Sometimes the most extraordinary travel moments begin with the simplest question. Marilyn Ricci, a seasoned UnTourist with 16 journeys under her belt, discovered this truth on a Sunday afternoon in Sicily, a moment that perfectly captures what happens when curiosity meets opportunity.
There’s something spectacular about Sunday afternoons when you’re traveling slowly. The world moves at a different pace—locals linger over coffee, conversations stretch longer, and there’s space for the kind of serendipitous encounters that become the stories you’ll tell for decades.
Marilyn Ricci knows this well. Since her first UnTour to Tuscany in 1996, after reading about us in The New York Times, she has experienced 16 different journeys. But it was a particular Sunday in Sicily in 2006 that perfectly illustrates how genuine curiosity can transform strangers into family.
The Pastry That Started Everything
“We were sitting outside at a café and noticed that the couple next to us had a pastry that looked really good,” Marilyn recalls. It was the kind of moment that could easily pass by unnoticed—especially when you’re focused on checking items off a must-see list. But when you’re traveling with the spaciousness that comes from staying in one place, you notice things like interesting pastries and feel comfortable enough to engage.
“So, we asked them what it was and they ordered us some.”
That simple question—born from curiosity rather than agenda—opened a door that no guidebook could have predicted. What started as a pastry recommendation quickly blossomed into something far richer: “A conversation started, and they invited us to their very old family home, above in the mountains.”
The invitation itself was extraordinary, but what awaited them at this family home reveals something profound about what happens when travel becomes about connection rather than consumption. “Their home had a garden of plants from the Bible which our host was excited to show us,” Marilyn remembers.
A biblical garden tucked away in the Sicilian mountains—not exactly the kind of attraction you’d find in travel brochures, yet it became one of the most memorable parts of their entire journey. Their host’s excitement was infectious, turning what could have been a simple garden tour into a deeply personal sharing of something they clearly treasured.
The Rhythm of Generous Hearts
But the day wasn’t finished surprising them. “By the end of the tour of the garden and house, it was lunch time. We were invited to join them for lunch at their favorite restaurant—where they were well known. Of course we had a great meal.”
There’s something beautiful about how this unfolded—no rushing, no watching the clock, just following the natural rhythm of generosity. Their new Sicilian friends didn’t just recommend a restaurant; they brought Marilyn and her travel companion into their community, to a place where they belonged, where their presence meant something.
“What a fantastic day!” Marilyn reflects, and you can feel the joy still present in those words years later.
The Foundation for Connection
This kind of encounter doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Earlier in their Sicily journey, Marilyn and her companion had spent time with their UnGuide in Siracusa, learning the local way of doing things—like how “you bring your empty quart soda bottle to a shop with large containers of wine; you put your bottle under the wine spigot of your choice and fill it up.” They’d strolled through local food markets, participated in cooking classes at a farm, and yes, been invited to dinner with their host family.
Each of these experiences built their comfort with approaching the world with curiosity rather than caution. By the time they found themselves at that Sunday café, asking about a pastry felt natural—part of the rhythm they’d established of engaging authentically with the place and people around them.
Creating Space for Wonder
“Only on UnTours do we have personal experiences and get to mingle with the locals,” Marilyn notes, highlighting something essential about how we approach travel. It’s not just about the logistics—though having the headaches removed certainly helps. It’s about creating the conditions where these encounters become possible.
When you’re not worried about transportation, accommodations, or navigating cultural barriers alone, you have the mental and emotional space to notice interesting pastries, to ask friendly questions, to say yes to unexpected invitations.
While we no longer offer journeys to Sicily, the spirit of Marilyn’s experience lives on in all our Italian destinations—from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the artistic treasures of Florence and the timeless streets of Rome. Our travel specialists can also craft custom experiences that honor this same philosophy of slow, connected travel.
Your Stories Inspire
Marilyn’s Sicily Sunday reminds us that the most precious travel souvenirs aren’t things we buy—they’re moments of human connection that happen when we approach the world with open hearts and genuine curiosity.
We’d love to hear about your own moments of unexpected connection. What conversations changed your journey? Which strangers became part of your travel story? Share your experiences by contacting us—your fellow UnTourists are always eager for inspiration, and who knows? Your story might be exactly what someone needs to hear as they plan their own adventure.
Ready to create space for your own serendipitous encounters? Our travel specialists are here to help you craft a journey that balances expert guidance with the freedom to follow your curiosity wherever it leads.