Generally, first time tourists do not visit the Southern parts of Italy and their cities as often as Central and Northern Italy.  Yes, if you’ve never been to Italy, I highly recommend seeing Rome, Florence, and Venice—they are a must.  However, what I have observed is that many returning tourists will return to these very cities and do not explore south of Rome.  I wonder how one’s experience of Italy would change if their first visit began in Puglia or Calabria, or Sicily?  How would their perception of Italy be different, if at all? 
There is a distinct difference between the North and South of Italy.  I find the South of Italy to be more raw, real, not as industrious yet still lively, full of history, and a chaotic feel that is purposeful and freeing.  Much of Italy has somewhat of a chaotic feel, with city congestion, traffic, and geographic make-up—mountains down its center and top and surrounded by waters.  In the South there is an unstructured feel unlike its northern counterpart. 
     All of Italy has a movement of time that is unlike that of America.  It’s a little slower, a little less frenetic, and more moment-to-moment even in its bigger and more modern cities like Milan.  This moment-to-moment feel is much more evident in the South of Italy.  It is what brings a sense of peace to the chaos.  I highly recommend visiting the bigger, more touristy cities; yet, I stress strongly that the south of Italy must be seen, otherwise Italy’s true essence will be missed.

     August is a big travel month.  For Italians, it’s a time to relax and get away for a couple days, weeks, or a month in honor of Ferragosto.  August 15 begins Ferragosto a celebration that began in Rome during the time of Emperor Augustus in honor of the harvest and the gods of Agriculture.  Later the Christians celebrated the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and today it’s an Italian national holiday where they close down their businesses, take time off of work to travel, relax, and get away from there day-to-day.  Many of the bigger city stores and businesses remain open.  Also, recently, many Italians will take their get away time in honor of Ferragosto in the month of July or sometimes in September in order to avoid the high traffic on the roads and airports during the time of August 15th.  It is now August, come with me on my travels from  Palermo to Roma.  Share the view driving to Palermo’s Falcone-Borsellino (Punta Raisa) Airport, share the view from above the island of Sicily, landing in Rome’s Leonardo DaVinci-Fiumicino International Airport and roaming the magnificent city’s streets in honor of the month of August and its Ferragosto.
 
     Come, close your eyes, close your eyes and hear the mythical and deadly quarrel of Romulus and Remus.   Close your eyes and now imagine an empire under the rule of Romulus, victor and first king of Rome.  Close your eyes and hear the ancient Romans conquer, build, and expand a Republic full of emperors speaking a Latin intermingled with a vulgar tongue.  Close your eyes and see this empire eventually collapsing under its own weight as Attila and his brutal Huns shake its very foundation. 
    
     Now open your eyes and see this empire’s ruins, see amongst the ruins the modernity that surrounds it and the contributions of giants and geniuses.  Open your eyes and see Michelangelo, DaVinci, Raffaello, Bernini, Caravaggio and the woman amongst men, Artemisia Gentileschi adorning its streets, fountains, and churches.  Open your eyes now and hear the music of Ennio Morricone, the War speech of Mussolini and with one eye open see his square colosseum, open both eyes and see Rossellini, Fellini, Leone and others create film genre in the studios of Cinecitta’.              
 
     Keep your eyes and ears open and see, hear the clash of gladiators mixed with Vespas and Fiats swerving around tourists and Romans of today feverishly swinging their hands and saying, “Sticazzi! Nnamo a magna.”  Forget this (also means, fuck it), let’s go eat Carciofi (artichokes) alla guidia, Saltimbocca, Suppli’, and Spaghetti Carbonara, Bucatini all'Amatriciana or let's keep it simple with Cacio e Pepe and drink some Frascati.  When in Rome close your eyes and imagine its history and then open them and see it as you stroll through its ancient roads.  When in Rome close your eyes and hear the ancients speak, open them and see today’s voices vibrating off a backdrop of ancient ruins, Renaissance churches, Baroque art, architecture, and Neoclassicists living in parallel with Modern, Post-Modern, and the iPhone.
 
   Venite, come along on the drive to Palermo’s airport and take a plane ride from Palermo, Sicily to the Eternal City.  The visit will be brief, maybe 10 minutes or so, quick and a bit chaotic like the city streets.  The visit will only highlight some of Rome's magnificent sights and hopefully inspire you to visit or re-visit Caput Mundi, the Capital of the World. 

Music from:  www.incompetech.com