakfast is served in a little courtyard garden under a glorious fig tree, and somehow there's even space for an infinity plunge pool. ££ | POOL | Best for stylish solitude and farm-fresh food On a working olive farm half an hour's drive from Agrigento, Mandranova offers the chance to experience Sicilian agricultural traditions — with a splash of style thrown in. The farmhouse offers 14 rustic, cosy rooms, some of which overlook the olive trees or garden; or for added exclusivity there's a three-bedroom stone cottage in a former mill. Mandranova's olive oil is prized across the island and further afield, and the owners, Giuseppe and Silvia, will happily take you on a tour of the estate, with their dogs in tow — or you can just chill beside the pool. Much of the farm's produce finds its way to the table — the restaurant serves fantastic, home-style Sicilian food with a modern twist. The surrounding area is largely farmland, which means that rates are pretty reasonable and it's fairly quiet. The elegant town of Agrigento, with its famed temples, is an easy day trip, and there are several quiet beaches within driving distance. £ | Best for an affordable slice of ancient Syracuse This smart seaside hotel has to be one of the best bargains in otherwise pricey Syracuse — if not in the whole of Sicily. Plonked in a perfect spot on the eastern edge of Ortigia island, you really couldn't ask for a better base from which to explore the old town. The 26 rooms, spread over a pair of shuttered buildings, are furnished simply but comfortably, and it's worth upgrading to one with a balcony and a sea view (although note that this will also mean some street noise from passing scooters, as a road runs between the hotel and the seafront). The terrace is perfect for breakfast, taken with views of the rooftops and a sparkling blue sea. ££ | POOL | Best for picnics and cookery classes on an organic farm If you're more of a country than coast person, this farmstay between the Gela Plain and Ragusa is the perfect place to get to grips with the fundamentals of Sicilian living, with good food, good wine and good times. It's a working organic farm and offers many activities, including vineyard aperitifs, wine tasting, yoga and cookery classes in which you can knock out fresh pasta, scacce Ragusane (local stuffed buns) and classic cannoli. The rooms and suites are lovely and traditional, framed with solid stone and old beams, and the views over gardens, orchards and vineyards are dreamy. Cool off in the outdoor pool, beside centuries-old citrus trees. £££ | SPA | POOL | Best for hanging out at the beach bar This resort hotel enjoys a spectacular setting over a rock that winds down to the sea between the Baia delle Sirene and perennially popular Taormina. The best rooms face the sea and come with generous private terraces — and let's face it, what can be better than falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves? All have cool colour schemes and contemporary decor, and you've also got access to a fabulous pool carved out of a natural terrace on the rocks, an extensive wellness centre, a gym and two restaurants serving Sicilian cuisine with a modern twist. In essence, a relaxing pad for exploring Taormina and its coastline. Read our full review of Atlantis Bay £££ | SPA | POOL | Best for swapping culture for the spa If you're not particularly fussed about baroque towns or medieval ruins and instead crave convenience and comfort, opt for Verdura Resort. It's located in the west of the island and has more facilities and activities than anywhere else, including a colossal spa and two 18-hole golf courses. You'll also find swimming pools, four restaurants, tennis courts and a hammam. The historic coastal town of Sciacca is only a 25-minute drive along the coast. Read our full review of Verdura Resort £££ | SPA | POOL | Best for an exclusive stay with a panoramic terrace Many, many visitors to Sicily pack into the pretty clifftop town of Taormina, but precious few stay at Belmond's Grand Hotel Timeo. This exclusive property has what must be one of the most envied locations anywhere on the island, with timeless views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. The terrace overlooking the Bay of Naxos has welcomed a long list of luminaries, including Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor, and often hosts alfresco concerts in the summer, with a cool breeze rising up from the shore below. Sister hotel Belmond Sant'Andrea makes its private beach available to guests at either property. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for star-gazing, grapes and Greek ruins Check into this 14-room wine hotel and prepare for a striking view of rolling vineyards that lead to the shores of the Mediterranean. Gorgeous Sicilian meals are served outside when the weather allows, or down at a private beach house by request. Here you're away from any large towns, and the sky at night is often filled with stars. During the day, hiring a car will allow you to explore more of the local area, including the incredible Greek ruins at Selinunte only 20 minutes away. • Read our full guide to Italy• Discover our full guide to Sicily ££ | POOL | Best for classy cave dwelling Ragusa Ibla is part of a Unesco world heritage inscription that covers a large and beautiful region of southern Sicily. Consequently, Locanda Don Serafino has plenty of competition nearby, but the hotel, which is partly built into a cave and has a Michelin-starred restaurant on site, still attracts its fair share of guests. Parts of the hotel date back to before the 1693 earthquake that flattened many of the towns in the area, while others eschew traditional stone walls in favour of a more modern design. ££ | Best for a grand palazzo on a great piazza Part of the V Retreats Group, this pastel-pink palace was built in 1880 and sits in the heart of the city's oldest area, the island of Ortigia: a maze of shady streets, baroque palazzos and ancient remains. Next door on an adjacent piazza is the city's cathedral, constructed in the 7th century on the site of a Greek temple, where