I “met” Caitlin before either of us ever moved to Sicily and I instantly knew we would be friends. Caitlin is kind, empathetic, and loves animals. She also is a mom to two ADORABLE littles! I always hoped I’d get to photograph her beautiful family. You can image how excited I was when we put a date on our calendars for a one-year anniversary shoot in the lush parks of Catania. It’s the perfect place for littles to run around and for a nice Sicilian backdrop for family photos.
While the backdrop was gorgeous, the Larvicks were STUNNING! I already knew they would come ‘dressed to impress,’ but they really went above and beyond! Bella’s little tutu dress, mom’s formal gown, dad’s suit, and Axil’s cute little button-up shirt were all just what every photographer dreams of!
One year in Sicily down, three more to go for the Larvicks! Happy one-year Sicily anniversary, you guys! I’m so glad to know you and thankful you asked me to document this time in your lives. I hope you love the photos!
The Larvick Family
Besides Sicily, we had only visited Naples and the Amalfi Coast within Italy before traveling to Rome. While we love Italy and are super excited to eventually “see it all,” we have been putting off many of the key cities until later. We mainly want to visit Italy in off season so that we can try to avoid the crowds. I say try because that absolutely may not be possible, as with our trip to Rome.
Prior to visiting the “eternal city,” I received mixed feedback; some people LOVED it and others HATED it. I was determined to be in the LOVE camp from the start. We decided to visit during a long weekend in February with unusually warm weather and enlisted the help of Katie of Planes, Trains and Babies to pin down an itinerary and tours. I honestly felt SO RELIEVED that I did not have to plan this trip, as there are SO many things to see and do in Rome, it’s hard to choose.
So, if you are planning a trip to Rome yourself, you may be thinking, “Should we really book tours?” “Is February a good time to go?” “Was a long weekend enough time?” Read on to find out!
Our Itinerary
Day 1
We arrived in Rome mid-day. It took us about an hour to get from the airport to our hotel and then we hopped on the metro to grab some lunch. Katie recommended the cacio e pepe pasta at Hotel Eden Il Giardino and it did NOT disappoint. We then paid a visit to the INCREDIBLY packed Trevi Fountain before heading back to our hotel to get ready for dinner.
Yikes! Lighting was terrible and the Fountain was packed, so it was a quick gawk and coin toss before we moved on.
One piece of advice Katie gave me was to pre-purchase tours for Rome. We don’t really consider ourselves to be “tour people,” but we trusted the travel expert, and guess what…. we were SOOO glad we did! Rome ended up being packed, which was unexpected. Tip: My advice is do not go “in season.” Even in February, it was overwhelming. Busy season in Rome is a no for me.
Our first tour (and my FAVORITE!!!) was a food tour of Rome by LivItaly tours. Perhaps I loved it because it wasn’t in a jam packed area, but our guide, Jill, was absolutely amazing! We started out with traditional aperitivo (wine and a charcuterie plate), moved on to some traditional Roman fried food (like the Jewish artichoke), experienced true Roman pizza (it’s super thin, square and incredibly tasty), sat down for another round of cacio e pepe pasta, and finished off the night with some unique gelato flavors – like pine tree (AMAZING)!
While walking from place to place on the food tour, we also received a mini tour of the city. Our stops included the Parthenon, the turtle fountain, and the location where Ceasar was killed. Jill also told us about all of the little gold walking stones we were seeing in front of the houses in the Jewish Quarter. Sadly, they represent the Jews whom were taken from the homes where they are placed. The gold stones detail names, arrest dates, concentration camps, and assignation dates.
Day 2
On Day 2, we got up early for a Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica small group tour (6ppl max). We ended up being the only ones on our tour, so it was basically a private tour!
If I had to do it all over again, I would do the following things: show up earlier than the time they tell you to meet, walk straight to the Sistine Chapel – don’t stop – and, pay extra for a longer tour that includes the museums.
