All about Meet the Local in Sicily

Traveling to Sicily can be easily done independently. However, if you want to experience the island adding a personal and luxury touch, a travel planner can help a lot in making the best of your days. We have interviewed Vita, Luxury Travel Advisor at Sicily Lifestyle, and we have asked her what a Travel Advisor…

At Sicily Lifestyle, we are a team of Sicily experts. We specialize in crafting exclusive travel itineraries and ensuring our guests get to experience the very best that Sicily has to offer.

We know that as travelers, our clients have their own ideas as to what makes a ‘luxury’ travel. We work with our clients to understand their needs and to tailor our suggestions accordingly.

Knowing the island inside out, we can work closely with you to ensure your experience of Sicily is truly unforgettable. But what really does a Luxury Travel Advisor? What are her/his duties? How can the support given by a luxury travel planner make the difference?

To these and many other questions, we have asked our expert Sicily travel planner, Vita. She tells us what a luxury travel planner really does, and why if you are traveling to Sicily you might want to consider one.

Over to Vita…

What does it mean being a luxury travel advisor?

Traveling has never been so valuable as in these post-pandemic times. People have been waiting so long to be able to travel again and have been dreaming about new adventures.

Being a luxury travel advisor and planner means now more than ever, to give shape to a dream and actually hand the key to doors. Our deep and first-hand knowledge of the destination makes these authentic experiences possible.

What are the duties of a luxury travel advisor?

A local luxury travel advisor must work on two main factors:

The knowledge of the destination
The knowledge of the client

Every client has a different vision for their trip. The planning starts with understanding from the client as much as as possible about their needs and wishes. This is absolutely essential when it comes to designing a tailor-made itinerary.

Behind a perfectly crafted itinerary, there is a huge work ‘on the ground’ in the territory. We want to know we are supplying our clients with the very best experiences.

This means trying firsthand all the tours and experiences our clients will do, visiting hotels, restaurants, selecting and meeting all the suppliers, guides, drivers, and hosts that will make up our client’s trip.

What are the challenges you meet when planning a luxury trip or tours in Sicily?

Working with third-party travel agents between us and the final client, misunderstandings can be easy to happen. So it is extremely important to have clear communications with all parties.

At Sicily Lifestyle, we pride ourselves on our transparency, and thoroughness for a smooth planning process and a satisfied customer.

Other Challenges in Sicily may arise when clients have a short time and yet they want to [understandably!] visit the whole Island.

Some people think that with Sicily being an Island, it is small and that the most popular destinations are all quite close to one another.

Sicily extends for 25711 km2, distances are quite long and roads are not always greatly connected, so in reality, it’s not usually possible to see everything in one trip.

Knowing the length of the trip is essential in order to understand in which areas to focus, rather than splitting the stay in too many hotels, requiring the client to pack and unpack their luggage every night and spend too much time sitting in a car instead of sightseeing and relaxing.

Cottanera Winery Sicily with Etna in background — Many ‘luxury travellers’ are looking for exclusive food and wine experiences. Photo courtesy of Cottanera Winery

What are the typical “luxury” travelers looking for?

The typical “luxury” travelers in Sicily look for authentic experiences with locals, as well as getting a taste of the culture, and history considering that Sicily hosts seven Unesco World heritage sites. Another key aspect travelers look for in Sicily are amazing nature and food&wine related experiences.

What are the key secrets of a luxury travel advisor?

Creativity, empathy, great knowledge of the destination, and top-notch suppliers are essential to work with a high-end client who is seeking stress-free planning, flexibility before and during the trip, and high-quality service throughout the process.

What are the most requested tours and destinations in Sicily?

Etna, Taormina, the Valley of Temples, and Noto are absolutely a must!

Along with these top sellers, there is Palermo and its noble heritage, its amazing architecture, and the traditional street food made every day in the folkloristic local market.

Lately, we’ve been receiving a lot of requests from clients who want to experience a romantic getaway in the countryside of Noto and Siracusa, where some of the best boutique hotels are located as well as luxury yacht cruises in the Aeolian Islands.

