Archive for 'Main Islands'

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”.

Italy is home to lots of unique culinary delicacies and specialities. Many are familiar to most people around the world and are readily available abroad but there are some that are somewhat lesser-known gems yet to be discovered by a wider international audience. One such item is bottarga, known as “Mediterranean caviar,” or as the “truffle of the sea”, which is made of salted, cured fish roe, typically of the grey mullet or the bluefin tuna. While similar products are actually made in Japan, Korea, and Egypt, the Italian iteration, with which we are concerned today comes from Sardinia but is also made in Sicily and Calabria. It is rather expensive and harder to source abroad so it is best to try as a treat during your travels if you have found a vacation rental in Sardinia, a holiday rental in Sicily, or a rental in Calabria.

We have previously noted the influence that the Normans and Arab rulers had on Sicily during periods of rule in the Middle Ages, with the Islamic Conquest of 827-1091AD and the Norman era of 1071-1194AD, and how the two cultures remain visible in many places throughout the island. This leftover of the Middle Ages is particularly evident in the city of Palermo, which is a melting pot of Italian, Norman and Middle Eastern cultures and influences, and especially in her architecture. Norman buildings are dotted throughout the island of Sicily – Castelvetrano’s 12 century church of SS. Trinità di Delia, Cefalù’s Cathedral, Monreale’s Cathedral and cloister, and the church of SS. Pietro e Paolo a few kilometres outside of Forza d'Agrò, to name a few – but there are multiple buildings Arab-Norman buildings in Palermo including the Sala di Ruggero in the Royal Palace and the churches of Santo Spirito and San Giovanni degli Eremiti. One of the places and buildings that is most famous, beautiful, and clearly influenced by the wonderful marriage of these two cultures, however, is the stunning Cappella Palatina. The open exchange of Western and Middle Eastern cultures is at its peak here and it is a must-see if you have found a vacation rental in Palermo.

Located on the second floor of the Palazzo dei Normanni (Palace of the Normans), the Cappella Palatina is part of the architectural complex of the Norman Palace and was built as the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily in 1140 for Ruggero II of Sicily. Bringing together the best artisans, materials, techniques, and motifs from all across the extended Norman world, it is an incredible jewellery box of a building. On the plan of a traditional Roman basilica, the chapel has three naves and carries a vaulted wooden roof on rows of granite columns with Cipolin Corinthian capitals bearing Islamic ogive arches. Said roof is covered in elaborate muqarnas, incredible traditional Islamic geometric designs. The walls of the church, however, are the true star of the show, covered in breath-taking Byzantine mosaics that are picked out in gold and vibrant colours.

The world is full of food markets but one of the headiest and most appealing to foodies has to be Palermo's incredible Mercato di Ballarò or Ballarò Market. If you have found a vacation rental in Sicily and are looking for somewhere to get the freshest and best-quality food products, to sample local street foods, and to immerse yourself in Sicilian food culture, then the Mercato di Ballarò is absolutely and undoubtedly a must. Pencil it into your travel itinerary and make sure to leave plenty of space in your stomach before heading out to experience it all for yourself.

According to a 10th -century Arab writer's travel diary, Ballarò Market is the oldest food market in Palermo and the very fact that it was being noted as being a fixture of the city all the way back in the 10th century is astounding and showcases just how steeped in local history and culture it is. Held in Albergheria, one of the four Norman quarters of the capital city of Sicily, it is one of four traditional markets, with each quarter having one of its own. The markets of Ballarò, Vucciria, and Capo are the most famous and popular among both locals and tourists, with the Mercato di Ballarò being the most popular and well-known of all.

The historic markets in Palermo feel a lot like the medinas of Marrakech or Cairo, which makes sense as Sicily was once under Arab rule and many remainders and reminders of this time still flavour the island and Palermo, in particular, from the architecture to the food to the language. This is one of the aspects of Sicilian life in which Arab traditions and culture feel the most alive and best-preserved in the Italy of today. As such, they also offer a rather unique cultural and culinary experience in Italy and really are a must-see.

Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands and is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, just off the northern coast of Sicily. It is an exceptionally beautiful place with pretty and colourful little villages, the most impossibly blue waters, lovely sandy beaches, craggy volcanic rock formations, and a lush green landscape. There are lots of things to see and do but the best all revolve around enjoying the incredible natural beauty of Lipari, with boat trips and hiking the various trails around the island being two of the best activities to really make the most of those stunning surroundings. If you have found a vacation rental in Sicily and you are coming to explore Lipari for the day then we would highly recommend that you follow one particular route, to the Forgia Vecchia, at the top of which you will be rewarded with a sweeping view over all of the incredible natural bounty below.

The Forgia Vecchia is a large obsidian crater, that is 600m wide and 1km long, created by an old obsidian lava flow that came out of Monte Sant'Angelo and it is an extraordinary sight to behold. It also happens to offer the most evocative and exceptional viewing point on the island. The nearby Stromboli may be famous for having the only permanently active volcano in Europe and for its black sand beaches but the lesser-known Monte Sant’Angelo and the Forgia Vecchia hold their own with the incredible setting and a volcano-dyed beach made up of black pebbles that curve around a tranquil bay, framed by the volcano’s lush green slopes.