I’ve been watching that only because weve been to Sicily and i was told I would recognize a lot of the scenery in the show, currently on episode 3 season 2… but season 1 was better so far. Never been to Hawaii tho. I just like the cast & plot of season 1.
What a phenomenal place to spend New Year's Eve. The hotel looked beautiful 😍. Stunning views and tasty looking food you can't beat it. Another great video, as always . Thank you for sharing. Much love ❤️ 😊
Can you comment on the open letter about the school system in Syracuse by Elin Mattson? Very interested to understand the reaction of local Sicilians to this letter.
I have spoken to 2 of my teacher friends and both say the complaints are a bit exaggerated. When it comes to education the majority if children are very disciplined and driven. Of course we don't know that school specifically.
@@YouMeandSicily now I’m just an observer from afar, but after seeing Palermo for a few months last year, I was shocked at the low sense of entitlement amongst Sicilians. It’s much poorer than other industrialized areas of Italy. Spending on education generally lifts poor areas out of poverty. I know the Sicilian economy has made a lot of cuts and according to Elgin’s assertions, extensive investments into the local education systems may be merited. Are Elin’s independent assessments of the Sicilian education system correct? Are kids exiting the Sicilian education system unfairly disadvantaged with respect to the average EU citizen?
Now having my property in Italy (thanks, Al) let me share what worked for me in my search. How to find your place in Italy. My suggestions: 1) Start by making a list of what you want. Here's a bit of my list. Smaller medieval village. Off of the tourist trail. An ample number of stores and restaurants within walking distance. Good public transportation. No need to have a car. and more.... Your list may be 100% different. Just make your list. 2) Decide on the part of Italy that you most enjoy. I like northern Italy more than southern Italy. You decide on what you want. Either learn Italy online or by visiting. I suggest online first and then, if you can, make one or more trips so you can sample cities/villages to understand the differences between regions. 3) Use Idealista and any other online sites so you can get a feel for what properties cost. Set screens for your favorite area/city/village/rural areas and for the type of property you want. Don't set your screens too tight at first. Shop wide and narrow down later. The service is free. 4) Finally, use Google Maps. Extensively. With Street View you can possibly see the building and neighborhood on your computer. Use the app to ‘walk’ around the neighborhood. Use the Google Map app to look for things you might want within walking distance or in the general area. Click on Nearby and look for grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, bus stops, etc. When you find a store/whatever you may find a review and images so you can determine if it’s a large grocery or only a minimarket carrying the very basics. Look at the village, neighborhood, city in Google Images. You will likely get a feel for the ‘best’ stuff. And just Google the place. I found lots of travel videos which allowed me to virtually visit from afar. Then use Google to find any information about the particular places that interest you. Look to see if the village/neighborhood has a once a week market. My village has a regular weekly market which sees a bunch of large vans selling a vast array of produce, cheese, fish, household goods, and clothes. That greatly expands what you might find in the brick and mortar stores. (Feel free to use and share.) My experience. I had been to Italy twice and had a rough feel for the various parts of the country. I settled on Marche. I made up a list of "the most beautiful villages" from multiple lists. Some I ruled out quickly online because some were too large and some too small (limited shopping and restaurants). I ended up with a list of about 15 possibilities and spent a couple of weeks during which I visited each. Some were eliminated in a few minutes - too steep for older legs, some just felt 'dead', some were (local) tourist destinations. One day I eliminated three villages. Since I had a list of possible properties that I had developed using Idealista I was able to walk by some of the properties and was able to see the neighborhood, etc. I actually found a place I wanted to buy during my two week trip but I wouldn't count on that happening. I'd suggest one trip to explore and, if needed, a second trip to find your place. Minimum. Don’t hesitate to spend money for multiple trips. A plane ticket from the US is a small percentage of what you're going to spend on property and renovations/decorating. If you don't have Italy experience I'd suggest taking a trip from Rome south into Sicily and then up the east coast. Circle over and finish off with the area north of Rome. I ignored the central area due to higher earthquake problems. Stop a bit on the way and get a feeling for the different regions. Then pick your area(s).
Hi. You said you prefer north Italy then south. As I'm interested in foreigners opinion (I'm sicilian), may I ask you, if you allow me, how come? Under what point of view?
@@thewebhorse I'ts all about "green vs. brown" to me. I prefer more verdant areas. I've lived in multiple places in the US, including the 'dry' SW. I find myself drawn to trees and forests.
One of the best Christmas Markets in Sicily is in Catania check it out here ua-cam.com/video/lq6MfhSLZPE/v-deo.html
Beautiful !! BUON ANNO !!
My Heart is full with Love for Sicily 🙏❤️
Cannot wait to visit again!
Fabulous episode. Breathtaking imagery and the energy of the experience was felt beyond the video.
Thank you !
What a wonderful evening in Taormina! Thanks for sharing.
Buon Giorno from Galveston Island, Texas
Love Taomina so much, Happy New Year to you both ❤
Happy New Year!
Oh it's so beautiful! What a wonderful place to be, I love love love the violin.
Thank you so much and Joyeux Noel, Bonne Anne
Not much today other than…LOVED IT!,,,🎉🎉🎉
Buon Anno a voi duee' molto grazie
Such a Beautiful video. Thank you for sharing this video. The music at the Piazza was heavenly.
Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year. 🎊🎉🥂❤️
Happy new Year !
Love you guys. Great video
Grazie !
Yet another great video! Our plan is to spend New Year 2023/4 in Taormina 🙂
Maybe we will see you !
