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Lesley Peterson is a Toronto-based writer specializing in travel, art, culture, history and legendary landscapes. She has a degree in Art History from the University of Manitoba and is a member of NATJA (North American Travel Journalists Association). Catch her on Twitter as @culturetripper or contact her at lesley@culturetripper.com. All content by Lesley Peterson copyright © 2009 - Until the Present. All photos by Lesley Peterson except where other credit noted.
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Sicily’s seductive beaches and strange symbol
Castellamare del Golfo, Sicily.
More than 2,000 years ago, Greek sailors sailing the Mediterranean around Sicily gazed upon its golden shores and likened them to the alluring legs of a woman. They called the island Trinakria, or three pointed, identifying it with the Thrinacia mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey.
The trinacria, symbol of Sicily, Italy.
I love to wander Sicily’s beaches in the off season when it’s easy to imagine ancient scenes on deserted shores.
The trinacria is still the symbol of Sicily, appearing on everything including the region’s flag, though in that case the snakes coming from gorgon Medusa’s head have been updated to less-threatening wheat sheaves.
I don’t mind the snakes. To me, they perfectly represent all the old mountain roads that wind all over this beautiful island.
For more travel inspiration and information, see the Region of Sicily‘s tourism website.
Paradiso nature preserve is on Sicily’s south coast, not far from the Greek temples at Selinunte.
Scarab beetles scurry over the dunes at Paradiso nature preserve.
Alcamo Marina, in Western Sicily.
The old tonnara (tuna fishery) at Scopello.
The popular beach town of San Vito lo Capo, Sicily, hosts an annual Cous Cous Festival.
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>Gorgeous shots!
>Thanks, Lorenzo–Sicily's dry, clear atmosphere is a photographer's dream!
>Beautiful pictures Lesley. I really love them
>Amazing pictures Lesley. You have managed to capture the true beauty of Sicily"s beaches:) Wish I was there!!!!!
>Gorgeous photos…the sand looks very soft not rocky as I imagined it might be.
>Sicily has loads of dramatically rocky coastline but don't imagine those parts were the ones likened to a woman's smooth, tanned legs!
Thanks for this beautiful post, Lesley. Great shots! One of my friends is getting married in Sicily later this year, I’m definitely planning to go.
A Sicilian wedding – you’re in for quite the experience (and food)! Do you know what part of Sicily you’re headed for? I love the western half of the island: wild, windy, lovely beaches and remarkably preserved archaeological sites/Greek temples.