Alberobello

We love Sicily, but we also love heading to the mainland. It's not a far drive to Apulia, the 'heel' of the Italian boot, and it has many hidden treasures. We loved exploring the trulli around Alberobello--it looks like a fairy tale. These dwellings stand in rows like little white beehives with conical roofs. On the trulli are different symbols: a cross, a menorah, an evil eye, star, etc.. No one really knows how these limestone trulli came to be, but many think they belonged to peasant Italian families in the 16th and 17th century.

Picture taken from: http://whc.unesco.org/

Caltagirone

When it comes to the town of ceramics, Caltagirone has a ton of choices. We've mentioned a few of our favorite spots in the book but there are many more to explore. One of our favs, "Bruselles Maioliche d'arte" is a great spot for getting a more custom piece of ceramics. If your time permits, you can stop by this little shop towards the top of 'La Scala' (the steps) and custom order your ceramics to include names, dates, etc. There is usually a two week turn around time to pick up finished products. These make great gifts with an added personal touch. You can get creative and have personal Christmas ornaments made, welcome signs, etc. Don't forget that July 21 will be the annual lighting of 'La Scala,' a must see while in Sicily.

Italian Food Blog

Take a look our friend's Alessandra food blog:
http://volevofarelochef.wordpress.com/english-version/
(the site is both in English and Italian)

Here's what her brother, Alberto, had to say, "She lives in the north of Italy and she's a free-lance food reporter for several Italian food magazines including "Gambero Rosso" an prominent Italian food and wine magazine that was founded in 1986. Its name literally translates as "red prawn" and comes from a tavern in Pinocchio where the Fox and the Cat dines. "Gambero Rosso" was initially aneight-page supplement of Italian daily IL Manifesto, first published on December 16, 1986, and was founded by Stefano Bonilli. It contributed early to spreading the views of Arci Gola, which was a forerunner to the Slow Food movement. From 1987, Gambero Rosso has published a guide to Italian wine, titled Vini d'Italia, which in a short time became the most influential within Italy. It is also published in English translation under the title Italian Wines."


Enjoy the recipes and buon appetito!

Great Spa and Bar

Inside the Aga hotel, is the Profumia Daily Spa, (095-7265696). (It's just a little past the Catania market, pass Piazza Europa--right near Mini-Club. It is definitely one of the best spas in Sicily (and it's right past the Catania market, so you can pick up some fresh strawberries before or after your treatment). It's open from 10-9, and we highly suggest the couple's massage. Located in its own room, you (and a friend, spouse, etc) will sit on a heated waterbed massage table. They have maternity massages available as well as hot stone. Also, they have various facials. Massages are 50 euro for an hour. You might cry when it's over, so for an additional 20 euro, you can use the steam room, sauna, jacuzzi, lounge chairs, and rain showers. You will feel so relaxed that you won't even mind when the scooters, buses, and Fiats cutting you off on your ride home.

When you are done, head to the bar inside the hotel or try Cafe Paris next door (Viale Ruggero di Lauria, 25). They have amazing granitas which are back in season. These granitas are almost as amazing as the massage.Food writer Jeffrey Steingarten says that "the desired texture seems to vary from city to city" on the island; on the west coast and in Palermo, it is at its chunkiest, and in the east it is nearly as smooth as sorbet. We suggest either mixing strawberry (fragola) with lemon (limone) or almond (mondorla) with Pistaccio (Pistaccio).

Tania's Spring Collection

Tania Mazzaglia has recently added to her portfolio of lava specialities and works of art. Some of these items include a mosaic of Sicily infused with her signature tiles, bistro tables, and more. We do admit, the language barrier may be difficult, but with a good translation and an open mind, you will love your art. And, did we tell you Play-doh wipes off a lava table? Way more kid friendly than you'd think!

Here's here website

Pizza and a Spa

What is better than Sicilian pizza and a full-body massage? At Hotel Biancaneve, they offer fabulous massages, waxes, and pedicures. They will transform post-winter half-polished tooties into gorgeous feet. Phew, just in time to show 'em off in summer flip-flops. Rooms are zen-like, and the massages are great. (Remember, the touch is lighter in Italy than in the States and they massage your boobs). They also give you plastic underwear and towel to cover yourself. For a pedicure and massage, it cost 64 euro--way less than the States and you don't need to add 20% tip! (We gave 5 euro). Some massage beds are heated. After detoxing, tox it up at Ristorante Pizzeria 7+. Their pizza was rated the 4th best in THE ENTIRE WORLD. He even showed us the article and plaque. Yoou can eat there for lunch, but if you want pizza you have to wait until 8:00 p.m. (You can also eat at the hotel-dinner is great and opens at 8:00).

