Many towns in Sicily annually create elaborate live nativity scenes like this one I saw in 2019 in Custonaci (Trapani Province). These dioramas featuring townspeople acting out iconic moments and everyday activities from past times create a sense of wonder. Presepe Vivente are a reason to visit Sicily during Christmas. (In the future, when it’s…
Tag: trapani
Ancient And Modern Music-Making In Sicily
Female figure on a stool playing the lyre (4th – 5th century BCE), from the ancient city of Lilibeo (modern Marsala), seen in the Museo Whitacker archeological museum on Mozia Island. Speaking of music-making, join Villa Palagonia duo on Sunday at 3PM (Eastern)/21:00 in Italia for an online concert of Sicilian folk music (and a…
Western Sicily’s Salt Pans
The salt pans of Nubia, near Trapani along Sicily’s west coast are renowned by cooks throughout the world for the delicious sea salt Sicilians have harvested from here for centuries. The tuna fishing industry, which has existed here since Phoenician times (c. 800 BCE), prompted the development of the salt pans because salt is an…
Salemi, Sicily Joins The One Euro Home Campaign
Salemi, a town for which I have a strong affinity, joins the campaign to sell homes starting at 1€. Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters (and homes, by association) is the town’s main protector. In my humble opinion, this is a fantastic opportunity for those of you who are interested in a real estate…
A Hidden Corner Of Castellammare Del Golfo, Sicily
I am always seeking the hidden corners to share them with you. (Where we would have been today #stunningsicily)
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…
Castle By The Golf On The Sea In Sicily
The castle at Castellammare del Golfo (which means Castle of the Gulf on the Sea) was first built by the Arabs then rebuild by the Normans and then the Swabians. It once had a drawbridge. Today, from town you can walk across a modern bridge to access it. From this perspective on the sea it…
Today We Would Have Eaten Two Breakfasts
If we were in Sicily… We would have started today with two breakfasts. The one with toast, eggs, and fresh fruit at your inn (On second thought, skip that one!), and then with this one, my favorite cannolo in the world coupled with your preferred coffee drink (Un caffè macchiato, perfavore.). This cannolo is like…
Reaching New Heights In Sicily
I’m on a journey to seek and share joy. Amunì! Let’s go! A photo from May 2019, when I celebrated a joyful day in Selinunte (Photo Credit: Nicholas Gagliano of Studio Uno Photography)
Windmill On The Salt Flats
A windmill on the salt flats of Marsala, Sicily