View over Taormina
16
Dec
2022

Plan A White Lotus Vacation In Sicily

Posted in: Books and Movies Main Islands Must See Attractions Sicily and Sardinia

It seems like everyone and their mother has been talking about the second season of HBO’s hit television show, “The White Lotus,” especially since its nail-biting finale on Sunday. While the twisting and turning of the plot, the charismatic characters, and the actors who have been made stars by the show were all key elements to the popularity of this season, another major component of the success was its dreamy setting. The previous season had made fans dream of a less eventful holiday of their own in Hawaii and this season introduced many to the undeniable charms of Sicily! As we’re big fans of both the show and the destination and we have an array of some gorgeous villas in Sicily to choose from, we thought it might be a good idea to tell you about some of the spots from this season where filming took place. These are the spots that you can see and admire for yourself (likely and hopefully without all of the drama but certainly with all of the beauty and delights) while enjoying a getaway in Sicily in Italy.


If you’re looking to emulate something even close to the plush style of the show, we do have a range of luxury villas in Sicily to choose from, offering you all of the amenities and space and elegance you could ask for, while also benefiting from the increased privacy and flexibility of a private villa rental. Those, however, who want to take in those gorgeous views from the show and soak up a vacation in Sicily at a more competitive and reasonable price point will have a great selection of holiday rentals in Sicily to choose from, all across the island – it’s all up to you!

—    Colette Fitzpatrick
Stimigliano
29
May
2020

Where Were The Italian Scenes Of, "Normal People," Filmed?

Posted in: Books and Movies Central Italy Curiosities Latium Must See Attractions
Sally Rooney's Normal People was already a best-seller and beloved novel worldwide when, in the midst of the COVID-19 breakout, the television adaptation hit the BBC and Hulu, and captured hearts and imaginations all over the globe. People were immediately entranced by the drama about growing up and trying to figure out who you are and what you want. The show follows Marianne and Connell, who are from quite different backgrounds in Sligo, on the west coast of Ireland. Marianne is wealthy and privileged but does not fit in in school and isn't well-liked. Even her family seems to have little time for her. Connell, meanwhile, is from a working class background but is popular, sporty, and someone that everyone seems to like. His mother is the housekeeper in Marianne's family home and, while the two know each other from school and growing up together, it is only when they start having a secret relationship that they truly get to know each other. The rest of the series charts their ups and downs, break-ups and relationships, as the two go off to college in Dublin and grow up.
—    Colette Fitzpatrick
La Strada poster
29
Apr
2020

Commemorate The 100th Anniversary Of Fellini's Birth From Home

Posted in: Books and Movies Travel Tips
2020 was to mark a big year of celebrations in the world of Italian cinema as it is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Federico Fellini who was, and continues to be, one of the best, brightest, most celebrated and most beloved of all film directors to have ever come from Italy.

Not only was he one of Italy’s most famous directors of all time, he was also one of the most beloved directors in the world. Born in 1920, Fellini went on to become a central figure of the international art cinema movement that caught steam in the 1950s. He was widely lauded and acclaimed and won Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film for “La Strada”, “Nights of Cabiria”, “8 ½”, and “Amarcord”, and the Palme d’Or at Cannes for “La Dolce Vita”. After this golden era in his oeuvre, he continued to make beloved works and contributions to the industry for decades before ultimately passing away in 1993.

All sorts of special events, talks, exhibitions, screenings, and more were organised in Italy and on an international scale in order to commemorate the event of the 100th anniversary of this great artist's birth throughout this year but, given the current global health pandemic, it is unlikely that many, if any, of these events will go ahead as planned. But what does that mean for Fellini and film fans the world over? Must we give up on remembering the life and talent of this incredible artist? No, of course not! As they say in show business, “The show must go on!”
—    Colette Fitzpatrick
Anakin
1
Apr
2020

Step Into The Sets Of Iconic Films In Italy!

Posted in: Books and Movies Curiosities Localities Lombardy Main Islands Northwest Italy Orcia Valley Sicily and Sardinia
Italy has inspired, produced, and been the setting of lots of incredible films throughout the decades. In fact, due to a particularly rich period in the 20th century when Italy produced, arguably, many of the best movies ever made, it is a perfect destination for serious cinephiles the world over. From, “The Bicycle Thieves,” to, “The Godfather,” to, “Cinema Paradiso,” to, “Life is Beautiful,” to, “Gladiator,” to “Call Me by Your Name,” the list of incredible films made or set in Italy is endless and, luckily, some of them even have backdrops and settings that can still be visited. So, if you're interested in a whistle-stop film industry virtual tour (for now and hopefully in person sometime soon!) of Italy, read on and discover the perfectly picturesque places in Italy that have graced the silver screen throughout the history of cinema...
—    Colette Fitzpatrick

Bar Vitelli: Come Grab A Drink And Cool Off At The Sicilian Bar From "The Godfather"

Posted in: Books and Movies Curiosities Food and Wine Main Islands Must See Attractions Restaurants & Cafés Sicily and Sardinia
One of the most enduringly famous portrayals of Sicily that has ever graced the silver screen has to be Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 masterpiece, “The Godfather”, starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino. This iconic movie is set in 1940s and 1950s Sicily and New York and tells the story of the Corleone family, characters from Mario Puzo’s novel, “The Godfather.” Many tourists have gone in search of filming locations from the movie throughout the years since its release. Many head to Corleone, the town that shares its name with Don Vito Corleone, but it was not actually where the film was shot as when they began making the movie in the 1970s, it had changed drastically in the time since Puzo wrote his novel. Modernised and greatly expanded, it no longer resembled the rural place from the books. However, never fear, if you have found a vacation rental in Sicily and are a fan of the movie, there are plenty of filming sites to visit as the villages of Motta Camastra, Forza d’Agro, and Savoca were all featured in, “The Godfather”.
—    Colette Fitzpatrick