Tag: castle
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Salemi, Sicily, An Undiscovered Treasure
Live from Sicily! Yesterday, after closing our two-week private tour (What a wonderful time I had with the family!), I headed to Salemi, a truly undiscovered treasure in Trapani Province. I met with Visit Borgo Salemi to learn more about this fascinating town and how we can collaborate to share it with Experience Sicily clients.…
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At Caccamo You May Want To Reconsider The King’s Invitation
Live from Sicily! Yesterday, we explored the imposing castle of Caccamo with our local insider Ignazio. It started as a Cartheginian tower and grew into an impenetrable fortification. If you’re invited by the king, beware of the trap door! Can you spot it?
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Don’t Mess With Etna
On March 8, 1669, Etna began erupting. The citizens of Catania thought they could challenge the volcano. Unfortunately, they were wrong. The population of the city watched from the shores of the Ionian Sea as towns north and west of them were destroyed. Thinking their city walls would be a match Mother Nature’s wrath, they…
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The Key To Success Is Who You Know
Because when you know the right people, you can get insider access to the cool places with the breathtaking views. (Sicily has a lot of castles, and I love that the key to this one actually says, “Castello” to open the gate to the castle!) Grazie Giuseppe Sciurca for your hospitality!
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Hot Sausage Sounds Good
In Medieval times while in Caccamo, you definitely would have wanted to be on this side of the view from the castle, because if not, you may have been in line to have hot oil poured on you as a means of defence! However, this Sunday, you won’t mind being down on the streets below,…
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Sleep Like A Princess
I arrived in Sicily today, and it’s super late here (Ah, jet lag … but really, what’s been keeping me awake is that I’ve been working most of the night!). I’m about to go to sleep, and yes, I’m sleeping in *this* castle! This is a magnificent castle hotel-resort that I’m investigating for your future…
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Being Part of the Local Action
Last night proved me right! I love working local festivals into our Experience Sicily itineraries, because as a traveler, you gain a real sense of community from witnessing townspeople come together to celebrate. Here in Ischia, where I am on vacation with my husband, last night we experienced the Festa di Sant’Anna. I loved watching…
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Ischia’s Castle of Aragon: A Fortified Village
We registered a lot of steps and flights yesterday when we visited the striking Aragon Castle of Ischia! Really a fortified village on an island, the castle was built over centuries and has been occupied by civilizations since before Greek times. At the end of the 16th century, nearly 2000 people lived within its walls.…
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Lords and Ladies in Caccamo
The castle at Caccamo is everything you think a castle should be. Its position over the valley below is extraordinary and it even has a room with a trap door where the lord of the fortress could literally pull the rug out from under you if you were on his bad side, and you’d fall…