Tour groups are the first to enter the Vatican, but there is still a queue at security. By the time we made it to the Sistine Chapel, there were already quite a few people inside. If we had been earlier, we could have visited the chapel with less people. With that being said, because you run to the Chapel when you get in, it’s best to have a tour to see the rest of the Vatican museums on your way out. Our tour led us right to St. Peter’s Basilica, meaning we would have to pay again to re-enter the Vatican museums and I was not keen about doing that.
Also, as a side note, you can make reservations to visit the underground of the Vatican/St. Peters, but you have to do it directly from the website and FAR in advance. Additionally, you can visit the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, but EVERYTHING at the Vatican is CASH ONLY! So, don’t be like me and forget to stop at an ATM before you go.
Another thing to know is that it is forbidden to photograph the Sistine Chapel. There are private tours in which photos ARE allowed, but they cost upwards of 450€ per person!!! We opted not to spend our life savings on that, so you won’t find any Sistine Chapel photos here. Sorry!
The Vatican Museums
St. Peter’s Basilica
After we had our fill of the Vatican, we wandered straight down the street to Castel Sant’Angelo. We were starving and ready for lunch, but opted to check this place out while we were in the area. It was a good choice. In my opinion, this is a SOLID place to visit just before sunset. You get an amazing view of the Vatican AND Rome. It’s incredibly beautiful and well worth the entry fee. My photos 100% do not do it justice, as it was midday with the brightest sun.
Castel Sant’Angelo
For lunch we dropped in to a local old-school trattoria, Dino E Toni. Once we were seated, the food came out of the kitchen. We didn’t even have to order. It was great and inexpensive.
Day 3
For our last day in Rome, we booked a tour of the Coliseum, Roman Forum, and Palantine Hill. This tour lasted three hours. While I was intrigued by all of the history, about half way through I was starting to check out. Despite the fact that the tour lasted three hours, we missed many things I wanted to pause and explore more. I think that’s why I wasn’t such a fan of this one. What was super cool about it, is that we got to go out on the Coliseum stage like the gladiators and check out the underground, where they kept the animals, etc. It was a little bit creepy but sooooo informative. I really loved this part of the tour.
Coliseum Tour
Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
Coliseum at Sunset
Our Hotel
We LOVED The H’All Tailor Suite! I decided to book this particular hotel because of their breakfast. The hotel’s Michelin star restaurant serves and individualized breakfast. It was really incredibly and I would definitely stay here again. Also, our room was HUGE!
I’ve written about quite a few of my favorite areas to explore in Sicily – Agrigento, Mount Etna, San Vito Lo Capo… the list goes on. But one place I’ve featured before (see Maddie and Justin’s farewell to Sicily shoot here), but never really talked about, is Cefalù. If you pick up a travel book about Sicily, the photo on the cover is likely to be Cefalù. That’s because Cefalù is insanely beautiful and 100% worth the visit if you are planning a trip on island.
Photo: Jordan Gilles
Cefalù is approximately two hours from our home, so we can make a fabulous day trip out of it. For everyone who doesn’t live in Sicily, it’s on the Tyrrhenian (north) coast. If you are flying in to Catania or Palermo and want to visit, it’s probably best to rent a car. Cefalù also holds one of my favorite hotels in Sicily, Hotel Kalura, so making a long weekend out of a visit is definitely well worth it.
So what are some of my favorite things to do in Cefalù? Great question! Here are my top 5:
Top Five Things to do In Cefalù
1. Leisurely stroll around the town and take in the splendor.
As I mentioned before, Cefalù is easy on the eyes. Part of the fun of going there are the views!
2. Pay a visit to Cefalù Cathedral.
One of Sicily’s most important structures from the Norman domination, Cefalù Cathedral will not disappoint. Built in 1131 (what?!) is decorated with some of the best preserved and earliest mosaics in Sicily. If you take a look a the image of Christ below, you will notice that he is holding his hand in what could be misinterpreted as a “gang sign.” This is actually a depiction of him blessing the congregants, as he is “holing his fingers as the faithful do when making the sign of the cross.”