Sunset over Stromboli island — Stromboli: One of the Aeolian Islands, which are among the most requested Sicily experiences

What are the less known places in Sicily that you would, instead, recommend to your clients?

The Island of Pantelleria is still less known compared to the Aeolian Islands, which are not as beaten by tourism as the mainland of Sicily, but yet a popular destination.

Pantelleria is still an unspoiled, virgin land; an ideal place to unwind, relax and discover all it has to offer: nature, great landscapes, and amazing wines and food.

What do you want to know from your potential client in order to craft the perfect itinerary?

We need to know the basic information such as the number of people, if it’s a multi-gen trip, a honeymoon/celebration, length of the journey and an estimated budget.

It is also very important to go deeper in the knowledge of the client, making the right questions in the pre-planning phase in order to craft the most suitable experiences for that specific customer so that expectations are met [and exceeded!].

What are the most memorable tours and experiences you have organized in Sicily? Can you tell us some unique details about them?

The most memorable experience I have organized was for a multi-generational trip with clients who had Sicilian roots.

They asked us to do family heritage research, which lead us to go through tons of documents in the archives of the city hall of a tiny village on the west coast of Sicily.

As it usually happens in Sicily, as soon as the word spread through the village, a lot of people, from the mayor to a cultural/historic association decided to take part in the research and found relatives who were still living in the village.

At that point, we decided to give updates about the research before their trip to Sicily, but we didn’t tell them that on the day of their visit to their ancestor’s village, they would actually meet their relatives for the first time.

You can imagine how emotional this day was for our clients and also for the whole village, who welcomed this American Family as they were part of the community.

Motta Camastra Sicily — “In Sicily, luxury is not something they will see, but more something they will feel…”

What is the most valuable advice you would give to someone that wants to plan a trip to Sicily?

First of all, to live as a local as much as they can and to leave behind the mainstream idea of ‘luxury’ because in Sicily, luxury is not something they will see, but more something they will feel.

It is not something they will find in fancy things and services, but in the people that will make their stay special, from the driver at the airport to the Sicilian Mamma who will welcome them to her home and treat them like family.

If you had 3 days to experience Sicily, what would your personal itinerary include?

With 3 days available I would focus on the East coast of Sicily.

I would land in Catania and would stay at the Belmond Hotel Timeo in Taormina. On my arrival day I would simply enjoy a guided walk of Taormina and its ancient Greek Theater and then relax at the beach and have a traditional dinner in a tiny family restaurant overlooking the sea.

On my second day I would definitely do a hike on Mt. Etna, or take a helicopter tour, and stop in a winery for lunch and to enjoy great food and taste the Etna Doc wines.

On my last day I would definitely head to the south-east area of Sicily, visit Siracusa and have an easy lunch at the local market, then head to Noto to see its baroque palaces and stop at Caffè Sicilia to meet the best and most well-known pastry chef in Sicily and try his granita made with the delicious Avola Almond!

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Vita is our beloved Travel Advisor, she takes care of our clients from the beginning till your last day in Sicily with us. If you have been inspired by Vita’s expertise and knowledge, get in touch with us today and we can start to explore your perfect Sicily itinerary!

The Feast of Sant’Agata in Catania – The event that all Catanese’s people are looking forward to

For centuries, the first week of February has been a special time of celebration to people of Catania. Starting on the 3^rd of February, begins the Feast of Sant’Agata – a three-day long celebration, full of faith, devotion and tradition.

This incredible event brings tens of thousands of devotees to the streets of Catania in a spectacular expression of worship to give thanks to the city’s patron saint – Saint Agata.

During Festa di Sant’Agata, Catania is dressed in luminous lights, thousands of candles and flowers are offered to the saint and each evening of the feast is celebrated by elaborate fireworks.

Who was Sant’Agata?

Saint Agata is beloved by all Catanese people for her show of courage and principle at a young age. The beautiful young virgin was born into a Christian aristocratic family and decided to devote her life to God.
However, her beauty caught the eye of Roman Proconsul Quintianus. She resisted his advances and marriage proposal, which unleashed a campaign of religious persecution against her. She was rolled on hot coals and had her breasts amputated, and subsequently died a martyr’s death on 5 February 251. Soon after, became a cult figure of Catania and a symbol of Sicily’s struggle against the Roman abuse of power.

