They say Sicily is part of Italy, but the moment you drive Holly (our 8-meter Hymer) off the ferry in Messina, you realize you’ve entered something entirely unique. It’s “similar but different,” and it’s breathtaking.

The Logistics of the Strait

Our third ferry trip of the tour was the shortest yet—just 30 minutes! We were amazed by the efficiency; you buy a ticket, get in line, and 20 minutes later, you’re sailing. While the GPS gave us a “Happy Detour” through the crowded streets of Messina, once we hit the highway, we were stunned by the engineering. It’s a constant cycle of tunnel-bridge-tunnel, all while hugging the sides of massive mountains.

A Taste of Home at Sigonella

After seven months of navigating European grocery stores, we had a specific mission: Sigonella Navy Base. Every full-time traveler has those “missing” items. For us? It was Ranch spice, taco seasoning, Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, and a very necessary lunch at Taco Bell. It’s the small comforts that keep the wheels turning!

The Heights of Enna & The Quietest Neighbors

We spent a night in Enna, the highest city in Sicily. We parked at the cemetery, which offered phenomenal views of the valley below. But the real highlight was touring the cemetery itself. Unlike the graveyards we’re used to in the States, these are ornate “cities of the dead” with family crypts that look like small, beautiful houses. It was a deeply respectful and fascinating look at Sicilian culture.

Ancient Steps at the Valley of the Temples

Next, we headed to the south coast and a tour at the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. This was a 10,000-step day, and the best part? Salsa was allowed to join us! Seeing the Temple of Concordia and the Temple of Juno against the Sicilian sky is something every traveler should experience.

Palermo: Chaos, Catacombs, and Octopus

Palermo is a “big city” experience. We stayed at Camp Green Car, a tight urban parking spot that AI recommended to us! (Yes, we use AI to help navigate our 8-meter rig!)

We took a walk in the morning to take in the city.

The bucket-list item here was the Capuchin Catacombs. It’s hard to describe the feeling of walking among thousands of preserved bodies from the 1800s. It isn’t morbid; it’s stirring. It’s a reminder of the different ways humans honor their past.

Note: We didn’t take photos inside out of respect, but the mental images will stay with us forever. These images are the web page for the site.

Where to next?

We’ve officially crossed back to the mainland, heading toward Pompeii and eventually the ferry to Barcelona. Sicily, you were a beautiful, mountain-filled, “Happy Detour.”