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Boutique, Small-group Tours & Creative Travel Planning for Sicily and Italy | Events | Articles
~Curated by Allison Scola~
http://ExperienceSicily.com

06/01/2025

Today is the Epiphany also know as Three Kings Day, the day that marks the end of the Christmas season and observes when the infant Jesus was presented to the Magi or three wise men. Epiphany means an illumination or discovery. Legend is that the Magi were Persian priests "from the East" who read the stars for information from the gods. In other words, for prophecies. They were men of science and wealth and from reading the night sky, they determined a king was born. They came to pay homage to him, following the stars to know where to find him. Once they arrived, the wise men presented gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the family. This scene is illustrated in this wood carving that came from a Sicilian cart I saw last week in the Museo Guttuso in Bagheria.

05/01/2025

We took a trip back in time today during the 40th Edition of the live presepio (Nativity) presented in Custonaci, Sicily. With Erice as the backdrop with Venus rising with the moon, this, was a, special visit! This is a lovely way to enjoy the Christmas season.

31/12/2024

Wishing you good health and joyful discoveries through many adventures in 2025!

24/12/2024

Merry Christmas! Buon Natale! May you feel the joy of the light of the universe within you. (Nativity scene from the mid-12th Century "Martorana Church," Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio in Palermo)

21/12/2024

Happy Solstice! Today is a day to recognize the stillness of the earth, when in the northern hemisphere, we have the day with the most darkness and the shortest amount of light. Recall the story of Persephone, who for Sicilians, even today, is an important divine spirit. Persephone, the Queen of the Underworld, is sitting high on her throne next to her husband Hades or Pluto, the God of the Underworld. She holds in her hand seeds—yes, those of the pomegranate according to her story—but seeds in the sense of ideas, feelings, hopes, and dreams. They are under the earth, gestating: your ideas, your hopes, your dreams for the next year. She is holding them close to her heart, showing you too, to do the same. Because now, during this stillness, is the time to allow them to gestate, to consider and conceptualize a plan… and in just a few days, when the light starts to show itself as returning, you too will start to sprout your roots. You too will start to reach for the light. This moment is significant. Take your time. Be in the shadows, in the underworld. Because to push through the earth, the dirt, and reach for the sun, you need to turn in now. Rest. Regenerate. Meditate. Allow yourself to be led by Persephone. And like the pomegranate, the wheat, the melons, and the grapes, you too, will flourish in just a few months. The light will come! Spring will come! But first, be with winter. Just be.

12/12/2024

There are two legends about Santa Lucia's eyes: one is she gouged her own eyes out to make herself unattractive to the pagan man to whom she was promised; another is that in the skuffle of her arrest, the Roman soldiers did it. In both cases, the miracle is that her eyes grew back!

Eyes represent sight, certainly, but they also represent insight. A knowing. And I think in Lucia’s symbolism, that’s what they mean. They are asking you to consider: What do you need to see that you aren’t seeing? What insight do you have about yourself or a problem you are seeking to understand? She is asking you to shed light in the dark. She is reminding you to look. To examine. To see. And also to look inside yourself for the answers. She is in awe of what she knows – – the divine spirit she has encountered, and she wants to share that with you. She wants you to step into her light. She is a messenger of grace. She asks you to consider your own grace. To see yourself. To see the light within you. Viva Santa Lucia!

09/12/2024

Yesterday in New York City, in anticipation of her saint's day, we celebrated our annual gathering in recognition of Santa Lucia. Pictured is our altar. Thank you to Cacio e Pepe New York and Giusto Priola for hosting us again this year. And importantly, thank you to all of our guests who attended this sold out luncheon. I feel so blessed and grateful for the Experience Sicily community! It warms my heart to have seen you all and to share these traditions with you - - both those of observing Lucia's story and faith and those we've created together for more than a decade! Grazie! Thank you from deep in my heart! If you want to have another opportunity to celebrate Lucia and learn about her inspirational story of faith and devotion, I will be at Westchester Italian Cultural Center on Thursday, December 12 for a presentation with traditional foods. Learn more at link in bio or at https://www.wiccny.org/event-details/celebrating-the-feast-of-santa-lucia Registration is closing today, so act now!

07/12/2024

At the sanctuary devoted to Santa Lucia in Siracusa, pilgrims offer ex-votos shaped like eyes. Ex-votos are iconographic body parts or other symbols that are offered to a divinity or spirit guide as gratitude for healing or grace received. The eyes and heart pictured here represent ailments of the eyes (Need some insight or help with your cataracts?) and heart (Feeling broken hearted?). Ex-votos are very common in Sicily. The term ex-voto is an abbreviation for the Latin term “ex voto suscepto,” or “vow undertaken.” Santa Lucia, whose feast day is on December 13, is the the patroness of eyes, sight, light, insight, and wheat/grain. I have become very devoted to Santa Lucia in my adult life. Her example of faith, philanthropy, and being a source of light through the darkness (literal and figurative) offers me strength and fortitude. This week, I'm hosting two events in her honor, our annual luncheon (sold out!) Sunday at and a presentation with traditional foods on Thursday, December 12 at in Tuckahoe, NY. Join us! See link in bio for registration details. Viva Santa Lucia!