Hotel Biancaneve
Hotel Biancaneve. Via Etnea, 163 - 95030 Nicolosi (CT) Tel: 095/911176 Fax: 095/911194 E-Mail: info@hotel-biancaneve.com
(They say they are open M-Saturday, but we found you can't get an appointment during riposo. Go early or at 2:30.

Ristorante Pizzeria 7+
Viale della Regione, 7/A
Nicolosi
Tel: 095-7916316

New Mall

The New Mall (as we call it) opened. It's very close to Sigonella--as if you going to the Catania Airport. We took one for the team and headed there opening weekend, and it was super packed and impossible to park. Avoid Sundays unless you like crowds. When we went back on Friday (9:30am) it was way less crowded and parking was easy. We suggest going on a week day early or during riposo to avoid the crowds.
Here what we liked:
1) Clean bathrooms with a separate changing table room/nursing area (across from RossoPomodoro). (This is incredible since you usually need to change the baby in our lap at other malls, on the floor, or in the car)!
2) Security guards in suits on Segways swooshing through the mall.
3) Decent food court choices (Wild West, Burger King (if you like that), and our favorite L'Etoile D'or (which they have also in Catania right by the fish market).
4) Amazing Lindt gelato:
5) 2-level Auchan--nice and clean. We were able to get all our Italian goodies: due vittorie balasmic, panna, Italian nutella, Italian cokes, and all the chocolaty variations of Kinder.
6) Decathlon store, Coincasa, and Prenatal (super expensive baby store--like 50 Euro for a Boppy--stick to Babies R US.
7) H&M-amazing kids section, maternity section, and overall better selection than the one in Katane.

On Monday, it opens late (like 12 or 1). Can't wait to July for Sconti Season! It can use a few more bathrooms and some more restaurants, but overall we give it two manicured thumbs up!

Image taken from: http://www.mimifroufrou.com/scentedsalamander/images/Shopping%20Logo%20TSS.jpg

Patti and Caleca

Problem: Ran out of your Caleca pattern and need a few dishes to complete the pattern.
Solution: Head to Patti and go to the Caleca Factory. Call ahead though and make sure it is open. It closes from 1-3 (or 1-4) so go early or late. 09412421. They sell "second quality" and "first quality" items.

Problem: Kids in a pottery factory.
Solution: Book a night at Villa Rica, an amazing B&B right near the Caleca factory in Patti. While you are shopping, your hubby or grandma can watch the kids while you buy your pasta bowls and pizza dishes. And, depending on the season, there's great hiking, and lots of room to explore. Their dinner or lunch is uh-mazing. In fact, it's the perfect way to end a successful shopping day. In the summer, there's a beautiful pool and the owner Jeanette can provide other sight-seeing ideas. Plus, she speaks English. The rooms are great, so spend the night before heading back. The view will take your breath away!

villarica.it

Taormina

Taormina. It’s the perfect day trip with a few girlfriends or a great way to spend the afternoon with the kiddies. The ice rink is closed now, but we’ve found some other family-friendly spots. Of course, we added some of our favorite stores. (We know kids and ceramic shops don’t mix, but throw in some gelato and you’ve usually bought yourself 10 minutes of shopping time). There’s also a lovely park near the Greek Theatre (down a few steps, near the Bank of Sicilia), so you can take turns watching the kids and shopping. Finally, there’s a huge piazza and kids bring small tricycles, toys, and balls and run around. In the summer, it’s very busy, so now is a good time to go and let kids run free. In Italy, people seem to love babies and toddlers, even when they are knocking down a few old women in the piazza on their bikes. (Check out our video). Take advantage of people’s love for children here because in the U.S. you’ll hear lots of “shhhing” and "watch it!"

Now, on to shopping! We LOVE Marco Monforte’s work. His store, Ceramiche Di Taormina, is on Corso Umberto, the main street. His address is: 198 Corso Umberto. He creates delicate paintings and vibrant mosaics of trees—very unique. He can also make Benvenuti plaques or “Casa di ______” plaques and awesome lava tables. We love his scenes of Etna too. He closes during riposo, so go early (10-1) or after 4 p.m. He speaks fairly good English as well.

