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.