Sicily Italy travel, events, property & culture

October in Sicily and New flights

2011-09-25T18:40:00.000+01:00

October of every year my wife and I always head over to Sicily to see family and to enjoy a week of good local and traditional Sicilian food. Mixed also with a trip up to the old crater of the Etna and very often a trip to the beach in Catania.

The weather in October can be mixed but it the weather is often good enough such that sitting out on the veranda with a book and getting a full dau of sunshine, is not unusual. Head back to the UK at Gatwick Airport and the weather when we pick up the car is often cool, damp and wet. The drive back from Gatwick airport in London is never easy.

October is also a great time given that the main tourist groups have already left but the weather unless you are unlucky will provide you with a good stay. The good news is that Easyjet have also started flights between Gatwick and Catania in Sicily. This means more competition for direct flights with British Airways previously the only airline from London (Alitalia always offer indirect flights changing in Milan or Rome). (More on Easyjet in Sicily).
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5 Healthy Eating Restaurants in Sicily

2011-05-05T17:52:00.000+01:00

Italian Food

Sicily is a popular country with tourists as it enjoys glorious weather for much of the year and is famous for its friendly and welcoming locals. For many who like to visit Italy, they find the cities to be over crowded and lacking in culture in comparison to areas such as Sicily. One of the things most associated with Sicily is food, and in particular the healthy lifestyle. Below are some the best healthy eating restaurants in Sicily:

Spinnato - This restaurant is so popular with locals and tourists that people queue along the street to enjoy lunch here. The wait is well worth the wait however to enjoy the fresh and traditional Sicilian bakery goods.

La Buca - This is a quaint restaurant away from the main street. Along with the delightful outdoor seating, another key feature of the restaurant is the variety of food which is on offer. There is plenty of healthy and traditional Sicilian food.

Borgo Antico - This restaurant has a great pasta menu which is ably complimented by a variety of other healthy local dishes. Aside from offering healthy food, this restaurant also provides great food for the eyes with its fabulous views of some of the islands most beautiful landmarks.

Al Gabbiano - If you are a fan of seafood then this establishment is right up your street. It offers a good range of fresh seafood from its old town location in Old Catania.

Trattoria Kalliope - At this restaurant the homemade pasta is nicely contributed by fresh seafood and the historic setting.

Italian Weekends Away from Sicily

2011-04-06T19:00:00.000+01:00

I had vacationed in Venice with my family when I was a child, but back then, I was just a tourist and returned home with just a surface knowledge of this romantic city. I really got to know and love Venice when I started living there. The best way to enjoy Venice is to stroll along its narrow streets, savouring the sights of the Grand Canal, the Basilica San Marco, the Rialto Bridge and other places.

Venice Views

Since I am an artist, living in Venice is an especially delightful experience for me. I have been studying art in Venice for the past year, in spite of which I cannot help feeling awed at the sight of the gorgeous works of art in the churches of Venice or the displays in the Academia Gallery.
Venice offers some great cuisine too; in fact, you will never be disappointed with the food here. The city has its share of expensive and inexpensive places and while eating at expensive restaurants is definitely worth it, you can always get great sandwiches and delicious pasta at any street side cafe. The gelato in Venice still enchants me and I try to have one every week.
One of the things I love the most about Venice is its free Internet service located in a historic structure on the Salvadore Square and provided by the local telecom company. I also love the great food, the water taxi services, the gondola rides, the romantic walks and the amazing sights. You can enjoy the city after midnight when there is nobody around. Learn the local language and the culture if you want to live in Venice like an Italian.
Since Venice is a tourist hotspot, nobody can deny that it is expensive, but that is only for the tourists. If you are living in Venice, you will always find inexpensive places to get your food, groceries, clothing and other essentials.

My Joy in the Valley of Temples, Sicily

2011-01-23T18:26:00.003Z

On a recent trip to Sicily I decided that although I loved sunning myself on the glorious beaches and indulging in the local hospitality, on this occasion I would delve further into the culture of the island. I made the decision that I would explore the history of the island and visit some of the places which have played a significant part in it. After doing my research at home I packed my bag and headed off.

The place of historical interest that I was most keen to visit was the Valley of the Temples. I had previously visited a number of temples in Egypt, something that had only served to wet my appetite for more. As a result I had high expectations when setting off to see what Sicily had to offer in this respect. Much to my delight, I was by no means disappointed.

The Valley of Temples in Agrigento is open to the public all year round meaning that I was not restricted to when I could visit. I went in summer time in the hope that the weather would add to the occasion. As it happens, I was so caught up in the magnificence of the structures that I didn’t even notice the weather. The temples date back as far back as the Roman times and I found myself lost in thoughts of the Roman soldiers parading around area. The fact that some of the temples are in a state of ruin did not detract from my experience, in fact it added to it as I was happier to see the original ruins than I would have been to see a modern reconstruction.......

Also interested in Rome, Italy travel?

Another Weekend Away: Camping in France

2010-11-19T14:09:00.003Z

On my last trip to France, I decided to do something out of the ordinary and instead of staying in a hotel with my family, opted to go on a camping trip instead. We packed up what we thought were essential camping trip requirements for the weekend and then left for the Les Roulottes des Monédières camping site in the Corrèze region of France.

The camp can be accessed via ferry from Calais and Cherbourg and is about 400 miles between each region and the campsite. We took a ferry down from Calais and got ready to spend our weekend amidst the rich greenery of the national park area in Correze. Guests at the Roulottes des Monédières have the option of staying in a pretty wooden caravan that is well furnished and equipped with modern amenities.

Once we got settled in, we went to explore the scenic park grounds which were near a lake. The camp also housed a heated indoor pool, which I soon made use of. After this, I made a few calls from the camp’s telephone and then proceeded to hire some bicycles for the day since I had been told about the beautiful trails in the surrounding areas. The camp has its own bicycle stand and after getting out bikes, we went out to see the Vassiviére Lake, from where we rode down to Chamberet, a beautiful little village located a mere 800 metres away from the camp.

