Love is in the air! Today is Martedì Grasso–Fat Tuesday–the final day of Carnevale! It’s also the day before St. Valentine’s Day… mmm… considering the ancient practices of Carnevale, could it be related to how we interpret Valentine’s Day today? I’m not really sure, but I’ll venture to guess there is a relationship between the…
Tag: may tour
Even The Floor Is Dazzling
If the 68,000 square feet of mosaic tiles on the walls of Monreale Cathedral don’t mesmerize you, perhaps the floor-designs will! Created by Byzantine-Arab-Norman craftsmen in the late 12th century, William II’s temple offers endless inspiration. The red stone is called red porphyry. The ancient emperors associated it with power during the Roman Empire. It…
My Lady, I’ll Have Pizza
The Normans made sure that their castle at Caccamo was impenetrable. With construction dating back to the 11th century, it sits atop a steep mountain overlooking a vast green valley and fresh water lake (a rarity in Sicily). Today, you are welcome to visit the Castello’s museum. The imposing structure also houses an excellent pizzeria,…
The Myth and Mystery of Etna
From Taormina, you see the north face of Etna, which is best observed in the early morning when the sky is clear of her volcanic steam. Our 2018 Myths & Mysteries of Sicily tour starts here on May 24, when we’ll learn about the nymph Thaleia, Zeus’ lover, who after being swallowed by the earth…
Our May Tour, Day 9: A Multi-sensory Experience
We’ll walk into the vines with the owner of Feudo Montoni vineyard on Day 9 of our Experience Sicily May 19-31 tour with Chef Melissa Muller. Fabio will explain to us his wine-making process, take us through the estate’s cantinas, and pair his different wine varietals with the food that we’ll be making with Chef…
Our May 2016 Tour, Day 4: Palermo’s Markets
Going to the market to purchase the day’s freshest ingredients is an institution in Sicily. On Day 4 of our May 19-31, 2016 Experience Sicily with Chef Melissa Muller tour, we’ll be exploring Palermo’s open-air, foodie’s paradises right alongside the locals. You’ll see bright yellow lemons, emerald green fennel, and wrinkled dates. You’ll smell earthy…
The Sea at Palermo
We’ll be on a boat, touring the nooks and natural caves of the Northern Sicilian coastline for the afternoon of Day 3 of our May 2016 small-group tour. Chef Melissa Muller will guide us through a wine tasting featuring the region’s best wines.
Our May 2016 Tour, Day 2: Western Sicily Surprises
Couscous will take center stage on the evening of Day 2 of our May 2016 Experience Sicily tour. Eolo Seasonal Sicilian Kitchen Chef Melissa Muller will introduce us to her colleague at a Marsala trattoria where we will see a demonstration of how this Sicilian dish (Yes, Sicilian!) is made and then we’ll enjoy it…
Our May Tour, Day 2: Bread Rituals
The ritual of bread making will be the focus of the morning of Day 2 of our Experience Sicily with Chef Melissa Muller tour May 19-31, 2016. Ritual bread making pervades the island of Sicily and is practiced in honor of various saints, the most renowned of which is Saint Joseph or San Giuseppe. For…