3. Hang out or take a swim in the crystal clear waters of Spiaggia di Cefalú.
The beaches in Cefalù tend to be a bit rocky, but boy, the waters are gorgeous!
4. Take a hike.
La Rocca offers over the top views of Cefalù – literally. The hike takes about an hour (and isn’t a leisurely stroll, so don’t do it if you aren’t wearing proper shoes). As an extra perk, you will pass the ruins of Temple of Diana on the way up.
5. Enjoy delectable Sicilian cuisine.
Our personal favorite spots to grab a bite are Enoteca Le Petit Tonneau (at sunset) and La Brace (for dinner). Thanks to Maddie and Justin for recommendations of both!
If you tuned in to the first Perspectives of an Expat guest post, then you already know I created this series so I can learn more about the views and experiences of expats all over the world. I met Abbey of Abbey Leigh Photography through a creatives Facebook group before I even moved to Sicily. Abbey is an established photographer who creates STUNNING images that I just can’t get over. *All images contained in this post are her own. She just so happens to also be an Air Force wife, currently living in Germany. Being a military spouse myself, I am incredibly curious to learn how her experiences living abroad differ from mine. So, before I tell you too much about her, I’ll let her speak for herself.
for more Abbey Leigh goodness!
Perspectives of an Expat Featuring Abbey of Abbey Leigh Photography
Where are you originally from?
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Where do you currently live and what led you to move there?
We’re currently living in Ramstein, Germany because my husband in the Air Force.
Was this a temporary or permanent move for you?
Temporary, at least 3 years.
What are some of the differences you see between where you live now and where you’re originally from?
Aw, man! There are so many differences! I would have to say many more differences than similarities. I think the main differences between Germany and Virginia and/or America are the people and conveniences. In America, or at least in Virginia, we wave to our neighbors, give a passing smile to a stranger, and give a courtesy wave to people who let us change lanes. Germans tend to be extremely direct and think it’s odd that Americans “waste time” with pleasantries like that. It took about 2 years of living here for me to stop taking offense that, in my opinion, Germans come off very cold. While there are bad apples in every country, I don’t believe Germans mean to be rude, it’s just how they are! What’s funny is because I’ve gotten so used to German customs that when I visit home I can’t believe how nice people are! That’s just one example of the differences between Americans and Germans, but overall, I never realized how much “sugar” I gave and received from people in my daily life growing up and living America. It’s probably what I miss most. I like smiles.
Next, I miss all the conveniences of America! Need an oil change? 15 minutes. Ordered something offline? Same day delivery. Out of milk on a Sunday? Run to the store. Need a couch, garden soil, and wine? Target. Always Target. In Germany, it’s more like: Oil change? 7 days and a couple hundred euro. Ordered something? If it can even be shipped to you, count on at least 10 days-3 months. Didn’t get around to grocery shopping this week and it’s Sunday? Looks like you’re gonna starve unless you’re brave enough to visit the commissary with the rest of the grocery shopping forgetters. Have a shopping list? Be ready to drive all over town and visit at least 3 different stores and still have to order the other half of your list online. Don’t have cash? Too bad, 90% of places don’t take credit card. Google says your road trip will take 2 hours? Wrong. The autobahn and quickest way to your destination has been closed for construction and the detour will add another 2 hours.
Man, I know it sounds trivial considering all the adventures and opportunities I’ve received from living over here but we are so excited to be able to just live our lives without having to think about all the rules and reasons something may not work out. The silver lining is that I will say that I think our patience now is almost limitless! I remember my most recent visit home, I decided to treat myself to Starbucks and my order took a little longer than usual. When my order was finally called the barista went out of her way to profusely apologize for my wait and I just felt awful thinking about the kind of people she must deal with daily to feel such guilt for something that was so not a biggie! Who knows what pre-Germany Abbey would’ve felt or been thinking?
What have been some of the biggest obstacles that you have had to overcome after relocating?
