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I traveled to Sicily with my wife for the first time in 2014. Since then, we have been back again. And again. On these trips, I have seen the profound impression Sicily has made on everyone who has visited it.
It is easy to like nature, food, and people. And, of course, many historical sights scattered all over the island.
The climate is also great. It's not too cold, even in winter. And there's rarely a shortage of sunshine.
The purpose of this website is to share information about Sicily. Its cities, sights, culture, and history.
How It All Started
When I first went to Sicily I knew almost nothing about it. Only that the mafia had been a problem and might still be. And what little I'd looked at in the tourist guides.
So I didn't know what to expect. I had done some traveling elsewhere in Italy, but as I soon found out, Sicily was a different story.
The first thing that struck me was the scenery. The rolling hills that surround Palermo. The vegetation was somewhat barren. Both the people and the food were different from what we had encountered elsewhere in Italy.
We spent a week in Palermo. Over the next few weeks, we also got to know Cefalu, Catania, Taormina, and Syracuse.
We walked the beaches and climbed the mountains. Visited small villages on the slopes of Mount Etna. Met different people in the cities.
The trip ended in Syracuse, whose old town will hardly leave anyone indifferent.
And then back home. Soon I was already planning the next trip. So much had yet to be seen.
Although we had been on our trip for almost a month, it felt like we had only scratched the surface.
(This has become a common theme after that. There's always something more to see. There's never enough time.)
A Work in Progress
My own interest in Sicily is also linked to my general interest in Europe and its history. Throughout its history, the island has lived at the crossroads of bigger cultural movements.
And of course, I also like to enjoy the food, the sun, the people and the relaxed atmosphere.
This website is an organic whole, it grows and grows. When I learn something new, I add it here.
It's also a good excuse to keep learning more about this strange and wonderful island.
I try to keep the focus on my own experiences. There is a downside to that, though. With just by themselves, individual experiences are left floating in the air. There is no background to which to attach them. Sometimes they can be downright false.
So I try to research every topic and thus frame my experiences as parts of a bigger whole. I try to look for reliable sources, but I am also interested in other people's experiences. Everyone sees things in their own way. We can all learn from each other.
That's why I've also offered readers the opportunity to contribute to the site. Where this has seemed appropriate, I have added a form at the bottom of the page that allows you to share your experiences.
These experiences will be incorporated into the site.
This project is unlikely to ever be finished. And it doesn't need to be. There will always be new perspectives or new information.
I will let the site evolve at the same pace as my own knowledge.
If you have suggestions for new topics or want to correct mistakes, please feel free to contact me.
You can do it by emailing me at vesa@manyfacesofsicily.com.
On my first trip to Sicily in 2014.Follow MANY FACES OF SICILY on Pinterest
Contact: vesa@manyfacesofsicily.com