Why Do We Travel?: Sicily Reflections

Why do we travel? It’s costly, time consuming, and — frankly — lots of work. On my recent Best of Sicily tour, the answer became happily clear as we shared 11 experience-packed days, orchestrated by a gifted guide. It was pure Sicily, and well worth whatever it took to get me there.

An elderly aristocrat gave me a tour of his 1935 racing car. I looked a crypt-full of monk skeletons straight in the eye sockets. After savoring cannoli where it was invented, I discovered exactly how good it can be. I learned the difference between Naples- and Sicily-style pizzas (and that I prefer Sicilian). I compared bushy eyebrows with old guys on a bench in Syracuse. I was served a glass of full-bodied red wine by a Sophia Loren–esque woman in a vineyard on the slopes of a steaming volcano. And I became part of the mesmerizing, swaying rhythm of an entire community on their Good Friday procession, by joining right in.

All these travel memories were made even better as they were shared by two dozen wonderful Rick Steves travelers. Next month, I’m doing the same thing…but on our Ireland tour! Stay tuned.

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This is Day 30 of my “100 Days in Europe” series. As I travel with Rick Steves’ Europe Tours, research my guidebooks, and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences in Italy, Portugal, France, Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and more. Thanks for joining me here on my blog and via Facebook.

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