12 days in Sicily and Southern Italy

Positano, on Italy’s rugged Amalfi Coast, from the sea. — Photos: Pioneer Press/TNS

During the long, cold winter, this writer had the chance to escape to an unexpected tropical paradise – Sicily and Southern Italy.

I had been to Tuscany before, but the beaches, abundant citrus trees, palm trees and agave and prickly pear plants in the southern part of the country were a welcome surprise, even though temperatures weren’t quite swimsuit friendly.