Hello From Sicily A Country Excursion Into The Nebrodi Mountains To Montalbano
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Travel Leisure -> subcategory Vacations.
Hello From Sicily: A Journey Through the Nebrodi Mountains to Montalbano
Word Count: 1283
Summary:
Sicily's breathtaking landscapes continue to captivate me. Yesterday's train trip to the medieval town of Cefalù highlighted the stunning beauty, both urban and rural, that this Mediterranean island has to offer. After leaving my cozy room in a five-bedroom student apartment, I headed to the Laboratorio Linguistico offices?"an Italian language school offering the unique opportunity to learn Italian aboard a sailboat. Just last week, I sailed with six others through the beautiful Aeolian Islands, studying Italian off Sicily's coast.Keywords:
Sicily, tour, learning, Cefalù, travel, adventure, Milazzo, Montalbano---
Article Body:
Sicily's captivating beauty consistently amazes me. Yesterday's excursion to the medieval town of Cefalù was yet another testament to this island's charm. After leaving my cozy room, I headed to Laboratorio Linguistico, an Italian language school offering a unique opportunity to learn Italian while sailing. Just last week, I was part of a sailing trip through the stunning Aeolian Islands, where we studied Italian near Sicily's shores.
At the school's office, I met Francesca, who handles student affairs, and Sonia, from Switzerland, who provides administrative support. Franco Zodda, the school's co-owner, showed me around the well-organized premises, complete with classrooms and free internet facilities for international students. After exchanging photos with Francesca, I picked up supplies for lunch.
Back at the apartment, I met Trevor, a 19-year-old from Cleveland. His ancestors hailed from the Palermo area, and he saved for a year to embark on a seven-month language study trip. Trevor was eager to connect with his roots and learn about his ancestral culture. It was touching to see his enthusiasm and curiosity.
At 3 pm, I set off on a countryside adventure with Francesco di Santi and Franco Zodda, co-owners of Laboratorio Linguistico. Francesco, a licensed captain, had led the language study trips on the sailboat, an unforgettable experience. We started our journey beyond Milazzo, heading into the winding roads of the Nebrodi Mountains.
The drive revealed Sicily's stunning interior, a beauty I had glimpsed during a previous tour around Mount Etna. After an hour, we reached an area above the tree line featuring unique sandstone formations, reminiscent of Stonehenge. These Rocks of Argimusco have been sites of ritual celebrations for centuries.
The panoramic vista was spectacular: the Aeolian Islands to the north, the Nebrodi and Peloritani mountain chains to the east and west, and Mount Etna?"the largest volcano in Europe?"towering to the south. It was a magical, enchanting place.
The unique rock formations reminded me of Salvador Dali’s paintings. Francesco pointed out unusual round inclusions, resembling cannonballs fused into the sandstone. Having grown up in Austria, the scenery invoked the picturesque Alps of my homeland, reinforcing Sicily's potential for unconventional tourism, perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Francesco and Franco shared insights on Sicily, its history, and unique character. Hiking isn't popular among Southern Italians, Francesco joked, as Sicilians prefer driving to their destinations. Amid the rocks, we talked about the mafia and Sicilian mentality, characterized by individualism and fatalism.
They also educated me about the area's plant life at 2000 meters altitude, featuring hazelnut, chestnut, and cork oak trees, all commercially valuable. We saw a stone corral used to protect goats from predators overnight. Soon, we encountered a large goat herd, who amusingly observed me as I took pictures.
Our journey continued to Montalbano Elicona, a quintessential Sicilian mountain village atop a hill. We parked and wandered through the village, where a main square centered around a church bustled with activity. Following Sicilian tradition, older men gathered on one side, young women sat on the front steps, children played in the piazza, and older women were notably absent.
Exploring narrow, cobblestoned streets, we reached an ancient castle and old churches. The streets were serene, some too narrow for vehicles. Back at the square, we paused for refreshments. I tried an 'arancino di funghi,' a delicious mushroom-flavored rice ball with a crispy orange crust. Though tempted, I resisted a second helping.
The authentic mountain villages in Sicily, with their clusters of older men in berets animatedly discussing soccer and politics, fascinated me. Too shy to photograph them, I enlisted Francesco's help. With his Sicilian charm, he secured their approval for photos, and most even smiled for the camera.
Content with capturing authentic Sicilian moments, we headed back to Milazzo as the setting sun bathed the countryside in golden light?"perfectly ending an intriguing excursion. By 9 pm, my guides dropped me back at the Laboratorio Linguistico apartment, and I settled in, readying for my last full day in Sicily.
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