| Everyone thinks of the Mafia when they think | | | | |
| of Sicily. What does one do for fun in the | | | | 6. Go scuba diving in the waters off the |
| region that was home to the most powerful | | | | Aeolian Islands. Among these, one can find |
| families of their time? | | | | the Stromboli island, which has a small |
| | | | active volcano-a beautiful sight to behold on |
| 1. Visit the archeological sites. Sicily is | | | | a clear night. |
| steeped in ancient history and has several | | | | |
| ruins and monuments worth visiting. The | | | | 7. Sicily is a mountainous terrain, making it |
| Valley of the Temples, which dates back to | | | | perfect for trekking, running, mountain |
| the Grecian era, can be found in the city of | | | | biking, camping, and extreme sports. Trekkers |
| Agrigento. Byzantine-Christian cemeteries | | | | and hikers are best advised to check weather |
| from the 4th and 5th centuries are found here | | | | reports carefully as freak snowstorms have |
| too. Visitors to Sicily must also take a look | | | | been known to occur, leaving hikers stranded |
| at the Greek amphiteatre in Taormina. | | | | for days. |
| | | | |
| 2. Stroll along the Vendicari Reserve. Found | | | | 8. Try each of the bars that cater to a |
| in the southeast section of Sicily, the | | | | different demographic. Some bars cater to a |
| Reserve is a long, wild and untouched beach, | | | | mostly German crowd, while others serve a |
| making it a popular favorite for those | | | | more Irish or American clientele. All the |
| seeking solitude or quiet time with a loved | | | | bars are likely to be frequented by tourists |
| one. | | | | rather than locals since the local women tend |
| | | | not to visit these venues unaccompanied. |
| 3. Visit Caltagirone in July during the St | | | | |
| Giacomo festival and participate in the | | | | 9. Check out the catacombs of the Capuchins. |
| revelry of the processions and other | | | | Approximately 8,000 people are buried in the |
| festivities. | | | | maze of subterranean passages in Palermo. |
| | | | Some of the oldest mummified bodies are as |
| 4. Take a private tour of Mount Etna and | | | | much as 500 years old or more and yet are |
| browse through the local craft stores along | | | | incredibly well preserved. |
| the way at leisure. The private tour often | | | | |
| allows for many photo opportunities as well | | | | 10. Visit L'Angolo del Papiro and learn how |
| the option of a traditional Sicilian meal in | | | | to turn papyrus (the plant) into paper using |
| a mountain village. | | | | the same methods that were used 5,000 years |
| | | | ago. The workshop in Siracusa is located |
| 5. Visit Forza D'Agro and Savoca, both of | | | | opposite the Greek Theater. Handmade products |
| which were used as the backdrop for several | | | | made with the papyrus are sold to those who |
| scenes in "The Godfather." | | | | take a tour of the premises. |