I had a great time here, and was able to buy plenty of souvenirs for friends and family back home from the cosy shops in the town. The region is also known for its ancient buildings. The next day we rode down to Treignac, another picturesque French town that has many street cafes and old buildings, each of which is known for its character. While at Treignac, we also stopped for cup of hot chocolate and some éclairs. The region also houses a museum and a beach.
We ended our day at the campsite, with games and sports and fun campsite activities for the whole family. If you also plan to combine the camping with a trip to Paris, Paris apartments with the likes of holiday-velvet.com can be a very good option, especially if you are a family looking to cust costs.

Weekend Breaks from Sicily: Seeing Venice, Italy

2010-10-20T00:45:00.004+01:00

Even though the weather, food and beaches are fantastic here in Sicily (and the skiing down the Etna is pretty good also) - it is still nice to get away every few months to the Italian mainland.

Venice is one of my most favourite places to visit in Italy (outside of Sicily) and I make a trip there at least twice a year. If you are visiting Venice for the first time, there are some things that you must do whilst there, if you want to experience the true soul of the city.

1. Venice is known for its gondolas and canals and any trip to Venice would be incomplete if you did not take a ride on one of these little boats. Although more expensive than the ordinary ferry rides, a gondola trip in Venice should be a “must do” on any traveller’s list. If you are on holiday with your spouse or partner, then taking a romantic gondola ride down the canal during the early evening at sunset hour is sure to be an experience you will never forget. If you are travelling in a group, you will be able to cut down on costs by availing of group discounts. Ideally, the Grand Canal in Venice is the best place for a gondola ride.

2. When in Venice one of the places you must see is the Doge’s Palace, which is near to St. Mark’s Basilica. You can also club a trip to both the attractions in one go and save on travel expenses. Called the Palazzo Ducale in Italian, this building once housed the most important leaders of the city. The palace is large gothic structure, and houses a prison which is included in the tour.

3. Visit the Campanile in St. Mark’s Square – this is the tallest building in Venice and will give you one of the most incredible views if the city. If you want a picture of the city that you will never forget, this is the place to get it. The bell tower has an elevator which will take you all the way to the top, from where you will see the rooftop of St. Mark’s Basilica and the whole city spread out at your feet.

If you are travelling around Europe, make sure also to visit our friends site. Dave has now set up a site for Barcelona activities (well done Dave) and offers events such as Barcelona city tours and mountain biking for groups.

Invest Sicily gets a refresh after 6 years

2010-06-14T23:50:00.003+01:00

A quick not this time to let you know that Invest Sicily is undergoing a major refit as it were with the whole site being redesigned. The site is being redesigned page by page day by day and if there is anything you think you would like included on Sicily, just let me know via paul (at) investsicily.com

Latest pages added include:

Areas of Sicily guide - which main area of Sicily covered, including Catania, Taormina and Siracusa.
Sicily Attractions - a more detailed section than before.
Sicily Property pages - Set to go live in the next few days, more detailed information on the property options for buying in Sicilia.
Sicily blog - This new regular feature will include the latest news from Sicilian culture.
in italiano - arrivare sicilia (for information in Italian on flight options to Sicily)

More soon... including the best flight options and guide to saving money in Sicily.

Holiday accommodation in Sicily

2010-05-21T18:28:00.003+01:00

When you come here to Sicily, it is worth mentioning that hotels are the only option for holiday and vacation accommodation, with some other options worth considering. One way I have in the last few years started to change the way I travel, is to use more holiday apartments rather than hotels.

Living in Sicily this for me means holiday apartments in Barcelona or Paris for example (two cities I spend a lot of time visiting). In Sicily this fairly new holiday accommodation type also seems to be getting popular and locations such as Taormina and Siracusa are ideal for short term apartment rental accommodation.

The benefits? Well for me it comes down to:

Kitchen included (which means self catering facilities) - which a hotel would not normally have.
More privacy (not having to worry about tipping the doorman and deal with staff seeing you every time you come and go from your hotel room).
Cheaper rates (per person per day if you are 3 or 4 people, holiday apartments can work out much cheaper).

In Sicily and more specific to a location of this type, country homes and villas are also very popular and a great choice also. Whatever form of accommodation you end up choosing for your holiday or vacation, you will love the food and wine and weather here!

Travel Photos in unusual locations - Volcanoes

2010-04-21T23:37:00.002+01:00

Taking travel photos or photographs is perhaps made easier when one is in an unusual location. If you are sat in a jeep in the middle of Yellowstone national park, perched on top of Table Top Mountain or perhaps on top of an active volcano?

Well, the photograph below is a picture of a house on the Etna volcano, a house which has becom submerged due to the lava as it flowed down the side of the volcano.

I am not sure what kind of pictures you love to take but I really enjoy pictures of unusual things like this. The Etna is still active and erupts just about every summer.

Sicily by the time is a great place to visit. If you go there try Sicily holiday rentals for accommodation. You might also want to know about flights to Catania, Sicily.

Flights to Sicily and British Airways strikes

2010-03-24T19:16:00.003Z

It is quite a dilemma when you have flights booked to Sicily as I do for this coming weekend and you do not know in advance if the flights will be going or not. Cancel early and you can change at no extra charge and not have the constant worry about if you'll be in Sicily for Easter, or the change the flight and lose the travel costs you might have booked to the airport.

I rebooked and hopefully I will end up in Catania for Easter. No doubt though that in another months time after these present strikes, British Airways will then have another sale to try and win people back. The problem is that they offer flights which are just so much cheaper to Sicily from London than Air Malta or Alitalia and Alitalia themselves strike a lot.

