In Sicily, she’s known as Mamma Etna. Yes, she is a *she*, if even the word for volcano in Italian, vulcano, is masculine. Etna is a great mother. She is massive, and her influence and impact on life in Sicily – – particularly the east side of the island – – is significant. Etna creates…
Category: Nature
Day 10 of 16 Days of Sicily | Dancing Dolphins
The seas of Sicily are glorious. There are three: The Ionian on the east side, the African or Mediterranean to the south, and my favorite, the Tyrrhenian on the north side of the island. They are turquois and lapis and all shades of blue; they are clear and clean; often, they are calm; and in the…
Day 2 of 16 Days of Sicily | Hiking Through Sweeping Vistas
I can’t get enough of Sicily’s panoramic walking trails like this one near Custonaci. Often when one thinks of Sicily, s/he pictures seaside fishing villages and beaches. That’s certainly true, but Sicily is mountainous too! And often those mountains are just steps from the sea, so you can get in a dynamic hike, and then…
Stupendous Mountain Walk On The Sea Near Palermo
Riserva Naturale Orientata Capo Gallo is another magnificent corner of Sicily. It is an accessible hike along the coast, west of Palermo. Go there to take in outstanding visits of mountains meeting the sea with the islands of Ustica and Isola delle Femmine in the distance. Thank you to my guide Salvo for having shared…
Almond Blossoms In Sicily
The almond blossoms are starting to bloom in Agrigento province. This one I photographed two days ago in the Sicani Mountains north of Agrigento. Soon the hillsides of southern Sicily will be painted white! It’s a beautiful season to be here.
February and March In Sicily
Sicily’s center during February, March, and April offers travelers outstanding scenery for walking and taking it all in. And then there are the villages that must be visited to truly understand Sicily’s soul. Temperatures range from 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning to 65 by midday. It’s perfect for hiking and enjoying the stupendous views…
Yoga In Sicily Complete With Magical Sunsets
This sunset was the star a beautiful evening from Yoga in Sicily with Clio Mallin last June. Come with us in June 2023! 11 days of wonderful yoga practices integrated with the energy of Sicily’s outstanding natural and cultural beauty. Learn more at https://experiencesicily.com/yoga-in-sicily-2023/
Majestic Vistas of Mountains and Sea While Hiking in Sicily
Untamed nature reserves with majestic vistas of mountains and sea greeted me at Monte Cofano and Lo Zingaro in Trapani province. Wow, this day took my breath away! Hiking is Sicily can be simply walking or it can be more challenging, depending on what you seek. We’ll show you the way with or without a…
Wheat, Wheat Everywhere! Sicily’s Economic Engine
Wheat. Hard durum wheat. To truly understand Sicily, one must understand that the act of cultivating grains on the island has probably been the main economic engine of the region for millennia. The Greeks started it, but the Romans made it their main business in Sicily. They had an empire to feed, after all. From…
Hiking In Sicily Takes My Breath Away
Yesterday with naturalistic guide Nanni Di Falco and the Italian hiking organization Compagnia dei Cammini, I traversed more than 12 miles of stupendous landscape in Trapani province on foot (Yes, I’m on the move!). In the distance of this photo are Scopello and the Tyrrhenian Sea coastline leading to Lo Zingaro Nature Preserve. We hiked…