No crime bosses, only rich history, in Sicily

Palermo, Sicily, Italy. Visited on 19-21 February 2025.

So I started in Oman in the Middle East and then made an abrupt turn to Iraq. From there, I flew to Tunisia in North Africa. Since Sicily is just across the pond, I decided to fly to its capital, Palermo.

Of course, I have heard much about Sicily. Think mafias. Think of the godfathers. But think of them as the past.

Definitely a change in scenery. I now see historic churches tucked among the old houses, cementing their iconic places, and preserving their legacy. Like antiques, they proudly display their age; seniority absent senility. Some of them are architecturally jaw-dropping. The Palermo Cathedral was built to be visually overpowering. It is a blend of Norman, Islamic, Gothic, and Baroque styles. I stood in front of it, my eyes struggling to take in the towers, dome, parapets, and arches. Quattro Canti is unique – the four buildings, divided by two streets at right angles, separated by a small square, are almost identical. Each time I came to this intersection, street artists were performing. It feels like here is where everything in Palermo intersects. Here is where music should echo, where happiness emanates. Fontana Pretoria is an X-rated place with many marble statues of naked bodies on display. But these are figures artistically sculptured. As arts, I think it qualifies to be G-rated.

Most streets and alleys are still paved with old cobblestones, polished smooth by time by rubber, yet uneven. But we still prefer to walk in the footsteps of our forefathers. Cars vibrate as they squeeze between the walls.

This is the place to indulge and lie to yourself because eating feels so good. I have been gorging myself with pick-me-on-the-go street food, snacks, and pizzas. I have also treated the desserts like staples, sometimes also as breakfast. I think my quality of life has improved since arriving in Palermo. I might regret it later but now is not the time to think about that.

Palermo is just as I expected – history and good food. Amen to that.

Quattro Canti, Palermo
Quattro Canti, Palermo
Fontana Pretoria
Fontana Pretoria
Church of San Giuseppe dei Patrick Teatini
Church of San Giuseppe dei Patrick Teatini
San Giovanni degli Eremiti
San Giovanni degli Eremiti
Inner courtyard of San Giovanni degli Eremiti
Inner courtyard of San Giovanni degli Eremiti
Porta Nuova, Palermo
Porta Nuova, Palermo
Palermo Cathedral
Palermo Cathedral
Teatro Massimo
Teatro Massimo
Inner courtyard of Norman Palace
Inner courtyard of Norman Palace
San Domenico Church
San Domenico Church
Piazza Vittoria Emanuel
Piazza Vittoria Emanuel
The Dove, by Picasso
The Dove, by Picasso
Inside the Church of Santa Maria
Inside the Church of Santa Maria
The Church of Santa Cataldo
Inside the Monreale Cathedral
The Cloister of Monreale
The Cloister of Monreale
The Cloister of Monreale
The Cloister of Monreale
La Cala, Palermo
La Cala, Palermo
Palermo Esplanade
Palermo Esplanade
Palermo street food, burger overflowed with beef slices
Palermo street food, burger overflowed with beef slices
Palermo restaurant streets

Syracuse, Sicily, Italy. Visited on 25 February 2025.

I left Palermo on the 23rd of February, riding the inter-city bus for 200 km to Catania, where I would be based for the next few days. While in Catania, I took a day trip to Syracuse, 90 km away.

From the station, I first walked to the Neopolis Heritage Park, which included the Quarries of Paradise, the Greek Theater and the Roman Amphitheater. From here, I walked sprightly towards the seafront. On the way, my attention was distracted by Baba au Rhum, one of those that you don’t want to try and then find yourself hooked. I tried it once 40 years ago; I had been talking about it every time I met an Italian. If you like alcohol but dislike the idea of binge drinking, this will make it somewhat excusable. It is a dessert – a sponge cake disguised as a mushroom that soaks up rum.

After crossing the bridge Ponte Umbertino, I was immediately in love with the intoxicatingly enchanting blue and green of the sea around me. The water around here has been tamed to be calm and flat to soothe the turbulence in you. This part is the historic heart of Syracuse. The Tempio di Apollo is still there, but barely – not much is left. The narrow alleys laid with old cobblestone that are hallmarks of Sicily’s old towns still pave the way. The Syracuse Cathedral and the ground it stands on, Piazza del Duomo, are still the centerpiece that pulls people here to reminisce about old times.

A stroll along the Largo Aretusa and Lungamare Alfeo was the perfect winding down after a day of hopping from place to place chasing those not-to-be-missed sights – the sea was unperturbed, the blue of the sky turned softer, the crowd was sparse, and their gait lackadaisical.

I returned to Canatania just in time for the peak hours traffic jam.

Syracuse, where they paint sea with water color of the most exquisite shades of green and blue and brought it to my feet; where they keep the color of their history left by their forefathers. Today was a beautiful stroll back in time.