I quite like it when Air Malta have a sale for their direct flights from London to Sicily and the airline is quite good to fly with. It's a shame Easyjet have not started flights into Catania yet!

I am heading off next week for Easter to Rome. I tried a Rome City Holiday last year and had a great time and am heading back again to meet friends in the Piazza Navona. I can't.

Skiing in Sicily on the Etna volcano

2009-12-16T23:50:00.003Z

The winter is almost here again and apart from cold weather here on the villages of the Etna volcano, it also means that it is ski season on the Etna.

So many people associate Sicily with sunshine, beaches and great food, but not with skiing. On the Etna though it is normally covered in snow in the peak of season and although not as good skiing as the Italian or French alps, if you want to ski somewhere different and unusual, the Etna is it.

Every few years the Etna erupts in the summer time and this means that lava covered the ski lifts and then the Etna ski resort needs rebuilding (see BBC story attached). Providing there has not been a major eruption the previous summer, you should then be able to ski the Etna. More on Etna skiing on the Invest Sicily Sports page.

Taormina Property and Real estate focus

2009-08-02T21:14:00.002+01:00

Taormina is a stunning small village on the East coast of Sicily which attracts the stars and everyone looking for a scenic town with beautiful beachside property and with cute shopping streets, restaurants and a roman theatre with a stunning distant view of Mount Etna.

The properties, real estate and villas here offer excellent rental opportunities and even on a fairly low budget, buying a 1 bedroom apartment near to the village centre, can be well worth considering. For some apartments on sale at this time take a look at Taormina Property and Real estate.

You can also learn more about Taormina and atractions. The beach itself is at the bottom of a cliff and is accessible via some steep steps (excellent exercise) or via a cable car. On top of the cliff, are the main hotels, B&B's, shops and restaurants.

Next time we will take a look at Catania and the Real Estate market.

39 Degrees Celcius - too hot in Sicily

2009-08-02T21:11:00.001+01:00

In Catania, Sicily this week, temperatures hit 39 degrees celcius. Too hot!

We are now looking for people who are SELLING properties in Sicily, whether it be Catania, Etna, Taormina, Noto or anywhere else on Sicilia. Would you like to sell properties or land in Sicily? We are interested in talking to you.

Email us now at valeria@investsicily.com or visit our Sales Contact FormDon't forget to check the July properties also on our site at www.investsicily.com

Sicily Property of the month:

2009-08-02T21:07:00.003+01:00

Sicily Property of the month:

This month we offer you a magnificent villa in Taormina, the most exclusive resort in Sicily. The villa is located on a hill overlooking the sea and it is surrounded by beautiful terraces and by a Mediterranean garden with swimming pool. Read more and view photos.......

If you are looking to buy property in Sicily, iemme immobiliare buy and sell propertyin all areas including Catania, Messina, Taormina and Brucoli. (Their latest offerings include an appartamento in Catania and a Villa Nuova costruzione a Pedara. Iemme are one of the leading real estate agents based in Catania, Sicily in Italy.

New Property for sale in Sicily

2009-05-09T17:58:00.002+01:00

A quick post to let you know about 2 new properties we have added to InvestSicily.com

May 2009 - Fairly new small villa near to Taormina, Sicily. Apprx 160 metres square and quite close to the beach and village. This is through Iemme Real Estate. Details:

May 2009 - Also just added, Farmhous for sale in Ragusa. 200 square meters and in the countryside and a great opportunity for a property in a relaxed part of Sicily.

Messina Bridge Development - Sicily bridge

2009-03-27T19:08:00.002Z

The Messina bridge Development which would connect mainland Italy with Siicly could start in 2010 and it it does, it will be one of the most amazing bridge developments in the world.

Soem people oppose the bridge because they say it will create environmental problems, mean more money for the mafia and could be better spent. There are certainly benefits though and these would be:

Much quicker travel times between Sicily and the mainland.
A lot of construction jobs.
Increased property prices in Sicily and Southern Italy.
Improvements for road freight to and from Sicily.

Send us your comments with your views. Do you want the Messina Bridge development to proceed? Are you opposed to it?

Alternative Islands: Buying property in Northern Cyprus

2009-01-02T12:12:00.001Z

The North of Cyprus for real estate, is considered by many to potentially be a prime location for buying. The Northern coast, compared to other areas in Cyprus, is less developed and up until recently, it avoided the large developments.

The Northern coast is now expected to become an important investment area and over the next 10 years and according to who you talk to, or what media you read, the prices on the North coast of Cyprus could quite likely rocket!

Overall, Cyprus continues to be popular for visitors, with numbers in recent years rising, and with many areas of Cyprus as a whole, continuing to develop. Many older people are these days deciding to retire to Cyprus and rental opportunities, at least at the time of writing, continue to be good.

If you are thinking about buying property in Cyprus, do consider the North coast of Cyprus, especially if you are looking for somewhere with potential for profit.

Property in Sicily and the economy

2008-11-14T14:55:00.000Z

It is a strange time for buying and selling property with the economy sluggish and the EU State officially now in recession. Many of you often ask me if it is a good or bad time to buy and sell in Sicily and it really depends on your personal situation.

Sicily and Italy as a whole are a bit different in that the Italian economy has been in downturn for 2-3 years now and thus the recession will have far less effect in Sicily and Italy, than it is likely to in countries such as Spain, Germany and the UK.

It also depends on why you are buying and selling. If you are selling for example you may get less money now than 2 years ago, but then rebuying you can buy cheaper. Also if you are selling in Italy and plan to be in a country such as the UK, the weakness of Pound Sterling actually makes you 20% better off than 1 year ago just in currency rates so it could be a great time to sell in Sicily to buy in the UK for example. You can see that it really depends on your personal situation.

You can view the latest Sicily property offerings online and the latest is a 4 bedroom apartment in Catania. Location is very central and close to the rocks near to sea-front area.