you can still see the Doric columns built into the walls. Palazzo Artemide, meanwhile, is an elegant affair made from cool, creamy limestone. Some rooms face onto an interior courtyard, others onto Piazza Minerva or Via Roma, while the restaurant is housed in a handsome vaulted cellar built from distinctive tufa stone. £££ | SPA | POOL | Best for fine dining in the Aeolian Islands North from the main island of Sicily, the Tyrrhenian Sea's Aeolian Islands offer big, volcanic rewards for anyone willing to make the extra journey. Most famous of all is Stromboli, one of the most active volcanoes in Europe, but down on the ominous-sounding Vulcano island there's a slice of luxury too. Located at a secluded spot on the outcrop's north coast, this resort has impressive views — on a clear day all the Aeolian Islands can be seen from here. Making the most of this extraordinary panorama is the resort's Michelin-starred Il Cappero restaurant. ££ | POOL | Best for coastal walks to burn off the cannoli Lying just west of the beautiful coastal town of Cefalu, the Calanica Resort has enviable real estate on Sicily's north shore. Guests are assigned a bungalow facing out to sea, with the sound of the Mediterranean lapping against the sandy beach in the hotel's private bay below. There's ample opportunity to relax in their pool if you prefer, but if you're feeling energetic, Cefalu is a scenic hour's walk along the coast. Anyone worried they've eaten too many Sicilian cannoli can also make the steep but rewarding climb to the top of La Rocca — the imposing crag that overlooks the town. ££ | POOL | Best for mountains, monks and medieval mooching It's about a half-hour drive from Cefalu, a popular resort town on Sicily's northern coast, to reach this 12th-century abbey, which produces its own organic and biodynamic wines. Rooms all have wine-themed names and are set around a central courtyard, with vineyards rising up the hillside beyond. Exposed beams, wooden furniture and tapestries all create an antique feel, and some look out over the gardens, hills and sea. Fine dining comes with wines to match in restored cellars at La Corte dell'Abate restaurant; while Passioni e Tentazioni is a less formal option serving Sicilian classics. Head into Castelbuono itself to immerse yourself in its medieval streets and castle, then explore the mountains of Madonie Natural Park. £££ | SPA | POOL | Best for volcanic wines on Etna's slopes If the congestion of Catania and the unabashed tourism of Taormina are too much for you, then this is the Goldilocks solution found halfway between the two. Built on the foothills of mighty Mount Etna, Monaci delle Terre Nere makes the most of the volcanic terroir, with a 62-acre winery on site. Its dedication to environmentalism goes beyond marketing spiel too — the hotel uses organic, local ingredients, avoids single-use plastics and has even made its pool out of Etna's renewable lava rock. £££ | SPA | POOL | Best for getting back to nature while getting pampered There are many vineyards and luxury hotels in Sicily, but none are more tranquil than Pisciotto. The hotel is located on the edge of a nature reserve in a remote southern part of the island, so there's no chance to stroll down Greek and Roman boulevards, but ample opportunity to explore the 100-plus acres of vines and the forest beyond. The rooms lean into the rustic setting, but there are plenty of modern comforts too, including a pool, spa and hammam. Staff here are experts on everything from the birds you can see around the grounds to the bottles of wine you drink with dinner. ££ | SPA | Best for modern art amid the age-old architecture Much of the eastern Sicilian city of Catania was razed to the ground by a catastrophic earthquake in 1693, but this palazzo was one of the buildings to rise from the rubble, and is a classic of late-baroque style. Today, while the exterior has remained faithful, the artwork indoors has moved with the times. A gigantic flamingo is impossible to ignore as you enter, while paintings and sculptures are dotted throughout the property. Guests can choose between neoclassical rooms or modern art alternatives. At night, head to the rooftop to see the illuminated surrounding buildings, with Mount Etna providing a show-stealing backdrop. £££ | SPA | POOL | Best for designer digs with the personal touch A two decades-long labour of love, Dimora delle Balze has been carefully converted from a ruined 19th-century estate into an outstanding modern hotel. Much of its original layout has been preserved, but designers Draga Obradovic and Stefano Guidotti worked magic to create an airy, highly photogenic bolt hole halfway between the popular cities of Noto and Syracuse. It's understandably popular with couples and small wedding parties; each of its 14 beautiful rooms has been inspired by a Sicilian artist. ££ | SPA | POOL | Best for marble, mail and modernism There are many historical periods on display in Syracuse — such as Greek, Roman and baroque — but the Ortea Palace is an anomaly. This one-time fascist-era post office has, against considerable odds, been converted into an elegant hotel overlooking Porto Piccolo of the island of Ortigia. Italian marble is used throughout, meaning the decor is clean and bright without feeling sterile. Being at the water's edge gives a sense of calm, but the buzz of deeper Ortigia, with its boutiques and bars, is a pleasant stroll to the south. £ | Best for finding new friends in the big city Gritty Palermo is often overlooked in favour of quieter and more glamorous destinations along the coast. As though trying to prove that the city can offer tranquillity too, the family-run L'Olivella occupies a 19th-century art nouveau palazzo on a quiet street in the historic centre, close to the Teatro Massimo. Each of its five rooms differs in style (anyone looking for a four-poster bed should request Argento), but the welcoming owner greets all the guests equally and serves the breakfast every morning. • Best holiday villas in Sicily• Best tours of Italy Additional reporting by Louise Roddon, Julie Alpine and Oliver Berry
