Eyes on a plate: This is how one identifies Santa Lucia, the patroness of light, grain, wheat, and eyes. Legend is that her eyes were gouged out either to make herself unattractive to her pagan betrothed or upon her arrest when Roman soldiers could not move her from where she stood. She was a determined…
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Look Up (In Sicily’s Capella Palatina)
The ceiling of the Capella Palatina inside the Palazzo dei Normanni in Palermo is an extraordinary work of Arab Norman art. We were at this fascinating palace during our stay in Palermo earlier this week during our Spring in Sicily tour.
We’ll Find A Villa In Sicily For You
Making plans for a family vacation in June at Capo Zafferano. This is the view from a villa we toured today. We’ll take it!
Slow Down To Have An Espresso
Tanina and I in her kitchen in 2007, having “a moment.” That is, an espresso together. Because having an espresso with someone you love and care for is a cherished moment. It’s also a special moment to share with someone you’ve just met. Standing shoulder to shoulder at the coffee bar is a ritual not…
Let’s Have A Chat For Carnevale In Sicily
Chiacchiere di Carnevale, pictured, are a crunchy, sweet, fried dough garnished with powdered sugar. Leading up to Martedì Grasso or Fat Tuesday, the height of Carnevale, one will find these all over Sicily. The label “chiacchiere” originates from Naples, where this fried mixture of flour, eggs, butter, and some kind of sweet wine reached high…
A Table With A View In Sicily
Your table is ready for you. (Photo taken in the Sicani Mountains, north of Agrigento)
Viva Santa Lucia! Join Tonight’s Online Celebration
Viva Santa Lucia! Join me online this evening at 7:30PM (Eastern) to celebrate the Feast of Santa Lucia. I’ll discuss the legends, traditions, and history of Saint Lucy, the patroness of light, eyes, and wheat. I will also sing the beloved song Santa Lucia live. Register at https://experiencesicily.com/santa-lucia-2021
Cannoli With Me
Last weekend was wall to wall cannoli! Saturday I spent the afternoon making cannoli for a private cannoli making class at the Parker family’s home in New Jersey. It was absolutely wonderful! We all had so much fun getting our hands in the dough and our faces filled with sweet ricotta cream! Sunday, I hosted…
An Update For Traveling To Italy: You Must Be Vaccinated
As of 30 August 2021, for U.S. citizens to enter and travel to Italy you must present upon departure from the United States [Source: https://infocovid.viaggiaresicuri.it/returningtoitaly.html%5D: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination certificate OR Certificate proving that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months PLUS A negative test within 72 hours of departure PLUS Digital Passenger Locator…
Summer Sunset Facing Palermo
Evening light with fishing boat, near Palermo, Sicily (NB: We’ve posted our itinerary for September 2022’s Photography In Sicily tour, led by co-hosts Don Toothaker of Hunts Photo and Allison Scola of Experience Sicily. Only ten spots for this exclusive tour!)