Legends of her patronage

She became the patron saint of Catania and legends tell of her protecting Catania against Mount Etna’s eruptions, earthquakes and some epidemics. Legend has it that on February 1st, 252 – just before the first anniversary of her death, the city was threatened by a violent eruption. The inhabitants of the nearby villages, terrified, took the veil that was wrapped around her tomb, and used it as a shield against the lava flow. The white veil suddenly turned red and stopped the eruption on exactly February 5th, the day of her death.

Festival schedule

February 3^rd – the festival begins with the procession of the cannalori, eleven heavy gilded sculptures each holding a candle. They are carried on the shoulders of men through the streets and eventually to the Piazza Duomo where a concert and fireworks close the day.

February 4^th – is the day on which Sant’Agata’s statue is carried through the Cathedral and the city streets. Joined by thousands of worshippers, dressed in white cloth and black caps, the procession takes the statue throughout the city starting at 8am until 11pm, which is no small feat. Devotees carry enormous candles as offerings to the saint and the streets of Catania are covered by sawdust in order to protect the pavement from the burning candlewax.

February 5^th – the final day, the statue is taken on another tour of the city. The final leg of the procession is a speedy sprint up Via San Giuliano, symbolic of the strength and devotion of the statue bearers in spite of their heavy load. There is also a special stop on this final day on Via Crociferi bythe monastery of Benedictine nuns. The nuns come out to greet Sant’Agata and sing to her, which is especially unique because the nuns do not leave the monastery for the rest of the year.

The Feast of Sant’Agata is a very unique and special experience. During these three days, a collective energy unlike any other embraces the city. Worship, thankfulness, hope, devotion envelop all who participate and regardless your belief or religion, it is a truly spectacular and moving experience.

An invitation to experience family sharing in the Sicilian kitchen

A few kilometers from Taormina, between the Alcantara River Park and Mount Etna, stands Motta Camastra, a small village inhabited by just 600 people, which still manages to express the face of an authentic Sicily that has stood still in time.

Through the silent squares and the breathtaking views over the Alcantara Valley, the narrow and fascinating streets, the hidden corners where life passes slowly, is set a natural culinary and social experience put in place by the “Mamma del Borgo” ~ “The Mothers of the Village” which tells the story of Sicily in its simplicity and naturalness through home cooking.

In today’s economy on the margins of tourism, where employment opportunities are scarce, the young people but also the not so young, are forced to leave their origins to find a future elsewhere. However, a group of courageous, creative and enterprising women and mothers created an opportunity for themselves. They offer – with genuineness and attachment to their land and their traditions- a new way of hosting.

The project is called “Mamme del Borgo” and it combines traditional cuisine with moments of shared joy, dishes exclusively based on local products and the camaraderie and connection between local people and tourists. In fact, the goal is not only to create an employment opportunity but also to re-evaluate the area.

The raw materials come from the surrounding countryside, so everything is zero kilometer. The preparation takes place inside the mothers’ home in full compliance with the principle of community sustainability, which characterizes the activity at every stage and makes it unique in its kind in Sicily. Interaction with local people is certainly one of the aspects that makes the activity engaging.

Typical products of Sicilian cuisine- including hot baked ricotta, caciocavallo, pecorino, baked peppers and stuffed aubergines, make up the appetizers. Followed by the preparation of maccheroni alla norma and arancini with wild fennel from scratch was definitely one of the most fun activities.

Considering the time and dedication required to make these dishes, they are generally only found on holidays and Sundays on Sicilian tables, which makes the experience all the more special.

Preparing macaroni is an art that has been handed down from generation to generation. Being part of this tradition, directly in the kitchens, alongside the mothers of Motta Camastra allows you to savor the pleasure of family sharing that you can only breathe in Sicilian homes.

At the end of the meal you cannot miss the dessert, the pancakes stuffed with ricotta and covered with a delicate layer of sugar. The wine served is the local one, the result of the work of the local farmers who with millenary techniques create a 100% organic product.

