quality villas in Sicily
Villas in Sicily | About Sicily | About thinkSicily
January 2006
New Year ....... New Site

In this, the first newsletter of 2006, we are happy to announce the arrival of our new, improved website. It is the fruit of a good five months work during which we have made several fundamental changes, making it not only more user-friendly but also more informative and visually attractive.

Some of the most important modifications include a wider screen definition, automatic slideshows with 4-times larger photos, technical information tables about each property, new and more visual layouts for listing and individual property pages and a simpler shortlist facility.

While these “structural” changes are of a one-off kind, the contents of the site are continuously added to and updated with information about the latest Think Sicily properties, in-depth cultural, historic and gastronomic insights into Sicily and periodic special offers. So, please take a look and come back to visit us whenever you want  - you’re always welcome.

Let us plan your trip - thinkSicily's new Itineraries

Over the past year Think Sicily has received a growing number of requests for ideas of how to discover more of the Mediterranean’s largest island. As a result we have created a series of themed itineraries that allow our clients to move around Sicily, experiencing various aspects of the island. Each itinerary is, however, extremely flexible: they can be combined, extended or tailored to meet your personal requirements. Our London office staff, all of whom have an in-depth knowledge of Sicily and thinkSicily’s properties, will be happy to talk you through the itineraries and give advice as to how to get the most out of your trip.

Recipe of the month: Involtini di Pesce Spada

Swordfish, or "U pisci spada" as it's called in Sicilian dialect, is probably Sicily's favourite fish. Despite the famously tear-jerking song by Domenico Modugno, which recounted a fishing expedition from the eyes of both the fishermen and two amorous swordfish, Sicilian cuisine offers a great number of different ways of cooking this most peculiar looking fish. The main spawning grounds of Swordfish are in the Straits of Messina, and it is here that a good deal of the recipes come from. This is probably the case of this month's recipe, Involtini di Pesce Spada (swordfish rolls). Go to recipe > >

The Think Sicily Supplement

As we mentioned in the December newsletter, we have some 20 properties that are not in the 2005-2006 brochure. While they can be seen on the website, we realise that leafing through well-produced "real paper" brochure is a completely different experience. As a result, we have created a special supplement featuring the new additions to our portfolio as well as some novelties that will be incorporated into our up-and-coming full brochure (May 2006). To order a copy of our brochure and the supplement, go to www.thinksicily.com and click on "Request a brochure".
How do you pronounce "Cicero"?

If you mispronounced it in Sicily in 1282, you'd have been in serious trouble! Why, you may be asking. Well, it's a long and compicated part of Sicilian history, but to cut a long story short, Cicero was the word Sicilians used to unmask their French (Angevin) enemies during the Sicilian Vespers, one of the island's most well-known historical events. It all started on Easter Monday as the bells were ringing out, calling the faithful to Vespers. An insult from a French soldier directed at a Sicilian lady was the straw that broke the camel's back. Since 1266, in fact, the Angevin French had been ruling Sicily with an iron rod, imposing high taxes and ...Read on > >

Featured Property:  Villa Armerina
 

Villa Armerina, just outside Piazza Armerina, was built in the 18th Century as an aristocratic hunting lodge. Today, although the town has crept a little closer, the Villa has maintained its isolation, its proximity to the open countryside and its wonderful views that stretch far into the distance over hill and dale. 

Villa Armerina has also managed to retain its distinctly Baroque charm, both in terms of its decorative embellishments, (stucco mouldings above the doors, the stone-carved eagle and family crest) as well as its structural layout (see the alcove in the master bedroom).

It's not all 18th Century, however: the lovely pool has turned it somewhat into a "relaxation lodge"!