Soul-Stirring Sicily: Savoring Slow Travel Through the Senses
This blog took me 6 months to finally write - and for good reason. Trying to bring together all the thoughts and feelings and experiences and even the draw to Sicily. It took time to get here. Why? My logical mind seeks to understand the pull and desire to spend more time in Sicily when there’s no rational reason or connection (that I am yet aware of;). My intuition keeps telling me to just lean in, trust, to be open and curious (and why the F not spend time there?). Then there’s been the 7 weeks of travel earlier this year and well life:). So here we are.
This is one part love note to Sicily - one part reflection on my experiences and the journey - and perhaps one part inspiration. Take it as you like and need.
A love letter to Sicily:
Sicily stirred my soul in ways I’d never experienced. It deepened my relationship with myself, awakened my senses, and affirmed everything I’ve come to believe about slow travel.
During my time there, I felt truly at home within. There was a familiarity in the land and rhythm—an energy that grounded me and gently held me in my feminine.
This was slow travel at its finest: no rush, no packed itinerary, no need to “see it all.” Just spaciousness.
I moved intuitively, letting each day unfold—wandering cobblestone streets, lingering over espressos and long meals, pausing to savor what moved me.
The only urgency? Catching the occasional boat, bus, or train.
And it wasn’t just about pace—it was about presence.
I traveled through the senses:
~ the scent of jasmine, japanese cheesewood and other dreamy flowers, citrus and sea air
~ the bold taste of espresso, wine and olives
~ the vibrant colors of the tiles and flowers
~ the melodic sound of church bells echoing through narrow alleys and
gentle waves of the sea
~ the feel of the soft sand between my toes, the gentle breeze and warm sun against my skin as I strolled the streets
This is what makes travel soul-stirring: when you let the senses guide you, deepen your connection, and anchor you fully in the moment.
This is what draws to spend more time in this sacred land, to explore, connect and simply BE. To live soul connected, slowly and sensually.
I trust in the divine plan and connection - seemingly from another lifetime which sparks the familiarity and comfort. Supportive and grounding. Yet expansive and energizing. I will return in divine time.
I started the first edition of this blog on Saturday May 17, 2025 - while in Catania for my 2nd time. I wrote: Already for a week! - wow does time go fast. And tonight - as I am writing - I see Mt Etna in the not so far distance for the first time in a week - her majestic mound, her presence felt. I went searching for views; however, she’s been there all along. It’s been a cloudy and moody week in the skies, and then there was the Scorpio full moon. And an eruption! Which! Maybe I could have seen had I known? But then again… the heavy clouds and timely clearing provided for the view I was meant to see. Until tonight, as I write, from my makeshift station at the window (thanks to a special someone for this;)
Her presence, felt. Calm, yet commanding. Solid and strong yet soft. Grounding yet energizing.
Whether you believe in nature’s energy and its impacts on us or not - well that is for you to explore and not for me to influence…. I do believe in the power of the earth and nature and that includes volcanos. Based on my experiences, that involve feeling deeply soul aligned and connected, grounded yet energized, without doing much, I do believe our environments have an influence. An invitation to pay attention to how you feel in certain places - energized, drained, etc.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to spend time in Sicily twice within the past 6 months. If you would have asked me a year ago. Hell, even 6 months, could I see myself spending time in Sicily, I would have said sure, its on the list to visit on holiday, someday. But zero idea that I’d spend nearly 6 weeks within a 6 month period there.
Back to the beginning…
Rewinding to October 2024 when I was preparing for my 7 week Eurotrip. I had a ‘loose’ agenda with lots of room. Grateful to travel and experience the world this way - the idea was slow travel, immersive and experiential in places I’d never been. Sicily was on the list - but when I was organizing, it felt better to go another time. That was until - 2 weeks into the trip, my ‘plan’ to go from Malta to Valencia, Spain was disrupted due to the horrific flooding experienced. So I pivoted.
True story - I had never heard of Catania prior to booking my flight. There’s a lot of focus on Palermo, Taormina and Syracuse (and if you get really into Sicily - you’ll begin to learn of a ton of other spots). But Catania? What I read painted a picture of little glam, a lot of grit and basically that people use it as a landing pad to arrive in Sicily before moving on, perhaps a ‘home base’ for day trips, or to acclimate before moving on.
Well something completely unexpected happened. Catania came to hold a special place for me. Not because it’s a 'beautiful place’. Rather the energetic connection I came to found is quite evident for me in much of Sicily.
Back to early November 2024, despite arriving late at night, amid a crazy rainstorm and taking a pricey uber to the flat which was in an area that looked like a ghost town (near the Teatro Massimo Bellini - which is a really beautiful area during the day!) It also didn’t help things as I entered a discrete door, unsure of what I had gotten myself into. Fortunate for the lift, after a series of multiple doors, I finally found myself inside what to this day was one of my favorite stays. An old, likely 17th century building completely renovated and modernized yet the charm and character completely in tact. Hello gorgeous massive french doors!
As I realized over the next week with Catania, beauty lies in the eye of the beholder and behind those massive doors that hold history, secrets and stories. There was a magnetism I found wandering calm and quiet streets, feeling like I was the only one there. Until I happened upon the amazing market that will forever take first place for its size, the volume of vegetables and fruits, fresh fish and so many other goodies. And the people! A mix of locals and visitors alike, blending together in a harmonic experience.
Another thing - my nervous system was incredibly relaxed. And honestly, I wasn’t doing anything ‘special’ - maybe some meditations and journaling, movement, yoga, but nothing targeted at relaxing and supporting my nervous system.
So how was my nervous system naturally regulated? I leaned into being present, curious and allowing my senses to be stimulated. Whether it was the colorful windows and doors or the incredible flowers, or rich cafe or delicious foods, opportunities to slow down and experience through the senses were available.