I think many of the obstacles we’ve faced would’ve been lessened had either of us been able to speak German fluently. We’re less than conversational, so while we get by day to day, we’re unable to fully communicate when big issues arise, for example, something with our rent and utilities that are through German companies. We’ve been pretty fortunate so far, but if we were to ever get this assignment again, I will be sure to take language classes. Also, with the military there is so much convoluted information out there that it was difficult to know how to navigate our first international move. We’re much more prepared for our move back stateside than we were coming here. My advice if dealing with the military: question everything, always get their name, and take photos.
What do you love about where you currently live?
All the walking trails! Our family is huge on doing all the outdoors things and Germany has never ending trails we love to roam. I also very much appreciate Germany’s recycling initiatives, dog friendliness, and alcohol laws.
What’s the most valuable thing you learned from living abroad?
Other than patience is a virtue?! With having been to almost 40 countries and counting, I’ve been awestruck, challenged, inspired, and humbled more times than I can count, and still the most valuable thing I’ve learned from living abroad is to be grateful that I’m an American.
What would be the number one thing to see or do that you would recommend to someone visiting that they would not be able to read about in a guide book?
This is a hard one, but our favorite thing to do in Germany is go to local festivals. Check local listings on Facebook events and see what’s happening near you that’s off the touristy path! We’ve accidentally stumbled upon so many fun festivals, for example, a street food festival where I ate the best fries of my life, a festival with live music playing all my favorite childhood songs and beer by the liter to drink by the lake, or a medieval festival where we watched modern day jousting. There are so many more fests Germany has to offer than Oktoberfest!
Where is your favorite “instagrammable” spot(s) where you live?
There are castles galore! Pick any of them!
Outside of where you live now, what’s been your most memorable travel destination? Why?
We personally loved much of Eastern Europe. I would highly recommend Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia to anyone! The people are SO warm and welcoming, the scenery is beautiful, and the food is delicious. It’s a perfect combo!
How often do you travel outside of where you live?
It depends on my husband’s sporadic and unpredictable work schedule, but let’s just say I came to Germany with only Canada and a few Caribbean islands checked off my list, and now I’ll likely leave Germany this summer with over 40. We’re trying to make the most of our time here, for sure!
What do you love most about travel?
The memories and food! We have so many stories from our travels that I love reliving or sharing with people!
Tell us more about your website/blog.
I’m a soon to be Abilene, Texas based fine art wedding photographer with a major crush on a smitten couple, outdoor ceremonies, custom stationery, and lush bridal bouquets! I am a hybrid photographer, meaning I shoot both digital and film for my clients. My aesthetic is best described as candid, timeless, joyful, natural, and colorful. While I consider myself a fine art photographer, my couples are the total opposite of pose-y and stuffy! I aim for classic, not boring, portraiture. While I will soon live in Texas, I will continue to venture back to Virginia often for business.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Living in Europe has been SUCH an experience and there is so much more I could share about our time here! I’m seriously so appreciative you’ve taken the time to read my words, however, all of this is exactly that – my absolutely objective opinion based on my own personal experience. Trust me, there is no amount of reading that could prepare you for this adventure! Don’t let anything someone says, whether it’s positive or negative, sway you from visiting and experiencing expat or travel life for yourself!! Keep saying yes to new things and you’ll eventually figure out what works for you and brings you happiness! Cheers!
We were supposed to do thaaangs this weekend, but funny enough they all fell though. About 30 minutes before sunset, I had the idea to bike around our neighborhood and snap some photos for fun. It’s almost the end of orange season in Sicily, so we decided to stop by the orange trees. The photos are silly, but we had a lot of fun. So, here you go!
Orange Season in Sicily
Out of the many day trips we have made in Sicily, our visit to Agrigento was probably my favorite. While Taormina has classic Sicilian charm, and San Vito Lo Capo is a beach town of dreams, Agrigento just utterly fascinated me. Agrigento is a hilltop city on the southwestern coast of Sicily. There lies the ancient city of Akragas (582 BC), which you can visit in what is known as the Valley of the Temples. Sounds like there would be many temples located in this valley, right? Well, there are many temples – eight to be exact. But, the location is not in a valley, but instead on the top of a hill overlooking Agrigento. What strategic placement!
