Notarbartolo B&B

Via Maqueda

by kedi+

This is the street that intersect with the main street that called "Vittorio Emanuele" and in the end of the street you arrive to famous "Teatro Massimo". The famous scene "the death of Corleone's daughter" of Godfather III was taken on this teatre's stairs... A masterpiece... You know where to go to have more information..For sure my "must see activities" section! ;)

TIRAMISU recipe

by patrikske

TIRAMISU RECIPE
(Serves 6)
8 tablespoons rum
4 tablespoons brandy
6 tablespoons strong black coffee
15-18 sponge fingers
14 ozs Mascarpone
2 eggs
4 tablespoons icing sugar
5 fl ozs double cream (or whipping cream for a lower fat version or half cream for even lower fat)
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
crushed Chocolate Flake
Mix together half the rum, the brandy and coffee. Arrange the sponge fingers at the bottom of a shallow dish and pour the liquid evenly over them.
Mix together the Mascarpone, egg yolks, remaining rum and the icing sugar. Whip the egg whites and gently mix with the cheese mixture. Spoon over the soaked sponge fingers and place in the fridge for at least two hours before serving.
To finish, whisk the cream and spread over the pudding. Dust with cocoa using a sieve and sprinkle with the crushed Flake. Serve with light biscuits.
BON APPETIT !!

Palermo's "shameful" fountain

by TheWanderingCamel

Immediately adjacent to the Quattro Canti, you'll find the Piazza Pretoria, home to a gorgeous baroque fountain. These days, the good folk of Palermo are justly proud of their beautiful fountain.

This was definitely not the case when the fountain was first unveiled. Then the nude figures of gods and goddesses, nymphs and fauns all around the fountain were considered so shocking the fountain was known as the Fontana della Vergogna the "Fountain of Shame". What was intended for the garden of a private Tuscan villa was definitely not acceptable for a public square! The fountain couldn't be returned and the Palermintines grew to like their fountain and then to be proud of it - as well they might - it is really lovely - but the name has stuck.

Palermo is full of Baroque churches, their lovely domes are everywhere, so be sure to look up as you walk around. Here is Piazza Pretoria's not a bad place to start, the churches of San Giuseppe ai Teatini and Santa Caterina both have fine domes.

Agrigento

by tabatha

It´s a small very pritty city in the south of Sicily. You can reach it by the train.
Go and see the Valley of the temples, great filling but hope that it would be rainy
And don´t miss to see the temples by night, illuminated they are great
The Greek Teples dated form aproximatley 450 BC, From the valley you´ve got a good few to Agrigento

Corso Vittorio Emanuele (Main Street)

by hquittner

"Quattro Canti"

This description is not recommended as a single walking tour of Palermo, but rather as an orientation for groups of walks into the four districts.The sightseeing center of Palermo is the Quattro Canti. It is the intersection of the main E-W Corso V. Emanuele(named before 1900 the Cassara--the fortress), a 2 way street, and the N-S via Maqueda, one way S. This is heavy traffic and light controlled but all turns are permitted and that includes buses, trucks, cabs, motorbikes, and occasional buggies.Luckily the streets are too narrow for the traffic and crossing is possible.As you can see the corners are blunted by baroque facades (1611)with fountains below, dedicatory plaques and 2 levels of symbolic and political statues above. Whatever was once impressive is dwarfed by the noise, pollution, traffic etc The SE facade hides the fountain in the Piazza Pretoria. The SW corner blends into the church of S. G. dei Teatini (Things TD tip) whose small facade peeks into the Corso to the W and whose long nave spreads S. down the v.Maqueda.

"West to the Cathedral"

From Q.C. the Corso runs W. to the Porta Nuova( 850m) and E to the Porta Felice(900m), so either end and back is a nice walk with appropriate stops and wanders. Proceding W from the Teatini shortly brings us past the Piazza Bologni (S). We did not enter. If followed it would lead to the Ballaro Market ( that is in the Albergheria district). Further W we pass the S. Salvatore Church (did not visit) but now at our half-way we see across the Corso this immense piazza before a block-long building. It has a Norman tower across the street to the W (via M. Bonello) that is braced by 2 heavy arches. The tower was converted to a Campamile in the 19C..There is a large Catalan Gothic porch on the S. side (through which you enter) and an ugly dome(finished in 1800). The west portal is fine (see picture in our Intro). This is worth a visit (from you)and a travelogue of its own (from us).

