Tourism expert Tracey Wickersham takes a journey on the Mediterranean
Tracey Wickersham, who just retired as the senior director of cultural tourism for Visit Seattle, recounts her UW Alumni Tours trip to Sicily and Malta.
Last year, a longtime friend asked if I wanted to join her on a UW Alumni Tours trip to Malta and Sicily. Of course, the answer was a resounding yes!
So, off we went with a group of UW alumni, friends and family on an 11-day adventure. Our active itinerary was full of historic sights, delicious food and rich culture.
We began in Malta, an island nation of historic import for its strategic location. Our first evening started with a welcoming reception in the rooftop bar of our five-star hotel in central Sliema, where we met our full group of Huskies living in Washington, Texas, Florida and Maryland. Our tour director with AHI Travel, Dragan Vrcelj, with us every step of the way, ensuring seamless transportation and logistics, managing group needs with a keen eye and an ever-present smile.
The highlights included a lecture from Dr. Dane Munro, a foremost expert on Malta’s complex history and culture, and exploring the ancient walled city of Mdina. Another unique experience was a day trip to the island of Gozo and a visit to Xwejni Bay to meet the practitioner of a centuries-old sea salt farming technique.
Then we took the ferry to Sicily, where the verdant fields presented a stark contrast to the golden limestone and dense cities of Malta. Our hotel in Taormina was perched on a steep cliff, with sweeping views of the Ionian Sea, Mount Etna and even a peek of the hotel used in “The White Lotus” TV show. Sicily highlights: the well-preserved Greek temples at Agrigento, the ancient city of Siracusa, and of course, the food.
I’ve traveled a lot, but never in an organized group. I enjoyed meeting fellow explorers and basked in the luxury of having experts plan the best use of our time and handle the details. I can’t wait for the next adventure! UW Alumni Tours is returning to Sicily and Malta in 2027.
Tracey Wickersham comes from a family of Huskies (father, sister and brother-in-law). She retired from a 40-year career in arts and culture, most recently as the senior director of Cultural Tourism for Visit Seattle.