Piazza del Duomo, Syracuse
Piazza del Duomo, Syracuse
Syracuse Cathedral
Syracuse Cathedral
Quarries of Paradise, Neopolis Heritage Park, Syracuse
Quarries of Paradise, Neopolis Heritage Park, Syracuse
Neopolis Heritage Park, Syracuse
Neopolis Heritage Park, Syracuse
Roman Theater, Neopolis Heritage Park, Syracuse
Roman Theater, Neopolis Heritage Park, Syracuse
Neopolis Heritage Park, Syracuse
Neopolis Heritage Park, Syracuse
The waterway flowing into the Grand Harbour of Syracuse
The waterway flowing into the Grand Harbour of Syracuse
Al Porto, Syracuse
Al Porto, Syracuse
The calm waterfront of Syracuse
The calm waterfront of Syracuse
Ponte Umbertino, Syracuse
Ponte Umbertino, Syracuse
Largo Aretusa, Syracuse
Largo Aretusa, Syracuse
Lungomare Alfeo, Syracuse
Lungomare Alfeo, Syracuse
Fonte Aretusa
Fonte Aretusa
Narrow alley of old Syracuse town
Narrow alley of old Syracuse town
Temple of Apollo, Syracuse
Temple of Apollo, Syracuse
Fried seafood of anchovies, shrimp, squid
Fried seafood of anchovies, shrimp, squid
Baba au rhum, soaked in rum
Baba au rhum, soaked in rum

Catania, Sicily, Italy. Visited on 23 – 27 February 2025.

From Palermo, I took the intercity bus to Catania on the eastern coast, arriving two and a half hours later.

Many came to see Mount Etna smoking, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. I came to experience Sicilian culture, shaped by its history under the Roman Empire, the Byzantines, the Arabs, and the Normans.

My first instinct was to head to the Piazza del Duomo. This is where all the streets, and the wandering visitors, gravitate back to. Indeed, visitors congregated excitedly, marveling at the Catania Cathedral and other historical buildings. Within earshot, street performers sang passionately to appreciative audiences who fidgeted to stay warm in Piazza Universita. Via Etnea, a central thoroughfare, connects pedestrians with the cafes, restaurants, and historical buildings that line it. I strolled along and eventually reached Villa Bellini. The sun was setting, and children were playing in the park, trampling on and tossing tiny paper confetti, dressed as fairytale characters. At the top of the hill, Mount Etna puffed unthreateningly, like an old man smoking on his veranda, resigned to people-watching.

Historic cathedrals and churches are scattered along the old cobblestone streets. These architectural masterpieces remain in their original state, unvarnished, wearing their age with dignity. They were where forefathers congregated to worship and socialize – a life the locals long to connect with, that they never experienced, only heard about.

In the old town is the fish market, wet and fishy. The fish have, conveniently but forcibly, landed here; this is after all, a coastal town. I enjoyed several meals of cones filled with fried calamari, anchovies shrimp, and other seafood – flesh and bones, heads, tails, bones, limbs, een traces of dried blood. They looked ghastly but fried crisped to perfection. I squeezed lemon over them, crunched them whole, and washed it down with a cold Sicilian beer.

Catania tied it all together. Absolutely Sicilian!

Piazza del Duomo, Catania
Piazza del Duomo, Catania
Catania Cathedral in Pizza del Duomo
Catania Cathedral in Pizza del Duomo
Piazza Universita, Catania
Piazza Universita, Catania
Via Etnea Street, Catania
Via Etnea Street, Catania
Chiesa San Biagio, Catania
Chiesa San Biagio, Catania
Villa Bellini
Villa Bellini
Mount Etna from Villa Bellini
Mount Etna from Villa Bellini
Castello Ursino, Catania
Castello Ursino, Catania
Teatro Massimo Bellini in Piazza Vincenzo Bellini
Teatro Massimo Bellini in Piazza Vincenzo Bellini
Benedictine Monastery, Catania
Benedictine Monastery, Catania
Porto San Giovvani Li Cuti, Catania
Porto San Giovvani Li Cuti, Catania
Calamari
San Francisco d'Assisi all' Immacolata, Catania
San Francisco d’Assisi all’ Immacolata, Catania
San Placido Church, Catania
San Placido Church, Catania
Teatro Antico, Catania
Teatro Antico, Catania
Via Vittorio Emanuela
Via Vittorio Emanuela
Chiesa di San Michelle
Chiesa di San Michelle
Basilica della Collegiata on Via Etnea
Basilica della Collegiata on Via Etnea
Church of San Nicolo l'Arena, Catania
Church of San Nicolo l’Arena, Catania

Click the link below to go to the next stop:

I discovered a beautiful gem in the Mediterranean, Malta

Click the link below to start from stop 1:

