Soul Window

Allison Scola's writings, musings, and inspirational images about music, songwriting, food culture, Italy, and Sicily.

[allisonscola]

Today was our annual Saint Joseph's ritual breadmaking workshop. This year, @experiencesicily partnered with @noiaw. This bread making practice is a form of prayer to San Giuseppe. The loaves, which are made in the shape of flowers, doves, fava beans, and carpentry tools, to name a few, are meant to thank this patron of fathers, fatherhood, carpenters, and those who toil for their work for having gotten us through the famine (of winter) and/or asking for protection or abundance for the year ahead. The breads will be placed on our altar for St. Joseph during next Sunday's feast of San Giuseppe luncheon in New York City. Join us to celebrate spring'! Register at link in bio or at ExperienceSicily.com. #experiencesicily #sicily #sicilia #sicilytravel #italy #italia #saintjospeh #sangiuseppe #panerituale #ritualbread (at Cacio e Vino) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cptmno8si5K/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Artichokes are in season in Sicily right now. They are everywhere. And so, what do you order? Artichokes! (And fennel too!). Looking for an "insider" place to eat in Palermo: Trattoria Club Rosanero. #experiencesicily #sicily #sicilia #sicilytravel #italy #italia #artichokes #carciofi #Palermo #rosanero (at Trattoria Club Rosanero) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpVWkq4sG-r/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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This is Salvatore. He is one of the baristas I frequent when I am at my homebase in Porticello. It's wonderful to have a barista that you appreciate for their art and skill at your local bar. If even it is "local" for just a couple of days during your trip. Salvatore makes a wonderful caffè macchiato decaffeinato (My drink of choice, which he now knows is my "regular"). #experiencesicily #sicily #sicilia #barista #caffemacchiato #travellikealocal #italy #italia #sicilytravel #travel (at Cafè Solunto) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpQhpnZsA0y/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[allisonscola]

Riserva Naturale Orientata Capo Gallo is another magnificent corner of Sicily, west of Palermo. Go there to take in outstanding visits of mountains meeting the sea with the islands of Ustica and Isola delle Femmine in the distance. Grazie @equizzisalvo per aver condiviso il tuo posto magico con me. #experiencesicily #sicily #sicilia #sicilytravel #italy #italia #hikinginsicily #hiking #Palermo #montagne #mare (at Riserva naturale orientata Capo Gallo) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpNooulsQxU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[allisonscola]

I look for the nuances when I see images. In this street art Madonna and Jesus, notice that both mother and child are holding sprigs of wheat. If you are paying attention, this exemplifies not only how important wheat is in Sicily, but also the ancient connection of this image of mother and child to Demeter (goddess of the grain) and Kore, from pre-Christian times. Our mother, whether depicted as the Virgin Mother or as an ancient Goddess of the grain - - gives us life and sustenance, and holds us. The message is timeless. This image is so beautiful for so many reasons. #experiencesicily #sicily #sicilia #madonnaandchild #streetart #porticello #Palermo #sicilytravel #italy #italia (at Porticello, Sicilia, Italy) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpI-NLQsbeK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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The almond blossoms are starting to bloom in Agrigento province. This one I photographed two days ago in the Sicani Mountains north of Agrigento. Soon the hillsides of southern Sicily will be painted white! It's a beautiful season to be here. #experiencesicily #sicily #sicilia #sicilytravel #italy #italia #hikinginsicily #hiking #sicani #valdikam #almondblossom #mandorle #mandorli #agrigento #springinsicily (at Sant'Angelo Muxaro) https://www.instagram.com/p/CpAPud5My9u/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[allisonscola]

Sicily's center during February, March, and April offers travelers outstanding scenery for walking and taking it all in. Not to mention the villages that must be visited to truly understand Sicily's soul. The temperatures range from 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning to 65 by midday. Perfect for hiking and enjoying the stupendous views and authentic experiences. Imagine spending a week during this early spring season! Grazie a @nannidifalco, @valdikam_pierfilippospoto, and @compagniadeicammini per un altro giorno stupendo! Sono davvero fortunata. I feel truly blessed. #experiencesicily #sicily #sicilia #hikinginsicily #valdikam #santangelomuxaro #italy #italia #travel #sicilytravel #sicilyvacation #sicilians_world #ig_sicily #igerssicilia #instasicilia #gf_italy #siculamenteDoc #sicily_tricolors #ig_visitsicily #Sicilia_PhotoGroup #smallgrouptours #traveltogether #authenticsicily #smallgrouptoursitaly #whatsicilyis #viverlasicilia #sicilytour (at Sant'Angelo Muxaro) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co8Oon4sf3O/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Sicily has a lot of castles. Real, serious ones used to defend coastlines and hinterlands! I was fortunate enough today to see this fortress, il Castello Chiaramontano, up close (among other amazing views) with @nannidifalco, @valdikam_pierfilippospoto, and @compagniadeicammini. Grazie ragazzi! (at Palma di Montechiaro) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co5O0YUsZbg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[allisonscola]

