Tripology Travel Experts Blog: Palermo

Come to Palermo, Italy

I found it fascinating to see ancient crumbling columns and fortified city walls juxtaposed against a modern gelateria or clothing store. Horse-drawn carriages share the streets with zooming Vespas.

Twenty seven hundred years of history can be seen and felt in Palermo. It is Italy’s 5th largest city at just one million residents, yet despite occasional traffic jams, can feel much more intimate. We felt safe walking about at night with other travelers and locals; of course, normal common-sense safety precautions apply when traveling as at home. But dismiss the stereotype of mobsters on every corner. Palermo is a treasure trove of history and food in its purest essence.

One night the town celebrated its annual Ladies Night—and no, not ladies of the night. A local woman laughingly told me that every night is men’s night, but one night is set aside to honor women. Busy roads were closed to traffic to form a pedestrian-only street festival with food and entertainment. Families strolled with baby carriages and bambini in tow, enjoying the balmy evening. We capped our evening in a modest bar to feast on a perfect Sicilian pizza from its wood-fired brick oven—crispy charred crust with fresh pomodori e aglio.

I also made a point of stopping by one of Palermo’s busiest and oldest outdoor markets. Stalls of vibrantly hued peppers, scarlet red tomatoes, tender artichokes, blood oranges (so named for their intensely red pulp), purple cauliflower, and yellow broccoli created a smorgasbord of colors and scents. I treated myself to a 1/2 kg snack (yes, I really do mean a little over a pound!) of renowned Sicilian olives for only two euros and munched happily as I inhaled the ambience of this Sicilian landmark.

Palermo Airport is served by major carriers and is one of Sicily’s two main airports. If you want to explore the entire island, Palermo is a logical starting point for a circumnavigation.

If you want to focus, though, on a particular region, Palermo as a starting point might not be the most efficient. Visit my profile and contact me so I can advise you on your Sicily adventures and discover an island steeped in ancient civilizations, Greek and Roman ruins, hospitable people, and culinary delights.

Share:

20 Responses

You must login to post a comment

Request a Free Quote From up to 3 Travel Specialists

Save time. Great values. Tripology.com






  • Services required:

Top Palermo Blog Categories

Travel Agent Listings

Subscribe to Tripology Blog

Featured Travel Video

powered by

Watch more travel videos at www.tripfilms.com

Latest Tripology Blog Posts