Persistence. It’s just one of many positive qualities that define most Singles Travel International members. And this was so evident on our recent Sun-Drenched Sicily tour!

We had one member who had signed up to go with Singles Travel International (STI) on this trip in 2019, and, unfortunately, the trip cancelled. She signed up again for our 2020 Sicily tour, and Covid wreaked havoc on the world. Finally, this past August, she fulfilled her dream of going to Sicily!

Our original group of 23 had diminished to 10, for various reasons, and this group was truly unshakable! Some of the hurdles to get into Europe might have been daunting for some, but not for our group: We had to fill out Passenger Locator forms, some airlines required Covid tests even for vaccinated passengers, and Italy had a Self-Declaration form that left all of us at a loss for how to respond. All that being said, we made it and had a fabulous 9 days in bella Sicilia!

Starting in Palermo, the capital city, we had a street food walking tour that proved the adventurous spirit of STI members! Three in our group had the courage to try the Pani ca’ Meusa sandwich… let’s just say that it contains offal. Fortunately, the other local specialties were much more appetizing, especially the freshly made arancine! Many laughs were had over the course of the week, as we traveled from Palermo to Agrigento to Ortigia and finally to Taormina.

I am always amazed by the adventurous spirits and fun-loving nature of our members, and this week was no exception. Our members stepped up to help one another when necessary and even to rib each other in a good-natured way at appropriate times (for example, when one member accidentally left his passport in the room safe as we were departing to a new hotel, we all made sure to never let him forget it again!).

In the end, the group all said they were so happy to have come on this trip, to have not given up on getting to Sicily! And it wasn’t a piece of torta (pardon the pun), given the volatility of country openings in Europe during this time. Even right before we left for Italy, we were given notice that as of August 6 laws would change to mandate Covid vaccination to enter any restaurant, museum and archaeological park. Given all of this, our adventurous and persistent group hung in there and experienced the beauty of Sicily, its citizens, its food, delicious wine and its unique culture.