Before I travel anywhere, I take time to learn about the area and/or country. For my upcoming trip to Sicily, some of the prep was very easy. A tentative daily itinerary was provided by the tour company so I could read about the villages and sites we would visit. As a visual learner, I often research further especially wanting to see photos of an area or place.

Quite by accident, there was a television program about the geology of Sicily. “Doug’s Geology Journal” on PBS had a half-hour, jam-packed, episode about how:

…. the Eurasian and African tectonic plates crashed together so long ago to form the uplifted areas on the island

…. a nappe is formed

…. the northeast side of Sicily was added onto from rock miles to its north

…. the “boot” of Italy got its shape 

…. Mount Etna is still a very active volcano

Now I am really looking forward to seeing the geology of the island, especially the limestone cliffs! The program’s aerial view of Sicily almost makes me wish we had a helicopter tour during our stay on the island. Who knows, maybe I could make that happen?

Map reading the area you plan to visit, in my opinion, is an interesting thing to do. Where are villages relative to each other, what bodies of water surround the island, are there many roads in the country, what’s the elevation of the land? I now realize our travel will be in a circle around the island with Mount Etna being the island’s highest point at 11,014 feet. Sicily has the Mediterranean Sea to its south and Ionian Sea to its east. Between Italy’s west coast across to the island of Sardinia and north of Sicily is the Tyrrhenian Sea. 

Readings from books, magazines and newspapers help round out information when wanting to research something further. Or as I was reading a recent New York Times article about life in Pompeii. Will re-read that article when touring the Naples area as it is about a new archeological find in the area.vAlso know, tour companies often provide bibliographies with informative books to read and sometimes even movies to watch.

Conversations with others: people who already toured the island may have some thoughts and highlights to share. Recently friends mentioned a nature preserve they absolutely loved so I have it circled on my map. Unexpectedly, I had a conversation with an Italian woman from Italy when I was visiting Grand Canyon National Park. After a mention of my upcoming trip to Sicily, she excitedly told me about her favorite dessert with ricotta. I know she did not say cannoli because I know and already love that dessert.

My research found “cassateddi”, officially called “sweet ravioli of ricotta”. Apparently the half moon shapes are filled with sweet ricotta, then fried, and called “sciauni” in the Messina and Catania areas of the island. There is also a “cassatelle”. This dessert is sweet dough filled with ricotta and chocolate chip mixture, then fried. There is even ricotta cheesecake! I hope to taste all these desserts! Shall I eat dessert first? Or maybe be sure to leave room for dessert?

About the wine. I drink and enjoy a glass of wine with my dinner, yet I do not know  a lot about wines. After asking a friend and a visit to a local wine shop, I’ll taste Nero d’ Avola, a Sicilian red wine. I am sure to easily find white Grillo and Inzolia on menus. They are made with native grapes. These tastings during the trip will be great fun!

So much can be learned  and enjoyed before a trip has even started! I find doing the research is a big part in building the excitement about an upcoming trip. If you don’t already spend time researching your travel, just take one trip to research and give it a try. As a result, you may find something exciting and not want to miss it while on your trip. Bon voyage!