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WELCOME TO AT ESCAPES

We offer fun-filled tours with top notch local experts who will guide you every step of the way. You will experience it all through the eyes of the locals. Our promise – white glove concierge service and beautiful memories and friendships which will last a lifetime.

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GINA CASELLA

Gina Casella, the President/Managing Director of AT Escapes has been going back and forth between the US and Italy ever since she was a child. Adriana Trigiani Tours later became AT Escapes, a full service boutique travel company, whose offerings include customized travel across the globe and small group tours in New York and throughout Europe. Gina couples her knowledge and creativity to develop travel experiences which allow you to indulge, be pampered, kick back and relax.

Embracing the Magic of Truffle Season in Italy

Embracing the Magic of Truffle Season in Italy Italy’s truffle season, spanning from late September to December, offers a rare glimpse into a world where nature’s bounty and culinary artistry converge. As the season unfolds, so do opportunities for adventure, discovery, and indulgence. Join us as we delve into the heart of Italy’s truffle tradition

The Vendemmia: Italy’s Beloved Grape Harvest Celebration

The Vendemmia: Italy’s Beloved Grape Harvest Celebration As the sun begins to dip lower in the sky and the air cools slightly, a magical transformation takes place in the Italian countryside: it’s time for the vendemmia, or grape harvest. This cherished tradition not only marks the culmination of months of hard work in the vineyards but

Portugal: A Journey through History, Culture, and Natural Beauty

Portugal: A Journey through History, Culture, and Natural Beauty Nestled on the western edge of Europe, Portugal beckons travelers with its rich tapestry of history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. From its picturesque coastal villages to its historic cities steeped in tradition, Portugal offers a journey that combines old-world charm with modern delights. Lisbon, Portugal

Discovering the Timeless Greek Cyclades: Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, and Paros

Discovering the Timeless Greek Cyclades: Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, and Paros Nestled in the azure embrace of the Aegean Sea lies a cluster of islands that epitomize the essence of Greek charm and allure – the Cyclades. Among these jewels, Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, and Paros stand out, each offering its own unique blend of stunning landscapes,

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A Special Connection to Our Sicilian Ancestry

Guest post by Cindy Amoroso. She visited Sicily with AT Escapes, and shared her experiences and photos from the trip.

Beloved grandparents, now gone many years.  Still missing them. They emigrated from Sicily in the early 1900s, but few stories or details about their life there. I imagined what it would be like to have an experience that would bring them alive in their native Sicily.  And there we were. 

We started the morning in great anticipation as we waited for our driver, D, to pick us up and take us to Santo Stefano, the home of my husband G’s fraternal grandparents.  Armed with their names, their wedding date, the name of the church, a potential address of G’s great grandparents, and knowing the town was known for their ceramics, our goal was to visit the church, see if the address was accurate, and purchase a piece of ceramic as a special memory of our day there. 

Building in Santo Stefano with the ceramic tiles the town is famous for lining the top of the walls

The drive along the coast from Palermo was beautiful, and we were delighted as we drove into Santo Stefano, a medieval town originally dating to the 11th century, and rebuilt in the late 1600s after a landslide destroyed the town. It was very picturesque, especially as we arrived in the historic center, filled with cafes and shops featuring the famous work of the “Town of Ceramics.”

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Some of our Santo Stefano ceramics purchases

The church, Chiesa di San Nicola di Bari, was built in 1685.  We walked across the street, toward the church, in awe that here, 100 years ago, G’s grandmother and grandfather were married.  We stood in the Piazza Matrici, staring at the church’s humble facade, imagining his family gathered for the wedding.  

We approached the doors, hoping we could enter; they opened to a fabulous Renaissance interior.  We lit two candles in their memory, and then, in hushed silence, the only ones in the church, we walked down the same center aisle as they had.  We were both surprised at the emotion we experienced.   We stood in front of the altar, where they had stood, pledging their lives to one another, knowing that days later they would embark on a journey to America.

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Facade of Chiesa di San Nicola di Bari

We couldn’t find the address of the home, which should have been right by the church.  It appeared a new street had taken the place of the old one. D approached some older men sitting by the piazza and began conversing in Italian.  One of them pulled out his cell phone and made a call.  Moments later, D explained that we were to follow the men.  We walked about four blocks through the old streets, arriving at a small, more modern building that we would later discover was the town’s records office.

We have to recognize the role that D played, here.  On his own, he took the initiative to approach the men and ask about G’s family and the information we had.  Without him doing that, our experience would have ended with the church visit. But there was to be more.   

After another brief conversation in Italian, the man in the office went into a back room and returned with a large, old register.  He opened it, scanned his finger down the page to rest and read two names with a date.  My husband gasped– “That’s my grandparents!  It’s them!”  

The man went again to the back room and returned with another old, but larger, book.  He opened it and read their names, again.  He proceeded to read, with D translating.  It was the original civil wedding license!  It listed their names; their ages; what they did for a living–farm worker and house worker; their parents’ names; and the names and professions of their two witnesses– a sailor and a rich man.  And, at the bottom, their signatures.  Not a copy, but their original signatures.  From 100 years ago. 

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Civil marriage certificate signature of grandparents, witnesses, and the mayor

I was overwhelmed. I looked at G and saw the tears welling in his eyes.  Never had we expected this.  Such a meaningful, emotional, touching experience.  And one neither of us will ever forget. G has many memories of his grandparents, but this experience has added a depth of connection, understanding, and appreciation for who they were, and ultimately, who he is, too. 

To discover the best of this magnificent island yourself, feel free to contact AT Escapes today to discuss your dream trip to Sicily!

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