"Inaugurated in 1897, this grand classical edifice has had its ups and downs, much like the city itself. It closed in 1974 for a renovation and didn’t reopen until 1997, when the city finally began to free itself from the grip of the mafia. Palermo’s reawakening culminated in it being named Italy’s 2018 Capital of Culture. Plan an unforgettable evening by purchasing tickets to see a performance at the Teatro Massimo, which appeared in the final scene of "The Godfather III." The opera and ballet season kicks off in late November and performances run through June before taking a summer break. Alternatively, you could take a guided tour and get a behind-the-scenes peek backstage." - Laura Itzkowitz Laura Itzkowitz Laura Itzkowitz is a freelance writer and editor based in Rome. She has been contributing to Travel + Leisure since 2014, when she started as a fact checker before becoming a contributi