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Sicily blooms …

While we struggle to save our gardens from drowning, Sicily starts to prepare for this weekend’s Infiorata di Noto which transforms Noto’s main street, the Corrado Nicolaci, into a flowered carpet of petal filled mosaic-style pictures.

The final effect, which is similar to a stained glass window, is created by artists who outline scenes with a special organic soil then fill them in with specially prepared flower petals and seeds.   Let’s hope it doesn’t rain ….

Visit soloSicily for holiday ideas around Noto and other baroque towns in SE Sicily.

Villa Cordevigo

Romancing the Bard

Could Shakespeare really have been Sicilian?  And when we’re listening to da Mosto’s dulcet tones, do we even care?

OK, so some of the details in the first of Francesco da Mosto’s two-part BBC2 series, Shakespeare in Italy (Thursday 3 and 10 May, 9.00 pm), were slightly far-fetched but the credibility factor was completely overshadowed by views and scenes from some of northern Italy’s most glorious towns and cities and da Mosto’s unnerving ability to bring out everything that’s good about his native country.  This was just one stop short of actually being there.

See it all for yourself on an ExpertoItaly two-centre trip to Verona and Venice, with a stop in Padua.

Read more in the The Times and Sunday Times .

Sicily

Sicily – the only place to be in May

As if there wasn’t enough to do in Sicily … May brings with it a whole range of additional activities and events around the island.  Book now for the Greek Theatre Festival in Syracuse, Sicily (11 May – 30 June), generally considered the most important classical theatre event in Italy.   Taking place in Syracuse’s astonishing Greek Theatre, the 2012 season is the 48th cycle of classical plays, featuring Aeschylus’ Prometheus, Euripedes’ The Bacchae and Aristophanes’ The Birds.

Or for something a little more laid back, head to the west of the island where the World Festival on the Beach (14-20 May) takes place at Mondello Beach, just outside Palermo.  Events include top-level displays by windsurf and sailing world champions, beach volleyball, sky diving, paragliding, kite surfing and jazz concerts.

Last week’s Sunday Times included details of both events, with accommodation with JG Communications’ clients, soloSicily and ExpertoItaly.

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Affordable family holiday on the Amalfi coast?

Sounds too good to be true but the Amalfi coast can be affordable and has plenty to do – just pick the right accommodation, with a pool and close to a beach – and everyone’s happy.

Take a look at the Sunday Times’ round-up of affordable summer school holiday breaks which includes ExpertoItaly’s Casale Villarena in Nerano.

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Sardinia – all glitz and glamour?

Despite what you may have heard, Sardinia isn’t just about Gucci shades and Prada handbags.  Think again and discover the real Sardinia – amazing beaches, turquoise seas and some really friendly Italian resorts.

Speak to the experts and find out about more affordable family-friendly holidays at places like ExpertoItaly’s Terra di Mare Resort in north east Sardinia – great beaches, the friendly local town of San Teodoro and plenty for the kids to do without the sometimes unwelcome routine of kids clubs and structured activities.

More information in The Times’ list of 10 family half-term holidays or from www.expertoitaly.com.

Marie Claire

Kick back in Sicily …

Sicily … so much to see, so much to do … and so much harder when you’re staying somewhere like soloSicily’s Villa Elena where frankly, all you want to do is lie by the pool with a book.

Take a look at Marie Claire’s feature on Sicily this month and watch the island jump up to number one on your list of where to go this summer.

Read Sicily article in Marie Claire, March 2012 here.

Hotel Villa Angela, Taormina

The Spring sunshine starts here

Can’t wait for some Spring sunshine? Some nice ideas from the Sun at the weekend, including ExpertoItaly’s very appealing Hotel Villa Angela in Taormina, Sicily.

Get a culture fix at Taormina’s amazing Greek amphitheatre and take the ‘can’t miss’ trip up Mount Etna; but make sure you squeeze in some serious people-watching on the main Corso Umberto as well as a visit to the gardens at the Villa Communale, full of wonderful Mediterranean plants, ornamental pavillions and cool shady seating areas.

Click here to see The Sun article.

night view from Villa Angela, Taormina

Expert advice

We’re delighted to be working with ExpertoItaly who organise tailormade holidays to Italy.

The company works closely with a selection of small, independently-run hotels and villa owners in Tuscany, Sicily, Sardinia and on the Amalfi coast, and with the support of its local team of representatives, will organise anything from flights and transfers to cookery classes and private guided tours.

Hot spot for Spring? We’re having a few problems pinpointing our favourite but this view from the Hotel Villa Angela in Taormina looks pretty special.

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‘Simply perfect’

The Daily Express travel pages summarised all that’s great about the Sands Resort in a recent review, declaring it ‘one of the most family-friendly places you could hope to stay in’.

Click here to read the Daily Express review.

The Times, 40 coolest villas

Poolside or seaside?

Villa holidays offer the ultimate freedom – eat when and what you want, wear what you want and do just about what you want.  But how do you choose your perfect villa when there’s such a huge choice?

First stop, pool or sea ….  Do you choose a villa for its pristine turquoise pool or are you more attracted by the prospect of an early morning dip in sparkling seas?

In the recent Times round-up of Top 40 coolest Mediterranean villas, a couple of villas ticked both boxes.  Check out soloSicily’s Casa d’Eraclea, with its ‘pool with a view’ and just a 10-minute stroll down to a long sandy beach.

Click here for The Times, 4 February 2012 article.

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