We also like D’Agata. They sell “professional” titles, which make excellent gifts. Check out the dentist and muscian titles we included. They have several different professions all written in Italian. They have a rustic look which we like. It’s located at 120 Corso Umberto. These are a little pricy (between 50-85 euro), but we’ve never seen them anywhere else.

The restaurants in the center of the square are pricy and not that good. Gran Duca is good food, and they have high chairs. We like it for lunch on a weekday. There's a beautiful view. If you go on a weekend, be prepared to wait unless you call ahead and make a reservation. There’s another good restaurant called Piazza Taormina right near the piazza. The name is on a brown sign. You have to go down a few steps (which can be a hassle with a stroller, but totally do-able). It has a great view of the water, and they love kids. They also have A.C. in the summer so you can sit inside. If you ask, they will bring you pasta right away for the baby, and our kids have been known to finish the entire plate by themselves.

Fresh Pasta in Catania

Okay, so we usually spend 2-3 hours every single day making fresh pasta from scratch. But, on those rare days when we don't have time to make our own daily dough, we like to buy fresh pasta from Raviol D'Oro. Located across from the train station, there's a small store front where you'll find a local Sicilian woman and her son working almost every day making fresh pasta. Get it? They make it; you cook it. So simple. They may close during riposo, so go morning or late afternoon. Of course, you can head to the market when you are done to get some fresh veggies and fruit. Pour yourself a glass of vino, invite friends over, and let them think you've been preparing for days. Shhh...we won't tell....

Raviol D'Oro (sign is white and says in red writing Pasta Fresca)
Via VI Aprile 63/69
095-531-888

McItaly

The McItaly is a very controversial burger. If you go to Micky D's in Etnapolis, you will notice all the employees wearing a green shirt promoting the new burger. Italy is the country that brought us risotto, tiramisu, and pizza--and now this? Can the country that prides itself on local produce and slow cooking whip up a new McDonald's menu item?

Luca Zaia, Berlusconi's Agriculture Minister, said "this burger has great ambitions." This is not your ordinary burger - it has artichoke spread, Asiago cheese, and lettuce, Italian olive oil, onion and smoked pancetta. Over at The Guardian's Word of Mouth foodblog, Matthew Fort has called the burgers a "monstrous act of national betrayal." However, some claim it will add $3.6 million to the Italian economy because it uses all local produce.

We decided to check it out although we prefer eating a Rossopomodoro when we head to the mall. As usual, McDonald's was packed. My husband ordered the burger and felt that the meat did taste "more natural." He removed the pancetta since it was "slimy" and not "crunchy" and thought the bun "overwhlemed" the burger. Check out the video for more info.

Readers, what do you think?

Cefalu Who-hoo

Grab your towel and beach bag (or in our case this weekend, an umbrella). We love Cefalu, a charming medieval town with a beautiful Duomo and sandy beach near the Tyrrhenian Sea. Towering above the Duomo, there’s a huge crag called the Rocca, which you can hike. In the summer, it is super crowded, so you may want to try going in spring. Cefalu has it all: great seafood, beautiful beaches, and unique shops. Of course, it’s not only a place for tourists. You can stroll the town and still see daily life: women hanging out their clothes to dry, old men talking in the park, and all the Italians taking the passeggiata, their nightly stroll.

There’s a Lavatorio, an ancient washhouse that is worth seeing. Our favorite pottery store is filadelfio, which is near the port. (They have a sore in Santo Stefano too). There’s a small park that opens after 9:30, but it’s small. The beach (especially by the Sea Palace) is the best bet with or without kids.

Where ever you stay, you will love it. Of course, it makes a great day trip. It’s near Le Madonie, a golf course, and it’s near Santo Stefano if you want fabulous ceramics, roof tiles, and lava tables.


From 9:30-13:00 and 16:30-05:00, the center is closed for traffic. You can park your car for free near the Sea Palace until April on the street. After April, you'll need to pay.

For free parking: at the beginning of Cefalù, you see on the right an AGIP gas station and on the left Bar/Hotel St. Lucia, turn directly to the right. Follow the road, direction Messina (2km). At the cross you turn right, again direction Messina. After 50m at the Pizzeria Girotondo turn right, direction Hotel Pescatore. Follow the road to the left and continue the road. When you come to Hotel Pescatore (on your right), turn left direction PORTO. Please park your car down at the PORTO (harbor).


