Live from Sicily! Last evening, I toured Valley of the Temples in Agrigento with the hiking group of wonderful Italians with whom I’ve spent the last two days. The 2500 year-old site, featuring the Temple of Concordia, pictured) continues to amaze me. I want it to amaze you too in September during Stirring Sicily, our…
Category: History
Fishing For My Sicilian Heritage
Yesterday, I spent a heartwarming morning with Michelangelo Balistreri at the Museo dell’Acciuga di Aspra in Aspra (Palermo Province). It was a journey into my family history. Anyone with fisherman roots from Sicily’s north coast will appreciate a visit to this outstanding labor of love. Michelangelo and artist Francesco Maglio have created a beautiful tribute…
Southern Secrets, Days 7 & 8: Gold and Sapphire in Sicily
Live from Sicily! Southern Secrets, Days 7 & 8 Experience Sicily and Feast on History: Gold and Sapphire in Sicily. Yesterday, along with the models from Dolce & Gabbana (during their photo shoot in anticipation of today’s big fashion show), we gazed at the golden Temple of Concord at Valley of the Temples. But they…
Southern Secrets, Days 5&6: Embracing Sicily
On days five and six of our combined Feast on History and Experience Sicily tour we dove in to Sicily! We flew from bella Napoli to Sicily to embrace the sea and the sun. Our home base is the village of Scopello, where we had a wine-pairing dinner featuring the varietals of our agriturismo. Cinzia,…
Southern Secrets, Day 3: The Secret Coast South of Amalfi
Live from Italy! Day 3 of Experience Sicily and Feast on History Southern Secrets tour. With Danielle Oteri in the lead, we explored the breathtaking towns of the Cilento Coast including Capaccio, the UNESCO recognized Castellabate, Santa Maria di Castellabate, and Agropoli. We enjoyed a joyful swim in the sea with the locals. We delighted…
Pine Cones, Palm Leaves, And Wheat
Live from Italy! Pine cones, palm leaves, and wheat–what do they mean? The past two days, I’ve been in Bari, a major city in the region of Puglia. While in Bari, I visited two of the major churches, the late 12th century Basilica of San Nicola and the late 13th century Cathedral of San Sabino….
Reflecting on Myths & Mysteries of Sicily: As Above/So Below
Live from Sicily! Reflecting on Myths & Mysteries of Sicily: As Above/So Below. What a joy it was to co-host this spiritual journey with wellness practitioner Tony Allicino! From experiencing The Trojan Women in Siracusa’s Teatro Antico to inhaling the sky at the Teatro Andromeda in Santo Stefano Quisquina to infusing our prayers into our…
Day 12 of Myths & Mysteries of Sicily: As Above/So Below | Transformation
Live from Sicily! Day 12 of Myths & Mysteries of Sicily: As Above/So Below | Transformation. The town of Salemi (led by Visit Borgo Salemi) displayed to us its rich culture of ritual bread making for San Giuseppe. The Azienda Cucchiara served us an outstanding lunch of products from their farm, including the freshest cannoli…
Day 9 of Experience Sicily Myths & Mysteries of Sicily: As Above/So Below | Creative Minds
Live from Sicily! Day 9 of Experience Sicily Myths & Mysteries of Sicily: As Above/So Below. With the help of Francesco, we explored the excentric mind of the Prince of Palagonia at Villa Palagonia in Bagheria. The estate’s hall of mirrors surprised and begged questions about the owner’s critical mind. Once in the vibrant center…
Myths & Mysteries of Sicily: Day 5
Live from Sicily! Myths & Mysteries of Sicily: As Above/So Below | Day 5. Moving across the island, we enjoyed lunch in a family-run tratorria, were amazed by the mosaics in the Villa Romana del Casale, and ended the day with music and dancing with the waves of the Mediterranean roaring in the distance.