To make everything even more unique and wonderfully authentic- are the companions. The children of the mothers and a group of young people from the village who with naturalness, sweetness and spontaneity accompany guests along the alleys of the village, making them discover the corners that otherwise they would distractedly risk to lose. They are also the protagonists of an experience that will remain in the hearts of those who have the honor of living it.

It’s not all. Motta Camastra, with the nearby Castello degli Schiavi and Bar Vitelli , was chosen in 1972 by Francis Ford Coppola as the shooting location for the film “The Godfather” to take on the role of Corleone.

One more reason to get to know the village that has been working tirelessly since 2016 to let anyone who reaches it experience the traditional hospitality of Sicily.

Goodbye Maestro

Ennio Morricone, one of the most brilliant Italian composers of all times, has passed away on July 6th, 2020 at the age of 91. Our nation lost a beloved artist, but his work will be forever cherished by Sicilians, Italians and all music lovers around the world.

Ennio Morricone’s work and his film scores are forever connected with the history of cinema: Once upon a time in America, the entire Spaghetti Western genre, Mission are just a few of the music score masterpieces he composed.

The Maestro had a special connection to Sicily – both through his wife and his work. Despite his international recognition and fame, it is with a Sicilian director that he had the most enduring partnership: Giuseppe Tornatore.

As the Maestro once said, “I married a Sicilian and this allowed me to fully understand the Sicilian culture, but it was through the art of Giuseppe Tornatore that my beliefs about this island were proved to be real”.

Ennio Morricone directing — Sven-Sebastian Sajak, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The long friendship (and partnership) with Giuseppe Tornatore

The long lasting partnership between the Maestro and Giuseppe Tornatore is quite consistent and in fact includes 13 movies, among which three movies best represent Sicily in all its beauties and contradictions: Nuovo Cinema Paradiso (1988), Malena (2000) and Baaria (2009).

Nuovo Cinema Paradiso, shot between Bagheria, Cefalù and Castelbuono, was the first collaboration between Morricone and Tornatore.

When Ennio Morricone was first asked to compose the music for this film, he rejected the offer as he was already committed with a Hollywood production, but when he was given the script of the movie, he got emotional reading the last scene (the legendary censored film kisses montage) and finally said yes. The film score written by Ennio Morricone and the cinematography of Giusppe Tornatore brought to life one of the most beautiful and nostalgic portrayals of Sicily and Sicilians and won the Academy Award for the best Foreign Language film in 1990.

Another example of a perfect combination of filmmaking, music, and photography is Malena which is always considered as a controversial movie due to the sexual themes and the depiction of a very close-minded and sexist behavior of the Sicilian People.

Ennio Morricone music themes perfectly accompany the beautiful Monica Bellucci as she walks across the square of the Duomo in Siracusa under the judgmental looks of the women and the adulatory ones of the men.

The music in Malena is a perfect mix of Sicilian sounds: the music of the traditional processions of Saints and more intense music that can convey the tragedy of a woman whose beauty becomes a curse.

We can find the same atmosphere in the commercials shot by Tornatore for Dolce & Gabbana in 1995 and 2003 featuring once again the beautiful Monica Bellucci. The black and white and the dramatic music of Ennio Morricone show Monica Bellucci as a Sicilian femme fatale chased and desired by Sicilian men.

Ennio Morricone will compose again for Dolce & Gabbana, this time with the great Sophia Loren in the beautiful setting of Villa Valguarnera in Bagheria.

Baaria, Sicilian for Bagheria, is important for Ennio Morricone for several reasons: it is the home town of his artistic son Giuseppe Tornatore and it is the town that in 2006 tributed Morricone with the honorary citizenship, making the Maestro an effective citizen of this beautiful Sicilian noble town. But Baaria is also yet another product of Tornatore and the Maestro partnership, a pure declaration of love to Bagheria and Sicily that encompasses 50 years of Sicilian history. It is in the piece “Symphony for Baaria” that we find all the love and respect that Morricone had for this ancient noble town and for the traditional music and Sicilian instruments like Zampogna and Marranzano.