For paid parking: enter the town and follow the national road. Pass the railway cross and follow the road (Via Roma). After 1km you come to a cross where you see an Esso gas station, here you turn completely left and drive back the Via Roma. After 100m turn right at the cross go straight ahead. At the end of the road turn left and park your car at the parking next to Hotel Riva del Sole.

We’ve stayed at the Sea Palace, Hotel Alberi Del Paradiso, and rented an apartment.

The Sea Palace has modern décor, a great pool, and is steps (literally) away from the beach. We liked staying here with kids because it was easy: near the beach, large rooms, and a great breakfast. Plus, there’s parking. It’s about a 7-10 min. walk to town, but you’ll walk over wide streets. Right next store, it the Hotel Riva Sole, which is also right near the beach.


Alberi is simply lovely with splendid views. It has a great pool, massage therapist who will come to your room, and great breakfast. It’s not in the center of town, so you’ll need to walk (15-20 min) or take a shuttle. This can be a pro or con. The staff is friendly, which can be unusual here. Make sure you use your GPS; the hotel can be a little hard to find without it.

We rented an apartment too (B&B Palazzo Villelmi). This is a great option for kids too. The pros: we all got separate rooms (which is a plus with a baby in a crib). We were able to make our own breakfast and keep milk in the frig. We had some room to play, and we were literally steps away from the Duomo. The cons—it was up 4-floor walkup. We did leave our stroller down below which made it a little easier. You walk out and wha-la you are in the center of town. During the summer, it would probably be louder, but off-season it was a good choice.

Lava Table

Looking for a gorgeous lava table? Bistro table? Coffee Table? Bench? Dining room table? Check out Tania Mazzaglia's work in Nicolosi. In 2007, she appeared in a New York Times article discussing her style and vision.

"Lava is the expression of where I was born and brought up, regardless of how it is decorated," she said. "I don't feel the need to cover it with traditional borders of fruit. I often get the stonecutters to leave the crude saw surface, or to bush hammer it so that it remains slightly rough. Like that the color is a more enticing shade of gray, which I integrate with the applied majolica decoration. It makes for an interesting interplay of texture and visual design....

Mazzaglia's creative versatility is evident at Dolce Vita, an irresistible pastry shop and wine bar in Nicosia. The bar she designed is made with blocks of dark, rough-hewn lava stone topped with colorful glazed fragments, while the lava stone tables feature a deep-red foliar motif created like a stencil on an off-white base."

Here are some pictures of her work. Here's our friend's gorgeous kitchen table that has left Sicily and is now sittin' pretty in San Diego. Also, here's a beautiful mural displaying Tania's work.

Yoghi & Booboo

We love Italian food! Sometimes, however, we crave a little something different. Like sushi. Or Tex-Mex. Or big salads. You can get German wurstel or a huge shank of pork. Grilled lamb chops. Noodles. And Tandoori Chicken and Creme Brulee. There's pasta too. And pizza, of course. So, head to Yoghi & Boo Boo. Via S. Filomena, 55. Their number is 095-32-14-30. Call ahead because they fill up, especially on the weekend.

Eggplant

Simple. Delicious. An awesome antipasti. Here's a recipe from Maria Proto:

Ingredients:
4-6 eggplants
5 Tbs sea salt
1 cup olive oil
2-3 tsp red wine vinegar
4 diced garlic cloves
1/4 tsp oregano

Peel and slice eggplant vertically into long 1/4 inch slices (thin). In a medium sized pan turn heat onto medium high and sprinkle 2 eggplant slices on both sides with salt and fry in the pan (without oil) until brown and soft (turning 1-2 times during cooking). Once eggplant is slightly browned and soft transfer into a bowl which has the remaining ingredients already mixed together (olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic and oregano). Let the eggplant marinate about 5 minutes in the olive oil mixture, then remove and transfer to a serving dish. Repeat until all eggplant is cooked and marinated. Serve as a side dish or with bread.

Year of the Tiger With A Little Help from a Pig

Valentine's Day and Chinese New Years, together at last. Yep, those are pig feet. They are bony and full of sinews. But, they bring good luck when you eat then on New Years. (So do noodles, by the way, if you want to have good luck but don't want to eat gelatinous connective tissue).

In Catania, we like Acquario when we are looking for a "ristorante cinese." It's located at Piazza Mancini Battaglia, 8 (Lungomare Ognina). Their telephone number is 095491344. In the summer, there's a beautiful terrace. In the winter, you'll enjoy the glass-bottom floor filled with turtles and fish.

