31km (19 miles) SW of Syracuse, 55km (34 miles) E of Ragusa

Justifiably the most popular day trip from Syracuse is to the little town of Noto, which is set amid olive groves and almond trees on a plateau overlooking the Asinaro Valley. Noto dates from the 9th century and knew a Greek, a Roman, a Byzantine, an Arab, a Norman, an Aragonese, and even a Spanish culture before 1692, when an earthquake destroyed it. The town was constructed somewhat like a stage set, with curvilinear accents and pot-bellied wrought-iron balconies. Many Sicilian artists and artisans have worked hard to rebuild the town into a baroque gem with uniform buildings of soft limestone.

Mercifully, traffic has been diverted away from the main street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele, to protect its fragile buildings, on which restoration began in 1987 -- and not a moment too soon. Your best approach is through the monumental Porta Reale (Royal Gate), crowned by three symbols -- a dog, a swan, and a tower, representing the town's former allegiance to the Bourbon monarchy. From here, take Corso Vittorio Emanuele, going through the old patricians' quarter. The rich-looking, honey-colored buildings along this street are some of the most captivating on the island. This street takes you to the three most important piazzas.