Sicily in May

It is now August and I still have not written or posted anything about my recent trip to Sicily. It is a multi-part story so I'll get get around to sharing it bit-by-bit in separate posts. The bottom of this page will have the links to all of the posts.

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I’ll admit that heading to Sicily was a bit daunting. From its reputation, I was expecting grit, noise, and chaos. I heard tales of unreliable transportation, rough roads, and piles of garbage. Sure, the Greek and Roman ruins would be nice, but would they be worth the downsides of a trip to this small Mediterranean island? 

Mike and I have traveled in some less-visited parts of Europe where information is hard to come by, the winding, narrow, potholed roads can be tough to drive, and the lodging can be cramped with flooding showers and dated decor. We expected Sicily to be like this, but what we found was a welcoming island that was easier to navigate and more put together than expected. Everything was orderly, clean, and on time, and all our lodging was quiet and spacious. 

There were some challenging moments with our rental car and its not-so-great navigation system, and some of the roads were winding and slower than anticipated but they were in overall good repair with no serious potholes, no drop offs, and plenty of room. In most places we drove we were pleased to find little traffic and mostly respectful drivers, and our brief forays in the city (Car pick up in Siracusa and drop off in Palermo) went smoothly.

Sicily offers the keen traveler beautiful and varied terrain (seaside, mountains, rolling hills, farmland, a huge volcano) and a long, diverse, and deeply layered history. The Greeks, Romans, Normans, Byzantines, Saracens, and more all called this island home, and although they have been gone for centuries, their influence can still be found in the food, architecture, and culture. 

Sicily exceeded our expectations in every way and was paired with pleasant, perfect weather (Never warmer than the mid-70s and cooler in the mountains) and only a few splashes of soft rain. We will go back at some point.

Many friends have asked about my favorite part of the trip, and it is hard to pick just one thing. Below are a few highlights. (Links to the posts coming soon!)

• Ragusa
• Villa Romana del Casale
• Polizzi Generosa and the Madonie Mountains
• Other highlights