Category: Nature, Seasons
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My Study of Wheat in Sicily
I’ve been watching the wheat grow. I know, it’s like watching a pot boil. It takes many weeks for the durum wheat seeds that are planted before Saint Martin’s Day, November 11, to germinate and then transform into the grain that becomes the semolina flour that becomes our bread and pasta, but it’s been a…
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Wishing You Many Discoveries In 2025
Wishing you good health and joyful discoveries through many adventures in 2025! (Monte Cofano, Trapani Province, Sicily)
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Saint Martin’s Day Biscuits in Sicily
November 11 is Saint Martin’s Day. In Sicily, it marks two important moments of the agricultural year. It is the day when wheat farmers must have finished planting the seeds for next year’s grain, and it is when, traditionally, wine makers taste their fermenting new wines (the juice/must that was created from August/September/October’s grape harvest)…
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Why You Should Travel to Sicily Even During a Water Shortage
I woke up this morning in New York to read this article about Sicily in the New York Times, “After Losing Crops to Drought, Sicily Fears Losing Tourism, Too.” Important to point out, there is not a comment section on this article (Perhaps because it’s intended to be in this weekend’s T magazine? I don’t…
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September 8 Marks A Rebirth
September 8 is considered the birthday of the Blessed Mother by the Catholic Church. As a result, throughout Sicily this week, there are festivals to celebrate the Madonna. It’s not clear why this date was officially chosen as such; however, let’s consider the cycle for cultivating grain — an essential crop for sustaining life in…
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Eat What Is In Season In Sicily
Artichokes are in season in Sicily right now. They are everywhere. And so, what do you order? Artichokes! (And fennel too!). For an “insider” place to eat in Palermo: Trattoria Club Rosanero.
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Stupendous Mountain Walk On The Sea Near Palermo
Riserva Naturale Orientata Capo Gallo is another magnificent corner of Sicily. It is an accessible hike along the coast, west of Palermo. Go there to take in outstanding visits of mountains meeting the sea with the islands of Ustica and Isola delle Femmine in the distance. Thank you to my guide Salvo for having shared…
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Almond Blossoms In Sicily
The almond blossoms are starting to bloom in Agrigento province. This one I photographed two days ago in the Sicani Mountains north of Agrigento. Soon the hillsides of southern Sicily will be painted white! It’s a beautiful season to be here.
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February and March In Sicily
Sicily’s center during February, March, and April offers travelers outstanding scenery for walking and taking it all in. And then there are the villages that must be visited to truly understand Sicily’s soul. Temperatures range from 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning to 65 by midday. It’s perfect for hiking and enjoying the stupendous views…