Sicily: The motherland. Over 100 years ago my dad’s side of the family left this paradise and made the long voyage to Ellis Island. No one in my immediate family has ever been back so last month I decided to rediscover my roots in Sicily. I was alone on the island with a rental car and a very loose plan of driving from Catania to my dad’s home town of San Pier Niceto to see if I had any long lost cousins (which I do). The journey far surpassed anything I could have imagined. The sheer beauty of this island is beyond comprehension. Here are my top 20 reasons to visit Sicily as soon as humanly possible.
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Ancient cities like Modica.
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Local bars like this one in Marzamemi.
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Nutella for breakfast.
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Stoop hangs to the sound of church bells.
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Rush hour that looks like this.
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Nonnas that knit.
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Mare.
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Cinquecentos a plenty.
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Secret beaches like Punta Bianca.
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Outdoor markets.
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Nero D’avola, Primitivo, should I go on?
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Lazy Sundays.
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Waking up in a cave hotel.
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The freshest seafood you’ve ever tasted.
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Lots of real estate up for grabs.
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Wednesday matinees look like this.
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Island living at its finest.
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Sunbathing at Scala dei Turchi.
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People-watching in piazzas.
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Finding your ancestors.
