Page 69 - The Rough Guide of Sicily

even this is very low-key. Even so, physical contact between men is fairly common in

Sicily, on the level of linking arms and kissing cheeks at greetings and farewells –
though an overt display of anything remotely ambiguous is likely to be met with
hostility. The main national gay organization, ArciGay ( arcigay.it), has branches all
over the country, including Sicily, and its English-language website is a good place to
look for information. The gay.it website also has a wealth of information for gays

and lesbians in Italy.

Women travellers

Although Italy has a reputation for sexual harassment of women that is well known
and well founded, there’s no reason to presume unwarranted intrusion at every turn. A
woman travelling alone, or with another woman, can expect a certain amount of
attention, including staring, horn-tooting and whistling, though bear in mind that local
custom dictates that every friend and acquaintance is greeted with a toot, and that

staring openly at strangers is seen as perfectly acceptable. If you follow common-
sense rules, the most that should worry you is the occasional try-on.

Travelling with children

Children are revered in Sicily and will be made a fuss of in the street, and welcomed
and catered for in bars and restaurants. It’s perfectly normal for Sicilian children to
stay up until they drop, and in summer it’s not unusual to see youngsters out at
midnight, and not looking much the worse for it.

Pharmacies and supermarkets carry most baby requirements, from nappies to

formula food. However, you may not see the brands you are used to at home, and don’t
expect there to be a full range of (or indeed any) organic food products, especially in
smaller towns. Otherwise, food is unlikely to be a problem as long as your children
eat pasta and pizza, and while specific children’s menus are extremely rare, many
restaurants are happy to provide a smaller version of an adult meal.

Hotels normally charge around thirty percent extra to put an additional bed or cot in
the room. However, self-catering apartments, or rooms or B&Bs with the use of a
kitchen, are quite common and most Sicilian resorts offer such options. Generous
discounts apply for children at most sights and attractions, and also when travelling on
trains.

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SHOPPING

Sicilian street markets provide some of the best experiences on the island – the