Dash of Fashion: Taormina

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Casa Cuseni, Taormina

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Ever since I took my first step onto Sicilian soil I have been obsessed with the place.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It is magnificent, mysterious and beautiful. Overwhelmingly beautiful.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">But with a secret darkness to it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I just can't get enough.</span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6XXSKpuWxbXiUrqLZcD2SlwQq0-d-yQ9Qxw2qMurhJEGjDLx-3X8-kirsNRN6fCsvtCBkahzN_35VD-OWIl1QYmAwDJxNs1j7tDW8CjYeryxPPuaRGK4wwIkJLo0dCCHhev0aJkQfyc/s1600/cuseni+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6XXSKpuWxbXiUrqLZcD2SlwQq0-d-yQ9Qxw2qMurhJEGjDLx-3X8-kirsNRN6fCsvtCBkahzN_35VD-OWIl1QYmAwDJxNs1j7tDW8CjYeryxPPuaRGK4wwIkJLo0dCCHhev0aJkQfyc/s1600/cuseni+5.jpg" width="214" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">As such, I read books about Sicily, books set in Sicily, fiction, non fiction - anything I can get my hands on.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">One of the absolute treasures I found was a book called "<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786707941/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0786707941&linkCode=as2&tag=corswo-20&linkId=NYFIC4Z57FAHZTQR%22%3EA%20House%20in%20Sicily%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=corswo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0786707941%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank"><i>A House In Sicily</i></a>" by Daphne Phelps.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">This is an autobiography that takes place in lovely Taormina, overlooking the Ionian Sea. A picturesque little town that holds a piece of my heart, or that maybe I'm holding in my heart. Not sure which.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Daphne lived in dreary old England, damp and grey, then inherited a magnificent home built by her uncle in sun drenched Taormina.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">She moves to Sicily, and this is her story of life at <a href="http://www.casacuseni.com/en/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Casa Cuseni. </span></a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxkSuTDYMaQ-oEFky25TVjzmCoD3W70gWcSa1cMNPp-589F4h_C3zmtsUpe1Qp1qsmt0E0eQkKkFj_paM25aQ4-gcRxENCg_yu3ASo-cIlTvgrBu51Q3qQmH1cVNYbb5-hOBWTvxHhRA/s1600/cuseni+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Casa-Cuseni-Taormina" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxkSuTDYMaQ-oEFky25TVjzmCoD3W70gWcSa1cMNPp-589F4h_C3zmtsUpe1Qp1qsmt0E0eQkKkFj_paM25aQ4-gcRxENCg_yu3ASo-cIlTvgrBu51Q3qQmH1cVNYbb5-hOBWTvxHhRA/s1600/cuseni+1.jpg" title="Casa-Cuseni-Taormina" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the terrace of Casa Cuseni at night</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Writers and artists drop by and stay for weeks and months.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">She tackles the trials and tribulations of life in this little mountain town, at the same time basking in the glory of living in a place more beautiful than words can describe.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JQfGut4uNQwpa4ybgXauOxAEGFucdUV-mccKhLBONP4QurV1n7fOGU72Q3T0rYX7QUzAhwGtDDf4mtTHLDSoT6b7Xhqh93oXEE5Y6UNuTiQkH9my1AbckJQyg8MORU7cWaqHMIlxLYk/s1600/cuseni+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Casa-Cuseni-Taormina" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JQfGut4uNQwpa4ybgXauOxAEGFucdUV-mccKhLBONP4QurV1n7fOGU72Q3T0rYX7QUzAhwGtDDf4mtTHLDSoT6b7Xhqh93oXEE5Y6UNuTiQkH9my1AbckJQyg8MORU7cWaqHMIlxLYk/s1600/cuseni+2.jpg" title="Casa-Cuseni-Taormina" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casa Cuseni,Taormina Sicily</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Great reading for lovers of <i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767900383/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0767900383&linkCode=as2&tag=corswo-20&linkId=IFA5C7TRM4B2COJX%22%3EUnder%20the%20Tuscan%20Sun:%20At%20Home%20in%20Italy%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=corswo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0767900383%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">Under The Tuscan Sun</a></i> and </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679731148/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0679731148&linkCode=as2&tag=corswo-20&linkId=GTQSPE73MV7MOSMG%22%3EA%20Year%20in%20Provence%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=corswo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0679731148%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">A Year In Provence</a></i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Her home, Casa Cuseni, remains the star of the story, it's beauty the perpetual subtext.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyqqtELalrekoWsE1_vpdmIg3LLSEjKnPQA8vYYQT8a400Fk6NWeusEnM4GR9AVU708Lp4iV9tMQkmCos6M_fiXNej4R_mybg6W1A9LGZ5RgShkerFtwObJbf1kK6TpNyHdDJMTg4OCc/s1600/cuseni+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Casa-Cuseni-Taormina" border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyqqtELalrekoWsE1_vpdmIg3LLSEjKnPQA8vYYQT8a400Fk6NWeusEnM4GR9AVU708Lp4iV9tMQkmCos6M_fiXNej4R_mybg6W1A9LGZ5RgShkerFtwObJbf1kK6TpNyHdDJMTg4OCc/s1600/cuseni+4.jpg" title="Casa-Cuseni-Taormina" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casa Cuseni, Taormina Sicily</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Returning to Taormina this year I was determined to find </span><br /><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://www.casacuseni.com/en/" target="_blank">Casa Cuseni</a>. </i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Which was actually really easy.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Daphne died in 2005 and willed the house to her nieces who preferred the rain in Britain to the sun in Sicily, and opted to sell it instead of relocating.