Discover Sicily! I will try to keep this post as objective as possible, but I must confess: Sicily is one of my favourite places on the planet.
As a student of Italian, don’t worry too much if you don’t understand a word when overhearing people on the streets. This is the first reason I love the island. As a language geek, I was drawn to this mixture of sounds, some familiar and some beautifully exotic, creating sentences I could not quite fully understand.
You can reach the most southern part of Italy by plane, using one of their many airports. My advice, if you are brave, would be to rent a car. This would allow you to make the most of your time and travel around as much as possible. I started in Palermo driving to Agrigento and up to Mount Etna and Taormina, to then finish in Catania. If you have only a few days, it would be advisable to focus on a part, either East or West, North or South.
There is so much to see! I would like to start with what made my whole trip unforgettable: the notorious Sicilian kindness. People will help you in any way possible, so that you can have the best experience in their beloved land.
There is an abundance of nature, history, gastronomy, and culture to discover. Here’s a list which is not even remotely comprehensive:
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Must-see in Palermo:
The Cathedral, hidden in the city with its warm and elegant architecture. The markets, the most famous being in the neighbourhood of Ballarò. Here you can try the delicious street food (be brave!) and the tastiest freshly squeezed pomegranate juice you will ever have in your life.
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Mount Etna:
A hiking tour is a must, to feel the dark soil and the excitement of being so close to the top. If you are into wine, try and find one of the many wineries on the volcan and join for a tasting.
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Agrigento:
The town centre as well as the iconic Valley of the Temples, you will be thrown back to the past and it will simply take your breath away, I promise.
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Scala dei Turchi:
Not far from Agrigento, you can find the stunning “Scala dei Turchi” a fantastic natural cliff, whose erosion created what looks like carved steps. The juxtaposition of the white limestone and the turquoise sea will make you wonder if what you’re watching is real!
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Marsala:
Best know for the iconic wine taking its name. This pretty town will steal your heart with its postcard landscape. Enjoy a tour of the salt pans and their mills and then taste some of the renowned salt in one of the many famous restaurants around.
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Marzamemi:
Difficult to pronounce and difficult to forget once visited, this is one of Sicily’s prettiest seaside villages. Beautiful beaches, amazing food and magical atmosphere.
Have I convinced you yet?
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