Travel Around The Clock

The Donnafugata Castle is a sumptuous noble residence located 15 kilometers from Ragusa .  Donnafugata Castle The name of this castle probably derives from the Arabic "ayn as-jafaiat" which means source of health, referring to the presence of a source of pure water. Donnafugata Castle According to others, however, the title Donnafugata is linked to the legend of Bianca of Navarre, widow of the king of Sicily, that was imprisoned within the walls of the castle by the perfidious Bernardo Cabrera, lord of the County of Modica. The queen managed to escape through the tunnels, thus becoming the escaped woman (literally translated as 'donna fugata') for all. Donnafugata Castle Originally the fiefdom included a hunting estate, and an ancient Arab-Norman watchtower, but it was the baron of Donnafugata Corrado Arezzo de Spuches, who gave the structure its present appearance: a unique mix of sumptuous halls, elegant bedrooms and playful and original architectural details. Donna...

Overlooking the Mediterranean sea, just 200km from the Tunisian coast, Mazara del Vallo , in the province of Trapani , is one of the most interesting destinations in western Sicily . Every corner of this enchanting city tells pieces of its history and its dominations, and its historic center, rich in monuments, enchanting courtyards and squares, is enclosed within Norman walls dating back to the 11th century. Mazara del Vallo Mazara del Vallo Thanks to its strategic position, Mazara was one of the most important cities in Sicily throughout the Middle Ages and was largely influenced by the many invaders that arrived here.  Despite the transformation work carried out by the Normans , the city retains many distinctive characteristics of the Arab-Berber culture: the most evident sign is the winding road layout, which starts from a central axis and leads to numerous colourful courtyards. The district of San Francesco, is probably the most peculiar part presenting the singular features o...

Located on a hill, on the border between Périgord and Agenais, the castle of Biron is the seat of one of the four baronies of the Périgord (together with Bourdeilles , Beynac and Mareuil). Over the years, this primitive fortress has undergone multiple changes. Each century has left its mark there, giving a particular appeal to this exceptional architectural ensemble.  Chateau de Biron But the Biron Castle is a must-see site in more than one way: not only it is stunningly beautiful in its impressive structure, but it has a long history! It belonged for 8 centuries to the Gontaut-Biron family, which was also one of the 4 baronies of the Périgord. Indeed, the first lord of the castle was called Vital 1er de Gontaut (12th century) and participated in the construction of the building. Many lords and barons have succeeded, but Gaston VI de Gontaut (15th century) and his sons Pons and Armand de Gontaut (15th-16th century) were the most important figures. Chateau de Biron Gaston VI was th...

Ragusa Ibla, located in the southeastern tip of Sicily is considered the capital of Sicilian Baroque . The ancient historical center, in a dominant position on a hill, welcomes the visitor with over fifty churches and numerous noble palaces, in which the rich Baroque architecture in local limestone takes the form of scrolls, columns and capitals, statues and decorations of various kind. Ragusa Ibla The origins of Ragusa Ibla date back to a very ancient era; its name can be traced back to an archaic Greek colony (Hybla Heraya), but the current historic centre was built in the 18th century, after the devastating earthquake that struck Eastern Sicily in 1693. In fact, the other cities of the Val di Noto also date back to this period, and they are all characterised by a late Baroque style. Ragusa was then rebuilt in two distinct sites: Ragusa Superiore, the modern city, on the plain, and  Ragusa Ibla that was rebuilt in Baroque style on the ruins of the ancient Sicilian city, and...

The island of Ortygia  (spelled as Ortigia, in Italian) emerges from the waters of the Ionian Sea along the eastern coast of Sicily , a few hundred meters from the mainland. It is a piece of land of just 1 square km in extension, and it represents the heart and true historic centre of the splendid city of Syracuse .   Its name refers to Greek origins, but this area, rich in fresh water springs, was already inhabited since the Bronze Age, as evidenced by archaeological finds dating back to 3500 BC. and 1200 BC. Walking around the island means savoring centuries of history, art and culture. It means capturing the Greek and Roman civilizations and the indelible passage of the Aragonese and Arabs in the buildings and all the architectural details. Ortygia Ortygia Here is our top 5 things to see in Ortygia! Let's start our virtual tour! PIAZZA DUOMO AND CATHEDRAL Every itinerary in Ortygia should start or end on the large main square, beautifully located in the heart of the is...