Two scoops of pistachio, one of corruption. For years, holidaymakers have enjoyed Sicilian gelato at famous parlours in Palermo, Italy, unaware that the booming businesses were controlled by organised crime. The fraud was a textbook case for detectives trained to sniff out dirty money, but even with three mobster classics – a suspicious bankruptcy, a … Read more
The mosaics of a medieval cathedral in Sicily, built by the island’s last Norman king, are set to regain their golden lustre thanks to careful restoration work and new lighting. The Monreale Cathedral, which was built between 1174 and 1189 near Palermo on the orders of King William II, is a Unesco World Heritage site … Read more
Most tourists come to Italy for the wine and vistas, not to mention the pasta and pizza. Many steer clear of the Triangle of Death – an area near the Sicilian capital, Palermo, that includes the town of Bagheria. The name dates back to the 1980s, when the Mafia carried out a series of gruesome … Read more
Reservations for Italy’s new “La Dolce Vita Orient Express” train open Tuesday. Luxury train enthusiasts may want to lock in the current rate now — before it climbs any higher. Starting rates for a one-night journey on the luxury train increased from 2,000 euros ($2,168) per person in December 2022 to 2,500 euros per person … Read more
