My April trip to Sicily did not disappoint! We arrived in Palermo, but quickly went down the coast in Cefalu for our first night and the next day. This picturesque town had a pretty beach, inviting piazzas, and the best ice cream I have ever had. A free walking tour led us to some of the town's historical sites, and we happily wandered through the quaint streets.
Taormina
Traveling continues to be one of my biggest and most reliable sources of inspiration. Not only do I get to experience new cultures and foods and learn about the histories of the places I visit, but I always end up picking up a design trick, trend, or influence to try in my own home or in the homes of one of the projects I am working on.
Taormina, our next stop, quickly became my favorite. We took advantage of the small, yet refined city’s gardens and beautiful views, participated in a cooking class, and hit up Bam Bam granita for their famous semi-frozen, slushy-like treats (the strawberry granita was divine).
As a wine and nature lover, I couldn’t resist a tour that took us to the famous Mount Etna volcano and lava flow tunnels before culminating in a lunch at Gambino Winery. There we learned how the flavors of the local wines are shaped by the nearby volcano.
Palermo View
Palermo Gardens
We returned to Palermo, the largest city on our trip, to explore more. Although Palermo has been impacted by the Mafia over the years, the city is coming back to life. Its gorgeous gardens and mix of Arab and Roman architectural and cultural influence made it an ideal place to spend our last few days. Between taking a street food tour, feasting on fish, visiting the Palatine Chapel, and seeing a show at the Teatro Massimo, the city’s famed and picturesque Opera House, we crammed as much local flavor into our time there.
We sadly bid Sicily goodbye the next morning, but I brought home plenty of inspiration and ideas for projects from the intricate mosaic patterns on church walls to the vivid textiles sold on the street to the dramatic views of Mount Etna and along the coast.
Teatro Massimo
Sicilian Textiles and Market
Palermo Mosaics