The temples available to visit include the Temples of:
- Hera
- Concordia
- Heracles
- Olympian Zeus
- Castor and Pollux
- Hephaestos
- Demeter
- Asclepius (the God of Medicine).
All of the temples were built between 510 BC and 430 BC and are in varying conditions. As you can see in the photos below, some of the temples are incredibly well preserved.
Ticket prices range from 10€ to 15€, depending on which ticket you purchase (park only, or combined with garden or combined with archeological museum). You can purchase your tickets ahead of time here or at the park. You must also have euro cash to pay for parking (varies on time you spend there). Upon entering the park, you must go through a security screening. No drones are permitted.
Just west of Agrigento, you can find another of my favorite attractions, Scala dei Turchi (also known as the Turkish Steps; pin here). The Turkish Steps are natural cliffs of white marl that have been carved into “steps” with centuries of wind and rain. The bright white color of the steps in contrast to the turquoise waters of the sea are simply stunning. You can drive by and view the steps from the top (there is a pull off with an overlook) and travel down to the beach where you can start at the bottom and climb up! You get to the bottom, you simply need to park and enter though the nearest lido – Lido Scala dei Turchi (entrance was free, but we did not go in season.
Valley of the Temples
Turkish Steps
Over the past year, I have been lucky to become part of a new community – the expat community. If you don’t know what an expat is, it’s essentially someone who lives outside of their home country. I’m from the US but I live in Italy, therefore I am an expat. It has been an amazing experience to get to know so many people from various walks of life and I honestly have become quite intrigued by it (see Ten Things I’ve Learned While Living in Sicily).
Through my new-found relationships, I have learned that the views and experiences of expats vary quite widely and I am fascinated by the differences and intricacies of adapting faced by others. Thus, I dreamed up an interview series where I ask the same questions to a variety of expats I’ve met personally or through social media to get a broader perspective on expat life. I’ve also thrown in a couple questions about travel and photography (if that’s their thaaang), since this is a travel and photography blog! I hope you’ll join me in the coming weeks as I welcome a variety of featured expat guests to share a little peek into their lives with me.
I’m SUPER excited to welcome my first guest blogger, Courtney, of Little Brave Travels. I met Courtney around a year ago on Instagram and have really enjoyed following her journey. She also lives in Italy (but much farther north), and it’s been refreshing to connect with her on that aspect. It wasn’t until a little bit later that I realized she has a fabulous accent that I hadn’t really heard much of before (hear it here and get a good laugh [at her video, not her accent]). Check out her story below and see where she’s from!
Little Brave Travels | Instagram | YouTube
Perspectives of an Expat featuring Courtney of Little Brave Travels
All photos courtesy of Courtney’s sweet, sweet Instagram husband.
Where are you originally from?
I was born in South Africa but raised in Botswana and Namibia.
Where do you currently live and what led you to move there?
I live in a small city very close to Milan called Pavia. I moved here 3 years ago to support my husband while he studies. (Luckily, he’s finished now! haha)
Was this a temporary or permanent move for you?
It’s a semi- permanent move. As we don’t know exactly where we will have to move once Angelo gets into his specialization course. We will definitely stay in Europe for the long run though!
What are some of the differences you see between where you live now and where you’re originally from?
Oh wow, this is a tough question. There are just So many! Firstly, public transport is amazing! I had never ridden a bus before moving to Italy. Safety is a big plus too, being free enough to walk around on the streets is incredible. I do miss the African people though, there is something so welcoming and homely about being in Africa. You have to experience it to understand.
What have been some of the biggest obstacles that you have had to overcome after relocating?
The language barrier was a crazy thing to overcome at first! I’ve gotten the hang of it now, and I can handle myself in a conversation. The second biggest thing was probably the overly loud and assertive culture. South Africans are generally reserved and not very emotional people, so you could say Italy has been one big culture shock!
