Sicily. The land of ancient ruins and conquering heroes. Traversing the land under a brilliant blue sky,
up and over the craggy cliffs, passing landscapes resembling quilts of green, brown and yellow with
brilliant red poppies dotting the roadside. Witnessing scenes such as an occasional shepherd with his
flock perched precariously on the mountainside and the long tumbled down stone remains where once
stood a modest farmhouse. Where have they gone? Now only the bougainvillea thrives in wild
abandon and the expertly terraced fields of olive trees stand testament that the land is still viable even
though the inhabitants are gone. In the distance, the shimmering azure sea beckoning toes to dip and
bodies to bronze. Up, up the mountain again to quaint villages where prolific lemon trees stand proudly
in every yard and potted geraniums grace the shuttered windows while the fluttering laundry dries on the balconies. Sitting at a local vineyard in the shadow of Etna enjoying the fruits of her ashen soil while
sampling olives and the accompanying oil on freshly made rustic bread is truly time well spent.
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| Olive orchard, Linguaglosso |
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| Red Alfalfa fields at Castlellana Sicula |
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| Potted geraniums everywhere! |
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| Gates leading from the Antico Storico in Caslebuonno |
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| Tyrhenian Sea as viewed from atop Tindaris |
After spending one month immersed in its culture, this is the Sicily I will choose to remember. Should you be seeking antiquities, from Greek temples to Roman ruins, then the mosaics at
Piazza Armenia together with the ancient ruins of Siracusa and the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento will not disappoint. If it's souvenir shops and cozy cafes then the crowded sites of Taormina and Cefalu with busloads of tourists on day trips are certainly worth your time.
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| On the road to Enna |
However, if given the opportunity, take a drive through the challenging interior.
The rewards will remain with you for a lifetime.
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