Tag: sicily tour
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Sicily: Island of the Sun
Sicily: All the rest is in the shade.
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Temple on the Ridge: Enchanting Sicily, Day 4
Agrigento’s archaeological site Valley of the Temples is 13 square kilometers. It contains eight different archaeological finds–five of which are temples. Pictured on this ridge is the outstanding Tempio della Concordia. Come tour this UNESCO World Heritage site with me this September on Day 4 of Experience Sicily’s Enchanting Sicily tour. Contact me at experience_sicily@yahoo.com…
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The Magnificent Temple of Concord at Agrigento
The Temple of Concord in Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples is one of the best preserved Doric temples in the world. Built in c. 430 B.C. by Greek colonists, it has 34 enormous columns. It owes its relatively excellent state to a 4th century A.D. conversion to a Christian basilica. It’s unclear to whom the…
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Peace through Couscous: Enchanting Sicily, Day 2
Annually each September, San Vito Lo Capo opens its streets to the International Cous Cous Fest, a Festival of Cultural Integration. Chefs from around the globe set up shop in kiosks throughout the seaside town’s thoroughfares. I was surprised to taste Brazilian style couscous, Thai style couscous, Algerian style couscous, Moroccan style couscous, Israeli style…
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The Splendid
La Zisa, which is currently open to the public as a museum, had been a residence since the 12th century when it was first constructed. Parts of it still maintain its original Moorish splendor–a good word to use because its name “La Zisa” was derived from the Arab word “al-Aziz,” meaning splendid. Throughout its history,…
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La Zisa: Another Jewel of Palermo
Palermo’s La Zisa is a 12th century palace that was constructed by Moorish craftsmen in the Norman-Arab style. (Photo Credit: Experience Sicily’s Filippo Buttitta)
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La Zisa
Another example of Palermo’s Norman-Arab architecture, La Zisa is a 12th century palace that was constructed by Moorish craftsmen. It possesses a fascinating design that enables air to move through its rooms and water to run between floors. Today, you can only imagine how beautiful it once was. Its internal courtyard and fountain give you…
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Fill My Heart with Wind
This afternoon, on our way back from the ancient Phoenician outpost of Mozia, the salt flats of Marsala and their antique windmills romanced us. See the white mounds on the right? That is sea salt drying before being exported to kitchens around the world.