Sicily flights with Alitalia

2008-09-22T00:22:00.000+01:00

Alitalia seem to be on their last legs and it is probably best to try and avoid booking now with Alitalia. There are several airline which fly to Sicily including airlines such as:

You can find a full list of flights and airlines to Sicily, Italy online.

Xmas Flights to Sicily, Italy

2008-07-23T18:35:00.001+01:00

If you are also looking to spend Christmas in Sicily, I advise you to think early about booking flights because budget flight prices for between Dec 20th and Jan 5th will be unlikely. Outside of those dates you can still get excellent prices with British Airways from London, UK but during those dates prices are almost triple.

I surfed the various airline sites and price comparison sites a few days ago and I did find tickets for £170 return including taxes direct between London and Catania direct and booked.

Alitalia at this time also have a sale on and you can fly to Sicily from London, UK for £150 including taxes, provided you do not mind one stop on mainland Italy AND these fares were Expedia.co.uk Special fares. Let us know of any good prices and deals wih your comments. More info about flights to Sicily here.

The Etna Erupts

2008-05-15T14:43:00.000+01:00

The Etna has been active again this last week with a seismic shift which caused the Etna to sprew some ash and to rumble a little. The Etna was lettign off steam the last few days and seems now to be settling.

For those of you thinking about buying property in Sicily, do no tbe alarmed. The Etna is an active volcano which is active and which every summer lets off a little steam. People are not usually in danger because the lava which does flow is usually controlled using machine diggers to carve a convenient patht for the lava to follow.

In terms of Sicily property news, the latest apartments in Sicily for sale are available on Invest Sicily. If you are also interested in Skiing in Italy read this.

Skiing on the Etna volcano, in Sicily

2008-03-06T13:05:00.001Z

This time of year, between the months of January and April is an excellent time for skiing the Etna volcano. You can literally stand on the ski slopes of the Etna and view the coast at the same time and on some days, ski on top of the Etna and lie on the beach the same day (although may be a little chilly).

There are ski lifts on top of the Etna and depending on what eruptions have occured on this acytive volcano, the previous months, the ski lifts will hopefully be working when you are there. Every few years lava damages the lifts in part, but lately the lifts have been working fine.

Skiing the Etna is NOT so much about having the best skiing. If you want that you will be better off in the Italian, Swiss or Frecnh alps. Skiing the Etna is more about enjoying the view and skiing somewhere unusual and combined with good food and wine in the evenings, you cannot go wrong. You can get further information from the Catania Tourist office at Via Cimarosa 10, I-95124 and you can email them direct at: Email: apt@apt.catania.it

For accommodation in Sicily and try British Airways for flights diret from cities such as London, UK.

Sant' Agata in Catania - February 2008

2008-01-16T16:03:00.000Z

If you are in or around Catania, Sicily in February this 2008, look out for the annual Aant' Agata festival in the city. This festival is centruies old and this festival continues to be very popular in Catania.

If last year is anythign to go by, you can expect to see several hundred thousand people flocking into the streets, particularly around the centre and the Piazza Duomo area. The events will commence from the 3rd of February and events including:

A fireworks display
A running race
Parades
Many street vendors selling hot food

The fireworks festival is scheduls to start from 8pm, although in true Italian tradition, do not expect them to start on time. For visitors to Catania, this is a great event to be present at, with the atmopshere excellent for this event unusually.

4 bedroom Catania apartment for sale, Sicily

2007-11-29T19:08:00.000Z

Sicily Property News: A friend has asked me to mention that she is selling a 4 bedroom apartment in Catania, Sicily in Italy and this apartment is in the city centre in a prime location.

Photos and a further description of the Catania apartment for sale are visible on InvestSicily.com. The apartment I am told is 480,000 Euros. The apartment has 4 bedrooms, is right by the sea-front and classy shopping area, has two bathrooms and two balconies etc.

You can also write directly for further information on this property, to Valeria at the email address: appartcatania@yahoo.it

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Sicily attractions and the Botanic Garden in Palermo

2007-11-21T10:51:00.000Z

If you are out and about in Sicily then one attraction I visited which I recommend for visiting and which is great is the Botanic Garden in Palermo, on the West coast of Sicily. Even if you are in the Palermo area for buying or selling property, it never does any harm to take a break and enjoy the beauty of nature.

The Palermo's Orto Botanico (Botanical Garden) are open usually 7 days a week and cost roughly 4 Euros and these gardens, which are a part of the University of Palermo, cover an area the size of two hundred and fifty acres. The gardens include an aquarium and numerous exotic plants.

The gardens are not worth traveling across Sicily for but if you are travelling or in Palermo then ithe gardens are worth visiting for an hour or two. Learn more about Sicily and investing.

Visiting Catania in Sicily, Italy

2007-10-31T21:09:00.001Z

If you are visiting Sicily soon and Catania is one of the places you will be staying in, there are a few things I highly recommend that you do and visit whilst there.

Catania fish market is amazing with the market a chance to really experience the real Sicilian way of life, with traders bartering, the strong smell of fresh fish and the lively atmosphere of the place in general.
Take a day trip to the top of Mount Etna. The volcano is active and provides a wonderful view of Catania.
Museo Belliniano. This museum is well worth seeing.

Learn more about Sicily, Italy and consider booking your accommodation in Sicily, Italy with Holiday Velvet.
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Staying in Sicily

2007-09-19T13:54:00.000+01:00

A question I often get asked is where should people book to stay in Sicily when they visit Sicily, whether it be Taormina, Catania, Messina or any other part of this wonderful island.

