Sicily, a region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is home to Catania, the island’s second largest city (Palermo is the largest.) Catania is a very beautiful, laid-back city that boasts a surprising amount of greenery, considering its extremely sunny and hot climate. The humidity, however, is quite low and when the sea breeze hits, the air […]
It is worth it to go off the beaten path to see the beauties of Sicily. Southern Italy’s heat can be searing, but we visited Sicily in early spring, and the weather was perfect. The air was mild, almond trees bloomed in green valleys, and the stony fields were ablaze with wildflowers.
There are times when you crave a vacation where you just plop down on the beach and “veg out”. But taking a trip to Europe is something different. We travel to Europe to learn about our heritage, immerse ourselves in different cultures, see great works of art, and experience a different way of life.
The first time I visited Taormina was somewhat by accident. If you enter Sicily by ferry from Reggio di Calabria, the final city on the toe of the boot, and decide to go south on Sicily’s eastern shore—toward cities like Catania or Syracuse—Taormina is one of the first towns you’ll encounter. Strapped for time, I wasn’t […]
Mt. Etna, a volcano located on the eastern side of Sicily, dominates the island’s skyline and its awe-inspiring peak is visible during the ferry ride from Italy’s mainland. Unfortunately, when I took the ferry in April, the day was cloudy, so I failed to notice that the top of Mt. Etna was buried in snow, rendering […]