By Karen La Rosa

Perhaps you saw White Lotus, or the new Indiana Jones, or maybe Cyrano. All were filmed on the largest island in the Mediterranean, which most people have never visited. As a tour operator who specializes in tours to Sicily, if I collected a nickel from everyone over these last fifteen years who have told me that they’ve been all over Italy but never to Sicily, I could make investments. Well, all of that has changed, and suddenly, it’s Sicily!

It is not White Lotus that has substantially altered the perception of the island. In fact, the final episode relied on a cheap plot twist (no spoiler here) that did nothing to elevate Sicily’s image, an image that, in short, has suffered from poverty, poor government, and, yes, the presence of the mafia for over 100 years. The film industry capitalized off that image in films we’ve all seen, making Sicily attractive to no one. But I will give credit to White Lotus for spotlighting an Island of deep beauty, vibrant with color and tantalizingly relaxing, for making people start to wonder what they were missing.

So, what changed the perception of Sicily more substantially? The real change started some ten years ago with the wine industry. Important wine-making families on the Island began realizing that Sicily’s wine production could be on par with that of France. They came together and worked hard to improve wine standards across the island. They went beyond, focusing on sustainability and climate issues, indigenous grapes. They invited journalists and professionals to report about their successes, and today they have arrived. Books, articles, and tastings have created a heady buzz about Sicily’s wines, but also an interest in what else Sicily has to offer: a complex, fascinating history, some of Italy’s best food, a gorgeous coastline that alternates between inviting sandy beaches and outcroppings of amazing lava rocks.  There is an active volcano that emits a magnetic energy, and farms that offer delicious tastings of cheeses and extra virgin olive oils, citrus, figs, pistachios, and all manner of local, seasonal, perfect produce. The landscape is stunning, and in every small town and village reside people who are generous and hospitable, awaiting your visit.

Sicily is just one of Italy’s twenty regions, and it is only about the size of Massachusetts, but it feels much bigger due to the many differences from one corner of the island to the other as well as the changeable microclimates. It is often referred to as a country, and by some often, a continent. Simply put, Sicily is magical. To a person, everyone who has visited says, “I had no idea!”

Listen to what Travel Expert Nicola Williams says:

“It is in fact Sicily’s gutsy soul, ravishing virgin landscapes, and cultural treasures that make it so utterly captivating and irresistible as a holiday destination. I challenge anyone to step foot on Sicilian soil and not leave with a burning desire to return.”

If your News Year’s resolution is to diet, make sure the diet includes travel. It feeds and enriches you without the you know what.  And why not make it Sicily?

Karen La Rosa is the heart and soul of La RosaWorks, a boutique company that has designed, hosted, and arranged customized and small group tours to Sicily for 15 years. She lives in New York City and has Sicilian roots