"The West End (Porta Nuova)"

After seeing the Cathedral cross back S before the traffic charging into v. Bonello, also be aware that there are few eateries further W (altho I think there may be a tip on one).. On our left is the Villa Bonanno, a park and looming up behind it the massive Palazzo Reale. Walking past the park we see the Porta Nuova constricting the street. I do not remeber how we got through but we did it more than once. Watch other pedestrians! The pota is seen best from the W side and some distance down along the S, sidewalk before the Piazza Indipendenzia which extends along the W. side of the Palazzo. Across from the Piazza are military buildings and we were there 2 days after the unfortunate ambush killings of Italian soldiers in Iraq (see Customs), their first (and only, I hope) losses.The Porta has these sad bound captives (a 1535 commemorative Arch for Charles V). I could not get the conical dome replacement

"Palazzo Reale"

The Piazza is an important spot because if you are far off you may be able to take a Metro from here. Or you may be tired after visiting in the Palazzo where you can see the fascinating Cappella Palatina (a separate Travelogue) and the Norman Apartments. It is important to know the times each are open and carefully plot your itinerary.. The palace is not open when the legislature is in session and is only open in the mornings while the chapel has morning and afternoon hours. My stamina gave out after the Chapel and I could not resist the waitng rank of taxis. The Piazza is where intertown buses (#389) go to Monreale. There are other sights beyond this to the W along via Calatafimi( Albergo dei Poveri and nearby Catacombe Cappuccini)(Properly designated Off the Beaten Path) and La Cuba and La Zisa as well. For those with some energy left you can go on to the much recommended S, Giovanni degli Eremiti and its restful cloisters. We missed it due to me!

"Going East"

The first intersection E. from Q.C. is via Roma, the main N running street, wide and one way. From the SW corner going S. are right-leading streets to th Piazza Bellini and Matorana Church). We ate in this locale. Continuing East we note on the left narrow streets emerging from the Vucciria (also the name of the NE district). Continuing on (we are now about 400m from Q.C.) a park like area appears on our right and almost obstructing our path a cluster of parked motorbikes. Amid this distraction on the right there is the Fontana del Garraffo. (What does G. signify? It is not in my books;the famous animal is giraffa). It is a work of a sculptor P,Amato in 1698. Nice but why and what? At any rate we are at the edge of an are called Piazza Marina which was once a shallow inlet. Many interesting buildings and churches are around here but we have only so little time before we must leave.

"The Villa Garibaldi"

As we walk further east we see a large area fenced in by a fine iron fence and lamposts. This is the Villa Garibaldi with a bust of him in the park among large banyan trees(!) as well as palms and fig-trees plus groups of children being led by teachers. Beyond the Giardino is the massive Palazzo Chiaramonte. We have to make a decision-- we have only time for one leisurely interior, To the right 2 short blocks is the Art collection in the Galleria Regionale housed in the Palazzo Abatellis with the other Antonello, or ahead to the Museo delle Marionette, a feature of Sicily that we had missed. Since we would see more paintings in Rome in the following days, the puppets won.

"The Port (la Cala)"

Walking back from the gardens to the Corso we are staring at a raised church and beyond it a small port of fishing boats and yachts. The church is S. Maria della Catena (meaning chain) and it is closed (as it usually is). The chain sealed off the part of the port that silted up and became the Piazza Marina. From the steps one can see the heights ascending to Monte Pelligrino to the North. We walk on further East and see a most peculiar sight.

"The East End (Porta Felice and the Sea)"

We are lookig at a massive Arch, but the top is missing! This is the Porta Felice. The Arch was finished in early 1600's . Did it take a bomb hit in WW II? No! It was removed so that the giant image of Santa Rosalia on a float could be carried through at the Annual celebration. (Watching the Spirit of Mardi Gras in New Orleans I can understand such idiocy!) In the picture if you look closely to the right you can see the Fontana del Cavallo Marino (a sea-horse by Marabitti --again). What you are misssing is the noise of the heavy traffic on the Foro Italico beyond (on our video). I understand that this is the evening hangout area for teens and beyond with a famous gelateria to boot, and a place for a passegiata. But we have reached the Puppet Museum and for another picture and information see our tip. (In Off the Beaten Path). Finis.