If the main purpose of your ideal honeymoon is to enjoy some peaceful relaxation with your new spouse, Sicily may be your perfect destination. Sicilians are famous for living life at a slower pace compared to the rest of Italy and how can they not when their home is full of picturesque landscapes, stunning beaches, and spectacular food? Sicily’s larger cities such as Palermo and Catania are full of history and offer great opportunities for sightseeing, while smaller seaside towns like Taormina and Cefalù attract visitors from all over the world thanks to their pristine beaches and simple charm. Continue reading "Sicily Adds Old World Romance to Honeymoon"
Tag: Sicily
Sicily Caravaggio Dionysus Geek Mythology but is not a painting
The Ear of Dionysus is a unique cave carved out of the Temenites hill in the city of Syracuse, in the region of Sicily. Geologists believe that the original purpose of the cave was to provide water storage for Syracuse during Roman times. The cave strongly resembles the shape of a human ear and somewhat works like one too. The Ear of Dionysus takes the form of an S with a high, tapered ceiling. As a result, there are exceptional acoustics present in the cave capable of amplifying even the smallest of sounds. Continue reading "Sicily Caravaggio Dionysus Geek Mythology but is not a painting"
The Ancient Chocolate of Modica
The south-easter
n Sicilian city of Modica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning Baroque architecture. Along with seven other towns in the Val di Noto, like Ragusa and Catania, Modica was rebuilt in 1693 following a powerful earthquake that devastated the area. The construction after the earthquake resulted in remarkable city planning and the culmination of Baroque style of art and architecture in Europe. Though Modica is stunning and filled with beautiful architecture, this city tucked away in the Hyblaean Mountains is also internationally famous for a much sweeter reason: chocolate.
The Procession of the Mysteries
An Easter Parade Like No Other
Easter is a time to reflect on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In the Holy Week before, many customs are followed around the world. But as Good Friday begins, there is nothing so memorable as the “Processione dei Misteri di Trapani” or Procession of the Mysteries in Trapani, Sicily.
The Procession of Mysteries lasts for 24 hours, starting the afternoon of Good Friday in the Baroque Church of Anime Sante del Purgatorio, where there 18 wooden floats that are stored. The tradition started 400 years ago and is the longest religious display in all of Italy.
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Salemi Is A Town In Sicily That was The First Capital Of Italy
Tucked in the western point of Sicily, Salemi is a small town of about 11,000 people tucked into the Belice valley. It sits about 100 kilometers, or about 62 miles, outside of Palermo and is near Segesta and Selinunte, a pair of ancient cities that were constantly at war with each other. All that’s left of these two relics are some stoic Greek temples. Though the town is modestly sized, it possesses a long and interesting history that includes many peoples. The Greeks, the Romans and eventually barbarians passing through the Arabs all controlled the town at different times. During Arabic control, the town prospered and named itself after the Arabic word “salem,” which means “peace, health, or safe town.”
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Cathedral Of Messina’s Clock Tower
The roar of a majestic lion, a stately rooster’s crow, statues coming to life and music filling the air as a story unfolds; this artistic display of characters sounds more like an up and coming movie than an eighty year old Astronomical Cathedral clock. The Cathedral of Messina’s animated clock show is a great way to display history to any variety of age groups, whether they are an older crowd or a younger generation. Children will squeal with delight as they watch the animals spring to life, and adults will smile as they witness this majestic bell tower tell a story in an entertaining and beautiful fashion.
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Ten of Our Favorite Golf Resorts and Courses in Italy
Many people do not think of golf when they think of Italy, but Italy is actually home to some of the most renowned courses in the world. Whether you are looking for a luxurious getaway at a resort where you can relax and play or a serious course which would challenge even the most experienced golfer, Italy has the place for you. Here is a list of our favorite golf resorts and courses all over Italy. Continue reading "Ten of Our Favorite Golf Resorts and Courses in Italy"
Sea Salt comes from Sicily
A vacation in Sicily may evoke a myriad of images; uncontaminated landscapes, centuries-old traditions, Greek temples, delicious traditional food and a crystal clear sea. Stop by the beautiful Erice and drive along the unique Salt Road with the many red-roofed windmills. The white pyramids of the sea salt piled along the evaporation basin is just one of the many breath-taking views that will be stuck on your mind forever.
Stromboli: Dancing with the Volcano
The island of Stromboli is a living testament to the beauty of fire. With an almost constant stream of small volcanic eruptions, visitors come from far and wide to view the fountains of orange magma against the night sky. The play of light and dark has inspired artists, poets and photographers for time immemorial, creating a healthy atmosphere for creative expression. In recent years, the townsfolk have welcomed troupes of dancers who echo the graceful sprays from Mother Nature in their work.
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Italy: The Italian Fire Giants
Italy is a small country, and yet it contains all types of volcanoes that can be found in other areas of the world at distances of thousands of kilometers. Southern Italy, in particular, is like an enormous pressure cooker, with its three main volcanoes. Stromboli, Etna and Vesuvius are the most famous active volcanoes on Earth. Continue reading "Italy: The Italian Fire Giants"