What do you love about where you currently live?
I absolutely love the cobblestone streets, and also how small Pavia is. It’s close to Milan, so it’s easy to travel, but it doesn’t have the big city vibe.
What’s the most valuable thing you learned from living abroad?
To always remember that you need to push yourself. Get outside your comfort zone and grow. That means making mistakes. Don’t be afraid to make them, learn and try again! Also don’t forget to be assertive.
What would be the number one thing to see or do that you would recommend to someone visiting that they would not be able to read about in a guide book?
In Pavia I would say that you HAVE to walk everywhere, there is almost no need for a car, the city is small enough to cover the big points on foot. Besides, you wouldn’t want to miss out on the vibe. Also, the vineyards of Olt’re Po Pavese and an agri tourismo for lunch! Nonna will make you something amazing!
Where is your favorite “instagrammable” spot(s) where you live?
There are so many! The Ponte Coperto, and the Universities. The Duomo is incredible too, otherwise just all the cute little streets!
Outside of where you live now, what’s been your most memorable travel destination? Why?
Definitely Botswana, to me it’s home, and there is nothing more incredible than being in Nature. Sardegna was also an Incredible experience, I basically grew gills I was in the ocean for so long.
How often do you travel outside of where you live?
We travel outside of Europe at least twice a year. Otherwise its mostly around Europe or Italy, which we do monthly.
What do you love most about travel?
I love getting to experience different cultures, and of course meeting new people. I love to imagine life in these places, and how different people live.
Tell me more about your website/blog.
It started out as a way of me keeping my family up to date with all of our travels and it grew as a creative outlet for me. My little spot on the internet has become mostly about showing the people of the world that there is life outside of your comfort zone. There are incredible experiences and places to visit, if you only venture out a little. Sometimes that’s just to the end of your street, and that’s okay, but be uncomfortable, be brave, and grow.
I really can’t believe it’s been a full year since we moved to Sicily! Sicily is an amazing place and we have loved getting acclimated to our new home. However, that’s not to say there haven’t been a few surprises along the way. To be completely honest, it has probably been the fastest year of my life. Looking back now, it all seems like a big blur. Luckily, I have kept up fairly well with blogging, so I can reminisce about all of my travel over the last 12 months (see my 2018 recap here).
To say I’ve learned a lot in this past year is an understatement. I’ve not only learned about what it’s like to live in Europe, but also sooo much about myself. While you probably don’t care that much about what I’ve learned about myself, but you might be interested to know what I’ve learned while living in Sicily! So, here are ten things I’ve learned while living in Sicily…
Ten things I’ve learned while living in Sicily:
1. You can indeed survive in a place where you don’t speak the language.
I had every intention of learning Italian when we moved here, but I have been so busy with work, travel, etc., that I honestly haven’t prioritized it. While life would be much easier if I could communicate more effectively, I can definitely get by without being able to do so. On that note, it is definitely important to know some things and to better understand what is/isn’t socially acceptable.
For example, greetings are valued here. When you step into a store, restaurant, market stall, etc. you should immediately need to say ‘good morning’ (Buongiorno) or ‘good evening’ (Buonasera). Additionally, the idea of morning differs from ours – morning is until 2pm here! Not, 12pm as it is in the US.
2. Public transportation and driving is…different than I expected.
I was told before we moved here that driving in Sicily was crazy. It is definitely different than what I have experienced in the US. There are basically no rules. Some people drive 120mph, while others drive 20mph; it’s all up to you. I have seen people stop in the middle of the road and reverse if they miss their turn, or simply create their own lane. Stop signs serve as more of a suggestion. While this style of driving was a bit shocking to me when we initially arrived, I’ve acclimated to it now and I’m not sure how I will be able to go back to driving with so many rules in the States.
Sicily is also incredibly spread out, which makes public transportation between cities impractical. There is public transportation within cities and some trains between cities. But if you want to see more of the countryside, you will definitely need a car.
