[Photodump] Sicily Winter '23 - Behind the postcard.

Many of us have seen Sicily through "The White Lotus", lately, but i went there a few weeks ago, while the island was being hit by one of the worst storms they'd had in years.

Here's a summary of this trip. It might not be interesting to many but i thought some might want to see what (the North-East part of) the region looks like through the eyes of a "normal person" (instead of those of millionaires in summer shot by Netflix).

If so, enjoy. If not, I'm sorry. :)

(And if 60+ photos aren't enough, there are 300+ over there : https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAs2L1 )

First, Palermo. Landed in the evening, wandered around.

The city is a (fantastic) mess. Stray dogs roam and eat the trash lining the streets.

Want free clothes ? You could have free clothes.

Sicilian palazzi are majestic.

Outside those palazzi, it's mostly chaos, though.

La Chiesa del Gesù is incredible.

Try and bring your Fort F-150 here, I dare you.

The entire city of Palermo is basically an open-air market. Hence the commotion. And I loved it.

Cefalù is only 1 h drive from there, though.

And it certainly hits different...

Once you leave the seaside, the landscape immediately turns into mountains.

And villages hang on the side of the rock like beehives. Here, the village of Gangi, one of the densest places I have ever seen. If you don't believe me, check the map : https://goo.gl/maps/ku5hW1uy4nQSjeZy5

Only Fiat Panda 4X4's will reach into the narrow and steep little streets.

Иo commɘnt.

Randazzo is a medieval village with narrow streets and preserved old walls.

Located between the Nebrodi mountains and the Etna volcano, its streets are built yellow sandstone and black volcanic stones.

"Go drive next to the Etna in the winter", they said. "It will be fun, they said."

If you're wondering how to say "snowstorm" in Italian, the word is "bufera", as in "Questa bufera ci ha bloccati sull'Etna per 4 ore" ("This snowstorm got us stuck on the Etna for 4 hours").

Now you're fluent.

But hey, we reached the seaside again, right on time to witness Taormina being battered by 100km/h gusts of winds.

Yes, this is Isola Bella.

No, I didn't walk there, although it's very near and accessible in good weather. I had had enough with almost dying in a snowstorm the previous day, didn't want to get swallowed by the sea either.

Ok, ok, this feels like Sicily.

The Greeks knew where to build their theaters.

I mean... Look at the view and imagine seeing a show, here.

Last day of the trip, first sunny day. OF COURSE, it had to happen !

Wanted to pack this little doggo in my suitcase but it didn't fit in the overhead compartment.

Santo Stefano di Cammastra is pretty cool for a last day.

Yeah...

... not too shabby.

So, yes. Sicily is absolutely freaking incredible. I'm definitely going back there. Maybe not during a blizzard, but I don't regret being there this winter.

3 weeks later, I still struggle to come back to normal life and I only stayed 6 days.

Hope you liked it too.