The first time I visited Helsinki I read in a tourist guide, available in my hotel room, a compelling tip: you cannot miss it ... let's visit Suomenlinna the 8th Wonder of the World !!
I did it and actually I liked very much. No doubts, the most exciting part of my tour was the return trip. In fact for reaching the small Island I took a ferry and for moving back to Helsinki, I walked on the frozen sea just in front the harbour.
Some weeks later I went to Sicily and I decided to visit a quite unknown archaeological site placed on the southwest coast of the island - Selinunte.
Hoping do not offend my Finnish friends, Suomenlinna is simply nothing compared. It's a shame that Selinunte is still almost ignored by the local tourist offices. Sometimes I image what my Finns either British friends could do having at their disposal an heaven like Sicily.
If you plan to visit Sicily don't forget of course to visit Selinunte but definitely don't miss to arrange a tour of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, a visit of the magnificent mosaics placed in Roman Villa del Casale, a walk trough the magic barocco style in Noto and Modica alta and plan in advance some quality time to be spent in Syracuse where, being lucky enough, is possible watching a Greek Tragedy seated on a real wonderful ancient amphitheater.
To complete ideally your trip, be sure to have a Sicilian summer breakfast based on "Granita and briosche" in Acitrezza 10 km. northern Catania, plan a climb on Etna Volcano (there is a service that arrange trips in both Etna South - Nicolosi or Etna North site - Linguaglossa) that is still erupting in these days and last but not least a romantic dinner in Taormina the pearl of Mediterranean sea.
Have fun and contact me if you wish more info !!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Crossroads ...
When I left Sicily and my loved hometown Catania, moving to Milan, I considered that city as the ancient Greeks might consider the Pillars of Hercules.
I learned that limits are quite seldom physical but rather mental and north, south, east and west, are most of the time useless references who make sense only for getting the right geographical direction.
In a world where people fear diversity, I've realized that I was very fortunate to meeting wonderful human being, who were so different in terms of culture and background than me. No better no worse just different.
It was a privilege listening at them, trying to understand their point of view and sometime facing the challenges to remove the bias from my mind.
These people taught me so much and now it's time to share by blogging this wonderful experience.
As I wrote in my Italian blog, our life is so short let's try to leave a better world behind us ...
(Cape of Good Hope South Africa - February 2005)
I learned that limits are quite seldom physical but rather mental and north, south, east and west, are most of the time useless references who make sense only for getting the right geographical direction.
In a world where people fear diversity, I've realized that I was very fortunate to meeting wonderful human being, who were so different in terms of culture and background than me. No better no worse just different.
It was a privilege listening at them, trying to understand their point of view and sometime facing the challenges to remove the bias from my mind.
These people taught me so much and now it's time to share by blogging this wonderful experience.
As I wrote in my Italian blog, our life is so short let's try to leave a better world behind us ...
(Cape of Good Hope South Africa - February 2005)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)