About Sicily

Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2011

Italy Travel Options

Posted on Thursday, September 15, 2011

Are you longing to trace your family tree and visit the birthplace of your ancestors in Italy? We can make your desires happen. Think about a cruise or a tour that departs from or ends in Rome and add a few days to the start or end. We can take you to remote villages anywhere in Italy by private car or train if train access is available. You would be surprised at the local train service Italy offers. Here in the United States we should take lessons from the European train network. Trains leave on time and take you to the most out of the way places.

Cuisine in Sicily

Posted on Saturday, August 20, 2011

In Sicily, the sun illuminates the land as the sea provides plenty of moisture. The result is an array of fresh home-grown produce. That, combined with the influence of the island's first settlers, creates a culinary tradition that is a delight to all the senses. 

In Palermo, unique combinations of flavors like citrus, mint, saffron, chilies, raisin, chocolate, wine and honey exhibit the city's early Arab influence. On the east coast, where the Greeks settled first, fish, olives, beans and vegetables are the preferred staples. Classic Sicilian dishes include caponata (sweet and sour eggplant relish), panelle (chickpea fritters), sfincioni (pizza with onions and anchovies) and pasta alla Norma (pasta with fried eggplant, tomato sauce and ricotta cheese). 

In addition to the island's signature entrees, Sicily serves up some of the world's most decadent desserts. Perhaps the most famous delicacy is the cannoli alla cassata, a more cake-like take on the standard cannoli. But it doesn't end there. Dozens of other sweet dreams include filled pastries, fried pastries, cookies, cakes, candied fruit, sorbet, and granita. 

Legend even has it that the world's most adored after-dinner indulgence, ice cream, was invented in Sicily during Roman times, when a relay of runners would bring snow down from Mt. Etna to be flavored and served to wealthy patricians.

Taormina…a Sicilian Treasure

Posted on Thursday, June 02, 2011

Although a bit cloudy, Mt Etna was visible and stood as a sentinel guarding the beautiful city below.  From the ship, to a tender to a bus that took us up to the city entrance as we enjoyed breath taking views at every turn.

A stroll down Corso Umberto is a feast for your senses as you pass bakeries, tratorias, cafes and gelateries of course. We noticed that the quality of merchandise was much better that the last visit 4 years ago— but some if the prices where molto $$$$.  Needless to say, there were plenty of sourvenier shops all around and lots of shoppers.

A short uphill climb from Piazza Duomo, took us to the Greco Roman Theatre ruins (picture above,) which are fairly well preserved and offer expansive views of the bay and picturesque cities around.

Whether you come for the history, culture or just to stroll around with the friendly locals, Taormina, Sicily is certainly an unforgetable part of Italy that should be on every itenerary.

Browse through our selection of Sicily tours

New Perillo Sicily Tour

Posted on Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Each year many tour operators offer off-season travel to Italy, which is November through April, however they focus mainly on Rome, Florence and Venice.

This year, Perillo released a 9 day deluxe Sicily trip. Deluxe hotels include three nights in Palermo at the Grand Hotel Wagner and two nights in Taormina at the Grand Timeo. A hearty buffet breakfast starts every day, and evenings bring sumptuous, wine-fueled meals. Accompanied by engaging and knowledgeable tour directors, guests will enjoy day trips to Sicily's fascinating sites

Highlights include a wine cellar visit in Marsala, where guests will taste the fortified wine first introduced in 1796. Also on the itinerary is the ancient Greek city of Selinus, an acropolis of majestic temples overlooking the sea. On the road to Taormina, the tour will stop at the aristocratic fourth century Villa Romana del Casales in Piazza Armerina, famed for its intricate mosaics. A morning trip from Taormina will reveal another World Heritage Site, Noto, built in the Baroque period.

Each departure is limited to 40 guests traveling in deluxe motor coaches with extra legroom. Tour price covers airport transfers in Italy, hearty daily buffet breakfast, five dinners and one lunch including wine and beer, Marsala wine tasting, baggage handling, hotel service charges and taxes, professional tour directors and local guides. Plenty of free time is allowed for independent explorations, shopping and relaxing. The Deluxe Sicily Tour is offered at $2,690 per person double occupancy for three departures in January, with the top price of $3,290 offered in April.

For this and other off-season Italy tour, click here