American Tour Guide and Storyteller in Palermo, Sicily
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Join us for an immersive experience, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the ancient La Kalsa neighborhood, visiting the real locations where mafia crimes took place, sites which are now part of Palermo's anti-mafia movement's urban recuperation and renewal. This tour focuses on the lives of Sicily’s most famous anti-mafia heroes Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino and mafia penitenti (turncoats) who grew up La Kalsa.Tour is 1.6 km or 1 mile, mostly shaded. Midway through we will stop at a cafe, all refreshments are optional and paid for separately.The value of this tour is in its powerful and inspiring storytelling, offering a deep dive into the lives of extraordinary individuals and organizations that fought and continue to fight against the mafia. This tour includes visits to 10 important sites, including three major crime sites. During this tour you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and will learn more about ongoing efforts in Sicily’s fight against organized crime. This historical educational tour provides a comprehensive overview of the history of Cosa Nostra, including its actual origins, contrasted with the myths about it.You will come away from this tour with a greater appreciation of authentic Sicilian culture and an understanding of how the Cosa Nostra was an aberration, one with shallow historical roots, uncharacteristic of this beautiful, courageous, and resilient little island.
Experience Authentic Sicilian Culture:Held at the Teatro Argento, located across from the Palermo Cathedral, in the heart of the historic center, this unique class offers a deep dive into Palermo's puppetry legacy. Maybe you’ll leave with a new skill but you’ll certainly leave with a deep appreciation for marionette theater, authentic Sicilian culture, and lasting memories.Why You’ll Love This Class:- Learn the secrets behind Palermo’s famous puppetry.- Engage in creative and educational hands-on activities.- Enjoy a family-friendly experience in a beautiful historic setting.- Gain insight from a master puppeteer and his family’s rich legacy.Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Palermo puppetry. Book your spot today and create unforgettable memories.
Highlights:Immersive storytelling brings history and anti-mafia heroes to lifeVisit mafia crime scenes, including the site of one murderMarvel at the layers of history in a beautiful, ancient, and now very lively neighborhood1 mile or 1.6 km walking, mix shade and sun. Bathroom available halfway through.Want to learn more about the moving struggle of ordinary Sicilians against Cosa Nostra? Join us for an immersive experience, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the real locations where important events took place in the lives of Sicily’s most famous anti-mafia heroes Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino. This historical educational tour provides an overview of the history of Cosa Nostra, including its actual origins, contrasted with the myths about it.This tour around the ancient Kalsa district in Palermo visits 10 important sites, including the sites of mafia crimes. During this tour you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and will learn more about ongoing efforts in Sicily’s fight against organized crime. But the value of this tour is in its powerful and inspiring storytelling, offering a deep dive into the lives of extraordinary individuals and organizations that fought and continue to fight against the mafia. Your guide will bring history and people to life.Halfway through we will stop at a cafe, refreshments are optional and paid for individually.Join us for this fascinating tour and immerse yourself in the courageous history and present of Palermo’s anti-mafia movement. You will come away from this tour with a greater appreciation of authentic Sicilian culture, high and low, and an understanding of how the Cosa Nostra was an aberration, one with shallow historical roots, uncharacteristic of this courageous and resilient little island.
1 km or .6 miles walking, mostly shaded.Immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of three different but equally enchanting masterpiece works by the great Palermitano sculptor Giacomo Serpotta. Hailed as "one of the greatest European sculptors of the 18th century," and "a meteor in the Sicilian sky," the acclaimed art historian Rudolph Wittkower declared, "The three small oratories in Palermo which he decorated prove him to be the greatest stuccoist that ever lived."Serpotta was a Baroque sculptor of the sublime who used stucco to transform entire oratories, from floor to ceiling, harmoniously filling them with charming tumbling putti, deeply meaningful religious scenes and allegories, and serene women at their ease, representing the great virtues. His delightful artistry has been beloved for centuries and is still amazing viewers today.On this tour, we will explore why Serpotta isn’t as well-known as Michelangelo in the English-speaking world. We will delve into the meanings of the tableaux in his signature teatrini (little theaters), the tumultuous context of his life, his artistic techniques and innovations, and the mysteries surrounding him. This will provide you with a deep appreciation of Serpotta, his artistry, and authentic Sicilian cultural heritage.Our tour guides specialize in storytelling, bringing Serpotta’s masterpieces to life with captivating tales, expert commentary, and audio and visual aids. Because no tour would be complete without touching on layers of history, this one includes the ongoing mystery of the heist of the Caravaggio Nativity from the Oratory of San Lorenzo, and the recent almost miraculous replacement of that missing masterpiece.Book today and don't miss your chance to experience for yourself the "Dreams made from stucco, woven of white and gold, kept in dark places and sheltered from rain and sun, for weather is the enemy of the material. One must ascend stairs and descend them, enter narrow alleys where clothes snap in the wind, to be rewarded by the vision of laughing and acrobatic creatures, framing serious and dramatic facts, works of faith and mercy, battles of Christians, Turks, and Barbary pirates…" (Excerpt from ‘White Darkness’ by Luca Scarlini).
Most cities offer pub crawl nightlife tours that follow a set itinerary and offer cheap drinks in loud and crowded venues. This tour in contrast is customized for each group to share the connoisseur's picks for Palermo nightlife- showcasing places off the tourist path with great atmospheres, niche Sicilian wines, and most of all, the live music that Palermo's vibrant nightlife is famous for! Your tour guide will pick a custom meeting point for each tour based on which venues are offering live music that evening. Do you prefer expertly mixed cocktails? Want to sing along with the crowd? Or is conversation more your speed? Palermo has a wealth of diverse options to choose from and this magical city always surprises us! This tour will not look or act like a "tour group" but rather like a group of new friends enjoying an evening out together. So leave behind the copied/pasted top ten lists, let your local guide tailor a passeggiata for you, and indulge in a night out to remember.
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