Sicily.  The land of ancient ruins and conquering heroes.  Traversing the land under a brilliant blue sky, 
up and over the craggy cliffs, passing landscapes resembling quilts of green, brown and yellow with
brilliant red poppies dotting the roadside.  Witnessing scenes such as an occasional shepherd with his
flock perched precariously on the mountainside and the long tumbled down stone remains where once 
stood a modest farmhouse.  Where have they gone?  Now only the bougainvillea thrives in wild 
abandon and the expertly terraced fields of olive trees stand testament that the land is still viable even
 though the inhabitants are gone.  In the distance, the shimmering azure sea beckoning toes to dip and
 bodies to bronze.  Up, up the mountain again to quaint villages where prolific lemon trees stand proudly
 in every yard and potted geraniums grace  the shuttered windows while the fluttering laundry dries on the balconies.   Sitting at a local vineyard in the shadow of Etna enjoying the fruits of her ashen soil while sampling olives and the accompanying oil on freshly made rustic bread is truly time well spent. Olive orchard, Linguaglosso Corrected by Perfectly Clear on Monday, June 1, 2015 at 09:04:32 Central European Summer Time Corrected by Perfectly Clear on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 10:10:57 Eastern Standard Time Corrected by Perfectly Clear on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at 11:12:33 Central European Summer Time

After spending one month immersed in its culture, this is the Sicily I will choose to remember. Should you be seeking antiquities, from Greek temples to Roman ruins, then the mosaics at Piazza Armenia together with the ancient ruins of Siracusa and the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento will not disappoint. If it's souvenir shops and cozy cafes then the crowded sites of Taormina and Cefalu with busloads of tourists on day trips are certainly worth your time.

However, if given the opportunity, take a drive through the challenging interior.
 The rewards will remain with you for a lifetime.