3. Don’t take clean water and air quality for granted.
Let me start out by saying, I know not all water and air quality is superb in the US, but I’ve personally never lived in a place where I have to be cognizant of these things. A lot of the tap water here isn’t potable and a volcano in your back yard + Sahara sand storms that blow over seasonally are both good reasons for staying indoors.
4. Variety is the spice of life, but eating Italian food every day is okay too.
The food is ALWAYS good here. No matter where we go or what we eat (except that one “sushi” restaurant, Justin and Maddie). But most of our choices of cuisine are literally Italian or… Italian. There are quite a few restaurants that offer non-Italian menus, but it’s not the variety I was used to back in the States. This means there is a lot of pizza, pasta, seafood, and aaahhhmazing desserts. Luckily for me, I LOVE all of that. My body, however, could use a few more salads.
5. ‘Sicilian’ could be considered different than ‘Italian.’
Life in Sicily is different than life in Italy. Sicilians even have their own dialect and cuisine. I didn’t realize until we went to Rome that much of what we eat and love in Sicily is purely Sicilian! The pasta norma (pasta with eggplant sauce), pistachio on everything (pizza, pasta, ice cream), arancini (fried balls of rice with fillings inside), granita (a dessert somewhere between sorbet and Italian ice) are all Sicilian specialities. This feels so special to me, as I would have never had the opportunity to experience these things had I not come here.
6. You can live without Amazon Prime and 24 hour shopping.
This was a hard one for me, but mail for me here takes at least two weeks to receive. When I see my friends receiving items in the mail back home, I honestly don’t even feel like I can relate anymore! Also, I don’t know of any 24-hour stores (but maybe they exist and I just don’t know about them).
7. Religion is prominent.
Generally, the most prominent landmark in Sicilian towns are the basilicas. And, boy are they stunning! I don’t consider myself to be a religious person, but as I told Jordan when we were in Naples, the experience walking though these grand churches is very moving. The sheer size of the structures, along with all of the tiny details, is just incredible.
Sicilians also love their saints. Each town has its own saint and many of the people born in that town are named accordingly. For example, in Catania, the patron saint is Saint Agata. Thus, many of the women there are also name Agata.
8. There is this thing called “riposo.”
Riposo is a daily event which equates to a really long lunch break where every store closes during the middle of the day. In America, normal business hours are 8AM – 5PM. In Sicily, they are 8ish to 8ish, with a three hour break in the middle of the day from 12PM – 3PM. I get why Sicilians need this nap – dinner doesn’t start until after 8PM, so they stay up late.
9. Pets are allowed most places!
One of the coolest things to me is seeing pets in the mall! Pets in the Apple store just waiting to get the latest iPhone. Dogs at restaurants. YESSSS! I love how pet friendly everything is.
10. Make sure to pack your own toilet paper.
The public toilet experience here is much different than in the US. There aren’t many public toilets available. If you do find one, you will need to pay and *might* also need to supply your own toilet paper.
Want to see more of Sicily? Follow me here!
Want to learn to take professional photos? See my resources here!
You may recognize Elizabeth and Matt from their Aci Trezza maternity shoot back in November. If not, you can take a peek at their dreamy seaside images here. One of the things I loved most about that shoot (besides Elizabeth and Matt, of course) was the location. Yes, The Aci’s are beautiful, but I loved the fact that Elizabeth picked the location out specifically because it was meaningful for them. It is their home here. And really, that just gave me all the feels. This time, I visited their actual home-home to get some some lifestyle newborn images of the newest Crosetti, George!!
I already loved working with Elizabeth and Matt, and baby George proved to be just as natural of a model as his parents. To be completely honest, I actually started crying when I began editing all of the images. Their love is just too beautiful and contagious and I just couldn’t hold back!
Elizabeth and Matt, thank you so much for having me again!! I am so thankful for your trust in me. I hope you’ll treasure these images for years to come!