When I finally get off the plane in Italy, my drink of choice is an espresso macchiato. One with a heart (and a smile from the batista) tells me I'm in Sicily... And, more importantly, that I am being taken care of. When there is a fresh cassatella di Agira con Cacao in the display case, I celebrate that life is good. #experiencesicily #sicily #sicilia #macchiato #caffemacchiato #cassatelladiagira #italy #italia #grateful (at Aeroporto di Catania - Sicilia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cox8ADLsz4l/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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The Sicilian cart maker's shop, Ragusa Ibla. Read our February 2023 newsletter a link in bio. #experiencesicily #sicily #sicilia #Ragusa #ragusaibla #photographyinsicily #woodcarving #woodworkers #italy #italia #travel #sicilytravel #sicilyvacation #sicilians_world #ig_sicily #igerssicilia #instasicilia #gf_italy #siculamenteDoc #sicily_tricolors #ig_visitsicily #Sicilia_PhotoGroup #smallgrouptours #traveltogether #authenticsicily #smallgrouptoursitaly #whatsicilyis #viverlasicilia #sicilytour (at Ragusa Ibla) https://www.instagram.com/p/ColE0H8vsnp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Viva Sant Agata! The three day mid-winter Feast of Sant’Agata is upon us! Agata was a virgin martyr who died in 251 CE. Legend is that she was the beautiful daughter of a wealthy family from Catania. A faithful Christian, Agatha swore herself to Jesus. Important to know, during her lifetime, Christianity was illegal under Roman rule. So, when she refused the strategic advances of Quintianus, a Roman prefect, he arrested her on account of her Christian faith and condemned her to a brothel as punishment. Well, Agatha was a strong-willed young woman, and there was no way she was going to break her vow of chastity and participate in the activities of the madam and her colleagues. Finding her impossible to manage, Quintianus collected her from the brothel and threw her in prison. That did little to shake Agatha’s faith in Jesus Christ, to whom she proudly prayed. The irate prefect ordered his men to torture her, the gravest of acts against her was cutting off her breasts, a terror which she survived by continuing to call upon Christ for guidance and strength. Legend says that St. Peter visited her in a vision, offering her comfort and healing her wounds. After some days, Quintianus then ordered Agatha to be stripped and rolled over hot coals and then burned at the stake; however, an earthquake interrupted the ceremony, and she was spared from that grim fate. Still her new wounds were many, and once she returned to prison, she prayed to God to be taken peacefully. She died soon after. #experiencesicily #sicily #santagata #wsantagata #catania #sicilia #italy #italia #travel #traveltips (Photo of artwork taken at Fontes Episcopi) (at Catania, Italy) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoMhGycOPBo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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A walk to the lighthouse or "faro" at Capo Zafferano is a lovely short excursion. #experiencesicily #sicily #walkinginsicily #capozafferano #Bagheria #santaflavia #porticello #Palermo #sicilia #italia #italy (at Capo Zafferano) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoENdxUs-EA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[allisonscola]

Amunì! Let's go to the New York @travadventure this weekend. Hop on this amazing ride of Sicily with me. Me and the Experience Sicily team will show you the way! See the newsletter at link in the @experiencesicily bio for your ticket link. Ci vediamo presto! #experiencesicily #sicily #travel #traveltips #travelshow #sicilia #italy #italia (Photo taken in my grandfather's birthplace of Porticello by my distant cousin Sebastiano Scola of @scaru_restaurant) (at Javits Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn6DOEVs93y/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[allisonscola]

Remembering a beautiful evening from Yoga in Sicily with @yogawithclio. Come with us in June 2023! 11 days of wonderful practices integrated with the energy of Sicily's outstanding sites. More at https://experiencesicily.com/yoga-in-sicily-2023/ or link in bio. #experiencesicily #sicily #sicilia #trapani #windmill #mozia #molino #tramonto #sunset #italy #italia #sicilytravel #travel #yogainsicily (at Le saline di Mozia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnyP8Yms1ed/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[allisonscola]

Let's go to the show! The #TravelShow that is! Next weekend Jan. 28 and 29 @experiencesicily Experience Sicily will be at the @travadventure NY Travel & Adventure Show at the Jacob Javits Center. Find us at Booth 356. AND Global Beats Stage performances and Raffle on Sat. at 10:30AM and Sun. at 11:30AM. Come by our booth for special offers for our 2023 small-group Sicily tours! #experiencesicily #sicily #travelshow #palermo #fiat500 #fiat #oldfiat #sicilia #siciliabedda #italy #italia #sicilyvacation #sicilians_world #ig_sicily #igerssicilia #instasicilia #gf_italy #siculamenteDoc #sicily_tricolors #ig_visitsicily #Sicilia_PhotoGroup #smallgrouptours #traveltogether #authenticsicily #smallgrouptoursitaly #whatsicilyis #viverlasicilia #sicilytour (at Caltanisetta, Sicilia, Italy) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnvHpFuMIjc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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The key to Sicily? I will try to decipher it for you tonight during a complimentary online presentation Let's Dream of Traveling to Sicily. Registration and details at link in bio. #experiencesicily #sicily #sicilia #sicilytravel #italy #italia #travel #traveltips #keyhole #olddoor (at Baglio del Cristo di Campobello) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnkuS3VvTdA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Untamed nature reserves with majestic vistas of mountains and sea greeted me at Monte Cofano in Trapani province. Wow, this day took my breath away! Grazie @nannidifalco #experiencesicily #sicily #sicilia #sicilytravel #italy #italia #hikinginsicily #hiking #trapani #erice #custonaci #montecofano (at Monte Cofano) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnexZAPOJ9c/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=