Reflections on Sicily

For many years we have wanted to visit this crazy island and after 17 days we have a fair idea of what happens here having done virtually a full circle around the coast though not in a continuous way, and through the center. As noted previously there are numerous things here to irritate and confuse and then there is so much fascination, a more diverse history than probably anywhere on the planet of which we have seen many examples but by no means all. Western Sicily is more simple, slower and definitely sees less tourists and we prefer it there. Over the last few days as we have gone up the East coast the prices have gone up, many people are less friendly and accommodating and quite willing to take advantage of you when they can. That is not to say that one should not visit this area because there are many sights worth seeing, like the Greek Theatre at Siracusa:

Further up the coast is the hotspot city of Taormina which has become the victim of it's own success and now suffers from everything that comes with mass tourism: too many souvenir shops, expensive restaurants, parking and accommodation. However, if you avoid the summer crowds as we did you cannot help but enjoy the spectacular setting, high on a steep hill with the sea on one side and Mt. Etna on the other, it was an incredible place for the Greeks to build another theatre.

As we sailed from Messina this morning we could not see the volcano in the clouds and we never did get to the top, but we have seen it from other angles. You will see better pictures of Etna with more snow and from closer up but as it appears to be the visual symbol of Sicily we think it appropriate to be our final shot of this amazing place. Mission accomplished.