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Sicily If you haven’t been to Sicily, you haven’t experienced Italy. This common held belief among proud locals (an understatement) and those vacationers, tourists and backpackers who are lucky enough to include this magical island on their Italian tour itinerary, will agree. With wide swaths of green and tan Mediterranean landscape including pastoral goat farms, craggy cliffs and endless olive trees, plus a fiery local culture full of authentic dance and music, striking women and ways of life that seem to be lifted directly from a centuries-old fairytale book, Sicily typifies the charm and fragrance of rural, southern Italy at its best.
The Sicilian coastline is also one of the most incredible stretches of land, with endless golden sand beaches running up against dramatic cliff sides, whites and golden colors that contrast beautifully the emerald green countryside and the deep blue sea. Occasionally a white-walled fishing village will crop up along the coastline, clinging to the rocky peninsula it was built on, and a harbor filled with the makeshift yachts of local fishermen will charm you with its rich, photogenic air. Hire a local on the coast of Messina to ferry you out to the gemlike string of islands due north in the Tyrrhenian Sea, or make your way inland. There are a wealth of amazing things to do and see in Sicily.
Naturally, a great place to start out is Palermo, the region that is also home to Sicily’s capital city, Palermo. The Duomo di San Cataldo is an incredible testament to the Norman conquest of Sicily, and is located in the endearing Piazza Bellini. Open are restaurants here provide a perfect opportunity for you to delve into exquisitely prepare seafood, the crowning jewel of Sicilian cuisine. As you wash it down with a white wine or refreshing local liqueur, look around and watch the locals, how they dress, the animated way in which the speak to one another and often break into song spontaneously. Undoubtedly, you’ll be approached by a local who will want to talk. Not because he’s drunk, but because of his intrinsic friendliness. As long as you are in a pair or group of friends traveling together, it is a good idea to go along, because most locals are well intentioned and simply want to show off their beautiful city.
Be sure, of course, to get out of Palermo – Sicily’s most intense charm lies in the countryside. The regions of Ragusa, Catania, Agrigento, Trapani, Caltanissetta and Syracuse should all be thoroughly explored. Accommodations are often arranged by renting rooms with locals, although a wealth of luxury lodging options as well as rental apartments perched on the breathtaking Sicilian coast are available, although it’s wise to book ahead. |
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