The Parrocchia San Sebastiano in Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily offers a classic example of the elegant, UNESCO recognized architectural design of the “Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto.” Palazzolo Acreide is one of the towns that make up the UNESCO site. The town was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693 that flattened much of…
Ferragosto Eve
Buon Ferragosto! Forget trying to get any business done in Italy until next week sometime! This evening, the official kick off of Ferragosto, means friends hanging out, catching up, and enjoying time together late into the night–many sleep on the beach and others hold barbecues in the mountains. Although, I’m not in Sicily right now,…
Etna from the South
Mount Etna from the south, photographed when it was erupting in March 2017, Carlentini, Sicily
Return To Sicily For The Harmony Of Ferragosto
Ferragosto is upon us! And that means throughout Sicily (and Italy) there are feasts, music festivals, and gatherings of all sorts, like Ypsigrock (pictured) that took place over the weekend in Castelbuono, Palermo province. My cousin Filippo attended, and he sent me this photo of one of my musician heros, Alfio Antico, who performed on…
Harmony Of The People
The magnificent Temple of Concordia is named for a Latin inscription that was found on a dedication marker unearthed in the vicinity of the archaeological site–i.e., a marker not associated with the temple; however spirited archaeologists took the text on the marker that said something to the effect of “dedicated to the harmony of the…
Dance Under The Stars
Make a wish and dance under the stars! August 10th is the Feast of San Lorenzo–or as Italians know it, “the night of the shooting stars,” when the Perseids, a meteor shower, has its most vibrant activity. If the sky is clear, look for a shooting star and make a wish. Then dance the evening…
Let’s Stroll
I hope you’ll join me for some strolling in Sicily next year! I look quite glamorous (If I do say so myself!) in this photo from May, taken while I was in Siracusa, Sicily. But the reality is that most of the time when I prepare these posts, I’m at my computer in my office…
Crystal Clear Seas
A coastal excursion through Lo Zingaro nature preserve will inspire your soul to sing! On our Experience Sicily May 2019 Myths & Mysteries of Sicily Tour, you will immerse yourself in Sicily’s natural beauty–those crystal clear waters will seduce you. Learn more at Experience Sicily.
Bring Your Dancing Shoes
Being a musician myself, I am always seeking out other musicians while in Sicily, especially those versed in local folk music, like Ettore, Alfredo, and Totò, pictured here. I heard them first as part of a larger community ensemble in Porticello, my grandfather’s birthplace, in 2011. A couple of years later, I sought them out,…
The Beach at Mondello, Back In The Day
Antique postcard, Mondello (the beach resort of Palermo)
