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The first time I went to Cefalù I felt a strange sensation. As I looked at the small beach in the town centre, surrounded by the pretty buildings with mismatched windows and intriguing arches, it seemed like I had been there before. I couldn’t understand it. Carrying on, slightly perplexed, it then hit me. I had seen this place before. But not in real life, in film. A scene from Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (a film I had watched just before I moved to Sicily) had been shot there. It was reassuring and exciting to see somewhere from an Oscar-winning film in real life, in my new home.  This wouldn’t be the last time I visited somewhere one of the many film locations in Sicily. Sicily’s varied beauty and warm climate make it a haven for […]

Over the years, Visiting Cefalù has always been one of my favourite things to do with family and friends. It’s perfect for a day trip, but could also be a fantastic base for a holiday in north Sicily.  How to spend a day when visitng Cefalù? There are so many options! This historic town has something for everyone! We’ve put our heads together, and put together an itinerary for a day in Cefalù. Let’s go on a trip to one of Sicily’s most famous seaside towns!   Getting to Cefalù  Taking the train to Cefalù is the best option for many. The train station is only a short walk away from the town centre, and there are regular trains throughout the day from both Palermo and Messina. The northern train line stops off at many villages […]

I don’t have an Italian nonna, but in my years in Sicily, I have met a fair few. They have almost all been beautiful, with a twinkle in their eye, a whip-smart sense of humour, and a quick reply to any question you may have. It’s always a pleasure to spend a sunny afternoon with a nonna here in Sicily. Something that almost always happens? The conversation turns to food. What did I eat today? Do I want some food? What are my thoughts about Sicilian food? Shall we cook something together? Eat, eat, eat! It’s a common trait that unifies all Italian grandmothers.  Since I love cooking (and eating) I always listen to any nonna intently when they start to talk about food. Here is my experience of cooking pasta alla norma, a pasta […]

It was hot in the city. The sun beat down on the narrow streets, sharp shadows fell on the cobbles. I needed some air. I needed the sea. The only answer? A trip to Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve. At just over an hours’ drive from Palermo, I knew visiting one of the most beautiful Sicilian nature reserves would be the best course of action. Lo Zingaro is always a fantastic choice for a day out, but it’s best to go prepared. So I set my sights on heading west the next day, and started getting ready for my day by the sea. This is all you need to know to have the best day possible at Lo Zingaro. Where is Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve? Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve is found between Castellammare del Golfo and […]

The last time we went to Agrigento, it was autumn. We took the train from Palermo and enjoyed the trip. As we sped through the Sicilian countryside we saw small towns in the distance, rolling hills, wide plains and valleys, the landscape golden after the summer heat. Visiting Agrigento is always a treat, and I wanted to show my friends the Valley of the Temples. After all, it has some of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world.  We got to the temples, set on a plateau between the sparkling sea and modern Agrigento, and walked around, amazed at the beauty and vivid feeling of history. The autumn sun warmed our skin and the sea breeze caressed our faces. The Temple of Concordia was incredible, easily rivalling the Acropolis in Athens in its beauty. Agrigento […]