Milan

We love Sicily: the blood oranges, granitas in the summer, the slow pace. But, once in a while we crave a city. We miss public transportation and taxis. We miss the hustle and bustle. We miss large museums and sophisticated boutiques. Luckily, it’s easy to hop on a direct flight to Milan (1.5 hour flight). Here are some hot spots in the city. Truthfully, this post is more directed to girlfriends wanting a weekend away than a family va-kay. You can definitely go to Milan as a fam, but we’d have different recommendations.

Favorite areas:

Navigli:
The origins of the Navigli date back to about 1100, but today the Naviglio Grande makes up one of the most charming neighborhoods in Milan. There are the old, typical “case di ringhiera” houses around the “river.” From April to September, there are open-air tables and a great market the last Sunday of the month. There’s great sushi and Indian nearby. We also recommend Brellin in alzaia Naviglio Grande for an authentic Italian brunch.


Brera and Bastioni (Corso Garibaldi and Corso Como): You almost feel like you are in Paris with its many coffee shops and unique boutiques. Parts have a more Bohemian feel with several artists displaying their work and many fortunetellers ready to read your palm. Grab a drink at Radetzky or simply walk through Via Breraand and sit outside in one of the bars (Jamaica is a famous one). During the day there is a very famous museum to visit named Pinacoteca di Brera.


Parco Sempione
 is a park behind Castello Sforzesco. It is huge and beautiful with lakes, meadows and little bridges. It is the ideal place to spend a Sunday afternoon unless you visit Milan in winter.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
 was built around 1870 and is called the “salotto di Milano” (The Milan Lounge). Its amazing glass and iron structure filled with coffee shops, restaurants, high-end boutiques and historical bookshops.

Favorite places to eat:

Milan is quite popular for aperitifs where you can have a drink and eat for free during the so called "happy hour" which lasts from 6.30 p.m. till 9.Via Savona has many nice bars and pubs, and it's a the new fashion area of Milan. Locals love "Osteria del Binari" in via Tortona. It's a big place very close to an old railroad with the fireplace and superb Italian typical cuisine. If you are in mood for sushi, head to Nobu on Via Gastone. If you like kosher meat, try Salmone on Via Washington.


Favorite place for a hair cut and blow-dry:

There’s a hair salon on the top floor of Rinascente in the city center (Corso Vittorio Emanuele) near the beautiful Duomo. Locals prefer Intrecci in Via Larga which is open late at night. We got a fabulous blow-dry from a drag queen who looked like Madonna from her Blond Ambition Tour. Intrecci Via Larga 2, Milano Tel. 02.72022316

Favorite Spa:

Steeping into Baglioni Hotel’s spa, you immediately want to say “ommmmmmm.” That’s the sound of complete relaxation. They have great massages and a comfy white couch-beds to sit on while you wait. It’s pricier than a Sicilian massage, but when will you be back in Milan? It's a true 5-star hotel. We'd love to stay there, but we'd go broke. It was nice to spend an hour there thought.

Make a reservation:

Even in January, we suggest making a reservation on-line to see Da Vinci’s The Last Supper. We used this website: http://www.tickitaly.com. You can use this website to reserve several galleries throughout Italy.

Plate Restaurants Buon Ricordo

Sometimes the food is so delish that you wish you could ship it home to your friends and family. Well, you can't send home calamari, vongole e cozze, or caponata, but you can literally take a dish home as a souvenir if it's a part of the Unione Ristoranti del Buon Ricordo. Their motto is "Viaggio tra i sapori e i colori della cucina italiana, " or "travel through the tastes and colors of Italian cuisine." What do these places have in common? According to the website, "basically, our common denominator lies on the observance of local traditions, on the unquestionable quality of food, and on professionally warm welcome to make guests feel at home."

These restaurants all serve a specialita della casa (speciality of the house) served on special dish. If you order this dish, you can take home the dish which are hand-painted with a unique design. Some people literally collect hundreds of plates. If you want a great meal in Italy, chances are a Buon Ricordo restaurant will deliver. Here are the plate restaurants in Sicily. There are several more in other regions throughout Italy as well as Japan and Hong Kong. Here are the Sicilian restaurants. Start eating and start collecting. You can order whatever you want, but here's what you must order to get your dish.

