Tag: erice

  • 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…

  • Demeter Left Her Scythe Behind In Sicily

    Ancient Greek legend says that the port of Trapani on Sicily’s coastline at the foot of Mount Eryx, is the scythe of Demeter, her principal harvest tool, which she left behind when she hastened to look for her wailing daughter Persephone. This view from Erice includes the Egadi Islands in the background.