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Background: Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north.

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By inspire and shine
October 2nd 2008

Italy with Kids - Syracuse Europe » Italy » Sicily » Siracusa

02 Oct 2008 We headed back to see the archeological area of Syracuse, and maybe the catacombs, and to check out another beach. Today was again set to be a lucky day - all day we dodged the rain. First we visited the archeological area. Although most towns have greek or roman ruins of one type or another, this is probably the first real ruins (as opposed to existing structures) outside of Rome that we'd visited. Liam had a great time, chasing all the green lizards that were sunning on the rocks around the greek theatre (Teatro Greco). [img=http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg71/inspi [View Full Entry]

By inspire and shine
October 1st 2008

Italy with Kids - Ortigia Europe » Italy » Sicily » Siracusa

01 Oct 2008 The aim today was a drive to Syracuse, to see the sights there and at the island of Origia. We decided first however to visit a beach, the Fontane Bianche, that was recommended in Frommer's. The exit off the A that we needed for FB was closed, so we ended up at a place called Avola, with long yellowy sandy beaches. The waves were enormous, and Joseph, Liam and I had a ball romping around in the surf. We then wandered our way back to Syracuse on the back roads [View Full Entry]

By inspire and shine
September 30th 2008

Italy with Kids - Mt Etna Europe » Italy » Sicily » Mount Etna

30 Sept 2008 Ky and Liam opted for a quiet day at the apartment, while Joseph and I headed for Mount Etna. We'd thought Liam wouldn't like the climbing, but as it turned out he could have come along. Following some fairly easy signposting, even through a labyrinth of little streets in a number of small towns, Joseph and I were soon driving up the side of the mountain. We really were in luck today: the clouds cleared and gave me an excellent view of the summit on the way up. Now, a little wo [View Full Entry]

By inspire and shine
September 29th 2008

Italy with Kids - Taormina Europe » Italy » Sicily » Taormina

29 Sept 2008 (these blogs being uploaded from Letojanni -have to do pics later) Another sunny day awaits us: breakfast was excellent. The residence provided fresh croissants, normal cornflakes, chocolate cornflakes, coffees, fruit juice and jams. I imagine the jam was for toast, but didn't see anyone having toast. We asked for bowls for the cornflakes (you can guess what flavour the boys chose), but apparently there were no bowls. The idea was to fill a plastic cup - like a glass - with the cornflakes, add milk, and eat with a spoon. The boys liked this as it meant they [View Full Entry]

By inspire and shine
September 28th 2008

Italy with Kids - Palermo to Letojanni Europe » Italy » Sicily » Taormina

28 Sept 2008 Fortune was with us today: the ferry docked and at reception I asked where the Maggiore rental car company depot was. The man informed me right there (pointing off the side of the boat). I looked out the starboard window and sure enough, there was a building right there with the sign in plain view. Just a short wait for the office to open at 7:30, and then we were off in a VW Passat. I immediately found my driving style for Italy had adapted to the smaller narrow car we'd had before, a Lancia Muro. The Passat [View Full Entry]

By Down and out in Millport and Arran
September 26th 2008

Palermo in one day? Europe » Italy » Sicily » Palermo

Cathedral

Woke up at 0630am on Wed morn to torrential rain. With a 40min walk to the train stn I had a slight sinking feeling - perhaps this was not going to be the easiest trip? Luckily, Keith our host had also heard and offered a lift. The drama really started when we arrived in Cosenza. In keeping with ancient Paul tradition lack of planning would feature heavily throughout the journey. We got off the train, fully expecting to jump on a taxi straight to AVIS and our car. Unfortunately, there were no taxis outside the stn. And, according to staff, we [View Full Entry]

By Kurtis
September 24th 2008

Marzarone’s Festa D’Uva Europe » Italy » Sicily » Catania

Mazzarone

Sunday 14th September Licodia - Marzarone’s Festa D’Uva Sunday morning did not bring good stuff for us!! My Mum and I both woke up with the runs and later I threw up!! My Dad also had a throwing up marathon. But Kurt had had the runs for a few days. My Zia Mimmi from Switzerland had also been sick a few days earlier. So while we thought we’d over-eaten big time, we may simply have been a little run down and therefore very susceptible to the virus roaming around Licodia. Boy did we feel bad!! For breakfast, I could only manage [View Full Entry]

By Kurtis
September 24th 2008

Agrigento Europe » Italy » Sicily » Agrigento

Agrigento....Valley of the temples

Tuesday 16th September Licodia - Agrigento We had planned to leave Licodia three days earlier to spend a few nights at Agrigento, but between ourselves decided to spend the extra time in Licodia. So we planned to make Agrigento a day trip. Katelyn was given more panadol for her fever and off we set to Agrigento. Although the road was o.k it was a little curvy and so poor Katelyn threw up. We went to the Valley of the Temples, a huge ridge of land that had a few temples along it. The three main temples we saw were Temple of [View Full Entry]

By Kurtis
September 23rd 2008

Noto and Siracusa Europe » Italy » Sicily » Siracusa

Noto

Monday 8th August Licodia On Monday, Giuseppe took us to a pretty place 45 minutes away called Noto in the town of Syracuse. There was a tiny theatre that sat less than 400 people and was named after Vittorio Emanuele, the first leader of a united Italy. There have been monuments dedicated to him everywhere. All around the theatre were busts of famous artist, politicians, and musicians. The guide spoke enough English for Kurt and the kids to understand. We sat in the balcony seats and had photos taken like aristocrats. Later we went to visit Palazzo Ducezio with its Sala [View Full Entry]

By Kurtis
September 23rd 2008

Nonnas House......Home! Europe » Italy » Sicily » Catania

Licodia...Vineyard

Tuesday 9th August Licodia Giuseppe took us to the council to help us get our original marriage certificate back. When I applied for my Italian passport and wanted to have my children’s names added, my marriage certificate was required. I don’t how it happened but the Italian consulate held on to my original marriage certificate and when questioned they said, if I wanted to hold an Italian passport, my marriage certificate had to return to my parent’s place of origin. So here we are at the council office of Licodia, humbly requesting our original certificate. And guess wh [View Full Entry]

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