Order Treccette at Ristorante Filippino "dal 1910" located in Lipari (Messina)
Order Arancinetto with squid ink at Ristorante Hotel La Tartaruga located in Capo d'Orlando (Messina)
Order Grouper Scalopine Ristorante Hotel Moderno located in Erice (Trapani)
Order Squid-ink cous cous Ristorante La Gazza Ladra located in Modica Alta (Ragusa)
Order Eggplant flan on a bed of tomato puree and mousse and Ragusano cheese at Ristorante La Scuderia located in Palermo
Order Grilled Stuffed Calamari at a Ristorante La Siciliana located in Catania (Catania)
Order beef bocconcini wrapped in lemon leaves and zagara honey at Ristorante Parco dei Principi located in Zafferana Etnea (Catania)

Tips from Sicily's most knowledgeable peeps

We may know a great deal about Sicily, but the truth is, there's simply so much to explore and see. Luckily, we have many tips from our friends who have been living here and want to spread their great ideas.

Tip #1: Go to Nouvelle Beaute in Motta for a great massage and waxing. but skip the mani/pedi. (Kristen)

Tip #2: Get into your car and head out to a little town you find on a map. Stop in a bar, walk around, and get a granita in one of the tiny green-grocers. Our favorite towns include: Centuripe, Mineo, Belpasso, Regalbuto, Agria, or downtown Paterno. (Blaine)

Tip #3: Try L'Orso Scuro in Trescastagni for steak (Tania)

Tip #4: Take strollers with big wheels to cities with cobblestones...which are most of them. (Nikki)

Tip # 5: Try Mammut. Great food and fun drinks. (Heather)

Tip #6: Villa Igiea is a charming hotel in Palermo. A little on the more expensive side, but lots of old world charm, courteous service, and an amazing view from the pool. (Diann)

Tip #7: A must see in Italy: Cinque Terre. Beautiful! (Amy)

Tip #8: Look into apartment rentals--esp. in Rome and Florence. These are 2 great hotesl with family rooms. One is near Salzburg but in Germany: Hotel Gablerhof.One is in Munich: Hotel Laimer hof (Anne)

Tip #9: Caltagirone rocks! (Clare)

Tip #10: The best pottery and ceramic deals are at Scordia Markets on Fridays. I bought plates for 1 euro each and a huge bunch bowl for 5 euro. (Lisa)

Tip #11: Trattoria Kalliope is a great restaurant in Siracusa. (Carrie)

Tip #12: Favorite Restaurant: Buongustaio in Motta. Via V. Emanuele, 192 - Motta Sant'Anastasia. Tel. 095 308066 (Becky)

Tip #13: Stay in Sciacca. La Lampara restaurant is excellent down on the wharf. Also, if you have children, invest time/money into buying books about your destination. Your children will be more engaged and you can revisit the books over and over again. Art books in particular. (Charlotte)

Tip #14: For the best cookies, try a biscottteria called Culosi Gisella. Via Stazione Motta, Tel. 095309245. She's open early or late afternoon so go when you wake up or after riposo.(Nadia)

Tip #15: This is a fabulous spa in Nicolosi with a good Italian restaurant attached. They have great packages in case you want to throw in a relaxing bath or facial with your massage. http://www.hotel-biancaneve.com/ (Rebekah)

Beauty Farm

Spa-ing is a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. No, seriously, as much as we love traveling Europe, sometimes it's a big schlep to drive to the airport, wait for your flight, fight to get on the crowded bus, transfer through Rome, and find a room that can fit a family of four. (And deal with lost luggage, of course). At Villa Gussio-Nicoletti, you can go away for a day-trip, and you'll feel like you've been gone for a month. Nestled in the Enna province, this villa is surrounded by a lush landscape. Take lots of pics and send them home. Tell people it's your Italian villa you just built for your "summer home."

Don't forget to grab your swimsuit because there's a fabulous pool that opens in July. For a small fee, you can rent chairs for the day and swim and relax with other Italian travelers. It is very busy in the summer, but if you go in the winter, you may be the only ones. This pool is kid-friendly, and you can pay extra for an umbrella for shade. There are many families traveling from the mainland here in the summer, and many bring kids. Of course, it's a great day-trip without kids as well. Super romantic!

The "beauty farm," (as they call a spa here) is clean and relaxing. It is on the bottom floor of the large yellow villa. Some things to note: we have found that massage therapists in Sicily usually use less pressure than in the States. If you want deep-tissue, this spa is not the place. If you want a super-relaxing massage, however, with a light touch, than book today. Prenatal massages are available as well. In addition, they will rub your breasts which is different than in America. Don't be shocked or jump off the massage table. Be sure to make reservations before you go over the phone or through e-mail.

