Overall, it was a great trip, and as I’ve said before, the best part was spending three weeks with my sister, Anne. We saw and did so much, and having all that time together made the experience especially memorable.
In Puglia, my favorite places were Lecce and Alberobello. In Sicily, I loved Ragusa and our little Fiat 500 adventure through Modica. Lecce and Ragusa appealed to me because they felt less touristy and gave me a better sense of everyday life. Alberobello was unlike anything I’d seen before, and driving through the narrow, winding streets of Modica in those tiny vintage Fiats was just plain fun. Those experiences stand out, although that certainly doesn’t diminish the rest of the trip.
There were plenty of other highlights: Matera’s remarkable cave dwellings, the spectacular mosaics in Palermo and Piazza Armerina, the ancient Greek temples at Agrigento, and the dramatic volcanic landscape of Mount Etna. We also had some unusual experiences, including harvesting salt in the salt flats, meeting the donkeys that collect trash in Castelbuono, and learning about traditional Sicilian crafts. And then there was the food—especially the arancini and gelato. I think we managed to fit gelato into just about every day!
One thing that struck me was how strongly the people of Sicily identify as Sicilian rather than Italian. I expected that, given the island’s distinct history and culture, but it was interesting to experience it firsthand. I was also pleased that I never sensed any resentment toward us as Americans. People were generally welcoming, and I enjoyed learning about their lives and their perspectives on Sicily.
As always, the people we met were an important part of the experience. We had terrific guides and travel companions, and we heard some fascinating personal stories along the way. Three weeks went by surprisingly quickly, and I came home with a much better appreciation of the history, culture, and character of both Puglia and Sicily.
But if I had to pick the best part, it would still be the time with Anne. We shared so many new experiences, laughed a lot, and made memories that will stay with us long after the suitcases are unpacked.
Here are a couple of videos and a picture of our group that I received after the trip. A nice way to wrap up a wonderful adventure!