06/12/2024

Ragusa is comprised of two towns, the ancient hilltop town of Ragusa Ibla, and the modern city that faces it on a plateau west of the old city. Ibla, named for the Iblean Mountains where is stands, has been occupied for millennia. We don't know too much about ancient life in Ibla because in 1693 there was a series of earthquakes that rocked the region, destroying the old city. The nobility during that period who were allied with the Spanish kingdom, had no interest in history or past cultures, so when they rebuilt, they covered everything up and buried the past. When on this hillside facing Ragusa Ibla, I often wonder what lies beneath the churches and homes. What temple ruins may have been covered? I love watching the sun and moon rise over the hillside and wandering the staircases and alleyways. I'm fascinated by the economic changes that happened as a result of the 1693 earthquake's destruction and subsequent rebuilding. I want to share it with you. Join me to wander in Ragusa and beyond this February 15-22 during Wandering Sicily, a walking and cultural immersion experience in Sicily. Learn more at link in bio or at https://experiencesicily.com/wandering-sicily-2025/

05/12/2024

The southeastern provinces of Sicily, Siracusa and Ragusa, sit on a limestone shelf that is part of the African tectonic plate. So, when you are in Noto, Modica, and Ragusa Ibla, you are in Africa! The limestone plateau is millions of years old, and through it over millenia have cut many rivers such as the Irminio, Anapo, and Cassibile (to name a few). The canyons that have been created, and the riverbeds, have been occupied by humans for thousands of years. Limestone is porous, so cutting caves in its walls and using it for building materials makes it an obvious place to settle and, in the past, easily defend. Today, walking and hiking in this region is fascinating not only because of the natural beauty, but also because of the profound history that exists here. And the UNESCO recognized towns that thrive here are beautiful places to explore and enjoy. In February 2025, I'll be cohosting Wandering Sicily, a walking and cultural immersion week based in Ragusa Ibla. Join me and Ragusa local, naturalist guide from February 15 to 22! Learn more at link in bio.

02/12/2024

We want you to join us in Sicily in 2025! Tonight, Monday, Dec. 2, I'll be live on Zoom discussing just how you can make that happen. Register at the link in bio to have your questions answered and to learn more about the magic of Sicily and how you can not only visit it, but *feel* it!

01/12/2024

This is the magnificent duomo of Cefalù built by my favorite Norman king, Roger II, in the 12th century. This evening, Dec. 1, I'll be in Princeton, NJ at Dorothea's house talking about amazing sites like this and Sicily travel. And Monday night too, Dec. 2, I will be live online on Zoom, when I'll discuss more must-see sites, accommodation options, engaging experiences, how to go off the beaten path, and more. Importantly, you can ask your personal planning questions and about our 2025 small group tours. In other words, join me for “office hours” to answer your Sicily travel questions! For more details and to register, see link in bio.

27/11/2024

February 15 to 22 (President's Week) I am co-hosting with Wandering Sicily, a walking and cultural immersion experience in southeastern Sicily. We'll be based in Ragusa Ibla for the week, and each day walk in the countryside. Temperatures are in the 50s and 60s, and green grasses and the first wildflowers are in bloom. We'll eat Modican chocolate and fresh ricotta. We'll interact with locals, and engage in a hands-on cooking class, all while being immersed in the mysterious magic of the ancient Iblean Mountains and their profound history. We have a few spots left! Learn more at link in comments ... And then Join us for Wandering Sicily!

24/11/2024

Etna at blue hour

22/11/2024

Gianni today, making cheese in Collesano in the Madonie Mountains. It's clear from his smile, he loves his work.

21/11/2024

Sicilians are very social people. They take their time to talk, hang out, enjoy a beautiful day.

20/11/2024

Today, in Sicily

10/11/2024

November 11 is Saint Martin's Day. In Sicily, it marks two important moments of the agricultural year. It is the day when wheat farmers must have finished planting the seeds for next year's grain, and it is when, traditionally, wine makers taste their fermenting new wines (the juice/must that was created from August/September/October's grape harvest) to see how it's going. For wine makers, Saint Martin's Day marks the end of the grape harvest season as well. These dry biscuits I photographed early this week at the paneficio are flavored with anise or fennel seeds. They are every where in Sicily right now. They are traditionally soaked and then eaten with the new wine. There is also a sweet version, stuffed with ricotta, I saw today at my local bar. I'll have to try that and report back!

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