Massages are 50 euro which is much less than you would pay at a nice spa in the States (plus you don't need a 20% percent tip like the US. We usually give 5 euro). For an additional 15 euro, you can use their sauna, hot tub, and armoatherapy shower while waiting for your treatment. (They have pedicures and facials too). There's a clean bathroom and hot shower when you are done, and there's a relaxation room with tea/water while you wait. It's the perfect Saturday with a significant other or a best friend...or yourself! After all, who doesn't deserve a day of relaxation every once in a while.

Afterwards, try their restaurant located in the pink villa. We loved their seabass (spigola), spaghetti with tomatoes, risotto with veggies, and their nutella cake dessert. It is an elegant restaurant, but they also are kid-friendly. You can request a high-chair or booster seat.

From Catania, take Autostrada A19 Catania - Palermo and exit Mulinello. Follow the brown signs for 5 mins.



www.villagussio.it
Strada statale 121 km. 94,750
94013 Leonforte (Enna), Italy
0935 90 32 68

St. Agata

Carnevale di Acireale

The ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia where they would honor Saturn and hope for an abundant harvest. Celebrations included: a big meal, pranks, gift giving, floats, and feasting. Ah, even back then, feasting and drinking were a part of the culture. See why we love it?

And now, the famous Carnevale di Acireale is here. True to its origins, there will be masks, floats, and lots of partying. Sicilian children wear costumes, so bring out those old Halloween/Purim outfits and dress up your kiddies.

People throw confetti, spray foam, wear funny hats, Palazzo di Citta and Piazza Duomo are decorated and illuminated for the festivities. We love the costumes, music, streamers, confetti, masquerade attire and torrone. Yes, it is crowded. Yes, it is loud. Yes, parking is tough. Yes, it is worth it.

Here’s the program for 2010:

February 6
16.00 Piazza Duomo parade

February 7
16.00 Gruppi mascherati con la partecipazione di bande

February 10
20.30 Ballando a Carnevale

February 11
16.00 Gruppi mascherati con la partecipazione di bande

February 12
10.00 "Le Scuole in festa"
16.00 "Bambini in maschera"
17.00 Gruppi musicali

February 13
10.00 Scuole in maschera
16.00 Gruppi mascherati con la partecipazione di bande
21.00 Tony Esposito in Concerto

February 14
11.00 Carri allegorico-grotteschi in parata
15.30 Grotteschi ed infiorati con bande
21.00 Orchestra "La Luna Rossa" con le canzoni di Renzo Arbore

February 15
17.00 Gruppi mascherati con la partecipazione di bande
21.00 Luisa Corna in Concerto

February 16
12.00 Grotteschi in parata
16.00 Groteteschi ed infiorati, gruppi mascherati con bande
21.00 Italian Band Spettaculo musicale
23.00 Fuochi di artificio, Rogo al Re Carnevale

Citta di Acireale
095-895249
www.comune.acireale.com

De Simone Pottery

"Thanks to the valued father's teachings, a worldwide famous potter artistically grown at the Faenza school, who first invented the famous De Simone red color and was awarded by several international prizes and recognitions, whose works are shown at the Rockefeller Center in New York, in the Pottery Museum in Faenza and in several private collections, the De Simone sisters keep on living this art that has already become a tradition in ceramics and develop their father's beloved Sicilian tales, meeting with an always wider and international favor. De Simone style-hand paintings with unleaded colors-imposes itself with cheerfulness and fancy, with its unique features, this fine pottery gives glamour to the people who present or receive it and to their homes." -De Simone's Showroom

The famous works of De Simone and family originate from Palermo. The factory and showrooms are headquartered in Palermo, however the De Simone ceramics are featured at Akatos in Acireale near Catania. The gallery is smaller than those in Palermo but showcases a wide variety of these famous ceramics. For those looking for unique and high quality ceramics pieces, De Simone is a must see.

Akatos
Via Paolo Vaste 43
Acireale 95024
095-7632421

Want to know more? Check out:
www.susannadesimone.com
www.lafabbricadellaceramica.it

Framer

Part of living in Italy is finding art that you want to display. We have found art in many places. We like the old Catania prints which a man sells on Via Etnea on your way to the big clothes/fruit market in Catania. He is not there everyday. The prints cost 5 euro, but when you frame them they look pricey. We also like Elias Nakouzky who sells his art in Taormina from April-October. Our favorite poster store in Caltagirone closed down, but we will let you know if it reopens. We have also purchased tiles that we like of trees, lemons, and other Sicilian symbols. Of course, we also like hanging up photographs of our families. Now, with all this art, you need a framer.

