Introducing Sicily
More of a sugar-spiked espresso than a milky cappuccino, Sicily will reward you with an intense bittersweet experience rather than anything lightweight and frothy. In Sicily it seems as though the sun shines brighter, the shadows are darker, and life is lived full on and for the moment. Overloaded with art treasures, undersupplied with infrastructure and continuously struggling to thwart Mafia-driven corruption, Sicily possesses some baffling social topography. Brace yourself to reconcile baroque architectural beauty in Catania with modern squalor in Palermo, artistic excellence with moral ambivalence and the rational with the sensual. This is an island to be visited with an open mind – and a healthy appetite; one factor remains a constant, and that is the uncompromisingly high quality of the cuisine.
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After some 25 centuries of foreign domination, Sicilians are heir to an impressive cultural legacy, from the refined architecture of Magna Graecia to a beguiling, if contradictory, artistic fusion of Arab craftsmanship and Norman austerity. This complexity of culture is matched by a startling diversity of landscape that includes the smouldering Mt Etna, an aquamarine coastline with a tiara of Aeolian Islands and Parco Naturale Regionale Delle Madonie.
Today, Sicily’s new generation is loathe to remain trapped in the past. New ventures are seeing aristocratic entrepreneurs prising open the doors of some of Europe’s finest palazzi and villas, while sensitive agriturismi (farm stay accommodations) are shedding light on Sicily’s hidden rural treasures and national parks. Sicily also has a refreshing lack of neon-blazing entertainment and theme parks, which further helps preserve its individuality and appeal.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- Trek the impressive volcanoes of Etna and Stromboli
- Explore Sicily's ancient sites and lively culture by bike
- Get on the hop-on hop-off tour in Palermo
Last updated: Feb 20, 2012
Tips & articles
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Exploring the mysteries of Sicily
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Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Sicily in July - where to stay and where to visit?
by MTL 01 June 2012
Siracusa is my favourite place in Sicily. Once spent a week in a rented apartment in the old town- loved it
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RE: Amalfi Coast or Sicily?
by jennzsmile 01 June 2012
I agree with lucapal in that you could probably fully explore the Amalfi coast within a week. I'd say spend the week there, and then if…
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RE: T Word
by higgs_bossom 01 June 2012
There are nice Greek ruins in Sicily for whatever that's worth.








