Experience Sicily

Month: June 2020

  • We Are Your Advocates In Sicily

    I hand-pick all of the accommodations where our Experience Sicily clients stay. In many cases, I have slept at the inn, scoped out the breakfast offerings, and tested the service. Or I have inspected the facility. You can’t smell photos or know if the mattresses are lumpy from a website. Often, Evelina, my partner in…

  • Homemade Cannoli For Research, Of Course

    I’m doing research and development for some online cannoli events. It’s rewarding work! (seriously) More details on how you can participate will be announced soon.

  • Demeter Left Her Scythe Behind In Sicily

    Ancient Greek legend says that the port of Trapani on Sicily’s coastline at the foot of Mount Eryx, is the scythe of Demeter, her principal harvest tool, which she left behind when she hastened to look for her wailing daughter Persephone. This view from Erice includes the Egadi Islands in the background.

  • The Palm Tree Represents Unification In Palermo

    Artists from multiple cultural origins contributed to these mosaic designs that exist in the Cappella Palatina, the private chapel commissioned by Sicilian King Roger II (1095-1154) and completed by his heir, King William I (1120-1166). The palm tree, the central icon of this photo, has significance to many peoples, many of whom came together to…

  • Cheese, Glorious Cheese: Sheep’s Milk Cheese In Sicily

    Cheese, glorious cheese! Sheep’s milk cheese that is. In 2018, I wrote a nine part series about cheese making. “Let’s Talk Cheese” can be viewed starting at https://experiencesicily.com/2018/07/08/lets-talk-cheese-part-1/ Once you read Part 1, scroll to the bottom of the ExperienceSicily.com page to “Next Post” to continue. I know you never took cheese for granted before…

  • Sicily’s Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve Awaits

    Dream now, travel later. We’ll be back swimming at Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve as soon as we can! Our skipper Mario is expecting us.

  • What’s Hidden, But Not, In Erice, Sicily

    You have to go through the tunnel to arrive at the light. When wandering the medieval streets of Erice, Sicily, politely peek through doorways. The homes, just like the town itself, are fortifications. So, behind the seemingly drab (but functional for protection) front walls are charming hidden courtyards and gardens.

  • The Outstanding Leadership Of Sicily’s Roger II

    More than ever, I’m seeking a dinner date with Roger II (1095-1154) … An outstanding leader, Roger II incorporated and encouraged inclusion of all of the various cultures, religions, and races that shared Sicily–native Sicilian, Norman, Arab, Byzantine, Greek, Jewish, English, German, and more–into his government. As a result, Sicily thrived, and it became the…

  • The Punic Goddess Tanit In Sicily

    After the ancient southwestern Sicilian city of Selinunte was pillaged by Carthaginian (i.e., Punic) forces between 409 and 406 BCE, the Greek city became Punic for a time. The Carthaginians built a new town, recycling the materials and reclaiming temples from the magnificent Greek community that preceded it. Throughout today’s archaeological site, some ruins of…