@@YouMeandSicily You will probably see us before then ;-)
Ciao Buon Anno Nuovo! Wow what a time in Taormina for New Years Eve ❤️ Anither great episode! Grazie ❤️
You have given us such wonderful,beautiful, and interesting information.
Thank you for all of your Videos.
God Bless.
So glad you are enjoying!
Great town.. i have been in that garage a few times 🤗👍🏼.. was studying Italiano in Babilonia 👌
Happy New Year ❤️🙏
Happy new year Candice!
I'm surprised it hasn't gotten an influx of people with White Lotus playing on HBO in the US.
I’ve been watching that only because weve been to Sicily and i was told I would recognize a lot of the scenery in the show, currently on episode 3 season 2… but season 1 was better so far. Never been to Hawaii tho. I just like the cast & plot of season 1.
What a phenomenal place to spend New Year's Eve. The hotel looked beautiful 😍. Stunning views and tasty looking food you can't beat it. Another great video, as always . Thank you for sharing. Much love ❤️ 😊
Happy New Year dear Janet!
Can you comment on the open letter about the school system in Syracuse by Elin Mattson? Very interested to understand the reaction of local Sicilians to this letter.
I have spoken to 2 of my teacher friends and both say the complaints are a bit exaggerated. When it comes to education the majority if children are very disciplined and driven. Of course we don't know that school specifically.
@@YouMeandSicily now I’m just an observer from afar, but after seeing Palermo for a few months last year, I was shocked at the low sense of entitlement amongst Sicilians. It’s much poorer than other industrialized areas of Italy. Spending on education generally lifts poor areas out of poverty. I know the Sicilian economy has made a lot of cuts and according to Elgin’s assertions, extensive investments into the local education systems may be merited. Are Elin’s independent assessments of the Sicilian education system correct? Are kids exiting the Sicilian education system unfairly disadvantaged with respect to the average EU citizen?
Do you have to book a table at restaurants in Taormina x-mas and New Year's Eve?
Definitely
Hello, where do you recommend to go for new years in Taormina? Resturant or bar? or Mazzaro
We will go to Excelsior Hotel
Now having my property in Italy (thanks, Al) let me share what worked for me in my search.
How to find your place in Italy. My suggestions:
1) Start by making a list of what you want. Here's a bit of my list.
Smaller medieval village.
Off of the tourist trail.
An ample number of stores and restaurants within walking distance.
Good public transportation. No need to have a car.
and more....
Your list may be 100% different. Just make your list.
2) Decide on the part of Italy that you most enjoy.
I like northern Italy more than southern Italy. You decide on what you want.
Either learn Italy online or by visiting. I suggest online first and then, if you can, make one or more trips so you can sample cities/villages to understand the differences between regions.
3) Use Idealista and any other online sites so you can get a feel for what properties cost.
Set screens for your favorite area/city/village/rural areas and for the type of property you want. Don't set your screens too tight at first. Shop wide and narrow down later. The service is free.
4) Finally, use Google Maps. Extensively.
With Street View you can possibly see the building and neighborhood on your computer. Use the app to ‘walk’ around the neighborhood.
Use the Google Map app to look for things you might want within walking distance or in the general area. Click on Nearby and look for grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, bus stops, etc. When you find a store/whatever you may find a review and images so you can determine if it’s a large grocery or only a minimarket carrying the very basics.
Look at the village, neighborhood, city in Google Images. You will likely get a feel for the ‘best’ stuff. And just Google the place. I found lots of travel videos which allowed me to virtually visit from afar.
Then use Google to find any information about the particular places that interest you. Look to see if the village/neighborhood has a once a week market. My village has a regular weekly market which sees a bunch of large vans selling a vast array of produce, cheese, fish, household goods, and clothes. That greatly expands what you might find in the brick and mortar stores.
(Feel free to use and share.)
My experience. I had been to Italy twice and had a rough feel for the various parts of the country.
I settled on Marche. I made up a list of "the most beautiful villages" from multiple lists. Some I ruled out quickly online because some were too large and some too small (limited shopping and restaurants). I ended up with a list of about 15 possibilities and spent a couple of weeks during which I visited each. Some were eliminated in a few minutes - too steep for older legs, some just felt 'dead', some were (local) tourist destinations. One day I eliminated three villages.
Since I had a list of possible properties that I had developed using Idealista I was able to walk by some of the properties and was able to see the neighborhood, etc.
I actually found a place I wanted to buy during my two week trip but I wouldn't count on that happening. I'd suggest one trip to explore and, if needed, a second trip to find your place. Minimum.
Don’t hesitate to spend money for multiple trips. A plane ticket from the US is a small percentage of what you're going to spend on property and renovations/decorating. If you don't have Italy experience I'd suggest taking a trip from Rome south into Sicily and then up the east coast. Circle over and finish off with the area north of Rome. I ignored the central area due to higher earthquake problems. Stop a bit on the way and get a feeling for the different regions. Then pick your area(s).
Great advice!
Hi. You said you prefer north Italy then south. As I'm interested in foreigners opinion (I'm sicilian), may I ask you, if you allow me, how come? Under what point of view?
@@thewebhorse
I'ts all about "green vs. brown" to me. I prefer more verdant areas. I've lived in multiple places in the US, including the 'dry' SW. I find myself drawn to trees and forests.
Got it. Surely south Italy has different kind of landscape. Enjoy your property. Silvio
@@thewebhorse
For me, it sort of breaks down to Europe vs. The Med. I like them both.