TRAVEL STUDY

In late October, an adventurous group of art lovers traveled to Sicily under the guidance of BSSS's Cleveland Morris. The trip description said it all: The Magic of Sicily, 10 Days of Art, History and Scenic Splendor. Within an hour of landing on the island, we overcame jet lag by enjoying the spectacular, late-afternoon lighting on the ethereal Greek ruins at Segesta. Magic indeed!

We traveled the north coast from the beautiful island of Levanzo where we were amazed to find ourselves standing in a coastal cave adorned by Paleolithic and Neolithic artists. We then went on to the medieval towns of Erice and Milazzo, via Cefalu, and ended with a few days in Palermo. Along the route we made an overnight excursion to the fascinating island of Lipari, home of the magnificent and understated Archaeological Museum, observing en route the steam rising from the mountainous island of Vulcano! 

We viewed wonderful paintings by Antonello Da Messina among others, saw the Riace Bronzes, and toured ancient ruins and the magnificent Cathedral of Monreale. The many layers of Sicilian culture -- Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Arab, and Norman among many others -- were evident throughout our tour in the architecture, the art, and the food. The landscapes and seascapes were lovely; the weather was perfect. We got a lot of outdoor exercise on our explorations, thus most of us found it imperative to refresh with gelato frequently.

Article submitted by Anne Sills; Photos submitted by Barbara Brothers and Anne Sills