The first time I visited Sicily I booked my flights and my hotel through http://www.expedia.co.uk/ and I have to admt, they are very good. I like the service they offer and the hotel was quite decent. The more I travel and now with a family in tow with kids to think about, I happily came across the idea in Barcelona of apartments rental. I love the concept of staying in an apartment and being able to make 1 or 2 meals in the apartment now and again to reduce the holiday costs a little and also to have the space for the familt to relax. One thing more than any I found was that it can actually save a lot of money on hotel costs.

Last time I went to Sicily I rented an apartment in Catania for 10 days and all went perfect. It was just the slowness of the check in staff at Catania airport that bothered me. The stay itself though was good. You have to go up the Etna and visit Taormina. It is stunning.

Sicily Guide books

2007-07-16T22:39:00.000+01:00

It might seem obvious, but I strongly recommend getting a travel guide book if you plan to visit Sicily any time soon. A book such as the Lonely Planet Sicily is the bible fo rme when I travel to any place. No, before you ask, I do and have never worked for Lonely Planet (I wouldn't mind a job with them though).

To have so much information in such a small package is invaluable. Having an address of a recomended restaurant, which you can then simply show a taxi driver if you are really stuck, knowing what the local tipping situation is when you are in a restaurant, knowing how best to get to the airport etc etc all all such useful things to know.

You can read more about Sicily travel guides on http://www.investsicilyproperty.co.uk/books.htm

Property & Real estate market in Sicily, Italy

2007-06-14T19:40:00.000+01:00

The Sicily, Sicilian real estate and property market has been a little in the last 12 months with the indecision in the Italian government and the issues between Prodi and Berlusconi etc. Overall though, real estate, including apartments and villas have still increased in value over the last 12 months.

Things are a little sluggish but consider the fact that Sicily is the only Mediterranean island which is undeveloped for tourism and the fact that is prices are good now for owning property, imagine what the same properties in Sicily, will be worth when the Italian economy IS strong again in a year or two or three?

Need information on flights to Catania, Sicily and info on the new Catania airport?

The modernisation of Catania airport, Sicily

2007-05-17T14:41:00.000+01:00

Flying in and out of Sicily on business can be a lot easier when the airport you are using is spacious, has good facilities and is well organised. Catania International airport, which serves the main east coast city of Catania and other resorts such as Taormina, has in the last 6 months been renovated and the results are now impressive.

Catania airport has now had an extra terminal added onto the airport and the result of this is a whole load more space in the airport. The airport before was cramped and facilities not the best. With new toilet/washroom facilities, more cafes and shops, the improvements are welcome additions. If you use the aiport like I do, several times a year, you will appreciate the benefits the new changes will bring. Need information of flights to and from Catania?

Taormina Sicily, Italy

2007-04-20T18:31:00.000+01:00

If you are looking for somewhere which really is beautiful in Sicily and which has a beach and is lively, then Taormina is a place you should definitely consider buying real estate or property in.

Situated on the east coast of Sicily and about 1 hours south of the large city of Catania and Catania International airport), Taormina is a small sits which ismaily based on top of a cliff face, hence the stunning views.

In the summer time many of the stars come to Taormina for the annual film festival and it is easy to see why this place is so popular. The town centre is composed of a few hundred privately run and stylish shops, cafes and restuarants, whilst the beach sits below the cliffs and can be accessed by steps, road or by the cable car.

Property is affordable on a reasonable budget if you look for a 1 or 2 bedrom apartment just off of the main streets. Taormina real estate is certainly worth considering if you want to see in a vibrant and enjoyable place.
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The Sicilian language: A little Sicilian before buying your villa (15th March 07)

2007-03-15T10:23:00.000Z

If you plan to live or spend time in Sicily in the future (or Sicilia as the locals might say), then understanding a little bit about the culture can improve your experience. Before buying a villa in Sicily, why not learn a few words of Sicilian and read up on a little of the history?

The Sicilian dialect, or language as many experts consider it, has ancient roots and a long history. There is also a tradition of literature in Sicilian, starting from the XIII century at the court of Frederick the II, called the ‘Sicilian School’ (learn more about the Sicilian School on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_School ). The Sicilian language has its most ancient roots in the language of populations who lived in Sicily long before the Greeks and the Romans arrived: the Sicani, Siculi and Elimi. During the centuries the Sicilian language was influenced by the several populations that invaded or influenced Sicily: Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, French, Lombard, Provencal, Spanish, German, Catalan etc.

If you are curious about the Sicilian language, check this online Sicilian-English dictionary websters-online-dictionary.org/definition/Sicilian-english.
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Buying property on the Etna volcano, Sicily, Italy (13th Feb 07)

2007-02-13T16:45:00.000Z

Buying and living in property or real estate actually on the hillsof the Etan Volcano is far different from what you might first at think. My father-in-law lives on the Etna and I often visit and what a great place to live.

The Etna is far bigger than many people think and the sides of the Etna thus cover many many miles and many villages exist on the Etna. The etna volcano does erupt but the lava is always directed with the use of trenches, to direct the lava safetly. The lava also tends not to travel far. Still interested in buying property on a volcano in Sicily?

The land is incredibly fertile because of the lava and the view is magnificient. Can you imagine being able to see both the ocean and the volcano. On some days you can ski on the top of the Etna or you can relax on the beach. Property prices tend also to be far cheaper than in the city of Catania.

Food and Sicily: The benefits of living an downing property in Sicily

2007-01-24T20:51:00.000Z

If you live and own property in Sicily Sicilia then you will already no doubt appreciate two things: The climate and the food. If you are still considering whether or not to delve into the real estate market and buy that villa you want, the food might persaude you otherwise.

The person who is responsible for really highlighting the relationship between Sicily and food in the last year, has been Jamie Oliver. Known popularly as the Naked Chef, Jamie's TV tour and cookbook promote the islands cuisine.