I experienced and learned what ‘Living La Dolce Vida’ looks like and equally importantly feels like.
My soul felt at home - a familiarity.
I was in my feminine and flow.
I felt grounded yet energized.
I felt open and curious yet focused.
I felt an ease and peace I hadn’t felt like this before.
My nervous system truly felt calm, not overly active or sensitive
Yet, I would be remiss to reflect on and acknowledge that I have been extremely fortunate to slow travel and for extended periods of time, ‘living’ in places to experience more of local life, take my time, revisit places, cooking in my flat, working, and not having structured plans. And this can be different than slow travel while on holiday. Fortunately I’ve now experienced both types of slow travel in Sicily and can confirm both have available a similar feel and support a calm nervous system.
As a virgo and former traveler who loved a detailed packed schedule, the ease and fluidity and space I’ve found myself enjoying even more has led to so many more memorable experiences and finds while traveling. I still love to plan when appropriate, but having the space to wander and stumble upon shops, restaurants, landmarks and more, to me, that is where the personalized travel experience, our connection with a place and with ourselves comes to life. Its in those moments, where the simple joys and pleasures, the excitement, the sensory engagement of appreciating the massive wall of jasmine, which could be found through much of Sicily, makes you feel like you are in a magical corner of the world. Ok you are in a magical corner of the world.
I came to love working in a cute cafe particularly in CDMX and Buenos Aires. However! I only found 1 cafe to work from - a cute bookshop cafe that was also a restaurant and bar. From what I saw, working in cafes in Sicily isn’t really I thing. Rather than be disappointed that I’d have to work from my flat, I found it refreshing to see people sipping, snacking and socializing in cafes rather than working!
Feeling like I was in another world and time period - thanks to google maps not being accurate for many places with their hours, the character and charm caught me. Then you have the powerful energy of Mt. Etna looming tall - depending on where you are, visibility sometimes possible or not.
What I originally ‘planned’ as a week in Catania and then moving on to other towns turned into 2 weeks with Catania as my ‘home’ base. Sadly I had to leave my dreamy flat. Though I took a day trip to Taormina and another day trip to Siracusa and Ortigia, which offered glimpses to other popular locations. The energy and my soul connection and alignment remained vibrant.
Why did I leave if I had ‘flexibility’ with the trip and was vibing well with Sicily?
Because just after I arrived, I pulled the trigger and bought a flight and reserved a non-cancellable flat in Sevilla, Spain, thinking no big deal, move on and if you really like it, you can return. Little did I know…So with reluctance I left, vowing to return as soon as possible.
I held on to that vision and belief that I’d return to Sicily and for some reason May 2025 stood out as the ‘target’ - why then? No idea! Other than that is what my soul felt. I didn’t know if or how possible it could be when I started off the year - it felt somewhat like a romantic fantasy, tbh, that I would get to return and so soon. But I held on to it.
And it happened! I returned for a magical 3 1/2 weeks exploring more of the island, living through my senses and in my feminine and enjoying both a disconnect and Sicilian life, slowly savoring and embracing it all.
With the return trip, I can confirm that I prefer my shoulder / off season travels perhaps too much - as I love the glimpses into the other sides of places that aren’t overrun with lines and waits. Where there’s a calmer energy and quiet and space in the streets. Where the soul of a place can be felt and experienced; where my soul perhaps feels alive as well.
Speaking of… you may be wondering just how I ended up in Sicily for 3 1/2 weeks in May 2025? Well… one part intention, one part vision, one part action, and significant parts of life unfolding in really beautiful ways so far this year that presented an opportunity to return.
With my life and ME being different than my first time in November 2024, its understandable that the time, particularly in Catania, it wasn’t exactly the same experiences and feelings. I found my way though, with more conscious grounding activities and also just being open and allowing it to be different. Interestingly enough, I felt more grounded and energized throughout my time in some other incredible locations than I did this time in Catania; cosmos and the full moon and some other life ‘things’ could be part of why… either way, I found my way.
Leaving Sicily was bittersweet this second time, perhaps more than the first, because I spent more time near and in the sea, slowly exploring and traveling and seeing those visions I’ve had for years in real life. And while I would have loved to have stayed for as long as possible and embrace ‘me’, I chose a different path that is very aligned as well. I found ways to leave with some ease and trust that I will return in time.
True story: I don’t recall if it started with ‘seeing’ that my future home is a property with citrus trees on OR images of the house amid rolling hills with fruit and olive trees near the sea. Well, driving through Sicily is a delight for bringing these visions to life! I don’t know why I have these ideas. I just remain open and curious and perhaps one day I’ll live in Sicily amid citrus and olive trees near the sea. (or somewhere else in the Mediterranean:)
Here’s my souvenirs and sharings from 2 stays in Sicily:
Remain open and curious. Follow the pings. The visions. The little sparkles.
If you have a vision of a citrus tree, just be curious and see if and where it shows up. AND how do you feel in those places.
Notice how you feel when you slow down and savor life, particularly while traveling.
Engage those senses! Really! Once you start, it becomes natural that you’ll notice the incredible intoxicating scents of jasmine or japanese cheesewood (yes, odd name, unique and beautiful fragrance, similar to jasmine) naturally fragrancing the air. And then when you see the walls of blooms - wow oh wow.
Always look up. From the sightings of Mt. Etna when least expected, the reminder to keep your eyes open as that is where the magic, beauty and mysteries lie. And it’s true. So often in life, we move through the motions, focused and on a mission, often thinking about the future. Missing what is right in front of us. The chance to slow down and savor, to be intrigued and inspired. To just BE.
And with that… I trust I will back, in divine time. Experiencing so many of the gems I haven’t visited yet and returning to some places that hold a special place in my heart.
Amore,
Megan