Although Ennio Morricone lived all his life in Rome, it is undeniable that with his compositions he could convey emotions and feelings of “ Sicilianity” as only a true Sicilian would.

The pain and nostalgia of leaving Sicily to find fortune abroad in Nuovo cinema Paradiso, the feelings of lust and love for a Sicilian woman in Malena and the sounds of the marranzano and the voices of the people of Baaria transformed in music will forever be his gift and his immortal legacy to Sicily.

Has anyone ever come to Sicily, even just once, and not noticed a Testa di Moro sitting on a balcony, or placed in a traditional Sicilian restaurant, or being sold in one of the many ceramic shops? Majolica art was brought to Sicily by the Arabs, who taught the Sicilians how to create these truly marvelous masterpieces of art.

There are many different types of objects that can be made by using distinct colors, forms, and motifs painted on the ceramic.

However, the most fascinating and popular ceramics are the Teste di Moro. The legend behind these figures comes from the XI century when the Moors dominated Sicily and, like so many legends, is supposedly all the fault of Cupid.

One day, a girl who lived in the Arab district of Palermo, the Kalsa, was taking care of some plants and flowers on the balcony of her house. Suddenly, a dark-skinned merchant passed by and they immediately fell in love with one another. They began their love story together until the young girl discovered that her lover already had a wife and children waiting for him back in his home country.

One night while he slept, the girl, crazed with jealousy, thought of a way to make him stay with her forever! Without blinking an eye she cut off his head and decided to use it as a vase to grow her beautiful basil.

As people would walk by her balcony, they began to become jealous of her thriving basil, and so they began creating colorful vases with clay heads. Today there are many different styles of ceramics heads, but the most traditional are a man of color and a beautiful girl.

In Sicily, the smell of almonds is a major part of flavors and traditions. The warm sweetness of this fragrance takes us on a sensorial and emotional journey to one of the most enchanting regions in the Mediterranean. The almond is native to central-western Asia and lower China. It is a typical plant found in Sicily and reaches its full splendor in springtime when white and pink flowers bloom and consume the trees. Its flowers are used in the production of delicate cosmetic products, while the milk pressed from the fruit is used as an energizer drink thanks to its anti-inflammatory and refreshing properties. Almond oil is also excellent for soothing and healing. Since it is the first tree to bloom in the spring, the almond is a symbol of renewal and hope.

The orange tree produces almost 500 oranges per tree that can be picked and gathered from November until May or June. In springtime the branches of the tree blossom with the most beautiful little white flowers. This flower is then used to make fragrances and perfumes. Sometime it’s even used in certain desserts where the essence of zagara adds a touch of something special. Zagara is the name used for citrus flowers but in particular that of the bitter orange and its essence is extracted from the peel. It’s Arabic root, Zahrah, literally translates to “white flower”.

Il Gattopardo by Tomasi di Lampedusa is considered a historical novel in that it narrates the event of Garibaldi landing in Sicily that later lead to the annexation of the island to the Piedmontese kingdom of Savoy.

Through interior events, political intrigue, and purely island concerns and issues, the reading faithfully depicts the various details and motivations of the socio-historic situation on Sicily at the time.

Tomasi wrote “For over twenty-five centuries we’ve been bearing the weight of superb and heterogeneous civilizations, all from outside, none made by ourselves, none that we could call our own…,and yet we have been a colony for two thousand five hundred years”.

This is to testify the fact that Sicily has always been a land of conquest, and even in the case of the Piemontesi, although armed with good intentions, they are merely the umpteenth foreigner to propose themselves governor of the island.

Tomasi also describes how the island itself, geographically speaking, has grown in its own image and likeness the Sicilian people, emphasizing how, “Sicily, the climate, the Sicilian landscape.

These are the forces which have—and perhaps more than foreign rule and defilements – built our spirit: […] this land, in which the hell around Randazzo and the beauty of the bay of Taormina are separated by only a few miles; this climate that inflicts six months of fever upon us […] and still after storming rains, which drive the dry streams crazy, drowning beasts and men right there where two weeks before they both collapsed with thirst. This violence of the landscape has formed our character […]”.