Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea with nine provinces, a total area of 25,711 km2 (9,927 sq mi) and a history dating back to pre/historic times. The geography is hilly and mountainous with the cone of Mount Etna dominating the east coast.
The capital of Sicily is Palermo, a wild and charming city teeming with world heritage sites, street life and outdoor markets. Catania in the shadow of Mount Etna is a Baroque city and home town of the celebrated composer Vincenzo Bellini. There’s Messina as a bridgehead to the Italian mainland, small Baroque towns like Noto and Palazzolo Acreido in the southern provinces of Syracusa and Ragusa. Agrigento with impressive Greek temples, Trapani with salt mills and marsala, landlocked Enna and central Caltanissetta.
Here are our notes on Sicily with travel inspiration and tips on what to see, do and eat in different parts of the island.
Italian NotesLooking for the Godfather in Corleone
Corleone is probably the most infamous town in Sicily, and as such you would think it could attract throngs of tourists, but that is not the case. And having been there, I can’t say I blame them.
Italian Notes
Messina Port and the Blessing of a Golden Madonnina
Why is there a Latin blessing beneath the Madonnina guarding Messina Port in Sicily?
Italian Notes
Hike to Cavagrande del Cassibile
A photographic poster of waterfalls and green lakes in a deep, limestone canyon first drew me to the Cavagrande del Cassibile in southeastern Sicily..
Greek temples in Sicily
Syracuse, Agrigento, Selinunte and Segesta offers some of the most impressive Greek temples left my Magna Graecia in Sicily.
