sicily beach

Sicily weather 31/12/09. Yesterday a heat wave hit Sicily. Winds coming from Africa locally known as the scirocco raised temperatures to 25’C. Arriving from England i was happy to take off my scarf, coat and gloves. People were seen on the beach sunbathing in Mondello, Palermo and for tonight’s New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sicily locals are planning their last 2009 and first swim of the new year 2010 with several parties on the beach. Makes a fresh change to all that snow and ice in northern Europe !! Happy New Year !!! Now you know why people buy a holiday property in Sicily.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Antimafia tourism Sicily : Sicilian Mafia

I just heard a news item on UK BBC radio 4 announcing that in Sicily they have launched antimafia tourism in Palermo and Corleone.

Corleone mafia sicily

So what is the Antimafia ? As it’s name suggests it is the policing organisation against the Mafia. Officially called the DIA “Direzione Investigativa Antimafia”. Responsable for investigating mafia bosses, corruption, protection rackets “pizzo” and anything to do with organised crime in Sicily. Amongst sicilians the antimafia is NOW considered more dangerous than the mafia, in that they have the legal right to put you in prison whilst you are innocent and under investigation for mafia association. I have a sicilian friend who innocently sold a plot of land to wind turbine developers, whom are strongly associated with the mafia and he got locked up for 6 months until it was proved he had nothing to do with the developer.

The antimafia successfully claims to confiscate or reposses mafia assets including businesses, property and cash. Some of these assets are now donated back into the sicilian community. See Francesco Galante restaurant near Corleone once owned by the Cosa Nostra.

PS check out the gun bullet hole under the “O” in Corleone in the above picture.

The antimafia tourism promoting the first restaurant in Palermo that refused to pay the pizzo and with trips to Corleone sounds more like Mafia Tourism to me not antimafia tourism.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Car rally in Sicily. rallye sicilia 2009

Car rally Sicily

Ever fancied racing across the Sicilan landscape in an epic, historic, prestige racing car in Sicily ? This weekend there is “The race in Sicily” hosted by Historic Racing Club.

Not much info on their website, but its normally a race that takes place round Lake Garda. This year there is the 1st Sicilian edition. Visitng Trapani, Erice and then onto Salemi, Selinunte and finishing in Marsala.

The event has been organised by the Associazione Culturale Sportiva Historic Racing Club, Marsala.

If you fancy hiring an epic race car for touring Sicily, then ask MIPC for further details.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Sicily

MIPC have successfully identified Sicily as a future investment hotspot and potential property boom. The UK Financial Times confirms MIPC’s vision in a recent article about Sicily

If you are interested in a property in Sicily, the sicilian property market, invest in sicily or a villa in sicily then EMAIL MIPC (link at top of page) for further details about Sicily property.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Boat hire Scopello Zingaro

Just spent a great day on the  Mediterranean sea on a hired boat…drove out of the marina Castellammare del Golfo, raced across the sea (bit choppy), moored up on the scopello coast and later anchored in a bay in the zingaro reserve and we all dived off the boat in and out in the sea….don’t forget your snorkels…sub acqua scopello good….so i just wanted to explain how easy it is for you too to be part of the jet set cruising along the water on your boat without a boat licence. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 1% [?]

Heatwave in Italy

A heatwave is crossing Italy, originating from Africa. Here in Sicily the southern island of Italy we are the first to get it. Locally called the “scirocco” you know when it arrives. The air stands still, the sun rises and the day bursts into warmth. The city streets remain deserted as people retreat to the indoor air conditioning. The brave tourists roast on the beaches, regularly dipping into the crystal blue seas to chill down, the yachts occasionally bobble in  the calm sea as hosts dive into the water, mostly dressed in the latest swimwear….but only the mad man stays under the sun from 12- 3, when it really does burn. Lunchtime or the midday break is when a lot of people catch up on lost sleep, as they stay up late and start work early when it is much fresher.

The land is dry the occasional bush fires spark up, someone maybe threw a cigarette out of the car window and smoke travels across the countryside as the guardia forestale battle to extinguish the flames. The car tyres squeal on the corners as the tyres and the road heat up. The ice cream parlours with their freezers working overtime, humming in the background, are full of every flavour and colour you could imagine as locals scoop away at their gelato, granita and crema di caffe.

Here in Salemi the hillside Sicilian town the fresh air breezes through the palm trees, the Palermitani retreat from the city centres to the countryside to get some fresh air.

You can feel in the air that it is the start of the Italian holiday period and not much will get done until September…..

Popularity: 1% [?]

Sicily villa for sale scopello, zingaro nature reserve.

"wow" villa overlooking beach

View on you tube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PACR62flW_I

Follow this link to view the MIPC property listing of this : Sicilian seaside villa

Exclusive sicilian seaside villa 250m² villa set in 5000m² mature mediterranean gardens overlooking the Scopello bay of Sicily. Situated 5 minutes walk from the Scopello bay locally known as Cala Mazzo di Sciacca. Off the country road leading to the Zingaro nature reserve this villa has the “wow” factor. 4 double bedrooms all with individual bathrooms, 3 small spare rooms, 1 large living room with 6m high ceilings, large outside ground terrace and sun seeking roof terrace.

Sicilian Villa set in mature gardens

A luxury holiday villa up for a quick sale as recently widowed owner does not live here.

Interested parties to act quickly as there is a lot of local interest.

View on you tube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PACR62flW_I

Follow this link to view the MIPC property listing of this : Sicilian seaside villa

Sale price : 1,000,000 : 1 million euros.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 3% [?]

House in Sicily by the sea Zingaro nature Reserve.

Shell structure recntly built overlooking the bay of GuidaLoca, near Scopello and the Zingaro nature reserve, 10 minutes from Castellamre del Golfo.

The structure can be purchased as it is and personally finished or the builder will complete to your personal specification with a  3 month completion in time for this September. Strong rental market.

View a video of the property on You Tube… Buy a villa in Sicily

Popularity: 1% [?]

Italian Holiday Villa for Sale in Sicily, Italy.

Scopello, Castellamare del Golfo, Trapani, (west Palermo) Sicily.

Palermo (PMO) airport 30 mins / Trapani (TPS) airport 30 mins.
3 bedroom holiday villa located near lo Zingaro nature reserve and close to Scopello. Set in mature private gardens, with patio overlooking the sea and Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 2% [?]

Trapani Airport TPS Sicily

Trapani airport (TPS) is fastly expanding and becoming the gateway to south west sicily, Trapani, Marsala, Salemi, Scopello, Segesta and the Egadi Islands. Historically a military airport. With Ryanair operating flights from here since last year, the airport has transformed Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 7% [?]