Ciao from Stunning Sicily, Day 11! Crossing to western Sicily is dramatic. The landscape changes west of Palermo. Steep and sweeping mountains rose before us along the Costa Gaia. Views of Castellammare del Golfo offered wonder (and great photo opportunities!), but so too do those from the top of Mount San Giuliano, which hosts Erice….
Tag: erice
Moments In The Shade Of A Caffè In Sicily
Some of the best moments when traveling are just sitting in a caffè in a piazza under the shade of an umbrella. This one is in Erice (Trapani Province).
Obligatory Kisses In Sicily
Erice is a capital of love, so yes, it’s obligatory to kiss (even yourself!) when you come upon these signs sprinkled around the medieval Sicilian village that for centuries hosted a Sanctuary for Aphrodite and Venus.
Buon Ferragosto From Monte Cofano
Buon Ferragosto! (The town beach at Custonaci at the foot of Monte Colfano)
Imagine Yourself In Sicily in October 2021
During our October 2021 Stunning Sicily small group tour, we’ll not only have interaction with local people, stimulating cultural experiences, eat scrumptious seasonal cuisine, and get up close to the freshly fallen ash of Mount Etna (She’s safe! Don’t fret!), but we’ll also have time to wander the alleyways of towns such as Taormina, Siracusa,…
52 Reasons to Love Sicily | #51. Imaginative Ceramics
Throughout Sicily there are various ceramic centers that developed over the centuries around natural sources of clay. Of course, the raw material is one thing, but more significant, however, are the artists and painters that produce and imagine the remarkable designs and/or playful scenes found on plates, bowls, pinecones, heads of men and women, vases,…
Erice’s Labyrinth-like Street Plan
It is easy to get lost in the maze of streets in the Medieval hilltown of Erice. In the past, the labyrinth-like street plan was a strategic design, meant to confuse and trap invaders. Today, however, wandering into a clandestine corner to “get lost” is delightful for lovers. Venus’ romantic energy is still present in…
The Mystery Of The Madonna of Custonaci, Sicily
The Madonna of Custonaci is a cherished, sacred painting in the towns of Erice and Custonaci, where her sanctuary is located. It has a fascinating legend of its origins “from the east.” I’ll discuss its story and more on Tuesday, January 19 at 7:30PM Eastern on Zoom. To register and attend this complimentary presentation, visit…
October 20 Let’s Dream Of Traveling To Sicily
Talking about Sicily brings me a lot of joy (Almost as much as actually being there, as this photo taken in May 2019 in Erice, Sicily illustrates.). Join me on Tues., Oct. 20 at 7:30PM (Eastern) for Let’s Dream of Traveling to Sicily. Register now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lets-dream-of-traveling-to-sicily-registration-124363780415 During this complimentary presentation I’ll discuss the highlights…
They Looked For Love In Erice, Sicily
The town Erice (pronounced Èh-ree-chay) is named for Eryx (or Eros), the mythical son of the goddess Venus and her lover, King Bute of the ancient Elimi tribe (NB that makes the Greco-Roman hero Aeneas his half-brother.). Erice boasts a 12th century Norman castle (pictured), known as Il Castello di Venere or the Castle of…