Culture, History & Heritage

Buon Natale! Christmas in Italy offers an enchanting blend of ancient traditions, sumptuous feasts, and heartwarming family celebrations that differ beautifully from holiday customs elsewhere. From the mystical arrival of La Befana to the legendary Feast of Seven Fishes, Italian Christmas traditions create unforgettable memories steeped in centuries of culture and Catholic heritage.

"Montalbano sugnu!" So the famous fictional Sicilian detective announces his presence as he calls at the homes of suspects, witnesses and friends. In his perennial quest for whodunit, Inspector Montalbano's manner and his glorious sun-soaked baroque environs couldn't be more different from the dark and damp Danish crime dramas that compete for TV audiences. Adapted from the best-selling books by Sicilian author Andrea Camilleri, the TV series of Inspector Montalbano is set in and around the fictional town of Vigata, which was originally based on the Camilleri's home town of Porto Empedocle a few kilometres west of Agrigento. However, when RAI, Italy's state broadcaster, decided to transform the books into a hugely successful TV series, the great Inspector was seconded to the more picturesque area of Ragusa in southeast Sicily.

Join us on a tour of some of our favourite Sicilian castles and learn more about the ancient Sicilian architecture that bears testament to its glorious past.

The Pizzica dance is a staple of Puglian tradition and is an activity not to be missed on your visit. Here's more about this authentic dance, and where you can find it.

Liberty style, or Art Nouveau design, takes on a whole new aesthetic on Sicily's historic buildings. Read more on the rise of Liberty style in the city of Palermo.