What to do in Sicily, Italy

Sun-soaked, historic and beautiful, Sicily is an extraordinary place to visit. Often overlooked for Italy’s more northern attractions, a visit to Sicily is like discovering a well-kept and delightful secret. From the remarkable archeological ruins to its pristine Mediterranean beaches and world-class snorkeling, Sicily is the perfect place to visit for a real Italian vacation.

Nestled at the bottom of Italy, being perpetually kicked by Italy’s boot, the island of Sicily has had a varied and fascinating past. It is very much a part of Italy, but it has its own culture, unique to the island. Conquered by the Greeks, Germanic tribes, Goths, Arabs, Normans, the Spanish and eventually the Italian, every culture has left its mark on this picturesque island of lemon groves.

History in Sicily, Italy

For history buffs, Sicily is home to some of the most fascinating ancient ruins in the entire region. The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento dates back to the days of the Greek Empire. The site is one of the best-preserved Greek ruins in all of the Mediterranean, and was declared a UNESCO world Heritage Site in 1997. The valley contains the remains of seven Doric temples, and there are still excavations going on discovering more of the area’s fascinating history.

Natural Wonders of Sicily

For nature lovers, a walk along the deserted beach of the Vendicari Reserve is like a stroll through paradise. Nestled along the southeast coast of Sicily, you can watch the flamingos play in the lagoons, you can climb the sand dunes, you can breathe in the fresh sea air scented by the nearby bushes of rosemary and thyme, and you can even swim in the rocky coves.

Sicily’s most famous landmark is, of course, Mount Etna, and no visit would be complete without a trip to one of the world’s most famous volcanoes. You can hike up, drive up, take a cable car, arrange a tour, or do some wine tasting. Visit the lower part of the mountain, rich with fertile vineyards, orange groves and chestnut forests. Then travel up the mountain to look into the Sylvester Craters, and around at the panoramic view of the entire island.

Traditional Sicilian VIllages

You can also experience a little of Sicily’s more modern, and more notorious, history by visiting the towns of Forza D’Agro and Savoca, both of which served as a backdrop in The Godfather. They are traditional old Sicilian villages, with cobblestone streets and charming town squares completely inaccessible by car.

Finally, for a really unique and utterly macabre visit in Sicily, check out the Capuchin catacombs in Palermo. It’s an underground maze, where the remains of about 8,000 people are dressed up, and on display. The corpses were embalmed, dressed in their best clothing, and staged around the halls in various poses. It is completely creepy and totally fascinating.

Whether you plan to enjoy the untouched natural beauty, or explore the extremes from odd burial rituals to powerful volcanoes, a visit to Sicily is unlike a visit anywhere else in the world, and promises to bring you incredible once-in-a-lifetime experiences. And when you're looking for women's travel clothes for your trip, check out Best-Travel-Clothes.com.