In Sicilia try some arancini, some bruschette or some seafood risotto. Enjoy the benefits of cooking with mozzarella, basil, anchovies and cherry tomatoes (grown on the incredibly fertile Etna). I would personally consider buying property in one of the villages on the Etna volcano, near Catania. The lava makes the soil very very fertile and this makes the foods which grow, extremely rich in flavour. The villages also often provide a stunning view of the ocean. You can see the Etna and ocean from your villa.
To learn all about Sicilian and Italian food you can buy Jamie oliver's book.

Connecting Sicily and Holland (3rd Jan 07)

2007-01-03T18:11:00.000Z

Getting to and from Sicily is now made easier especially for those of you who have business and reasons to visit Holland. The excellent news is that a new airline called Transavia fly to from Catania, Sicily to Amsterdam, Netherlands.

This budget airline have cheap flights and fly fairly regularly.You can visit their website at
http://www.transavia.com/en/destinations.
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Sicily jobs created - good news for the economy (31st Dec 06)

2006-12-31T22:53:00.000Z

Property and real estate news - anything that benefits the local economy must good for Sicily and anyone living in Sicily. The recent news in the last 2 weeks is that more than 2,500 have been hired for call centre work via the Almaviva group.

The Sicily jobs will involve permanent contracts for the workers, many of whom work in palermo and Catania and several of whom were previously part-time workers.

Sicily Property news:Infrastructure improvements (28th Nov. 06)

2006-11-28T00:19:00.000Z

Improving the infrastructure is always goign to benefit real estate and property owners and thus the news that work will soon start on the Palermo railway link is great news. Palermo, one of the main cities in Sicily, will at last see work begin on its railway after many delays.

The work will eventually link Palermo to the mainland of Italy. The train is transferred to ferry for crossing at Messina between the mainland and Sicily. The line shoul dhave been started before but paperwork and regulations have delayed the project in the past.
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Amusement Park to be built in Sicily, Italy (17th Nov. 06)

2006-11-17T19:25:00.000Z

It was announced this week that an amusement park will be built in Sicily, Italy, in what will be a €600 million plus development. To go-ahead, the development needs one final signature and this is expected for appoval on November 23rd. The Sicilian amusement park woul dbe opened in 2009 and would most likely be built on a 280 hectare site in Regalbuto near Lake Pozillo.

It is not clear from press reports, exactly what form the amusement park would take, although there has been mention of replicas of famous attraction such as the Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, the Tower of Pisa, the Egyptian Pyramids and a Swiss village.
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Experiencing Sicilian Food in New York City (25th Oct.06)

2006-10-25T14:28:00.000+01:00

A lot of people with Sicilian heritage, born in Sicily or with family from Sicily, live and own property in America. Well if you live in New York City, you can still experience a slice of Sicilian culture by visiting the Agata & Valentina Ristorante, loacted on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, NYC.

A variety of Sicilian foods are available, with Sicilian cooks and also with an owner whop goes by the name of Giovanni Alfa. Giovanni, the owner and executive chef of Locanda del Borgo in Rosolini, Sicily offers eaters tasty foods such as ravioli stuffed with grouper, clams and bottarga, traditional Sicilian pizza and Sicilian pasta dishes. You can also eat home made ice cream and a wide selection of Sicilian pastries.

The restaurant has menus for lunch, dinner or brunch and the dress code is listed as being casual dress. Expect to spend around $40 each on average (unless you drink a lot of Italian wine :) The exact location is 1513 First Avenue (79th Street; 212-452-0691)
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Sicily to mainland Italy - Messina bridge plan dropped (13th Oct.06)

2006-10-13T11:42:00.000+01:00

Bad news yesterday for real estate investors in Sicily with the development of the Messina Bridge abandoned by the Prodi government. The bridge would have been the world's longest supension bridge and would have connected Sicily to the mainland by road. This surely would be excellent for the top if mainland Italy and for Sicily.

Environmentalists claim that it would have been bad for the environment but these claims seem largely unfounded. It is certainly not good news for Sicily but there are sure to be some people who will be happy that Sicily will keeps its isolation. The project was heavily promoted by the previous Prime Minsiter Berlusconi but the present Minister Prodi, has always been against it. It is claimed that the projected cost of four billion euros plus can be better spent in the South on exisiting roads and infrastructure.
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Sicily Italy real estate: Books to read before buying (5th Oct. 06)

2006-10-05T09:58:00.000+01:00

Before flying off to Catania, Palermo or Trapani, to find your holiday home property or real estate, there are two books I personally would recommend taking or reading. One book is directly related to the property market in Italy and the second is for general travel in Sicily.

One of the best and most extensive books I have found is 'Buying a Property: Italy' ("Sunday Times" Buying a Property S.). This book covers many areas involved with buying property and also includes sections such as dealing with Italians and the business style etc. For the cost of the book, it is well worth every penny considering what you will learn and become aware of.

To complement this book, I would recommend also buying 'Sicily (Lonely Planet Regional Guides S.). This book is specific to Sicily and will tell you a lot about a lot fo subjects. How to get to Sicily, the Sicilian people, the food, best areas etc. Armed with these two books you will have a good grounding on buying Italian property and on Sicily itself.
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New flights into Trapani, Sicily from Ireland (28th Sep. 06)

2006-09-28T14:48:00.000+01:00

Just a brief blog today to tell you some good news. If you whave property or real estate in or near Trapani in Sicily, from February 2007, Ryanair (the Irish airline) will begin flying between Dublin (Ireland) and Trapani (Sicily). This could certainly benefit Irish property investors who are interested in the island of Sicily.

