Sicily - Nature's Island

Posted by Jude Buttle on Friday, September 05, 2008

Formerly a Greek colony, a Roman province, an Arab emirate and a Norman kingdom, Sicily blends an eclectic mix of ingredients into its own unique recipe.

Photo by Stefano Mortellaro

Warm & Welcoming

My discovery of Sicily seven years ago left an indelible imprint on my mind. I travelled to the Italian island with the attitude of a man raised in the cold, urban expanse of London, not expecting to be that impressed.

But almost immediately I encountered a stranger on a cobbled, narrow street, as the sun set behind a purple and orange hillside. He smiled warmly at me, and said buona sera, which I found refreshing and very welcoming.

While in Sicily I stayed in a small town called Barcellona, near Messina, which was full of friendly locals who were extremely traditional and proud.

Cuisine & Culture

The town was blessed with wonderful museums and art galleries that introduced me to the ancient cultures of Greece and North Africa, which had been combined with Italian renaissance to give a sense of the island's history. This incredible place, where Archimedes taught and Saint Paul preached, was truly breathtaking.

One of the most tangible memories of my stay in Sicily was sampling the magnificent cuisine. I had the pleasure of dining at ‘La Marinara' restaurant, which was set up a spiral stone path, a short distance from the city centre. During the day the place was a wonderful antiques gallery, but by night the roofless restaurant was opened and illuminated by candlelight as locals dined under a mesmerizing sky.

I tried many exquisite dishes, my favourite being the octopus cooked in its own ink sauce, garnished with herbs that had my taste buds dancing in delight.

Sun & Spice

I spent much of my time walking down streets steeped in history and roaming through fragrant fields, guarded by olive trees. I went shopping at markets packed with exotic flavours of tantalizing spices, sweet succulent fruit and the freshest seafood you could imagine.

At night I finally settled in my cozy apartment on the edge of a beach, my thoughts ignited by memories of the day. I listened to waves rippling against smooth rocks, creating whispers of times gone by as I fell into a deep relaxing sleep. I awoke to the clearest blue sky, a turquoise sea and a sun full of gold.

Time & Tradition

Sicily is a wonderful island, with people that are warm and generous and a location that offers the finest quality at affordable prices. One of the first truly multicultural societies, this unique place is full of art, archeology, history and breathtaking scenery. It has a sandy south and a rocky north as well as truly defined seasons; a golden summer, a winter dusted in snow and a spring full of fragrances and wild flowers.

The home of Mount Etna, the largest volcano in Europe, Sicily is an island where time and tradition have been forged by ancient faiths and ageless beauty... erupting to create a magical place.

Search for property in Italy

If you are looking for Property for sale in Sicily, such as villas, apartments or other types of real estate, why not check out TheMoveChannel.com Italy, which has a large number of listings from Italian estate agents and developers selling properties in the area: http://italy.themovechannel.com/

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