If you’re dreaming about Italy travel that combines history, sea views, and cinematic charm, Taormina, Sicily should be at the top of your list. Today, our Coco’s tour group explored this famous coastal town — known for its views, its shopping, its incredible food, and its ancient Greek theater overlooking the bay below. From the moment I stepped onto the hotel balcony, I could see why Taormina has been a favorite for travelers for centuries. The Ionian Sea shimmered below, framed by the cliffs and Mount Etna in the distance. The morning air smelled like citrus and espresso, and the[…]
Month: November 2025
Day 5: Hidden Roman Treasures of Sicily
A Day of Hidden History Sicily has a way of surprising even the most seasoned traveler. Today was one of those unforgettable days. Hidden deep in the Sicilian countryside—truly in the middle of nowhere—we explored a 16,000-square-foot Roman villa preserved like Pompeii. Walking through this ancient house, it’s easy to feel transported back in time. This villa once belonged to a wealthy Roman merchant, whose trade network stretched from Africa to Rome. Exotic spices, silks, and even wild animals destined for gladiator arenas passed through here. Today, we can marvel at the mosaics covering every inch of the villa. They[…]
Day 4: Golden Hours in Agrigento: Sicily’s Temples, Vespas, and Sunset Magic
Morning in Villaggio Mosè Agrigento Sicily group tour. The sun was barely up over Villaggio Mosè, and the air already buzzed with the rhythm of Sicily — the scent of espresso, the hum of scooters, and laughter echoing through the narrow streets. Our group gathered in the piazza, where a slender stone tower stood tall against the blue sky. Beside it, two colorful Vespas — one blue, one red — waited like movie props ready for a chase scene. It was a perfect snapshot of Sicilian life: timeless, spirited, and effortlessly stylish. Journey to Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples A[…]
Day 3 A Taste of Sicily: Hands-On Farmhouse Memories
Today we said goodbye to Palermo and headed south toward Agrigento — through olive groves, sea views, and that golden Sicilian light. Our destination was a countryside farmhouse near Baia di Ulisse, where my dear friend Cinzia and her family welcomed us with open arms. A Warm Sicilian Welcome The moment we arrived, the aroma of warm milk filled the kitchen. Cinzia’s husband stood over a steaming pot, stirring slowly as he began turning milk into fresh cheese. The air was alive with laughter, conversation, and the sound of a curious little dog eager to be part of it all.[…]
Day 2 Monreale’s Golden Mosaics & a Proposal to Remember
If there’s one place in Sicily that never fails to stop me in my tracks, it’s Monreale. Just outside Palermo, perched on the hillside overlooking the bay, this small town holds one of the most extraordinary treasures in all of Italy — the Cathedral of Monreale. I’ve been to Italy more times than I can count, and to be honest, early on I didn’t give much thought to mosaics. But this is the day that changed my mind for good. Walking through those massive bronze doors, sunlight floods the cathedral and hits the gold mosaics — and suddenly the walls[…]
Day 1 in Palermo: A Warm Welcome to Sicily
We touched down in Palermo this afternoon and were whisked straight to our seaside hotel. Out one window I can see fishing boats bobbing in the bay; out the other, rows of cafés, bakeries, and gelato shops that make you want to wander and taste everything in sight. To the left of the hotel are family-run trattorias serving grilled seafood; to the right, a bakery whose scent of warm bread drifts into the street. But my favorite stop sits just across the way—a cozy café overlooking the water, perfect for a morning cappuccino or late-night limoncello. Tonight, our group gathered[…]