Ryanair are a budget airline and they already fly London (Stansted),UK to Palermo (Sicily). Trapani itself is relatively close to Palermo; Trapani situated on the West Coast of Sicily, Italy. Trapani is a scenic fishing port, with ferries to the Egadi Islands and Trapani was originally founded by ancient Greeks. Check our site for Trapani property.
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Bridge connecting Sicily to the mainland...latest (20th Sep. 06)

2006-09-20T14:36:00.000+01:00

If you are a property or real estate investor in Sicily, you will probably be aware of the ongoing situation regarding the proposed Messina bridge, which would connect Sicily and mainland Italy, by road, and drastically reduce the speed to travel between the two. The bridge would in effect probably greatly aid the Sicilian economy and make Sicily even more accessible and attractive to investors and realtors. With the defeat of Berlusconi from office, the bridge project (which would mean creating the longest suspension bridge in the world) this year 2006 looks unlikely to go ahead. The project was a pet project of Berlusconi’s and Prodi who has taken over power, clearly seems to believe that the bridge is unnecessary and a waste of money.

On the 19th September 2006, approximately 1000 residents of Sicilian and neighbouring mainland areas i.e. marched in Rome to voice their support and desire for the Messina bridge project, demanding an improved infrastructure in the South of Italy, which has arguably, been neglected over the years. The North of Italy is more affluent than the poorer south. One group involved with the protest went as far as staging a pretend funeral to highlight the death of the bridge project. The protestors want the project brought back to life.

Sicily has lacked investment in the past and the protestors, who included Sicily's local government chief Salvatore Cuffaro, believe that the bridge would drastically help the Sicilian economy and also create thousands of jobs. The bridge has already been approved by the E.U. and there is a fair amount of opposition to the bridge, in addition to support for it. The opposition highlight the costs that would be involved, and concerns that the mafia could become involved in the financial side of the construction work. Others highlight concerns over the environmental impact of the bridge, if it is built. Many Sicilians though, feel that they deserve finally to get some investment into their depressed region.

Under Berlusconi, the bridge development would have commenced this year and finished 2012, at an estimated cost of more than 4 billion euros. Estimates in the media, state that the bridge would likely be able to handle four and a half thousand cars per hour, up to two hundred trains a day. This project would certainly help the Sicilian economy and also booast the Sicily real estate market.
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Spirits high in Sicily, Italy (14th Sep. 06)

2006-09-14T14:18:00.001+01:00

Any property or real estate dealers and investors who are also sports fanatics, will find Sicily an appetising place this year not just because of the Italian food, but because Palermo, Catania and Messina are ALL now in the top flight of Italian football this season, in Serie A.

Catania football (calcio) club have been promoted from Serie B, whilst Messina calcio club would have been relegated last season but for other teams being sent to Serie B over the football corruption scandal in Italy. Palermo FC from the West coast of Sicily, start their 2nd season in Serie A and they are also present this season in the UEFA Cup.

The success of the Sicilian sides can only booast moral on the island of Sicily and this one would imagien is to the benefit of residents and investors. The feel good factor can never be ignored.
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New properties for sale in Sicily (7th Sep. 06)

2006-09-07T22:20:00.000+01:00

Two new properties for sale in Sicily, Italy have recently been added to the Invest Sicily website. The first new piece of real estate for sale is a Villa in Nicolosi, Sicily. This villa is located on the mountain in Nicolosi, Catania province, in the Tardaria Monte Difeso district. The house has 6 rooms and a large open-plan kitchen and 3 bathrooms. The property takes up a 6,600msq. in area etc take a look at further details on this Sicily villa here. Requested price: Euros 300,000

The 2nd property Cottage on the mountain in Pedara, Catania. This property is in the Tardaria district and this cottage is completely new and it was built following the restraints and the architectonic dictates imposed by the Etna Natural Park Board. Materials used in the design include volcanic stone, Sicilian terracotta tiles and chestnut wood. The building is surrounded by a big, well kept lawn (square metres 3,600), where 650 different types of trees and shrubs have been planted, to guarantee a perfect environmental balance. View further details on this Pedara, Catania property.
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Flights to Sicily, Italy for your property viewing (30th Aug 06)

2006-08-30T15:01:00.000+01:00

If you want to buy Real Estate or property in Sicily, you might well be wondering what your best option is for flying to Sicily, Italy. In recent years more airlines have started flying to Sicilia, as investments in Sicily become greater. Below I have listed all of the main options for flying onto the island of Sicily. I hope you find this of use.

Virgin Express fly into Catania and and Palermo aiports in Sicily, from Brussels, Belgium.
Virgin Express' hub and if flying between Belgium and Sicily this is a good option.

Meridiana is an Italian airline who fly into Catania, Sicily from the Italian mainland. Meridiana also have some connections from London and a few other European cities.

My-Air are a budget airline who fly between Catania and Bologna and Milan (with connections to Barcelona).

Hapag-Lloyd Express seem also to be a budget style airline in terms of pricing and they fly between Germany and Sicily. They offer flights between Catania, Sicily and Hanover
and between Palermo, Sicily and Hanover, Cologne/Bonn and Stuttgart.

British Airways have flights very reasonably priced between Gatwick, London and Catania. This is a relatively new route for British Airways and prices are often about £100 return/roundtrip - often as cheap or cheaper than many budget airline prices.

Air One fly into Palermo and Catania from mainland Italy.

Ryanair fly during the summer months from London Stansted to Palermo. Ryanair often offer very cheap flights but these fares are often more expensive than the British Airways flights. The difference being Ryanair fly into Palermo and British Airways into Catania.

Air Malta sometimes offer good priced flights into Sicily via Malta and also sometimes have well priced connecting flights London to Sicily via Malta.

Alitalia offer frequent flights into Sicily to both Catania and Palermo from mainland Italy. Flights are not usually that cheap but they fly regularly.

and finally, Windjet offer budget style flights between Catania and Palermo airports to several Italian and European cities.
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Sicily and the luxury Tax: A consideration when buying real estate in Sicily, Italy? (22nd Aug 06)

2006-08-22T12:32:00.000+01:00

When you are buying a villa, apartment or perhaps farmhouse in Sicily, you will want to consider every possible expense, if looking to invest. One new expense in the form of taxation, is the new luxury tax, as it is being called.