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I would give almost anything to move there and own that home! I still cannot believe they let it go.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">The new owners have made it into a bed and breakfast, and were more than happy to let me come visit, and look around.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCEfdlD9cH_QOe0y4LyWM1JoGm8j9kc5KXPd2-nTTDQuZkGZWl8gPVRNYhso7sOoOkMdOiHw3QR3HwTM_h8Uzsuf1BDQZKcY_pkJrxVrHus-YSGw432ubFImBOT0Aj-JMJQJI90Hzqc0/s1600/IMG_0327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Casa-Cuseni-Taormina-Corinna-B's-World" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCEfdlD9cH_QOe0y4LyWM1JoGm8j9kc5KXPd2-nTTDQuZkGZWl8gPVRNYhso7sOoOkMdOiHw3QR3HwTM_h8Uzsuf1BDQZKcY_pkJrxVrHus-YSGw432ubFImBOT0Aj-JMJQJI90Hzqc0/s1600/IMG_0327.JPG" title="Casa-Cuseni-Taormina-Corinna-B's-World" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the blue door at Casa Cuseni</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Casa Cuseni is truly magnificent.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Much of it has been kept as it was in the book.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Daphne's treasures are still there, along with her passports and personal papers.</span></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVWeYcRm5cgoB0TfCmZK-kKemSoGr07G3qNEfD7haS_p4IW26fST0sU5yWdk2nTmswlfjagE7a95QiRGxcct95O75I1CkiTxfOhseAYPKV_pApz1rwUuOMcn_h4NAI51KEKDlUULPGJY/s1600/IMG_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Casa-Cuseni-Taormina-Corinna-B's-World" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVWeYcRm5cgoB0TfCmZK-kKemSoGr07G3qNEfD7haS_p4IW26fST0sU5yWdk2nTmswlfjagE7a95QiRGxcct95O75I1CkiTxfOhseAYPKV_pApz1rwUuOMcn_h4NAI51KEKDlUULPGJY/s1600/IMG_0333.JPG" title="Casa-Cuseni-Taormina-Corinna-B's-World" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salvatore at Casa Cuseni</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">My host for the day, <i>Salvatore Spadro</i>, showed me many of the belongings she talks about in her book. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">We strolled through the art filled rooms and the gardens, Salvatore filling me in on the history behind every room, every piece of art, every corner of the beautiful gardens.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">We sat on the terrace taking in the view, while he told me more stories.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjUj8YhVC1x5-RShWOBEK4Yeoe52YvuL_EQ3MoN2ZNKHfA8yWOKKFfxCxpgLnBzKesQKyNFDDLSqW9jBR5M1GUtNxKkzRlLwtAqB-9_LjNMo-pQ54IEMiFMTiSyx7-aZT7pnO0j8LLKc/s1600/IMG_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Casa-Cuseni-Taormina-Corinna-B's-World" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjUj8YhVC1x5-RShWOBEK4Yeoe52YvuL_EQ3MoN2ZNKHfA8yWOKKFfxCxpgLnBzKesQKyNFDDLSqW9jBR5M1GUtNxKkzRlLwtAqB-9_LjNMo-pQ54IEMiFMTiSyx7-aZT7pnO0j8LLKc/s1600/IMG_0331.JPG" title="Casa-Cuseni-Taormina-Corinna-B's-World" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for a glass of wine on the terrace at Casa Cuseni</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It was just magical.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">When we were about to leave he asked if I would like to see the Picassos.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Picasso had stayed at Casa Cuseni, and left the works he painted while he was there.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">I still can't quite believe I was able to spend quality time with Picassos that don't live in any museum, that aren't featured in any coffee table books. That pretty much no one else sees.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">If you are planning to <b>travel Sicily</b>, look into staying at Casa Cuseni in Taormina for a few days.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">There are only 6 bedrooms, so they do book out a long time in advance, but you can email them directly ( casacuseni@gmail.com) and see what openings they do have. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Check out the Casa Cuseni website <a href="http://www.casacuseni.com/en/" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: blue;">here</span></i></a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoy reading books about people relocating to glorious homes in Italy and building a life there (my favorite subject!), pick up a copy of <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786707941/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0786707941&linkCode=as2&tag=corswo-20&linkId=NYFIC4Z57FAHZTQR%22%3EA%20House%20in%20Sicily%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=corswo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0786707941%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">A House In Italy</a> by Daphne Phelps<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786707941/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0786707941&linkCode=as2&tag=corswo-20&linkId=NYFIC4Z57FAHZTQR%22%3EA%20House%20in%20Sicily%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=corswo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0786707941%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank"> here.</a></span><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=corswo-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0786707941&asins=0786707941&linkId=2DDZI2PGAHNFIFC2&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></p><p></iframe><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=corswo-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0767900383&asins=0767900383&linkId=OFBYOEHWHFWJWEEY&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></p><p></iframe><br /><br /><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=corswo-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0679731148&asins=0679731148&linkId=CQB2JGHQFYS4AYU7&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></p><p></iframe></div></div>

Casa Cuseni, Taormina

Ever since I took my first step onto Sicilian soil I have been obsessed with the place. It is magnificent, mysterious and beautiful. Overwhe...

7:20 PM

Sicilitudine

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Sicilitudine<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">… and I am happy to think that I now carry in my soul a picture of Sicily, that unique and beautiful island, which is clear, authentic and complete…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal">Goethe<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisiRob1KX29Q28VNufnA7klJdFAOsFC1L2r_5npB_6FbzN4Fnt5vA2hrcph8-6qadllQjXiHmQrlKqofMUB7RRKrdQi8Bda3uGLeczJITmjWSoJtqQEAT_E7wUWSE-v4aZf9NG2sM8JDM/s1600/DSC02375+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Giardini-Naxos-Sicily" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisiRob1KX29Q28VNufnA7klJdFAOsFC1L2r_5npB_6FbzN4Fnt5vA2hrcph8-6qadllQjXiHmQrlKqofMUB7RRKrdQi8Bda3uGLeczJITmjWSoJtqQEAT_E7wUWSE-v4aZf9NG2sM8JDM/s1600/DSC02375+-+Copy.JPG" title="Giardini-Naxos-Sicily" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giardini Naxos, Sicily</td></tr></tbody></table><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">From the first step I took on this hauntingly beautiful island, from my very first breath, I was completely enamored of her. And there has not been one day in my life since then that she hasn’t crept into my thoughts. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkizLPIA7Cmeilw9HGBkK9_niRCaCDu3Uentl-tob91zAzsjXXCGXXRqaCbCZBFbPGFxMLbEacggN3659MjUQmZWII6E1nCAYO2ajisXGS4VGxJxzUMyJM82CgtRJul-dkSukBQm5yiY/s1600/sicily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sicily-Corinna-B's-World-Sicilitudine" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkizLPIA7Cmeilw9HGBkK9_niRCaCDu3Uentl-tob91zAzsjXXCGXXRqaCbCZBFbPGFxMLbEacggN3659MjUQmZWII6E1nCAYO2ajisXGS4VGxJxzUMyJM82CgtRJul-dkSukBQm5yiY/s1600/sicily.jpg" title="Sicily-Corinna-B's-World-Sicilitudine" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taormina, Sicily</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The screensaver on the inside of my eyelids runs a slideshow of spectacular Sicilian vistas when I go to sleep, and sometimes the all encompassing <i>need</i> to get back there defies reason and dominates all thought.</span><o:p></o:p><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSvDJEkQg7fk8ftVQ3bZutO0HRY7-sWQegoZE3ClADPyMMQ-Z6MZXy31Pn7c8hvlt1TjjQIk-Qam1I9lIBjO1ympCde2Wi7pePzQUXh04G7TouGsWgGW8S-tm40YXn828zJAO9ZZZJvU/s1600/DSC02656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Castelmola-Sicily" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSvDJEkQg7fk8ftVQ3bZutO0HRY7-sWQegoZE3ClADPyMMQ-Z6MZXy31Pn7c8hvlt1TjjQIk-Qam1I9lIBjO1ympCde2Wi7pePzQUXh04G7TouGsWgGW8S-tm40YXn828zJAO9ZZZJvU/s1600/DSC02656.JPG" title="Castelmola-Sicily" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castelmola, Sicily</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">This largest island in the Mediterranean is truly unique. It is like a giant mosaic made up of thousands of vibrant and exceptionally hued tiles, impossible to put together, yet alone each is magnificent, complex, and exceptional.</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcLNIFle-X13X9Z3wRJT31deVT_1rLu5qcJS6Qc6gnU33C8QpgzkstkYJq-RQEWCwe4civ9tgolk-dfFAShoCFAlOl4D6GSTbeV923_I1or_HLLRxLZzsPi_aLlB6Djv9pdVfTnAVRtY/s1600/DSC02257+-+Copy+-+Copy+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Taormina-Sicily" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcLNIFle-X13X9Z3wRJT31deVT_1rLu5qcJS6Qc6gnU33C8QpgzkstkYJq-RQEWCwe4civ9tgolk-dfFAShoCFAlOl4D6GSTbeV923_I1or_HLLRxLZzsPi_aLlB6Djv9pdVfTnAVRtY/s1600/DSC02257+-+Copy+-+Copy+-+Copy.JPG" title="Taormina-Sicily" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taormina, Sicily</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDOBCtT0S15Mr665kk7O4uUjeXhXQy3YFmPRBhFbrYtRbLxxOWT1_cWA-xxce17qH9qp3XHbUPprNQ0-AMO2X08usUcsiKnfSog91pUGFvYo5VDyaVB8ka1TLKo-v_VNoWKa26zrcZYU/s1600/DSC02628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="View-from-Forza-D'Agro'-Sicily" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDOBCtT0S15Mr665kk7O4uUjeXhXQy3YFmPRBhFbrYtRbLxxOWT1_cWA-xxce17qH9qp3XHbUPprNQ0-AMO2X08usUcsiKnfSog91pUGFvYo5VDyaVB8ka1TLKo-v_VNoWKa26zrcZYU/s1600/DSC02628.JPG" title="View-from-Forza-D'Agro'-Sicily" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Forza D'Agro, Sicily</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Visually astounding, her shores are lapped by the bluest of seas – the Mediterranean, the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigavbVBRmMA4Y01_q-cGHCVyrO8r99evLyjIQ1Cs9nKRFruLNSeqA0fSwN7KL1QZhuUH5r55nDndBJe2hyphenhyphenZp8M1NTKjOTjcBGIKhuVEPj4RUyqmEWeXwC1UukV25gV_LXabHmGhl4GJfk/s1600/DSC02363+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Lido-Copacabana-Letojanni-Sicily" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigavbVBRmMA4Y01_q-cGHCVyrO8r99evLyjIQ1Cs9nKRFruLNSeqA0fSwN7KL1QZhuUH5r55nDndBJe2hyphenhyphenZp8M1NTKjOTjcBGIKhuVEPj4RUyqmEWeXwC1UukV25gV_LXabHmGhl4GJfk/s1600/DSC02363+-+Copy.JPG" title="Lido-Copacabana-Letojanni-Sicily" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lida copacabana, Letojanni, Sicily</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5CxvWeqppXg3FVrCXTrb61onvlBGoX1lZrjkBMJvgA9B2uCX_31LMctKTy-ytcDJeBsIZOT7BzG02nV7Jrd0LkI3quaikWPGB0KrUanW7LuSt74AT6YSva9m1q2iJA4-dO82RTHxg3A/s1600/DSC02433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5CxvWeqppXg3FVrCXTrb61onvlBGoX1lZrjkBMJvgA9B2uCX_31LMctKTy-ytcDJeBsIZOT7BzG02nV7Jrd0LkI3quaikWPGB0KrUanW7LuSt74AT6YSva9m1q2iJA4-dO82RTHxg3A/s1600/DSC02433.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sicily</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> The architecture and the cuisine have been layered by a history of being conquered. The Greeks, the Carthaginians, Roman, Arabs, Norman and Spaniards all ruled Sicily over the millennia and left their mark, their flavor, their influence, weaving a rich and brilliant tapestry that is equally beautiful and brutal.</span><o:p></o:p><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuuNhTFmryJI9XgO7yTlcXGMu3xcT7HhkaC_Zumfn5ZD6IJOnhKduGdn2iy4eJzBvgMFPpMXfZdoaIl6hKkxQcEDXVGYmqEuOHU7XacNgR-WgeoNRlUVMrfcJqmXRODjxFcg7gnOlehw/s1600/DSC02406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Apollo's-Temple-Ortygia-Sicily" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuuNhTFmryJI9XgO7yTlcXGMu3xcT7HhkaC_Zumfn5ZD6IJOnhKduGdn2iy4eJzBvgMFPpMXfZdoaIl6hKkxQcEDXVGYmqEuOHU7XacNgR-WgeoNRlUVMrfcJqmXRODjxFcg7gnOlehw/s1600/DSC02406.JPG" title="Apollo's-Temple-Ortygia-Sicily" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBp52FTvLEL8pIiSPOAtQrberlPPuMPR3tAyaxQnx5oLlCbSO0Ol2_JXto0rZ3lQ-GX0cDKH1vqrm_V6U9sVSkoSJNHXYMMu1GfBjWLohqrzajwprzYGNvmJ6qTWsfyYJs738rntZl8mY/s1600/DSC02407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ortygia-Sicily" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBp52FTvLEL8pIiSPOAtQrberlPPuMPR3tAyaxQnx5oLlCbSO0Ol2_JXto0rZ3lQ-GX0cDKH1vqrm_V6U9sVSkoSJNHXYMMu1GfBjWLohqrzajwprzYGNvmJ6qTWsfyYJs738rntZl8mY/s1600/DSC02407.JPG" title="Ortygia-Sicily" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ortygia. Sicily</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Sicilians have a hard history. The rich were magnificently rich while the poor toiled in abject poverty. They were repeatedly heavily taxed to pay for someone else’s wars, throughout time their men drafted to fight the ruling country’s battles. Although since the unification they are Italian, they are first and foremost and to their collective core, Sicilian. As a people they have pride and resilience, are at times stoic, in some ways isolated from the mainland, theirs is a Sicilitudine </span><o:p></o:p><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0FhRCDVn3_bkUlvUIL7Xe-7ZYz3V07rzsCsHiuwG1pVX67tk89X32H55YglcX1I_ZE5tVAbernV4YrP8W4X9jpHio6Ntx00_yvaYbjeoUnZyJBwQ-P3IJu7H-2iVdIyKjo5htntOSu0/s1600/DSC02663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Castelmola-Sicily" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl0FhRCDVn3_bkUlvUIL7Xe-7ZYz3V07rzsCsHiuwG1pVX67tk89X32H55YglcX1I_ZE5tVAbernV4YrP8W4X9jpHio6Ntx00_yvaYbjeoUnZyJBwQ-P3IJu7H-2iVdIyKjo5htntOSu0/s1600/DSC02663.JPG" title="Castelmola-Sicily" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Castelmola, Sicily</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Yet invariably Sicilians smile the deepest of smiles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">At times more North Africa than Southern Italy, Sicily is maddeningly beautiful, a culinary dream, it is mysterious and moody, incredibly sexy, and feels vaguely dangerous with it’s rumbling volcano and it’s air of mystery.</span><o:p></o:p><br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzsy4HoQ4_z9t9X1qWAk-kXI_nthcUOkq7hJ1PMAO0mrtNHfRMNYEqUKLBYgyQgIbs-O8RWdIVbVWe9SiQ7JF1-9qdmulB11dFc_iYk02CbinQ0wu_5n7YkODdXy8BKr4n25XX5twAH0/s1600/DSC02667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mt-Etna-Sicily" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzsy4HoQ4_z9t9X1qWAk-kXI_nthcUOkq7hJ1PMAO0mrtNHfRMNYEqUKLBYgyQgIbs-O8RWdIVbVWe9SiQ7JF1-9qdmulB11dFc_iYk02CbinQ0wu_5n7YkODdXy8BKr4n25XX5twAH0/s1600/DSC02667.JPG" title="Mt-Etna-Sicily" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">Sicily is everything.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">To take on this magical island all you need is a good map and a sense of adventure…</span><o:p></o:p></div></div>

Sicilitudine

Sicilitudine … and I am happy to think that I now carry in my soul a picture of Sicily, that unique and beautiful island, which is clear, au...

10:05 AM

Street Cred Taormina

<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusd20dkgXtleXSz_QvU8wm9czXJjxj710pOhruLwmHTY5Hydv4gIx8dzNSb_MPu2Ca01hucT_5V0rTOhj_4TycXZvvyJsDu8O21OGxH5OIhXiDIbSqv8W-gGD-CwfH7tcWgay6Fcpb7w/s640/blogger-image--798010046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusd20dkgXtleXSz_QvU8wm9czXJjxj710pOhruLwmHTY5Hydv4gIx8dzNSb_MPu2Ca01hucT_5V0rTOhj_4TycXZvvyJsDu8O21OGxH5OIhXiDIbSqv8W-gGD-CwfH7tcWgay6Fcpb7w/s640/blogger-image--798010046.jpg"></a></div>Sicily's beautiful Taormina is a great place for people watching!<div><br></div><div>I kept an eye out on what the locals were wearing...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTAPeHc-RfMKkfDb2SOYKVvxLmFx1v01vPUr9oqEfTQeucvmO7L4ag8vLh_Vn12NtnFb0P5q5gHG62pQJvGxqRqUECemSfZpbFzFsr7pSp0uhCpl56FYDqrebYhHp0GIUDGhtp13nGC4/s640/blogger-image--777263782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTAPeHc-RfMKkfDb2SOYKVvxLmFx1v01vPUr9oqEfTQeucvmO7L4ag8vLh_Vn12NtnFb0P5q5gHG62pQJvGxqRqUECemSfZpbFzFsr7pSp0uhCpl56FYDqrebYhHp0GIUDGhtp13nGC4/s640/blogger-image--777263782.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2yyXkHWUHQhPaqH82fVqvApiIKHHbEw5Qc2zDnDiWumC-coqJ7Ahf5_JYOfYT5tkbY0p61vbAnr4KiQtT1Br_eVkT1NtotKD6fuKublfc1TBUAwHSpj346fksrHsxpl8DBY0ySS4YNc/s640/blogger-image-913468998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2yyXkHWUHQhPaqH82fVqvApiIKHHbEw5Qc2zDnDiWumC-coqJ7Ahf5_JYOfYT5tkbY0p61vbAnr4KiQtT1Br_eVkT1NtotKD6fuKublfc1TBUAwHSpj346fksrHsxpl8DBY0ySS4YNc/s640/blogger-image-913468998.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPuxuprmRSszpGQXGTf9hEhrSbOFoTjOOSM9a7DoxsGzfsb_BHAEQN-h8NalYBG9411dpb2oScqAgbRkYy0hH53qfmDNiYSqpxR4B3Esqcw8QGHjcAbKrugyUA8-5MvGytbeNDX7u5T0w/s640/blogger-image--858084572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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Street Cred Taormina

Sicily's beautiful Taormina is a great place for people watching! I kept an eye out on what the locals were wearing...

7:02 AM

Scarlett Johansson For Dolce and Gabbana PassionEyes

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So what if she looks photoshopped within an inch of her life??</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't care.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">She's in <i>Taormina.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps my favorite place on earth.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And</i> she is surrounded by all things Sicilian.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love it.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BV3QJxI3hG82KZ0-yqfxe4Snic8OypNrrrziN_-HgilCFthH3xnJF9s2Hbr6cYJvN2qjyd9hJMC5vVqmo5g9cC-ea7kmP4-IEjPE4hqVjVi-z2_EDlIrIVjtkHefljP1Hn12x5L_L1U/s1600/SCARLETT-JOHANSSON-FOR-DOLCE-GABBANA-%E2%80%9CPASSIONEYES%E2%80%9D1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BV3QJxI3hG82KZ0-yqfxe4Snic8OypNrrrziN_-HgilCFthH3xnJF9s2Hbr6cYJvN2qjyd9hJMC5vVqmo5g9cC-ea7kmP4-IEjPE4hqVjVi-z2_EDlIrIVjtkHefljP1Hn12x5L_L1U/s1600/SCARLETT-JOHANSSON-FOR-DOLCE-GABBANA-%E2%80%9CPASSIONEYES%E2%80%9D1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlett Johansson Passioneyes Campaign</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0424060/">Scarlett Johansson</a> for <a href="http://www.dolcegabbanamakeup.com/">Dolce and Gabbana'</a>s Passoneyes mascara</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">by <a href="http://www.munrostudio.com/">Tom Munro</a>.</span></div></div>

Scarlett Johansson For Dolce and Gabbana PassionEyes

So what if she looks photoshopped within an inch of her life?? I don't care. She's in Taormina. Perhaps my favorite place on earth. ...

4:00 AM

Ciao Siciliana! Marie Claire Netherlands Goes To Taormina

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh lord.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was only there 2 heartbeats ago.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can hardly believe I ever left.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPiqcY65MnYLwaLJYArbxQET_AwbqMc73gZZcCveKXMXshfUa11q8rsKp5m7bwULOb4DWR0lh9IiVocddc5amTDoqLFoY9I98vrhzQG-EBAtQ7_SiKjhjEO-Hc-0VDtZ09KZWKfrSo6E/s1600/marie+claire+taormina+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmPiqcY65MnYLwaLJYArbxQET_AwbqMc73gZZcCveKXMXshfUa11q8rsKp5m7bwULOb4DWR0lh9IiVocddc5amTDoqLFoY9I98vrhzQG-EBAtQ7_SiKjhjEO-Hc-0VDtZ09KZWKfrSo6E/s640/marie+claire+taormina+2.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ciao Siciliana! By Dennison Bertram for Marie Claire Netherlands</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the new issue of <a href="http://www.marieclaire.nl/">Marie Claire Netherlands</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">model Milou Sluis gets a retro vibe courtesy of</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">hair and makeup artist Branislay Nikic</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">as she takes to the streets of one of the most beautiful towns I have ever, <i>ever</i> been to, lovely <a href="http://corinnabsworld.blogspot.com/2013/07/sicilian-obsession-taormina.html">Taormina,</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and makes magic for photographer Dennison Bertram.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18jKBPCRUGy-yr3mMj9gFc9avEhEcsMSnoFgluiGL2qkrGdiuS1pKPrAnf7u1glp06TLjP1CTMQx9s5qFZzmJhRJAe4lIZbRrhf6X7R23qF6j11aB9qoe2mh0c79ygtVR4BARQDR84MI/s1600/marie+claire+taormina+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18jKBPCRUGy-yr3mMj9gFc9avEhEcsMSnoFgluiGL2qkrGdiuS1pKPrAnf7u1glp06TLjP1CTMQx9s5qFZzmJhRJAe4lIZbRrhf6X7R23qF6j11aB9qoe2mh0c79ygtVR4BARQDR84MI/s640/marie+claire+taormina+3.jpg" width="511" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ciao Siciliana! Marie Claire Netherlands</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4g5rbacfK0iGqF_7SMV9ggm-T3-438Xuk4vg2-Iy7OsVPTwbm3mr_J86ZyzMT9DUUgcGIWE3h-p9vAwO_TRz8mL7MyuK2lwd1H4dAxEYXtvBMXQvYMaYneSQ4Q5PVAetAFD8al4PCE0k/s1600/marie+claire+taormina+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4g5rbacfK0iGqF_7SMV9ggm-T3-438Xuk4vg2-Iy7OsVPTwbm3mr_J86ZyzMT9DUUgcGIWE3h-p9vAwO_TRz8mL7MyuK2lwd1H4dAxEYXtvBMXQvYMaYneSQ4Q5PVAetAFD8al4PCE0k/s640/marie+claire+taormina+4.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ciao Siciliana! Marie Claire Netherlands</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAiMRqYgzDZOs4RmwjlfiESkZRr5R-9nvOPDCvsR4e2_ErAlWj1cEVmv3o4Lwvv5F3aGfgQyAJ3zAy2nWLey23V9_fOLTGte5-xVZ3nPBR2BN_WHR6J3kTx0-OiLOB3lcthyphenhyphen8i-Dt_uY/s1600/marie+claire+taormina+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAiMRqYgzDZOs4RmwjlfiESkZRr5R-9nvOPDCvsR4e2_ErAlWj1cEVmv3o4Lwvv5F3aGfgQyAJ3zAy2nWLey23V9_fOLTGte5-xVZ3nPBR2BN_WHR6J3kTx0-OiLOB3lcthyphenhyphen8i-Dt_uY/s1600/marie+claire+taormina+5.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ciao Siciliana! Marie Claire netherlands</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLocBbLWSp9zQycob5kQLgS3PUcnlGVJKzwpwqoRUHRieyX47HjFDdrc7euhmrTRn_Wnq7jys76M9514R2JosCZAChY3zw8VUEhRPJ9kIMejOZvmIfBch_CrtAFZyfKQWoycz_U6L2Fw/s1600/marie+claire+taormina+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLocBbLWSp9zQycob5kQLgS3PUcnlGVJKzwpwqoRUHRieyX47HjFDdrc7euhmrTRn_Wnq7jys76M9514R2JosCZAChY3zw8VUEhRPJ9kIMejOZvmIfBch_CrtAFZyfKQWoycz_U6L2Fw/s1600/marie+claire+taormina+6.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ciao Siciliana! Marie Claire netherlands via Jelanie</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_UIRCQK6KTPqZYugr1qviJYHlCteN5hKhZqq8jD9sBD4Z1aiTqB6QcmDO1vo2HOv6uKXbUJe-AhHEZIW2lS-w6d9Mkiu3Si841vgFNSXwz9NBkpa9lBolHZn74yhoTrA_yIv4bR3krY/s1600/marie+claire+taormina+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_UIRCQK6KTPqZYugr1qviJYHlCteN5hKhZqq8jD9sBD4Z1aiTqB6QcmDO1vo2HOv6uKXbUJe-AhHEZIW2lS-w6d9Mkiu3Si841vgFNSXwz9NBkpa9lBolHZn74yhoTrA_yIv4bR3krY/s1600/marie+claire+taormina+7.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ciao Siciliana! Marie Claire Netherlands</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVjppIAvmcNAtMFX6Ak9rOcWVqCGXHJSMP9dJlwjkZh1nMuOVcHPb6ijjW_yp8gAgxdM7YIDcOI9M-MpjNl2v0DJB8zmqtKGUeAgehT_VvyPMy29QgBFgsY8F56L1SV1ULO4zsYxZ02k/s1600/marie+claire+taormina+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVjppIAvmcNAtMFX6Ak9rOcWVqCGXHJSMP9dJlwjkZh1nMuOVcHPb6ijjW_yp8gAgxdM7YIDcOI9M-MpjNl2v0DJB8zmqtKGUeAgehT_VvyPMy29QgBFgsY8F56L1SV1ULO4zsYxZ02k/s1600/marie+claire+taormina+8.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ciao Siciliana! Marie Claire Netherlands</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8usBdliXf4eNwbo7M_P-9l-PskXD22GEHDRFvLgQlmq2dY5PIln4-RDm7L_X0L5tL7SM15WuL3KKTzPgKU7-XnYSSG1YEUbvFPRozRHkYQKpU4OgmF7YJSfK7HyH2VAoJM9QsfXR7y7k/s1600/marie+claire+taormina+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8usBdliXf4eNwbo7M_P-9l-PskXD22GEHDRFvLgQlmq2dY5PIln4-RDm7L_X0L5tL7SM15WuL3KKTzPgKU7-XnYSSG1YEUbvFPRozRHkYQKpU4OgmF7YJSfK7HyH2VAoJM9QsfXR7y7k/s1600/marie+claire+taormina+10.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ciao Siciliana! Marie Claire Netherlands</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmuiz-dEclSiUGJaDRujj2IysOAOVEo1LQDJQ6BqiRT2BU0j8IF6QwyqYUb2llSNp4N7t4V1qvp2LyiIrLL6qOdA4mG_3KtxQwDQVMGI-17jlmEoxWwtkIPhNZM705d68LjU1wUj-jmM/s1600/marie+claire+taormina+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmuiz-dEclSiUGJaDRujj2IysOAOVEo1LQDJQ6BqiRT2BU0j8IF6QwyqYUb2llSNp4N7t4V1qvp2LyiIrLL6qOdA4mG_3KtxQwDQVMGI-17jlmEoxWwtkIPhNZM705d68LjU1wUj-jmM/s1600/marie+claire+taormina+9.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ciao Siciliana! Marie Claire Netherlands</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>image source <a href="http://blog.jelanieshop.com/category/jelanie-shop/">Jelanie</a></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>more images on <a href="http://www.fashiongonerogue.com/milou-sluis-poses-sicily-marie-claire-netherlands-dennison-betram/">FGR</a></i></span></div></div>

Ciao Siciliana! Marie Claire Netherlands Goes To Taormina

Oh lord. I was only there 2 heartbeats ago. I can hardly believe I ever left. Ciao Siciliana! By Dennison Bertram for Marie Claire Netherlan...

4:00 AM

My Sicilian Obsession ~ Forza d'Agro'

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">When I was first planning the Sicilian leg of my most recent Italian adventure, all my Italiani were raving to me about how fantastic Sicily is, and how it is the best place in the world, the best food in the world, and how it has the best people in the world.<br /><br />Now, allowing for the fact that with their sexy accents I would happily listen to them recite the phone book, front to back, all day long, I was always delighted to hear them wax lyrical about the little island at the toe of the boot.<br /><i>"Cor-eeen-ahhh, you weel loff eet"</i><br /><i><br /></i>But just as Americans get passionately patriotic over the stars and bars, I assumed my Italians were just attaching an equal patriotic fervor to their fashion, their food and their Sicily. I knew I'd love the place, but had no idea how hard I would<i><b> absolutely fall in love </b></i>with it.<br />And how my Italiani have laughed at me over that one.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Nell'Azzurita</span></i></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIhYArAJ10SJjd1M_p3fYlB9E7u-vrXp05gWhBams-0CQXfystroMawLOn3TgTSafeq4HW56u4Zq_jAYMVdKzOJzGEVkTxvxvFvG21qGoAu9bJJ3PkBCFji60PtgU2P_dFVoloIeMFpw/s1600/forza+d+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIhYArAJ10SJjd1M_p3fYlB9E7u-vrXp05gWhBams-0CQXfystroMawLOn3TgTSafeq4HW56u4Zq_jAYMVdKzOJzGEVkTxvxvFvG21qGoAu9bJJ3PkBCFji60PtgU2P_dFVoloIeMFpw/s640/forza+d+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forza d'Agro', Sicily</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Anyway, one of the fabulous little places I found by accident while in Sicily, was the lovely little <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forza_d'Agr%C3%B2">Forza D'Agro'.</a><br />Situated on the coast between Taormina and Messina, Forza D'Agro' is not typically found in tourist books. (which generally means I'm going to love it).<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxZmzmJJwX_pCoFm7NtKTQuXG1wdjGdtIQCg9dCCrrHeUJlTzO88abN6IsFYQkDrcBkWxrtNyMf_xr386KJiH7yP2kcXNdYuJmwK86zXW7xZXe5fEZP5KEr76WE_q4Xq5C8yHZYVRSGs/s1600/girasole.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxZmzmJJwX_pCoFm7NtKTQuXG1wdjGdtIQCg9dCCrrHeUJlTzO88abN6IsFYQkDrcBkWxrtNyMf_xr386KJiH7yP2kcXNdYuJmwK86zXW7xZXe5fEZP5KEr76WE_q4Xq5C8yHZYVRSGs/s320/girasole.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">starting the day with cappuccino at Il Girasole</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />I only found out about it because a couple of locals were helping me plan out my day over toes-in-the-sand breakfast cappuccino.<br /><br /><br />They totally shanghai'd everything I was planning on doing, and instead came up with all kinds of fantastic places to go see, experience and eat at. (remember, Sicilians are incredibly warm, fun loving, friendly people). And they love to give you the inside scoop on the best local places to hit. No doubt owned by family members, but you are welcomed with open arms, and I adore that.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The drive along the coast from Taormina/Mazzeo/Letojanni to Forza d'Agro' is gorgeous and easy. Which is just great because the drive up the hill is like the drive up the hill to Ravello. On acid. Super steep hairpin bends that double back on themselves, perfect if you're fearless and if you're driving a stick shift. By the time you've reached the top you have earned a robust glass of local Sicilian wine.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKu0qdxq0sIpM0vjYEiH8MwgUaxJa1OuL54z31B4SGV8pXeLe6045vyMC35G539_UkcXP2xJKfD1HEjUZJ8EvygaQIjDrppLsZQHMT8aukhQlmRMaAb8Rljw-rtTEcDfewdO8hoVcyyM/s1600/DSC02625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKu0qdxq0sIpM0vjYEiH8MwgUaxJa1OuL54z31B4SGV8pXeLe6045vyMC35G539_UkcXP2xJKfD1HEjUZJ8EvygaQIjDrppLsZQHMT8aukhQlmRMaAb8Rljw-rtTEcDfewdO8hoVcyyM/s640/DSC02625.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ionian from Forza d'Agro', Sicily</td></tr></tbody></table><br />With ancient buildings and stone paved lanes that are impassable by car, this little town has become the backdrop for many movies over the years, in fact you'll recognize parts of Forza d'Agro' from The Godfather.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmwQcpcddNcuei0I_r0dx5qQTSghjd4Hnnp37hj__OgCgltpxcIgi3uQ2kxpH8yUVeOXHNQrFw-EWfwqactRYGTZ2XZfUyO1yF_CpmNw79527ifES8Axtka3LICFD21XwqZaKx18edTw/s1600/Forza_d_Agro_Cathedrale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmwQcpcddNcuei0I_r0dx5qQTSghjd4Hnnp37hj__OgCgltpxcIgi3uQ2kxpH8yUVeOXHNQrFw-EWfwqactRYGTZ2XZfUyO1yF_CpmNw79527ifES8Axtka3LICFD21XwqZaKx18edTw/s640/Forza_d_Agro_Cathedrale.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral Forza d'Agro'</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This entire area has such a rich and wild history, from the Sicani to the Siculi, the Greeks to the Romans, The Byzantines to the Spanish and however many others along the way, so many have come and conquered and left their mark, creating a society and a land that is just completely intriguing and complex.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStIvZOHA4fZmDf69EzcIvWNY4sf8dZJvf_cepOCBlAoP-hF_vFySJ89dN9SRBwRBsIyHetAiTvWrOLDwc1BHCyj6YQI9GtoxNJZeSJ_Od5WxkFBdcjHsbaX-PgRnrRD1eoD4DJfGvuKg/s1600/DSC02607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStIvZOHA4fZmDf69EzcIvWNY4sf8dZJvf_cepOCBlAoP-hF_vFySJ89dN9SRBwRBsIyHetAiTvWrOLDwc1BHCyj6YQI9GtoxNJZeSJ_Od5WxkFBdcjHsbaX-PgRnrRD1eoD4DJfGvuKg/s640/DSC02607.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forza d'Agro' Sicily</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5vycd87SuGq-LAP8w5RkHAETBqB6IT5UwhVv-FCxhrpzDJBGDy7P_fDaN8WWHptriIvqNX8goEa2Se1VjXPY57rFRossdXFyNkXTOs87KyFxQCqkAIVEpouKJ48aKPWrT65MHars6uI/s1600/DSC02604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5vycd87SuGq-LAP8w5RkHAETBqB6IT5UwhVv-FCxhrpzDJBGDy7P_fDaN8WWHptriIvqNX8goEa2Se1VjXPY57rFRossdXFyNkXTOs87KyFxQCqkAIVEpouKJ48aKPWrT65MHars6uI/s640/DSC02604.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forza d'Agro' Sicily</td></tr></tbody></table><br />As you can see we got all kinds of weather that day. It started out gorgeous, some rain came through briefly, and then the sun came back out.<br />Forza d'Agro' is tiny and doesn't take much time to have a good look around. There are so many lovely little towns all the way along the coast to stop and visit, all with staggering views across the Ionian Sea, amazing little local eateries, artisan stores and plenty of interesting things to see and do, most of them far from the madding crowds.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07gZqmnDE70xY2A5xJZ6EpX1kG3uw9dDleZt-XM6UxgPDrIKlRIA58oiTSj83c0NxG8DsqZ0Bs2wKri_riB0ZzIvu5cYEpG5jl0vMZ0m9S7eGI8tNDki7V_lIG-yQIa9CkVZbaGjHAoA/s1600/forza.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07gZqmnDE70xY2A5xJZ6EpX1kG3uw9dDleZt-XM6UxgPDrIKlRIA58oiTSj83c0NxG8DsqZ0Bs2wKri_riB0ZzIvu5cYEpG5jl0vMZ0m9S7eGI8tNDki7V_lIG-yQIa9CkVZbaGjHAoA/s400/forza.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ciao from the top of the world. Well the top of the path anyway ;)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>

My Sicilian Obsession ~ Forza d'Agro'

When I was first planning the Sicilian leg of my most recent Italian adventure, all my Italiani were raving to me about how fantastic Sicily...

6:00 AM

Sicilian Obsession ~ Taormina

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">To say that I have become obsessed with the glorious island of Sicily would be an understatement.<br />I think at this point, after a life filled with international travel, Sicily may just be my absolute favorite place in the world.<br /><br />Its got it all.<br />Spectacular beauty, mind bending historical sites, wines to die for, the best food in the world, and the loveliest, friendliest, most fun people you will ever meet.<br />(except at Catania airport. Those folks weren't much fun).<br /><br />One of my favorite places to visit there is beautiful <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taormina">Taormina</a>.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zpEonkOHDlWEEQd-KlTILxRoMUznazkZE-YsGlIgTEr2ZgoUUFaG710TTcecrjLP3IIj3baly45Q68ED88-w0tuPIB2H-sNbZpVE0wvV0UjAlKYlwwvr0RAxfXQ4AXUobShGvXgWCUI/s1600/taormina+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zpEonkOHDlWEEQd-KlTILxRoMUznazkZE-YsGlIgTEr2ZgoUUFaG710TTcecrjLP3IIj3baly45Q68ED88-w0tuPIB2H-sNbZpVE0wvV0UjAlKYlwwvr0RAxfXQ4AXUobShGvXgWCUI/s640/taormina+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The sun coming up over beautiful Taormina</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Located between Messina and Catania on the east coast of Sicily, majestically perched up high on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea, picturesque Taormina reigns supreme.<br />Walking through the beautiful streets of tiny Taormina you'll rub shoulders with movie stars, musicians & jet setters, all of whom love the art, restaurants, shopping and history that envelope you.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJPnV9AiaKZMvzGknkC5Garf6dGH3a9mFgfEKhX-wWxW_UOxeQqlMUBc0HrrQdlxiXVArxzXPnHw1SnC-j1kVMpCLLAcFypBgk-tE8aY9Gx8mKlaHJw-kBMEEyQTaJCpfkwH8r1zGRnk/s1600/taormina+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJPnV9AiaKZMvzGknkC5Garf6dGH3a9mFgfEKhX-wWxW_UOxeQqlMUBc0HrrQdlxiXVArxzXPnHw1SnC-j1kVMpCLLAcFypBgk-tE8aY9Gx8mKlaHJw-kBMEEyQTaJCpfkwH8r1zGRnk/s640/taormina+3.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>shopping streets in Taormina</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjzOT3AUwt8P8dXp-MjEb-b36Dc7Ef3fU5uK9rlK4zML5b7s3huoqeZ5FMX6qNMmuIjSOdtbwdRfmOTRmhNg1vG7t41Xcgz3T8OdEBnRzYSBFTpvsYH4Pfg2HYtLQmFGJjX9BB4w67ys/s1600/Taormina+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjzOT3AUwt8P8dXp-MjEb-b36Dc7Ef3fU5uK9rlK4zML5b7s3huoqeZ5FMX6qNMmuIjSOdtbwdRfmOTRmhNg1vG7t41Xcgz3T8OdEBnRzYSBFTpvsYH4Pfg2HYtLQmFGJjX9BB4w67ys/s640/Taormina+4.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Taormina</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEM8xO4iRmwEcRHsJpgvhqbSpyg-tGG8D7Wjo4u3H4YVfVeHFU9_esfGT_O-3cpkpCCc3wbEQ-yjV05CQDt9ZUj30YYxedNlOS-iKKfaA0yV5HpIFoqPCJsHnyy7zawxNu0H0HU3bObbE/s1600/Taormina+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEM8xO4iRmwEcRHsJpgvhqbSpyg-tGG8D7Wjo4u3H4YVfVeHFU9_esfGT_O-3cpkpCCc3wbEQ-yjV05CQDt9ZUj30YYxedNlOS-iKKfaA0yV5HpIFoqPCJsHnyy7zawxNu0H0HU3bObbE/s640/Taormina+5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Taormina</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The views in any direction are breathtaking.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1o0vFuK-1pYdYZ638xN85lpcPUqZteum5IghsUcT6_lceeQeWp_dMkLPBuKTMBB65EOhI9r7eLqfX-QvVhghxGJo27ywOBcn64XUzb2OLR2b-69wFsPQsBVF9X5vZG2uNZUwhFzf_as/s1600/taormina-hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1o0vFuK-1pYdYZ638xN85lpcPUqZteum5IghsUcT6_lceeQeWp_dMkLPBuKTMBB65EOhI9r7eLqfX-QvVhghxGJo27ywOBcn64XUzb2OLR2b-69wFsPQsBVF9X5vZG2uNZUwhFzf_as/s640/taormina-hotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Taormina views</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />One of the most magnificent historical sites is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_theatre_of_Taormina">Teatro Greco</a>, thought to have been built around 750 BC, by the Greeks, (who loved to place their theaters on sites with awe inspiring views) and later added to by the Romans.<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfGUeQoy8HyEeBJsTF7X8yBmgIQDVi9WDFoeUNsAXsqY57ha2-QjQAPdx7cwNDpxEA1D0kHRsnovR73JPg3Cp4_Yy9DreAPSbcig-IgdUngQ_5NkHAuJULo9NyovY7Pjrspu_6i9Vp-c/s1600/teatro+greco+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfGUeQoy8HyEeBJsTF7X8yBmgIQDVi9WDFoeUNsAXsqY57ha2-QjQAPdx7cwNDpxEA1D0kHRsnovR73JPg3Cp4_Yy9DreAPSbcig-IgdUngQ_5NkHAuJULo9NyovY7Pjrspu_6i9Vp-c/s640/teatro+greco+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teatro Greco by night</td></tr></tbody></table>You can walk all through the theater which is remarkably well preserved.<br />During June the Taormina Film Festival is held in the theater, and throughout the year various operatic and theatrical performances are staged at this mesmerizing venue.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrQoYgHt5yNh8DUC1TFG7D3IGt0SgpxO1xDSgie9vvvCUhCFuYgOl-4PzFLAsPLkWtHINU5GuXnV-70KH2_ojJh7gQN_v9wdYiUAkQEGngUcM9ZOLmX0hl-7uM4bhcFZU96eF66-wrXk/s1600/teatro+greco+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrQoYgHt5yNh8DUC1TFG7D3IGt0SgpxO1xDSgie9vvvCUhCFuYgOl-4PzFLAsPLkWtHINU5GuXnV-70KH2_ojJh7gQN_v9wdYiUAkQEGngUcM9ZOLmX0hl-7uM4bhcFZU96eF66-wrXk/s640/teatro+greco+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">setting up the screen for the Taormina Film Festival at the Teatro Greco</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Connected by a funicular, below Taormina are the beaches of Taormina Mare and the lovely Isola Bella, where you can stretch out in the sun on the public beaches, or lie out on sunchairs at the private lidos, and swim in the warm and intensely blue waters of the Ionian Sea.<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AfC38BiZI8XS8CE4QuVTdQhpnvTg8BYd3_wvyCLTlCGEeoBly0Pt-aZyb5R59CJCa06c8FNHs4MOAYA02AzcN2uxPm2BOemUFevhmvZBYpXckv3-u0TxuL8h_a88GDjWLzdpxm8-MNg/s1600/taormina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AfC38BiZI8XS8CE4QuVTdQhpnvTg8BYd3_wvyCLTlCGEeoBly0Pt-aZyb5R59CJCa06c8FNHs4MOAYA02AzcN2uxPm2BOemUFevhmvZBYpXckv3-u0TxuL8h_a88GDjWLzdpxm8-MNg/s1600/taormina.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isola Bella, Taormina</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkLHfyeWE1-YvnFb2A1ExSj0_vBanVXAAbyvDCBvzIFfh7zQwgGaGbpxVQVPkqYrrtTr1Z_0Wh8Mwf9lmiyp-Ow93HtzSByOl1FtGodlsSWvdv9-miItTbmJ0ECo8R5tUXGVetVCMPOw/s1600/isola+bella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkLHfyeWE1-YvnFb2A1ExSj0_vBanVXAAbyvDCBvzIFfh7zQwgGaGbpxVQVPkqYrrtTr1Z_0Wh8Mwf9lmiyp-Ow93HtzSByOl1FtGodlsSWvdv9-miItTbmJ0ECo8R5tUXGVetVCMPOw/s640/isola+bella.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Taormina Mare and Isola Bella</i></td></tr></tbody></table>Make sure you take time to enjoy the local wines and the unbelievably fabulous local cuisine.<br /><br />I can't wait to go back....</div>

Sicilian Obsession ~ Taormina

To say that I have become obsessed with the glorious island of Sicily would be an understatement. I think at this point, after a life filled...

11:48 AM

Dash of Fashion