See the unique natural wonders of Oman in 10 days

Itinerary for this 80-day trip:

Oman Muscat->Dimmah Sinkhole->Wadi Shab->Sur->Ras Al Hadd->Ras Aal Jinz->Al Wasil->Wahid Bani Khalid->Nizwa->Jebel Shams->Iraq Baghdad->Kurdistan Erbil-> Kurdistan Sulaymaniyah->Karbala->Najaf->Babylon->Tunisia Tunis->Sousse->Kairouan->Monastir->El Jem->Carthage->Italy Sicily Palermo->Sicily Syracuse->Sicily Catania->Malta->Madrid->Dominican Republic Punta Cana->Les Terrenas->Santo Domingo->Puerto Rico->Miami

Route map - My epic journey in 80 days, from Oman, Iraq, Tunisia, Sicily, Malta to the Caribbean
Route map – My epic journey in 80 days, from Oman, Iraq, Tunisia, Sicily, Malta to the Caribbean

148 Comments

  2. Yo guys, just checked out fatah777 and it’s pretty decent. Good selection of games and the site is easy to navigate. Definitely worth a look if you’re looking for something new. Check it out here: fatah777

  6. Hey guys, Played a bit on 9377game. Not bad overall. It’s got some games you won’t find everywhere else. It’s worth a visit if you need a quick fix of something new. Head over to 9377game for some fun

  25. Hi, I do believe this is a great site. I stumbledupon it ;
    ) I will revisit once again since i have bookmarked it.

    Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you
    be rich and continue to help others.

  30. Scratch cards are such a fun, quick thrill! It’s amazing how convenient mobile gaming has become – instant access is key. Thinking of trying a new platform? Check out jljl3 download for a streamlined experience – sounds perfect for on-the-go fun! ✨

  42. Hi, I do think this is an excellent site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to come back once again since i have saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.

  53. Heard about 88nn01 and trying to figure out what’s up? Looks like another online gaming spot. Proceed with caution and know your limits, peeps! Check out 88nn01 for more.

  64. Just found this amazing scatter mechanic history! It’s wild how 1960s tech changed everything. Check out scatter game legit for the full vibe. The blend of old school reels with modern PAGCOR safety is next level for anyone wanting to dive into Filipino slots without breaking the bank or risking too much.

  84. The architectural blend in Palermo perfectly illustrates how diverse historical forces create a unique, complex system. This intersectionality-where Norman meets Islamic art-mirrors how modern digital experiences must blend varied features to keep users engaged. It’s a beautiful lesson in design, whether you’re exploring Quattro Canti or finding a new source of entertainment like a g perya slot download.

  87. I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I am hoping to check out the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal site now 😉

  95. I am really loving the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems? A number of my blog audience have complained about my site not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera. Do you have any advice to help fix this issue?

  99. Q：Cryptify Hub是正规学院吗？A：不是，它是民间Web3社群，品牌叫“学院”而已。Q：能拿证书吗？A：不能，民间组织不发证。Q：那它有啥用？A：找工具链接、加社群聊天、看别人分享。Q：靠谱吗？A：民间水平，参考可以，盲从危险。Q：免费吗？A：免费。Q：值得加吗？A：期望别太高就可以。

  100. Just want to say your article is as astounding. The clarity in your post is simply great and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.

  112. I simply could not leave your site before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard info a person provide in your visitors? Is going to be again continuously in order to check up on new posts

  120. I do not know if it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else encountering issues with your blog. It appears like some of the text in your posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if this is happening to them as well? This could be a issue with my internet browser because I’ve had this happen before. Kudos

  121. Magnificent website. Plenty of useful info here. I am sending it to several pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thanks on your sweat!

  123. 有人说它是“学院”，其实它更像图书馆的索引柜台。Cryptify Hub不写书（不产出内容），也不教书（不提供课程），它只告诉你哪排哪架可能有你想找的书（工具链接）。参考索引可以，但请自己去翻原著。

  130. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
    Did you create this website yourself or did you
    hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking
    to design my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from.
    thank you

  131. hello!,I love your writing so a lot! percentage we communicate extra approximately your article on AOL? I require a specialist in this house to unravel my problem. Maybe that is you! Looking forward to look you.

  133. Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your content seem to be running off the screen in Internet explorer. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the problem fixed soon. Thanks

  138. Hey there, You’ve done an excellent job. I will definitely digg it and individually recommend to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from this web site.

  139. Superb blog you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics talked about here? I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get advice from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Thank you!

  143. Good post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon every day. It will always be helpful to read through content from other authors and practice a little something from their sites.

  145. With havin so much content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement? My site has a lot of unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my agreement. Do you know any methods to help prevent content from being ripped off? I’d really appreciate it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *