Sicilia

I visited Sicily for the first time in 2017 and I loved it so much I even started to learn Italian! So, this year I decided I want to go back. And it was worth it :)

Here are some highlights from both of travels, which I think you should definitely visit when in Sicily and my tips regarding photo equipment:

1. Mount Etna

There are two routes which you can take up to Mount Etna. South and north. South is a bit more touristy, but the view is worth it. You can either take a cable car from the bottom or hike. Please, do not hike in flip flops... I saw too many people doing that ... You need proper shoes. Do hike if you have more time (the whole day) and energy - you will have more opportunities to take pictures. If you take cable car you won't be able to take much pictures, as the cable car is colored :) After the cable car or hike you can either stop there and enjoy the view there (also worth it!) or go further with jeeps. It is not possible to go on your own.

I managed to get a seat next to the driver, so I was able to take this picture. Try to take this seat and have a wide angle lens ready! After a ride in jeep you will walk around the crater with a guide. Again, it is not possible to walk on your own.

The view is breathtaking there! You can be also lucky (or not, depends on how you look at it) and see the volcano erupt. It is still active and this year (2019) it was very active. If it is steaming in white color, it is safe - it is just letting off some steam. I would say for this trip have a wide angle lens with you.

Mount Etna letting of some steam

North side is a bit more calm. We took off-road jeeps, took a hike and tasted wines from Etna and Sicily. The north route is a bit more calm and less touristy. You can go up to 1800 meters high. However, I do recommend first taking the south side, since it was more breathtaking for me, despite the amount of tourists.

Mount Etna from the north side

For this trip (both north and south side) I recommend a wide angle lens. For the first time I visited Mount Etna I did not have a wide angle lens, but the second time I came prepared! I had with me Nikkor 10 - 20mm f/4.5-5.6.

2. Taormina

Taormina is a beautiful city, but you have to prepared it is crowded with people, no matter when you come. Do visit Teatro Antico. Here, again, I used my wide angle lens. You can also go and see some show, which, during night has to be spectacular, since you have a view on Etna.

You can take a stroll, Taormina is beautiful! Just be prepared if it always full of people. For Taormina you can use wide range of lenses, depending on what you want to take pictures of. Wide angle lens, zoom lenses would be the best choice. If you want to walk around a lot, make sure the lenses are not that heavy. For night photos take your tripod with you. Afterwards you can enjoy dinner with a spectacular view ...

Taormina

3. Noto & Syracuse

These baroque cities are definitely worth visiting. What is interesting about Noto is that the city is older, but was destroyed by an earthquake and built new some kilometres away from the original city. Noto and its church belongs to UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Noto Cathedral

Syracuse belongs as well to the UNESCO Heritage Sites and it is known as a birthplace of Archimedes. It was founded by Ancient Greeks. Do take a stroll through the city and visit the Cathedral of Syracuse. Inside, you can still see the Greek columns from the 5th century BC.

Cathedral of Syracuse

For both cities I recommend a wide angle lens. There is a lovely architecture. But, if you want to capture the atmosphere or take pictures of people, you could take a more universal one or telephoto lens.

4. Stromboli & other volcanic islands

I would say Stromboli is a must see when visiting Sicily or Calabria. It is an island - volcanic island, and the volcano is still active. It is either possible to hike up there and take pictures there (could be dangerous when the volcano is active like this year) or take a boat trip and take pictures from there.

Stromboli during sunset

We also visited Panarea another island in the vicinity of Stromboli. Its architecture reminds me of Santorini. Here, I recommend the same as for Noto and Syracuse. A wide angle lens. But, if you want to capture the atmosphere or take pictures of people, you could take a more universal one or telephoto lens.

If you take a boat trip to watch Stromboli erupt, a telephoto lens might be also of use.

5. Cefalù

Another city that is also very known and visited by tourists is Cefalù. However, I recommend visiting it outside of season or in the morning. The beach and the city gets really crowded. Having said that, I still do believe it is worth visiting.

Beach in Cefalu

Those are the sights I recommend visiting when visiting Sicily. Of course, I haven't been everywhere and I hope to return soon and visit more sights on Sicily.

When deciding what type of camera equipment to take with you, think about where you want to go and what kind of pictures you want to take. Google the places you want to visit to have an overview. What I definitely recommend is wide angle lens. If possible, make also sure your equipment is light to carry so you don't end up with back pain like me :)

Oh... do not forget! You have to try pistachio ice cream! Pistachio grow on Sicily and the ice cream is just heavenly!