Posted by internetauthor on May 21st, 2010 — in Sicily
The tallest mountain in Italy is also one of its hottest tourist attractions – literally. Mount Etna is a volcano located on the island of Sicily and so long as it’s not erupting, the mountain is open for visitors to tour and explore. Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is actually always erupting, although not explosively. In fact, many don’t consider Etna particularly dangerous and live along the slope of the mountain. The fertile soil created by the volcano supports vineyards and orchards surrounding the base of the mountain as well.
The History of Etna
Etna has a place in ancient Roman history as the home of Vulcan, the god of fire and forge. Deep inside Mount Etna, Vulcan and his helpers, the one-eyed Cyclops forged the weapons of the gods. The eruptions and history of the strato volcano have been recorded for thousands of years making it easily one of the most documented volcanoes in the world. Yet even with the history of the volcano, it is impossible to determine where the next eruption will occur. This has never stopped locals and visitors alike from hiking and exploring the large mountain. (more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on April 30th, 2010 — in Sicily
If you’re planning to visit Sicily, the island at the far south of Italy, be prepared for the stunning beauty and rich history of this dazzling area. It’s praises are often unsung, but Sicily is most certainly a land with terrific beauty.
Aeolian Islands – Beautiful islands, especially in the summer months, these small islands are reached by ferry leaving from Milazzo. The seafood and beaches are outstanding, and in August especially, the crowds can be outstanding as well.
Agrigento – Also called the Valley of the Temples, this large archeology site is surrounding by olive groves and almond orchards. In Agrigento you’ll find several Greek temples, including one of the two ancient temples still completely standing in Sicily. (more…)
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Posted by grazia on January 5th, 2010 — in Italy, Sicily
Arancini di Riso: traditional Sicilian recipe
Ingredients:
Rice 300 gr.
• peas 150 gr. 
• veal 100 gr.
• Butter 70 gr.
• 3 whole eggs
• grated Parmesan
• 1 medium size onion
• Parsley
• Celery
• Basil
• Saffron powder
• Vegetable broth
•
Tomato sauce.
• extra virgin olive oil
• Oil for frying
• Flour
• Salt and pepper
Preparation:
1. Pour into a saucepan three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 20 gr. butter. Place the container on fire and fry the thinly sliced onion. Then add veal and peas.
2. Mix and after a few minutes add some tomato sauce diluted in a cup of hot broth, adding some chopped parsley, celery and basil. (more…)
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Posted by grazia on October 2nd, 2009 — in Italy, Sicily
Pasta alla Norma is a first course of Sicilian origin, a specialty of Catania paying homage to the most beautiful and famous opera of Vincenzo Bellini by Catania: Norma.
Pasta alla Norma is a dish prepared with a few simple ingredients that have to be of the highest quality.
Ingredients 
- 360 gr. striped penne
- 600 gr. plum tomatoes (the ones to make the sauce)
- 1 large eggplant
- salted ricotta cheese to grate or fresh ricotta cheese
- basil
- 1 clove garlic
- extra virgin olive oil
Preparation
- Cut the eggplant into slices 1 cm thick and arrange in layers in a colander with a bit ‘of salt.
(more…)
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Posted by grazia on September 21st, 2009 — in Italy, Sicily
Cefalù is located on the northern coast of Sicily, at one end of the Gulf of Termini Imerese. The city is about 50 km from Palermo.
It is a small seaside town with a picturesque harbour from which it is possible to observe the typical sea front of the walled city, with the arches that form the shelter to the boats.
The climate is typically Mediterranean, enjoying dry and windy summers, and mild winters with moderate rainfalls. It is located within the Park of the Madonie.
Apart from some few remains of prehistoric artefacts (ovens, cisterns and domestic buildings) the first plant of which remain significant testimonies to the top of fortress, dates back to the IX century BC.
The remains of a castle, protected by a wall which was intended to make the town impenetrable, are Norman.
But the city is characterised by the spectacular cathedral, built starting in 1131 by King Roger II, willing to respect, according to legend, the vote for the grace received after escaping a storm arriving just in Cefalu.
Very important it is the Museum Mandralisca located in the homonymous street, wanted by Enrico Piraino, Baron Mandralisca. (more…)
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Posted by grazia on September 14th, 2009 — in Sicily
Segesta is a no longer inhabited historic city, founded by the Elimi and located in the north-west of Sicily.
The old city is located on Mount Barbaro, in the municipality of Calatafimi, about ten miles away from Alcamo and Castellammare del Golfo.
The Archaeological Park is situated in a wonderful location among ocher-colored and red-brown hills, forming a pleasant contrast with the infinite shades of green and it is dominated by the bulk of the Doric temple.
The old Segesta, probably founded by the Elimi, as well as the town of Erice, soon became one of the major cities of the Mediterranean area under Hellenistic influence and in the V century it was the biggest rival of Selinus.
Of particular beauty are the temple in Doric style, and the theatre, partly dug into the rock of the hill.
The temple of Segesta, one of the most perfect to survive from Antiquity, stands in majestic solitude on a hill surrounded by a deep valley framed by Monte Bernardo and Monte Barbaro where the theatre is located. It was erected in 430 BC in elegant Doric proportions of rare harmony. (more…)
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Posted by grazia on July 21st, 2009 — in Italy, Sicily
Sicily is the largest island of Italy.
The Aeolian, the Egadi the Pelagie islands and Pantelleria and Ustica are part of the Sicilian territory.
In Sicily Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, dominates the plain of Catania.
On Sicily they have succeeded over the centuries Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans who left substantial evidence, including the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, or the splendid mosaics of Monreale Cathedral or the Necropolis of Pantalica.
One of the most popular tourist resort is Taormina, but along the coast, there are many other wonderful places like Acitrezza, Aci Castello and Aci Catena. A visit is also due to Alcantara and Giardini Naxos.
Organizing or selecting itineraries in Sicily means first of all considering various options offered on the island, from the archaeological and historical resorts to the seaside ones.
In Sicily talking about food means “to begin a journey into the trip”. The Sicilian kitchen is full of fragrant products, flavours that are a delightful balance between land and sea. A food culture inscribed in the Mediterranean tradition.
In Sicily the variety of dishes is full of products, spices and perfumes that bear witness to what the island has gone through for centuries with the influence of several dominators. They have left many monuments and ruins in memory of their past glory and a past so rich that he could not leave behind a wide range of diverse gastronomy traditions. (more…)
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