tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post5096225577179818842..comments2021-09-18T16:22:00.148-07:00Diane Dorrans Saekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448[email protected]Blogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-20372787568896634412017-03-27T14:16:41.432-07:002017-03-27T14:16:41.432-07:00Oh Diane! I am so in love with Sicily and your article brought back many memories. Time to go again soon. Brillantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10581254159107653516[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-21868596256817851722017-01-04T11:02:39.736-08:002017-01-04T11:02:39.736-08:00la contessa-<br /><br /><br />Yes...it was a wonderful experience...<br />Nicoletta has amazing energy and lots of spirit...and she is quite brisk and keeps her cooking class moving along..<br />i enjoyed visiting the market with her---the vegetables and fruit and all the herbs and preserves are inspiring...several guests including myself bought capers and herbs and other ingredients that are legal to bring home...and make beautiful reminders of this Sicilian trip.<br />PALERMO...the historic churches, Norman chapels and cathedrals and oratories and the Massimo...magnificent...MONREALE cathedral one of the greats of Europe.<br />Highly recommend going there this spring// <br />many friends there told me that July/August are very hot and &#39;many tourists&#39;...and other seasons, fall/ October/ Sept are lovely.<br />I did not go to Taormina...many told me is it crowded...but do recommend ORTIGIA and SYRACUSE AND NEXT WEEK you will see my report on the Noto valley..<br />and as well...int he west there are other regions...and MT ETNA is glorious...and there are farm visits and olive oil companies and...so many places to discover.<br />i started in PALERMO...did a lot of research, read everything...and then Nicoletta was so helpful.<br />note that her &#39;apartments&#39; are simple...and very self-service (not palatial...). but a good base...welllocated and strategic.<br />all best and keep me posted--DIANEDiane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-55643155363828273722017-01-04T10:50:32.649-08:002017-01-04T10:50:32.649-08:00CYNTHIA-<br /><br /><br />I&#39;ve read THE LEOPARD many times...it is one of the great great works of fiction (though bed on the Count of Lampedusa&#39;s family and life...).<br />It is important to know that for decades Palermo was broken...still suffering second world war damage (yes...from 60 or more years ago...) and various corruption groups and horrors were there.<br />I am confident now...everything is being restored and it is wonderful to walk into a baroque oratory..and you are there alone...no tourists...it is fantastic...my dream...to experience something great and creative and new to you...to see with Buddha eyes...for the first time.<br />The food in Sicily is fantastic...fresh fish, beauifu lvegetables (organic soil...)...and great simplicity. I did not see a sign of &#39;red sauce&#39; but rather very fresh and bright and vibrant dishes. I hope you go there...DIANEDiane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-60843586974792556552017-01-04T09:17:12.494-08:002017-01-04T09:17:12.494-08:00IT is on MY BUCKET LIST..........and I love the idea of staying there on the grounds!I MUST get THE ITALIAN in VACATION MODE............<br />I HAVE NEVER READ THE BOOK!OFF TO SEE IF I CAN SOURCE IT!!!<br />Millie Grazie!La Contessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01682902106545680159[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-32648294520302998192017-01-04T05:54:48.376-08:002017-01-04T05:54:48.376-08:00What a marvelous getaway. You must have been pinching yourself. Surely a luncheon to remember. Thank you for sharing it with us.Cynthia Lamberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09550592770287010816[email protected]