Sicily: Market Research

Visitors to Italy who limit their trips to a tour of Tuscan villas or a stint in Rome have no idea of what they're missing. Why not leave the mainland behind and take a short flight—or the ferry from Naples—to the rugged, romantic and historically resonant island of Sicily?

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The cultural and culinary attractions of the capital, Palermo, are well documented, but travelers should also make time for Sicily's second city, Catania, and its baroque buildings, made of volcanic stone from nearby Mount Etna. It is the fresh-produce market on the Piazza Carlo Alberto that is this town's real pride and joy, however. Sprawling over 70,000 square meters, the market is so colorful and bustling that it will become your ideal of what a Mediterranean seaside marketplace should be. In the shadow of churches and historic architecture, stalls groan under the weight of mounds of olives, vast wheels of cheese, baskets of fresh herbs, plump vine tomatoes and eggplants the size of soccer balls. Even if you buy—and consume—nothing, you'll find the atmosphere alone is totally fulfilling. The market is open until 2 p.m., except Sundays when it is closed.