Sicilia

Most of my family are from Sicily. My grandmother was an orphan on the island and moved to the US in the late 40s. I can’t find out much about her since she passed away and I never got to meet her. Not to mention being an orphan makes finding family ties pretty hard to do. But nonetheless I want to see where my people come from.

It has a dangerous feel to it – Mount Etna, the Mafia etc. I don’t actually know anyone who’s ever been there, everyone seems to stick to the mainland.

I visited Sardinia a few years ago, and would love to visit another Italian island!

When you talk about an inclusive history, Sicily’s right up there at the top of the list. Crossroads of the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa, western Asia—on and on!

I would like to visit Sicily because of its unusual history and situation in Europe. Sicily has been owned by almost every major European power in the last two millennia, not to mention the Arabs as well. It has been culturally influenced by all who have conquered her, and it is a strange relationship they have with Italy now as it has only been part of Italy for about 150 years. Italy has been highly fragmented and Sicily’s position away from the mainland only increases this lack of unity. It would be interesting to see Sicily in its own light, rather than as another part of Italy.

Best food I’ve ever had in my life

If the Italian side of the Mediterranean is as awesome as the Spanish side, then sign me up now!

very very nice!! especially taormina, palermo. lipari from eolian islands is worth visiting.

I have had the great fortune to visit Sicily three times, and I would love to go back. This place is so rich with history and culture that it is almost impossible to explore it all.

My favorite place of all is Cefalu. It is an absolutely beautiful place on the northern coast. I also really enjoyed the catacombs in Palermo, the temples at Agrigento, eating arancini and shopping at the mercato in Termini Imerese, the castle in Caccamo, Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, and walking in the small town of Castelbuono.

When I go back again, I would like to see places on the eastern coast, such as Siracusa, Catania, and Taormina.

This is my history. My great grandparents were born and raised in Sicily. I have to go one day and walk on the ground where my roots began.

Two years ago I took the best trip of my life. I went to see the small village in Caltinasetta where my grandmother was born. Her name was Sebastiana Montagnino and her family came from Mussomelli. It was unreal. I found my way into through the streets, to the castle, the old clothes washing place, to the church altar, and the cemetary. I was in heaven. I felt so close to her. It is an ancient, stone town on a hill. Every building is pale and gray, like it’s history is a color. There are steep winding streets and tiny little doorways with arch shapes on top. All the people would be inside watching tv or eating together, and peering out at us as we wandered the cobblestones. The best day of my life..