Picture a tropical island — gentle waves spilling onto sandy shores, sunshine gleaming off a sparkling sea and volcanoes spurting steam in the distance. Add to that image: lush, rolling hills, topped by ruins from antiquity. And then you need to imagine the rich tastes of fresh seafood, decadent pastas, sweet wines and desserts. When night falls, the calm atmosphere transforms into a sizzling party in places like Mondello Lido and Palermo’s market area. This is Sicily — a balmy, laid-back refuge with an Italian mentality, especially seen in its cuisine and zeal for life. You’ll find this large, triangular island at the toe of Italy’s boot, surrounded by the Tyrrhenian, Mediterranean and Ionian seas.