Sicily Guide

San Vito Jazz

[ July 26, 2010 8:00 pm to July 31, 2010 11:00 pm. ] [caption id="attachment_2769" align="alignright" width="120" caption="Pietro Tonolo, Photo credits - San Vito Jazz"][/caption] Aots with the sponsorship of San Vito Lo Capo presents "SAN VITO JAZZ '10", Ra jazz event in San Vito Lo Capo (TP). International jazz players will perform in the garden of La Porta, headquarters of the city hall. The even is free to [...]

Feast of St. James in Capizzi (ME)

[ July 24, 2010 3:00 pm to July 26, 2010 11:00 pm. ] The Feast of St. James in Capizzi (ME) is probably one of the oldest and most characteristic feasts in Sicily. The saint has been venerated in Capizzi since the Norman domination. Saint James was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was a son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of John the Apostle. He [...]

Soap box race in Chiaramonte Gulfi (RG)

[ July 24, 2010; 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm. July 25, 2010; 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] This soap box race in Chiaramonte Gulfi (RG) is organized by the Associazione Culturale Nusquama. A soapbox car is a motor-less vehicle capable of holding a driver (usually a child) built for the purpose of racing or recreation. Propelled by gravity, soapbox cars can reach upwards of 50 km/h (30 miles per hour). Originally, [...]

Sculptures of Borsellino and Falcone vandalized

Eighteen years after they were both killed by Cosa Nostra, Sicilian anti-Mafia investigators Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino still upset some people in Palermo. Or so it would seem, given that last Saturday sculptures of the investigators, placed in central Viale Della Liberta, were vandalized. Today marks the 18th anniversary of the Via D’Amelio bomb explosion [...]

Enel just opened Archimede, a new innovative solar plant in Sicily

Photo credits - ANSA The Archimede Project is the first integration, worldwide, of a gas combined cycle and a solar thermodynamic power plant. The Archimede plant is the first in the world to use molten salts as the heat transfer fluid and is also the first in the world to integrate a combined-cycle gas [...]

Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa just opened

We are always excited when we hear about beautiful new properties in Sicily. Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa just opened. This a five-star hotel is located in the vast Donnafugata fiefdom, which is also a nature reserve one hour drive from the International Airport of Catania and a flew minutes away from Ragusa. Situated amongst pristine [...]

The Sicilian girl: a movie about a searing drama and true event

[ August 4, 2010 1:00 pm to August 17, 2010 11:30 pm. ] The U.S. theatrical premiere of Marco Amenta’s THE SICILIAN GIRL, begins on Wednesday, August 4. The film is based on the true story of Rita Atria, a 17-year-old Sicilian whose father and brother were both Mafia members (and victims), who breaks the vow of silence – omerta – that enshrouds her world. In 1991, during [...]

A Mafia’s place turns into a peaceful agriturismo

For the series ONLY in Sicily as Sicily Scene called a post a few days ago, here is another story that a friend pointed out to me. This time the New York Times writes about this magical island. The article by Joshua Hammer describes how a Mafia’s place turns into a peaceful agriturismo. The agriturismo [...]

Magica Italia with Berlusconi speaking on the background (video)

Magica Italia is the new video commercial that is going to air in Italy to boost tourism. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi speaks on the background. Will this video really help tourism and convince Italians to book their summer vacation at home? Video length 31 sec.

An archeological site of unfinished public works in Giarre

I really did not know that Giarre in Sicily has an archeological site of unfinished public works. I read the news on Il Corriere della Sera. I am not surprised that Sicily has the highest number of unfinished public works in the country 160 out of 380, but I am really fascinated how some volunteers [...]

The spirit of Sicily: a journey into Italy’s next frontier

I just noticed this great article by Jessica Colley on the Luxury Travel Magazine that I would like to share with all of you. From the moment I first stepped foot in Italy an infatuation began. Each city, from Florence to Venice, was more fascinating than the last. My desire to explore Italy’s furthest reaches recently [...]

Internet access can be painful in Sicily

Do not buy this one! Thank you for the outpouring support I received for yesterday’s post. You are really inspiring to me. This is why this website exists. One of SicilyGuide’s daily readers asked me about the Internet key I mentioned. Let’s be honest. If you are just going for a few weeks and travel around, it [...]

Why I have not written in a while

I have to apologize with the readers for not having posted in a while. I have been traveling for business and got the flu when I was in Sicily. I could have posted, but I had tons of problems with my Internet connection. I bought a Wind Internet key that did not work at all [...]

A new vacation trend takes over Sicily

In recent years a new vacation trend has taken place in Sicily as well. Instead of the usual hotel accommodation, different alternatives have been making their way to give tourists another choice. B&B’s, holiday apartments, villas, vacation homes showcase an wide range of proposals to meet anyone’s requests. It is like staying at home away [...]

Another great event attends wine lovers in Sicily: Avvinando 2010

[ May 23, 2010 7:00 pm to May 26, 2010 12:00 am. ] The Fifth edition of the wine event “Avvinando 2010” will take place in Palermo in the charming setting of Villa Boscogrande in Palermo on May 23-24. 100 producers will showcase their products including over 600 labels of high-profile wines produced in Italy. Avvinando 2010 is an event dedicated to wine experts, but also to enthusiasts. [...]