A phenomenal mixture of cultures from times past and present can be found on the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily. Off the southern coast of Italy, this place is highly urbanized, yet still bursting with natural beauty. Outside of Rome, this is the best place on Earth to visit to see some of the most complete ruins from the Greco-Roman period. Moreover, this island is home to the highest active volcano in all of Europe, Mount Etna, which in itself is a sight to behold. With a balanced mix of modernized cities and small towns, Sicily is the ideal vacation spot for someone interested in gaining a true appreciation for Italian culture, past and present.
