Sicily's island status reinforces the strong sense of regional identity found in many parts of Italy.
1. Sicily isn't all that Italian —
Sicily's island status reinforces the strong sense of regional identity found in many parts of Italy.
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Mob members these days probably won't be sporting a traditional coppola cap, as Al Pacino does in this scene from "The Godfather." Doesn't mean you won't have met a mafioso, though.
2. If you meet the Mafia, you won't know it —
Mob members these days probably won't be sporting a traditional coppola cap, as Al Pacino does in this scene from "The Godfather." Doesn't mean you won't have met a mafioso, though.
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A Sicilian mosaic shows ancient Roman athletes exercising in an early version of the bikini.
3. The bikini is very old news here —
A Sicilian mosaic shows ancient Roman athletes exercising in an early version of the bikini.
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And the Greek relics aren't bad, either -- the Temple of Concordia rivals any ancient Greek ruins anywhere.
4. Sicily rivals Greece for ancient ruins —
And the Greek relics aren't bad, either -- the Temple of Concordia rivals any ancient Greek ruins anywhere.
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The name of these traditional Sicilian sweets -- virgins' breasts -- leaves little to the imagination.
5. Desserts will satisfy the sweetest tooth —
The name of these traditional Sicilian sweets -- virgins' breasts -- leaves little to the imagination.
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Persevere and you'll find many Sicilians transform from standoffish to almost overwhelmingly hospitable -- here a man offers wine to U.S. troops during World War II.
6. Manners remain very formal —
Persevere and you'll find many Sicilians transform from standoffish to almost overwhelmingly hospitable -- here a man offers wine to U.S. troops during World War II.
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Fire and ice -- volcanic Mount Etna has both in abundance.
7. You can ski on a volcano —
Fire and ice -- volcanic Mount Etna has both in abundance.
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Around 8,000 mummified Sicilians, complete with rictus grins, greet you in perpetuity in the Palermo catacombs.
8. Mummies are a weird attraction —
Around 8,000 mummified Sicilians, complete with rictus grins, greet you in perpetuity in the Palermo catacombs.
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A volcanic beach in the making on one of the Aeolian Islands. Perhaps wait a while before taking a dip.
9. Some of the beaches are made from lava —
A volcanic beach in the making on one of the Aeolian Islands. Perhaps wait a while before taking a dip.
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Boutique vineyards are at the vanguard in producing quality wines on Sicily -- table wine rules no longer.
10. The wine's no longer all swill —
Boutique vineyards are at the vanguard in producing quality wines on Sicily -- table wine rules no longer.
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