Mai Schilling

Sicily trip dump + my thoughts about each city and some general info.

1. Catania: I live here but it was nice to be a tourist for a change. Amazing street food! My favorite piazza duomo so far. I definitely recommend hitting up Catania at least for 1 day (2 days is better).

2. Taormina: Very beautiful but not my favorite. It’s like Disney world decided to build an Italian town. So everything’s pretty but that’s about it. Doesn’t seem like a typical Italian town/experience for me. Too many tourists. The Greek theater is amazing and I can’t wait to go back for a concert. Everything’s expensive af. 6 euros for an espresso???? No thanks. (But I will go back because it’s close to Catania). Worst meal of the trip was here.

3. Siracusa/Ortigia: So beautiful! It’s like Catania and Taormina had a baby. One of my favs for sure. Plus we had the best meal ever and the cheapest. People here are extremely friendly. This is where I want to live after I retire.

4. Ragusa Ibla: omg I have no words. Definitely was not expecting to enjoy Ragusa so much. One of the most beautiful places and so many amazing views on the road going into the city. Very few tourists, amazing food, good price. It was my favorite city from the whole trip. Definitely recommend.

5. Agrigento: unfortunately we didn’t have time to see the city so this is just based on the valley of the temples. Obviously an amazing park and so well preserved. It felt very surreal to be in the presence of so much history. I definitely want to return but in the winter because it was too hot. 🥲

Palermo: okay so Palermo fans don’t hate me but Palermo was meh. Honestly I did not like it very much. Maybe I didn’t do Palermo the right way. Or maybe it was because it physically hurt to order “una arancina”. The color of the sea around Palermo is very pretty though. I would maybe go back but with a guide from Palermo.

Other info: spent in total around 550 euros (for everything) for 5 days 6 nights.

Driving in Sicily: everyone says that driving is so chaotic but honestly, if you are used to driving in Brazil, Sicily is so chill. The roads are top tier in comparison.

I’m now ready for my Sicilian citizenship 🍋💛