La Vita è Bella

Italy is a country that I consider "home." I have deeply immersed myself in its people, culture, art, and food since I studied the language at university in my motherland, Syria. Over the years, I have discovered many common elements between Syria and Italy—from the Mediterranean flavors to family traditions and historical exchange. As someone passionate about music, I find the Italian language like a smooth melody blended into everyday life and expressions.

My first trip to Italy was also my first solo travel when I was just 22 years old. Every time I re-visit, I explore a new city with new stories and memories. Through these short stays, I always get comments that I know the cities and speak the language better than many Italians do…which is a surprising yet pleasant compliment!

Back in January 2020, I had the chance to stop for a few days in Northern Italy, close to Lombardy, which was severely hit by COVID-19 one month after that. In 2024, a new trip was overdue to my boot-shaped affair. This time was the longest of all my other trips, allowing me to enjoy the small details and interact more with local people while practicing the language.

Under the Tuscan Sun

In 2015, I had a quick stop in Florence, the capital of Italy's central region, Tuscany. Despite Rome's glory and Venice's romantic flair, this city and region stood out as a favorite. This time, I was keen to spend more time and experience the pure energy of the Tuscan sun. I chose Siena as a base for one week, a great option to avoid touristy places and go on a slow-paced day excursion around the region.

Siena is one of the most established cities in medieval Europe, and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which contains several buildings from the 13th and 14th centuries. The city is historically linked to commercial and banking activities, and it's home to the oldest bank in the world, the Monte dei Paschi Bank. The historic area is surrounded by castle walls where cars are not allowed. The city is well-maintained and characterized by narrow streets that go up and downhill, with boutique cafes, restaurants, and bars on its corners.

Like other Italian cities, Siena has many beautiful piazzas 'squares' that showcase exquisite architecture, from Piazza del Duomo to Piazza del Mercato, Piazza Salimbeni, and Piazza del Campo, which is considered one of the most beautiful squares in the world for its unique conformation and the harmony of all the architectural elements present. The square also hosts Siena's famous horse race, Il Palio, a tradition dating back to the 17th century that represents the city's 17 neighborhoods (contrade).

While you can cover key landmarks in Siena within 2-3 days, a week in the heart of Tuscany can be well spent discovering the surrounding cities and towns, from Pienza to Montalcino, Chianti, Montepulciano, and San Gimignano. The endless roads with breathtaking views of Tuscan hills, cypress and olive trees, and organic farms producing fresh vegetables and a variety of quality wines will take you on a journey of postcards, dreams, and mouthwatering flavors.

Luna Mezzo Mare  

My second stop was a new adventure heading to Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island just off the "toe" of Italy's boot. Throughout history, Sicily has been influenced by many ethnic groups and cultures – from the Phoenician to Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Arab – to name a few. These influences made the island uniquely rich with archaeological sites, delicious cuisine, authentic art, and much more. Sicily has four airports and an area of 25,711 square kilometers. It is surrounded by the Ionian, Tyrrhenian, and Mediterranean seas. You could easily spend two weeks among its diverse cities and landscapes, from beaches to mountains and active volcanos.

My flight was supposed to land at Catania airport but was diverted to Palermo due to the unexpected eruption of Mount Etna. The eruption didn't cause significant damage but threw ashes on surrounding areas, resulting in flight disruption. After the festive landing in Sicily, I took a four-hour bus ride to my ultimate destination, Taormina. Situated on a hilltop on the East coast of Sicily, Taormina is a mini paradise near Mount Etna with charming views of mountains and sea.

This Pearl of the Ionian Sea contains vibrant streets, colorful balconies, and iconic landmarks such as Isola Bella, the Greek theatre, Piazza IX Aprile, Villa Communale, and Castelmola. You'll be dazzled by Sicilian specialties, from arancini to seafood pasta, granita, and cannoli. The Moor's heads are the signature symbol of Sicily. These hand-painted ceramic vases tell a story of passion, betrayal, jealousy, and revenge, portraying the face of a man wearing a turban and a woman with a crown.

Taking the cable car, you can easily reach many nice beach clubs spread over the Spiaggia di Mazzeo from Taormina. Hiking enthusiasts can visit Mount Etna, over 2,500 meters above sea level. You can also use a combination of cable car and 4x4 jeep to reach up to 2900 m, if safety conditions allow. If you're a fan of the award-winning Godfather, you can visit the villages of Forza d'Agro and Savoca, where much of the filming was done in the Messina province. You can also go on day trips to other key Sicilian cities nearby, such as Catania and Syracuse.

My two-week trip spent between Tuscany and Sicily made me experience the typical Italian "Bella Vita", from sipping my cappuccino for breakfast every morning to sampling freshly baked pastries, colorful bruschettas, pizzas and artisan gelatos. My afternoons were quality times of wandering around the vine leaf fields, watching the sunset, and drinking an aperitivo while listening to enchanting mandolin beats and having due chiacchiere with my talkative and energetic Italian fellows. Will I come back to enjoy and discover more beauties in this beloved country? Assolutamente si!