There are many good reasons to visit Western Sicily. Home to the historic delights of Palermo and the delightful harbour town of Cefalu, the region is a summertime treat for those looking for culture, good food and a relaxing time in the sun. In one town however, the main celebration of the year arrives [...]
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From our hotel (Le Querce di Cota) we drove to up to the ancient hilltop town of Troina. Set at over 1100m above sea level, and offering stunning views, Troina was once the Norman capital city of Sicily. To the west is the imposing sight of Mount Etna, to the north are the Nebrodi Mountains [...]
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If you’ve ever wandered through central London and stopped to admire the street performers who hold court at Covent Garden or on the South Bank, then you’re likely to enjoy the International Buskers’ Festival. This annual event, held in the town of Ragusa Ibla in the south east of Sicily, brings together artists from around [...]
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Cefalu on Sicily’s north coast is a popular place to visit at any time of the year. A short drive from Palermo, it boasts fine golden beaches and a old town that dates back to the days of Norman conquest, over 900 years ago. The city is home to the finest cathedral in Sicily, built [...]
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Visitors to Sicily may be surprised to discover so many signs of Norman influence among the historic sites around the island. While many of us assume that the invasions of the Norsemen, who were initially Vikings but later mixed with English, Frank and Roman stock, were concentrated on the north of Europe, the Normans did [...]
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The Godfather is a film packed with memorable quotes, yet this one stands out from the rest. Clemenza, the trusty henchman, stops to water the plants at the side of the road while one of his men puts three shots into the back of his driver’s head. As he returns to the car the killer [...]
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Carthage, Greece, Rome, North Africans, Normans, Spaniards and Bourbons have all taken their turns as invaders of Sicily. Some would argue that even the Italians are perhaps no more than the latest group to colonise this fiercely disobedient Mediterranean island. As each culture’s influence has waxed and inevitably waned it has left a legacy in [...]
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Mention the phrase ‘agritourism’ to the average person looking for a holiday and you’ll probably get a wide range of reactions. Some might imagine waking up before dawn to help the farmer in milking his herd; others might picture themselves picking fruit or crushing grapes or olives. Yet as an increasing number of travellers are [...]
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