September 8 Marks A Rebirth

September 8 is considered the birthday of the Blessed Mother by the Catholic Church. As a result, throughout Sicily this week, there are festivals to celebrate the Madonna. It’s not clear why this date was officially chosen as such; however, let’s consider the cycle for cultivating grain — an essential crop for sustaining life in…

Fishing For My Sicilian Heritage

Yesterday, I spent a heartwarming morning with Michelangelo Balistreri at the Museo dell’Acciuga di Aspra in Aspra (Palermo Province). It was a journey into my family history. Anyone with fisherman roots from Sicily’s north coast will appreciate a visit to this outstanding labor of love. Michelangelo and artist Francesco Maglio have created a beautiful tribute…

Join Us For Fun In The Sun And In The Kitchen This September in Sicily

We’re doing research today for our boat excursion (with Escursioni Team Shark Lanzafame) for September’s Stirring Sicily food and wine tour! Here’s an account of the beautiful coastline of Capo Zafferano. Meanwhile, I have to say the snorkeling at Le Formiche, an undersea mountain range that is a coral reef of sorts, was magnificent! I…

Home Altars in Sant’Elia

Live from Sicily! This morning on my walk near where I’m staying, I took note of the home altars dedicated to the veneration of Our Lady of the Sorrows (La Vergine di S.S. Addolorata). Home altars such as these, built into the facades of homes and dedicated to various saints, are common all over Sicily.

Get Your Motor Runnin’ At The New York Times Travel Show This Weekend

Experience Sicily will be in New York City at the Javits Center this Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 26 and 27 for the New York Times Travel Show. Come visit Booth 462 to talk Sicily with us! Full details and be our guest with free passes at https://experiencesicily.com/ny-times-travel-show/ (Limited number left!). Dance the tarantella with me…