Roger II, my favorite Norman king, fell in love with Cefalù when he took shelter here in a harrowing storm in the early 12th century. As a reward for the citizens’ kindness and hospitality, he commissioned the town’s stirring Arab-Norman cathedral, intending it to be his final resting place. He knew what was good! Take…
Thanks To Cacio E Vino And Our Guests | Viva Santa Lucia
A few photos from our Experience Sicily Santa Lucia Feast in New York City. Thanks to Cacio e Vino for hosting us with the excellent food and service! Thanks to our guests who brought their beautiful spirits to share with each other! It was a joyful afternoon. Viva Santa Lucia!
A Dagger? Eyes On A Plate? What Intrigue!
A dagger? Eyes on a plate? What intrigue! (Continued from an earlier post…) Inspired by Sant’Agata of Catania before her, Lucia refused to participate in the activities of the brothel to which she was condemned. This of course, angered the madame, who called the Roman authorities to further punish the maiden. Somewhere in this mayhem,…
Let’s Light Up These Dark Days on Sunday With Santa Lucia
At the dawn of the 4th century, practicing Christianity in the Roman-ruled city of Siracusa was illegal. Already though, inspired by nearby Catania’s Patron Saint, Sant’Agata, who lived just a few decades before (from 231 AD – 251 AD), the young and beautiful Lucia devoted herself to Christianity. In fact, she was known to enter…
Let’s Have A Ball On Sunday
Sunday in NYC: Let’s eat rice balls!! Santa Lucia is the patron saint of grain, and as a result, arancine, or rice balls, are a significant element to celebrating the Feast of Santa Lucia. So much so, that in Palermo, her feast day is also the Sagra delle Arancine. Why rice balls (pictured)? To commemorate…
The Goddess Demeter To Santa Lucia
Join us for a party for La Festa di Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy)! This 3rd century BCE bust was found in Siracusa at the site of what was the sanctuary of Demeter and Kore (Persephone). Do you know the myth of the goddess Demeter and her maiden daughter? This Sunday, December 8 at Cacio e…
The Castle At Aci Castello, Sicily
The imposing castle at Aci Castello was constructed out of volcanic rock on top of La Rocca by the Normans starting in the late 11th century. Prior to that time, the promontory hosted both an Arab and Byzantine fortification. The castle was somewhat destroyed in a siege at the turn of the 13th century when…
From Ancient Coins To Shop Small
These 4th century BCE coins (some featuring the nymph Aretusa) that were found in the Neapolis city of Siracusa are a reminder of our best offer of the year! Shop small! Save an additional $175 off your small-group Experience Sicily tour when you confirm your reservation by tonight, Monday, Dec. 2, 2019 at 11:59PM and…
Let’s Celebrate Santa Lucia In New York Together
You are invited to Celebrate La Festa di Santa Lucia! Next Sunday in New York City at Cacio e Vino, Experience Sicily will host the Feast of Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy), the beloved patroness from Siracusa, Sicily who is venerated from Venice to Sweden and beyond. It is a festival of light to help us…
Upcoming Sicily-Inspired Events in NYC: Shop Small And Save
In honor of SHOP SMALL this weekend, we are offering 15% off of all of our upcoming events. Use the code SMALLBIZ upon check-out by Tues., Dec. 3, 2019 at 11:59PM to receive your discount. Visit https://experiencesicily.com/events/ for all of our upcoming NYC area Sicily-inspired events: Santa Lucia next Sunday, Cannoli Crawls, Cooking with Annalisa,…