DestinationSicily

13/12/2023

Our friend Alessandro working oh his medieval passions.. is a vision that amaze and enrich, taking us back to our medieval history and uses, in one of the nicest settings of Enna.🏹🐎

🏹 Sapevi che, per l'attività di tiro con l'arco, realizziamo frecce fatte a mano?
💡 Ecco il nostro Alessandro all'opera, mentre assembla il tutto e attacca le penne. Utilizziamo esclusivamente penne sintetiche 😉 ✅

Homemade arrows for our archery activity, by using synthetic feathers 😉🏹

01/12/2023

She is back again 🌋
Lava Lamp on💡

13/10/2023

Trofeo La Motta: Sicily's Sporting Sensation!

Think Sicily is all about pizzas, beaches, and ancient ruins? Think again! Dive deep into the heart of this sun-kissed island, and you'll discover a pulse-pounding, crowd-cheering spectacle: the Trofeo La Motta. This isn’t just a game; it's a cultural carnival that showcases Sicily's vibrant spirit.

While the origins of Trofeo La Motta may be wrapped in tales and legends, its essence is undeniable. It's not just a competition; it's an echo of ancient chants, a dance of modern athleticism, and a celebration of timeless traditions.
It's strategy meeting sweat, and tradition tangling with talent. Competitors here aren’t just playing; they’re performing an age-old ritual, passed down through generations, all while the rhythmic beats of folk tunes play in the background.
While the games take center stage, the real essence of Trofeo La Motta lies in the atmosphere. The aroma of mouthwatering Sicilian dishes, the mesmerizing swirls of traditional dancers, and the harmonious tunes of local melodies create an enchanting backdrop.
Trofeo La Motta masterfully dances between the past and the present. While the event reverberates with ancient traditions, it also embraces the thrill of the new, making it a timeless spectacle.
Beyond the thrill of the game, this event is a goldmine for local businesses. From bustling souvenir shops to packed trattorias, the spirit of Trofeo La Motta echoes in the ringing tills, as tourists and enthusiasts pour in.
Trofeo La Motta isn't just a sporting event; it's Sicily's heart and soul on display. It's where history, culture, sport, and festivity come alive, painting a vivid picture of Sicilian pride. So, next time you're in Sicily, follow the cheers; they might just lead you to the island's most electrifying spectacle!

13/10/2023

The Castle of Donnafugata: A Window to Sicily's Enigmatic Past

The very name “Donnafugata” conjures up images of mystery, romance, and tales from bygone eras. Nestled in the heart of Sicily, the Castle of Donnafugata stands as a testament to the island's rich cultural history and its eclectic architectural influences. This splendid mansion, surrounded by a luxuriant park, provides visitors with a glimpse into the opulent lifestyles of Sicily's past nobility while also revealing captivating stories and legends that still resonate in the walls of this enchanting castle.
Although referred to as a 'castle', Donnafugata is not the typical medieval fortress one might imagine. Instead, it’s a lavish 19th-century residence with neo-Gothic and neoclassical elements. Its façade, a harmonious blend of styles, speaks to the varied cultural influences that Sicily has experienced over the centuries, from the Normans to the Arabs, and the Spanish to the Italians.

One of the most captivating aspects of its architecture is the series of stone laceworks and balconies, features that lend the castle an almost fairy-tale like appearance. Inside, the 122 rooms, each with its distinct decor, showcase the elegance and refinement of the time.
The name “Donnafugata” itself is shrouded in myth. Literally translated, it means "fleeing woman," and according to popular legend, it alludes to Queen Maria Carolina, wife of Ferdinand IV of Bourbon, who sought refuge in this castle while fleeing Napoleon’s troops. While this tale adds a layer of romance and intrigue to the castle's history, it is essential to note that the edifice predates this event. The name might, in fact, be a corruption of the Arabic term "Ayn as Jafat" (meaning "Source of Health"), which would point to the region’s Arab history.
Adding to the castle’s allure is the sprawling park that surrounds it. Covering over 8 hectares, this park is a botanical wonder, boasting both indigenous and exotic species, reflecting the island’s location at the crossroads of different civilizations. The garden's highlight is arguably the stone labyrinth, reminiscent of classic European gardens and yet another testament to the eclectic influences at Donnafugata.
Today, the Castle of Donnafugata is not just a symbol of Sicily’s multifaceted history, but also a vibrant cultural hub. The castle hosts various events, from concerts to art exhibitions, preserving its dynamic role in the community. The castle also made its mark in popular culture, serving as a backdrop in the famous Italian TV series, "Inspector Montalbano."

The Castle of Donnafugata, with its beguiling blend of history, legend, and architectural grandeur, stands as a beacon of Sicily’s rich and diverse cultural tapestry. More than just a historical monument, it remains a living testament to the island’s unique ability to absorb, adapt, and showcase various cultural influences, making it a must-visit for anyone wanting to delve into the heart of Sicilian heritage.
A few pictures from the castle and the splendid museum of historical costumes to follow!!

02/04/2023

Good evening from the island of sun!!
During a beautiful and cool Sicilian spring day, we made a stop in Nicosia, a small Italian municipality in the province of Enna, which despite its modest size
and its location (it is surrounded by hills) anyone can easily perceive the grandeur of the past that characterised it; testimony to this are the 24 baronial houses to the temporary throne of Charles V.
The wealth of the baronial families and the importance of the Nicosia territory led them to invest a great deal throughout the province, making the investment itself a competition between the barons .
Among the many gifts of the past, the tradition of 'La Casazza' is the one that stands out the most to international eyes. It consists of a theatrical representation of rhymed scenes from the New and Old Testament performed by talented actors accompanied by a set design and costumes that are meticulously crafted, which guarantees an involvement in the scenes that strongly empathises the spectator, making the experience UNIQUE.
In its heyday, it took place in a single day starting in the morning and ending in the evening, involved more than 3,000 people including actors, extras and 'technicians', and the barons divided the scenes among themselves and financed them, making the level of the performances very high.
To this day, 3 scenes out of 36 are performed each year and the event involves 300 actors and almost ten thousand spectators, many of whom are tourists.
The experience is difficult to describe, but I hope some of the shots will convey the quality of the experience for me.

18/03/2023

07/03/2023

The period between February and March is known by many as the almond blossoming period. In Sicily, many many years ago, this event made feel a need of celebration to people from Agrigento.
That's the reason why in the province of Agrigento, is now a tradition and they are still celebrating it, mainly because for all the locals it's marking a new time of year when winter gives way to spring and nature comes alive again.

We could not miss it, so … with a lift from our friends from the Gruppo Folk of Enna... we landed in the 'sagra del Mandorlo in fiore'.

We immediately felt immersed in an atmosphere of serene and festive cheerfulness, with thousands of people dressed in traditional costumes from all over the world; from Mexico to Korea, from the best-known European states close to Italy, to even Stan! Such as Uzbekistan, with some of the most intricate and richly manufactured clothes seen in the streets of Agrigento, but also Perù and many others that we will show in the photos below, who will strike you with their beautiful smiles and the details of each dress.

Among the many activities offered by our beloved Sicily, undoubtedly participating to the 'almond blossom' week can be considered one of the most diverse recreational activities one could hope for, you will feel as if you are travelling through those places and sceneries from which such marvellous cultures come to life.
Sicily has always been a place where cultures meet, and this festival fully respects those values of inclusiveness that are typical of Sicilians.

07/03/2023

The land of sun is flowering again!! 🌸🌞