Yes, the fairytale-like German Christmas Markets are magical, but also cold. Let's take a look at some of the most desirable, sought after and sunniest European winter destinations. Those accustomed to stunning sunsets and balmy eves during their European getaways might balk at the thought of traveling to the Old World during the long, cold winter. But you might be surprised that, from December to ... Read Full Article
Pandemonium in Palermo, Sicily
I had a mixed experience visiting Sicily recently, a wonderful place full of spectacular scenery, delicious wine and kind hearted people. The rolling green hills that form the heart of the island give way to a rugged coastline, full of white sandy beaches and wave-blasted rocky inclines, lashed by turquoise blue water. However, Palermo was another story. The Sicilian landscape was ... Read Full Article
Guide to Wine Tasting on Mt. Etna in Sicily
The Mt. Etna volcano in Sicily is famous for steaming volcanic chasms, snowy peaks, and wild jeep expeditions, but the volcano’s most recent claim to fame is its wineries and wine tastings. Just a short drive from the famous seaside resort town of Taormina, as well as the bustling coastal city of Catania, Mt. Etna’s wineries are easy to access, and this guide provides all of the information needed ... Read Full Article
Secrets for Spending 10 Days in Sicily
This ten-day itinerary will help you get the most out of a trip to Sicily. It features most of the important sights, museums, islands, and activities that Sicily has to offer. Literally in the middle of everything, Sicily has been conquered and re-conquered by almost every Mediterranean power imaginable, from the ancient Greeks and Romans to Arabs from the Middle East and the ... Read Full Article
Palermo, Sicily: Man, I Should Have Gone There
Palermo has been one of the most important cities on the Mediterranean Sea for at least 8,000 years. It has been ruled by the Greeks, North African Arabian sultans, the Normans, the Spanish, and it was finally unified with the rest of Italy in 1860. The Bay of Palermo contains the Mondello beach, which is one of the in-vogue beaches in Europe; and Sicilian food is some of the best in the world: ... Read Full Article
Planning Your Italy Vacation: From Rome to Lecce
In the last edition of Planning your Italy Vacation, I wrote about traveling north from Rome, with Venice as the final destination. In this post we’ll explore the alternative: traveling from Rome southward. This alternative will be attractive to travelers who have already seen the major sights in the north of Italy, and to travelers who prefer to tread the less-beaten path. I suggest ... Read Full Article
Around and About Catania, Sicily
Sicily, a region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is home to Catania, the island's second largest city (Palermo is the largest.) Catania is a very beautiful, laid-back city that boasts a surprising amount of greenery, considering its extremely sunny and hot climate. The humidity, however, is quite low and when the sea breeze hits, the air is absolutely delicious. In spite ... Read Full Article
Curious Easter Ceremonies in Italy
Easter time in Italy means spending time with family, eating good food, and picnicking in the countryside. Businesses sometimes take the entire week off, and government-run institutions, such as bus and train service, are pared down. Easter Sunday itself, known as Pasqua, is a day of intense celebration. Parades, brass marching bands, idols made of precious metals carried atop men’s’ ... Read Full Article
Visiting Italy’s Crypts
The Italian word “ossario” (ossuary) can be traced back to the Latin word osseus, which means boney, and this is, quite literally, exactly what Italy’s ossario are. A resting place for the dead, they have been called crypts, catacombs, and tombs, but none of these words quite get the point across. Ossario are usually rooms filled with bones that have been artfully cared for and, ... Read Full Article
Off the Beaten Path in Sicily
It is worth it to go off the beaten path to see the beauties of Sicily. Southern Italy’s heat can be searing, but we visited Sicily in early spring, and the weather was perfect. The air was mild, almond trees bloomed in green valleys, and the stony fields were ablaze with wildflowers. The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, 3 kilometers from Italy’s mainland, Sicily has been a ... Read Full Article