My time in Catania, Sicily’s second largest city, during this trip was packed with wonder, and even if it’s not officially a tarantella, 🎶 “Vitti ‘na crozza” gave me an opportunity to dance under la Fontana dell’Elefante, effectionaltely known as Liotru, in the Piazza Duomo.
Shepherding My Spirit For What’s Next
Today, when I saw this shepherd with his sheep on the hillside as I drove across the middle of Sicily, I jumped out of the car hoping to record the splendid scene. It’s difficult to capture and communicate just how magnificent and green the island’s center is this time of year. Clouds, rain, and snow…
Valentine’s Dinner In New York City
Experience Sicily is hosting a very exclusive event on February 16, 2019 to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Sicilian Style, in New York City! We’ve rented a private kitchen and are so excited to have two outstanding chefs to cook dinner for you: Giuseppe Sciurca, from Termini Imerese, Sicily, and Antonino Elia, from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Music duo…
Stealing Oranges In Sicily
In the shadow of the erupting Mount Etna, Giancarlo Giuseppe Buonanno let me steal oranges off of his trees this afternoon. I filled my pockets! He also cultivates olives for outstanding olive oil. You can purchase it from Gelsomino Imports, LLC in the US.
Do As the Catenese Do
When in… Sicily… And today, more specifically, Catania… do as the Catenese do! Going deeper, as they say… So, yeah, I ate horse meat today. I know. I know. I normally don’t eat red meat or pork, but I am on a research trip, and in the spirit of an intrepid traveler, my Catanese friends…
Trekking Amongst The Tombs In Sicily
I was blessed again today with the guidance of Nanni Di Falco, who led me through a small part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site know as the Pantelica Necropolis, a gorge cut into limestone by the Anapo and Cave Grande rivers that is dotted with hundreds of tombs from the 13th century BCE. It…
A Walk Through Thousands Of Years Of Human History In Sicily
Always on the move, today I took a hike in Sicily with Nanni, a nature and walking guide, through the Cava D’Ispica reserve, a deep gorge that follows a now, usually dried up river. Fresh, young, and emerald green Acanthus mollis plants (known in English as bear’s breeches) covered our trail, and scores of caves…
A Parade Of Good Witches for La Befana
Viva La Befana! The visit of the friendly witch La Befana is celebrated on Epiphany Eve (January 6) throughout Italy. La Befana is recognized because of her broomstick, shawl, and sack filled with sweets and gifts for children. Legend is that she originally set out to meet the Baby Jesus, but never found her way…
Sicily Is Dusted With Snow
Snow continues to cover the mountains, like San Calogero, pictured, over Termini Imerese. It’s put a damper on our plans today, to go southeast. Such weather is an anomaly in this semi-tropical climate, and the municipalities are not equipped to clean the roads of the ice and accumulation. We are all wrapped up, drinking hot…
Starting 2019 in Sicily: Join Me On This Journey
Surprise! I am in Sicily. I arrived yesterday for my annual winter reconnaissance trip. What a way to start 2019! Furthermore, I begin my journey in Porticello, my grandfather’s birthplace! Follow Experience Sicily on Facebook and Instagram for live posts, stories, and video over the next few days.