We highly recommend Salvatore Finocchiaro. He does wonderful mating and has stunning frames. While the prices are in euro, they are still less expensive than most nice framing shops in the States. We trust him so much that we almost always go with his recommendations and ideas. Of course, this is Sicily, so there's always a small chance that the framing can take a little longer than you thought it would. Be patient; it is worth it. And always call ahead 339-889-5211. You may have to double park outside of the shop, but you usually can find a blue parking spot. He also owns a beautiful art studio which he designed himself. It is filled with important Italian and Sicilian artists. Be sure to ask him about it; he speaks fairly good English.

Corso Savia #139 Acireale

Hansel E Gretel

We all want to protect our children's health. For some, this means reducing exposure to synthetic pesticides, using low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, and increasing our children's intake of fruits and veggies. Since we like to buy our fruits and veggies every Wednesday at the Motta Market, we have the healthy food diet covered. Now, we found a great place to shop in Acireale to purchase non-toxic toys. At Hansel e Gretel, they have toys made by Haba and Sevi. These are European brands that are safe, wooden, and lead-free. One of the most interesting toys is a scooter. Children (3-5 years old) would need to balance themselves. Some scooters have pedals, but most do not, so children would also actually exercise. These are a big hit in Germany right now. This wooden scooter is obviously different from our American gimmicky bling-y kid Escalades we see kids "driving." We are not against bling, but we are pro-healthy toys. The woman who works at the shop speaks English as she is from Australia. Want some other quick tips for helping your kids? Here's a blog we like from thelittleseed.com

Hansel E Gretel
Di Vaina Enza
Piazza Garibaldi 17
Acireale (CT)
04683420873

Taormina Ice Skating

Taormina is amazing in the winter. The ice skating rink is open, uncrowded, and costs 5 euro.

Get your Guidebook

Bored? Sponsoring someone? Looking for a spa? Want a budget-friendly place to stay? Want a romantic getaway for V-day? Looking for a place to take the kids? Well, our guidebook has it all. Contact rebekahjacobs@gmail.com or nadiaancona@yahoo.com to purchase one. You can also purchase one directly from Blurb.com

St. Agata

On February 5th, inside the tightly packed Elephant Square, hundreds of thousands of Catanians will honor their beloved Saint Agata. Devotees wear white tunics and carry heavy wax candles to offer a physical sacrifice to the saint. When the Vara, a 16-foot silver carriage holding the saint’s relics, makes its appearance, the crowd bursts into raucous applause. Elaborate fireworks explode over the crowd as the Vara starts its slow procession over Via Etnea up to Piazza Cavour. Several hours later, the saint will be returned to the Cathedral. It gets very crowded, so be prepared. And, if you want to fit in, wear white.
All of these traditional celebrations—from the procession to the food—recall St. Agata’s martyrdom. Often shown holding her breasts on a platter, Sicilains remember her resistance to a Roman Consul who wanted her to renounce her faith. Salmone Santino, the Diocesan Museum director, notes that this celebration is one of the three largest celebrations in the world including Spain and Mexico. “Whether you believe or not, Catania has been greatly influenced by this story,” he added.
And of course, after a long night of celebrating, ya gotta eat. Visit a pastry shop to try some of the delicious desserts made during this festival. There, taste the green olivette di Sant’Agata that are made with marzipan. These treats remind us of the legend that said olive trees sprouted where St. Agata had stepped on her way to her trial. Some are also available with chocolate. In addition, try the cassatine, small breast-shaped pastries that remind us of the torture she underwent. Yep, they are even decorated with a candied cherry on top. If there’s still room in your tummy, try the orange cake or the apple cake.

Sconti Season

It's Sconti Season and the winter sales have begun. So grab your favorite bargain hunters and head to Etnapolis, Katane, or any store in town. Titti Bufardeci, Sicily's Regional Trade Councillor is urging shoppers to start spending. Of course, this means the malls are packed, so try to go during riposo or go super early. In fact, pick a meeting spot in case you get separated from your friends and family. Keep your receipt. You won't get money back like in the States, but you can exchange the items. If you are having a baby or know anyone having a baby, now is the time to hit Z or Zara--you can finally justify dropping the euro on clothes that they'll outgrow in a month!