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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, 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.
An Experience Like No Other In May 2023, the Evangelista family traveled with AT Escapes to Italy. They spent two weeks traveling to some of the most remarkable places the country has to offer, such as Venice, Rome, Florence, and Capri. Some highlights of their trip included picking lemons on the Amalfi coast, wine tasting
In the Midst of Legends and Myths Guest post by Cindy Amoroso. She visited Sicily with AT Escapes, and shared her experiences and photos from the trip. I must admit that ever since ninth grade English class, I’ve been fascinated by Greek and Roman mythology. I read all the myths, Homer, and the modern versions and
In Awe of MOunt Etna Guest post by Cindy Amoroso. She visited Sicily with AT Escapes, and shared her experiences and photos from the trip. I had never seen an active volcano, let alone hiked on one. Or watched the smoke billowing from the top. Or eaten honey harvested on its slopeside orchards. Or eaten a
Stunning Sicilian Vistas Guest post by Cindy Amoroso. She visited Sicily with AT Escapes, and shared her experiences and photos from the trip. Have you ever wanted to spend time at the seashore, in awe of the many hues of blue and turquoise? How about hiking a volcano? Do you enjoy vistas of golden wheat or
Guest post by Cindy Amoroso. She visited Sicily with AT Escapes, and shared her experiences and photos from the trip.
My husband and I had been planning our trip to Sicily for several years. Our purpose was singular: visit the towns from which his grandparents emigrated and get a sense of what life there was like. Other than that, Sicily probably wouldn’t have made our travel “To Do” list. Little did we expect that this trip to Sicily would hold our favorite travel experiences and memories. Why? The culture.
There are many definitions of “culture,” but most of them identify the language, customs and traditions, symbols, and arts as defining elements. We experienced so much Sicilian culture during our two-week visit and fell in love with it all.
The Sicilian language is fascinating, and we learned that like its history, Sicily’s language is influenced by all the countries that have ruled there. In fact, it is even recognized by UNESCO! While the official language of Sicily is Italian, Sicilian is still an important element of its culture. My husband’s parents and grandparents spoke little Sicilian in his presence. However, he was delighted when he spoke the Sicilian words he remembered and the locals knew what he was saying. He was also very surprised as our local guides would often use Sicilian words during our tour, and he would recognize these words that were long forgotten from his childhood!
Many of the customs we learned about were related to the Roman Catholic faith, which was and is a primary influence on the culture of Sicily. Not only were customs rooted in Catholicism, but so were architecture, foods, and holidays. The Madonna was represented everywhere. The Saints play a significant role in Sicilian culture. We learned of the patron saint for each town and village we visited. We ate desserts that represented the story of saints. All these representations, and what they meant to the people we met, was a humbling experience.
Our favorite part of Sicilian culture had to be the food. Oh, my! The pastries were addictive. We had them for breakfast, lunch, dinner and in between. Pasta is an obvious staple of Sicilian meals, most often featuring seafood, and pizza and arancini were always available. We ate several times at the outdoor markets and bought fresh fruits and vegetables there. The sound of the fish sellers barking their wares will always be in my mind as one of the sounds of the Sicilian outdoor markets.
The artwork in Sicily was beautiful. We viewed works by famous painters such as Caravaggio in churches and cathedrals. Then there were all the everyday colors of artwork appearing on ceramics and fabrics. Needless to say, I couldn’t resist purchasing a scarf with the typical bright yellows, reds, and blues.
Another beautiful memory of Sicilian culture is their love of flowers. They were everywhere–in pots, on walls, on balconies, in traditional gardens, on window sills, in vases on tables. As an avid gardener, it was wonderful, but you don’t have to be a gardener to appreciate the gorgeous bursts of color everywhere you look.
Many customs were related to the geographical features of Sicily: its mountains, fields, and seas. Others are related to its many myths and legends. Three symbols will always remind me of Sicily, and represent how Sicilian culture blends its history, literature, story, and art.
One of these symbols is the Moorish head. This 3-D ceramic pot features a male or female head and comes as a set of two. Its origins lie in a legend from over a thousand years ago, about a Palermo girl and her Moorish lover. Today, these Moorish pots are found everywhere–on doorsteps, sidewalks, and balconies.
The second symbol is the Sicilian ceramic pine cone. These pine cones are found in almost any Sicilian home and represent hospitality, good fortune, prosperity, and good health–especially fertility. The roots of the pine cone’s symbolism can be traced all the way back to the ancient Greeks, who played such a significant role in the history of Sicily.
Of course we couldn’t leave Sicily without purchasing our own ceramic pine cone to place in our home! It was such a prevalent symbol while in Sicily, I must admit that every time I look at it, memories of our trip flood my mind.
The third symbol is the Trinacria, a triangular-shaped three-legged woman, thought to be Medusa, that dates to early Greek times. This three-legged symbol is found on everything! It represents the three points of Sicily, which make a triangular-shaped island. It is the symbol on the Sicilian flag.
It seemed that with each morsel of information about Sicilian culture, I was left hungry for more information, for more insight into the people, and for a deeper understanding of this country. While we planned our trip for its ancestral significance, it was the culture of Sicily that made us fall in love with this place, want to know more, and certainly, plan to go back.
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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