Quotes of the Day

Sunday, Jan. 18, 2004

Open quoteVisitors to Italy who limit themselves to Florentine museums, Venetian canals and Roman ruins often miss out on the color and vibrancy of small-town Italian life.

The cultural and culinary attractions of the capital, Palermo, are well documented, but travelers should also make time for Sicily's second city, Catania. Its baroque buildings are made of volcanic stone from nearby Mount Etna. For atmosphere, take in the terrific fish market in Piazza Alonzo di Benedetto. But the town's real pride and joy is its colorful, bustling fresh-produce market on the Piazza Carlo Alberto. Sprawling over 70,000 sq m in the shadow of churches and historic architecture, the market's stalls groan under the weight of mounds of olives, vast wheels of cheese, baskets of fresh herbs and eggplants the size of soccer balls.

Even if you buy nothing — which would be a miracle of self-restraint — you'll find the atmosphere alone fulfilling. The Piazza Carlo Alberto market is open weekdays and Saturdays until 2 p.m. and is closed Sundays.Close quote

  • LIAM FITZPATRICK
  • Can't afford a villa in a Tuscan town — or been there already? Then consider the rugged, romantic and historically resonant island of Sicily.
| Source: Can't afford a villa in a Tuscan town — or been there already? Then consider the rugged, romantic and historically resonant Mediterranean island