Elizabeth + Matt + Baby Crosetti | Lifestyle Newborn
As you may already know, most of our travel occurs over long weekends. Thus, our trips are generally pretty quick, lasting two to four days. At first, I thought the timeframe was too short, but now I think the full four days is too much to visit some cities in Europe. Barcelona is not one of them, though! There were so many things to do here, we could have definitely stayed a bit longer to explore. One thing I loved about Barcelona (besides the food) was all of the COLOR! Just wait – you’ll see.
We actually took this trip over Thanksgiving and funny enough, Black Friday is a thing in Europe too (see the rest of the Best of 2018 here). So, what would I recommend you do if you only have a weekend (or couple days)? Scroll on to find out!
Catalan Cuisine
The food in Barcelona is on point. There are a plethora of options, so you will definitely not go hungry. We made sure to try the paella, potatas braves, bombas, crema Catalana, and of course, Jamón ibérico ham. The first thing we saw as we stepped off of the plane were pig legs and Jamón ibérico sandwiches. Of course, we snatched one up, as we had to taste the world’s most expensive ham!
If you’re looking for a tapas restaurant that won’t disappoint, Tapas 2254 will hit the spot. Their olives stuffed with Sicilian orange and olive oil caviar were my favorite!!
We also made sure to stop by Mercado de La Boqueria (a large public market) to grab some fresh fruit juice and some food.
Modern Architecture
Part of the fun of Barcelona is checking out the incredible Catalan Gothic and Modernisme architecture, which was like nothing else I’ve ever seen in my life! Sometimes, I feel like tourist attractions are overrated, but these were just soooo worth visiting.
Sagrada Família
You’ve undoubtedly heard of Sagrada Família before, as it is a true masterpiece. The famous architect, Antoni Gaudí, joined the building of this church in 1883. Construction still continues today as only EIGHT of EIGHTEEN towers have been built. Construction is expected to be finished in 2026, but it’s worth visiting as it is. We visited the tower on the Nativity façade, the facade that was completed prior to Gaudi’s death in 1926.
Not only is the church itself absolutely breathtaking on the outside, the inside was just so stunning!!
We also really enjoyed the views of the city from the top! You can also see Torre Agbar, a slender, conical building from the top as well. The tickets to visit were a bit pricey, but seriously worth every penny. I highly recommend reserving as far in advance as possible.
Park Güell
Part bushy parkland, part Gaudi design, Park Güell is definitely worth the steep uphill trek. Definitely be aware of this, as it was a bit strenuous. If you want to see Gaudi’s designs, you have to purchase a ticket BEFORE coming to the park. We didn’t have a firm plan for our trip, so we did not purchase tickets beforehand. It did appear that most of the Gaudi part appeared to be under construction. We took some time to explore the bushy part and enjoyed.
La Pedrera – Casa Milà
An apartment building that Casa Batlló commissioned Antoni Gaudí to build. You can purchase tickets to visit and acmes the roof terrace.
Casa Batlló
Another of Gaudí ‘s masterpieces.
Arco de Triunfo de Barcelona
An arch originally built as the access gate for the Barcelona World Fair in 1888. We had a fun photoshoot here for our friends, Rachel and AJ, and their parents, who just happened to be visiting at the same time! Check out more from our session here.
Entertainment
Flamenco Show
We made a decision on a whim to go out for a show with our friends Rachel and AJ and it was worth it! Rachel actually cried. Full disclaimer, we were all shoved into a crowded little room with uncomfortable chairs, but the show was fantastic!!
Passages
Like Paris, the city has some hidden passages that are worth exploring if you have time. The Yurbban Passage, just happened to be right beside our hotel, the Yurbban Passage Hotel & Spa.
Art Browsing/Shopping
We really enjoyed checking out the art shops around Barcelona. This particular shop in the Jewish Quarter was pretty neat!
Hotel
Yurbban Passage Hotel & Spa
Our hotel was pretty sweet! It’s not central-central, but requires a tiny bit of a walk. We never mind a little walk for a nice hotel! The views from the rooftop were stellar. If it were warm weather, it would have also been a super cool place to hang!