Even though visitors docking their luxury yachts would incur a new tax (if the proposal goes through - similar to the tax already in place in Sardinia) it is worth considering that this when added onto other taxes, will not necessarily make you any worse off for example, than when you consider the total amount of taxes etc in countries such as England. New forms of stealth tax in England, seem to be created almost daily) so do not necessarily be distracted by the proposal of the luxury tax in Sicily, Italy: The benefits still way outweigh this new proposed tax.

The tax truthfully told though, might affect people docking at Sicilian ports, drivers of sport utility vehicles and possibly even visitors to areas such as national parks (perhaps very small amount though). The tax seems primarily to be aimed at the jet-set i.e. the wealthier people and if you are docking a boat, then the fees may be surprisingly high. If you are boat owner then it is certainly worth following the news on this luxury tax.

You can read more details about this story on the Times Website
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Sicily and the jellyfish invasion (11th Aug 06)

2006-08-11T16:55:00.000+01:00

Anyone who questions the validity of global warming affects on our climate need only take a visit to the island of Sicily, to see how jellyfish have invaded this Mediterranean island

Making Sicily their home :), the jellyfish have invaded several Mediterranean countries and this has affected holiday makers including especially in Sicily and parts of Spain and France. With hot dry weather bringing the creatures closer to the shore, the jellyfish have not cooled by the mess saline water near the coasts. In Spain some beaches have even been closed as hundreds of stinging jellyfish threaten swimmers.

This summer's dry, hot weather has increased the salinity of coastal waters, in term resulting in the Jellyfish ending up near shore. As well as the problem of jellyfish on the beaches, there is also the problem of increasing numbers of jellyfish, with the the natural predators of jellyfish (such as turtles and tuna) themselves decreasing in numbers due to overfishing. If you are stung by a Jellyfish by the way, you should avoid rubbing it with sand or a towel. Instead you should cool the sting with ice wrapped in a plastic bag.

The great August holidays - Sicily (2nd Aug 06)

2006-08-02T10:57:00.000+01:00

In Sicily and mainland Italy, the country tends in many ways to almost grind to a halt during the month of August, with millions of Italians taking the month of August off. When last in Sicily, all of the local gyms for example were closed for the whole month. If you are planking on buying land or real estate in Sicily, then be aware that doing business may be very difficult in this month. Property owners may be away on vacation, lawyers offices may be closed etc. AVOID buying in August if you possibly can!

This year, it is estimated that more than 17 million Italians will travel for August. Of these seventeen million, thirteen are thought to be taking holidays in Italy whilst four million will go abroad. Tuscany and SICILY are the two top destinations within Italy whilst Tunisia is one of the main foreign locations.

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10 Reasons to buy property in Sicily, Italy (1st Aug. 06)

2006-08-01T12:27:00.000+01:00

1. Great year round climate.
2. Great beaches (particularly La Playa, Catania).
3. Amazing scenery including the Etna and the vineyards.
4. Sicilian food, including Panella and Arancine (fried rice balls stuffed with meat or cheese). Also fresh fish.
5. Non-touristy developments.
6. Potentially large growth due to this being an untapped Mediterranean island.
7. Rental opportunities ie. in Taormina. A one or 2 bedroom apartment bought in or near to the city centre can produce very reasonable yields, even when considering the buying price.
8. Sicily is still affordable at the moment.
9. The economy has been low thus it can only really go up in the future and this could benefit house prices.
10. very cultural - having been conquered by most cultures.
Click here for more ideas and information on Sicily

New flights into Sicily Italy: Catania with Windjet (18th July 06)

2006-07-18T12:02:00.000+01:00

Catania, Sicily in Italy has now become even more accessible for foreigners or ex-pats looking to visit Sicily on Real Estate and property finding trips. The airline WindJet fly between Catania and Barcelona, Verona, Madrid, Paris, Bergamo, Pisa and Roma.

The airline will begin this summer 2006. The Sicilian low cost airline with flights two or three times a week to detsinations and also with flights into and from Palermo. . Wind Jet has made the changes celebrating its third year of existence. WindJet owns ten Airbus 320's. Coonections to Russia will also be possible via mainland Italy.

New Palermo property page (21st June 06)

2006-06-21T17:03:00.000+01:00

Palermo Real Estate and Homes - Sicily, Italy is a new page which now highlights some aspects of buying property in Palermo, Italy. If you want to live in what I would call real Sicily, then living on the North-Western coast of Sicily, Italy is worth considering. You can fly there with Ryanair from Germany and UK. Alternatively, you can try a package there for a viewing - try Magic of Italy for example. The fact that Palermo has its own International airport (quite small though) and the fact that it has excellent weather make it an interesting possibility for buyers who require a 2nd home. Sicily is still cheaper to buy real estate in, than many other parts of mainland Italy - so its worth considering.

You must be aware that it can be hard in Sicily and all of Italy to get anything done, because of bureaucracy, but if you are a very very patient person, then the sunshine and fresh foods and pace of life are the reward. It is not a city for everyone. It is not easy to get used to so ensure you visit before even seriously thinking about buying land, property or real estate in Palermo, Sicily.

Sicily - Buy a place in the sun (7th June 06)

2006-06-07T13:14:00.000+01:00

The word emerging market has been used in the last few years to describe Sicily in terms of the property market on this Mediterranean island. Since the introduction of the Euro, prices have risen quite substantially, yet the properties are still cheap compared to other parts of Sicily.

These days more and more airlines are alsoflying into Sicily, into cities suchas Catania and Palermo, with airlines such as http://www.ryanair.com and http://www.britishairways.com no flying directly onto the island.

We will be writing more in detailsoon about the types of property and real estate you can buy in Sicily. For now, we recommend the site http://www.investsicilyproperty.co.uk
Paul