Fashion and Lifestyle Blogger for the over Fifties - What real women wear!

Thursday 15 September 2022

My Weekend in Sicily - #Chicandstylish #LINKUP

Morning my friends.
Welcome to Mummabstylish today.
Apologies for no post on Monday, I just couldn't get myself together and get a post sorted.  
It's been such an emotional week with a few tears shed here and there for our Queen Elizabeth II.
It's crazy that someone I didn't know can affect me like it has, but losing her made me think of all the other people I've loved and lost along the way, it's brought up many memories for many of us - I wonder if you have felt the same?

On a brighter note, on Sunday we celebrated the christening of my youngest grand-daughter Kimberley.  It was a very quiet occasion with about 50 family and friends enjoying the afternoon in our local church and then afterwards in my daughters garden.  We had a lovely BBQ along with a couple of drinks and a large piece of cake!  The diet was well and truly out the window my friends!  How naughty of me!

Do you remember I went away for a long weekend to Sicily a week ago?  Today I wanted to share my fantastic weekend in the absolutely stunning location of Savocca.


After a 3 and a bit hour flight to Catania we found our way to collect our car.  We'd booked a Fiat 500, and we were perturbed to find out they'd up-graded us to a bigger one!  I was really upset as I'd set my heart on having a little Italian car so they chap changed us back to the smaller car we'd booked!  Imagine that, being upset by being up graded!

Here's out little white Fiat that served us well for our long weekend, it went up the hills and round the hairpin bends beautifully!



With my phone map giving us directions and the little map I'd taken with me we found our way to the hotel with ease, only making one wrong turn which we recognized immediately. It was high up the mountain in a little village called Savoca.  It had been the setting for The Godfather and I was delighted to finally get there, but not as much as David was.  It has been a life-long ambition to visit Sicily and encounter many of the locations for the 1972 film featuring Al Pacino, Marlon Brando and James Caan.  





We'd booked the stunning hotel Borgo San Rocco which was out of this world.  I don't often say I would go back to a hotel, but this one will definitely been re-visited in the future.  It was quiet and idyllic, with friendly staff and an owner who wanted the best for his visitors, he was very generous with the red wine (fortunately for us) and made conversation with all the hotel guests. It was a small hotel with 21 rooms.  All of which were overlooking the valley and further on the beach of Santa Teresa di Riva.  It was so quiet and still, except for the Sunday afternoon when we had a terrific thunder storm and lots of rain, it cleared for the evening when we could again sit outside and enjoy the ambience on our last night.



Enjoying the surroundings and the red wine.  The food was amazing too, we had a different menu each day, and had already decided to eat there every night - didn't fancy the drive up the mountain in the dark!


This was the foyer, which led to the reception desk where we were greeted every day by friendly, English speaking staff.  The breakfast room and dining room were off this and also the door taking us outside to the narrow road which was also where some dining table were situated too.


Here's the sitting area.  It had elaborate furniture and some striking artwork, ornaments and display cabinets.  It was also cool which was nice to sit in after being out in the heat for the day.


I loved this area.  You can see the hotel was built into the rock face and part of that made a wonderful feature and was a connecting walkway from dining room to sitting room.



We woke early on Saturday and went down for breakfast.  Breakfast consisted of bread, cheese and ham, with fruit, tomatoes, croissants, cakes, cereals, yoghurts, fruit juices, tea and coffee.  There was plenty to choose from, and I certainly took full advantage of eating what I could, you know me!
Our trip was to Forza d'Agro.  This wasn't very far, but took about half an hour to get to as we had to go down the twisty mountain and up another one.  We were going there to find the Church that was featured in the film.  We found it easily enough and were pleased to see we'd got there early before everyone on the tours arrived.   At the church and took a couple of photos before taking a walk up to the top of the village.  There were some ruins there, but the gate was locked so we took photos of the views instead.  I thought I was fit with all the gym classes I go to, but I was exhausted after the long climb and it was nice to sit and enjoy a shandy in the shade.  We were just around the corner from the church and we were delighted when the clock chimed 12 o'clock and the strains of Ave Maria was played over a loud speaker, it really made our visit even more memorable.




Returning to the hotel we decided to visit Bar Vitelli, this was featured in the film too.  Imagine how good we felt when the exact table was vacant when we got there, we sat at it immediately ordering some drinks and a cannoli (for me obviously).  They have one room which was like a shrine to the Godfather, it had photos and other memorabilia on display with a chair that Michael Corleone sat on!  It had a big sign on it saying do not sit here! 
It was very busy and we were so lucky to get THAT table, there were visitors coming in all the time wanting tables and taking photos.



On Sunday we decided to visit Taromina which was about an hour up the road. It was a busy bustling town, with lots of shops selling local wares and both high and low end fashion shops - I found a lovely two piece that had to come home with me, but not before wearing it on our last evening!  It's a gorgeous shade of coral orange and looks amazing with my tan - do let me know what you think!


I'll let you into a little secret, the above photo was taken about half an hour before a downpour!  We were sitting having some pizza when the thunder clapped and the heavens opened - we all rushed inside to finish our food and wait for the rain to pass - it eventually stopped and dried up immediately.  We made our way back to the car, before any more rain came our way.


We also found this church The Church of San Nicolo.  It was also featured in the film and was the setting where Michael married Apollonia.




Thanks for joining me on my little tour around Savocca, do leave a comment if you'd like to know any more about it. X


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Time for the #Chicandstylish #LINKUP


Favourite blogger from last week is Rena - Fine Whatever who's wearing very similar trousers to what I wore last week.  Her’s are a wonderful shade of rust and look right up my street too!


Let's start linking up.
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Please follow your host on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Link up your fashion and beauty posts, other topics allowed.
We all like to get compliments, so please leave a nice comment when visiting a blog or two.
Please link back to Mummabstylish blog post.
You can also share the love on social media.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
Thank you so much for joining me today, I thoroughly enjoyed telling you about my long weekend to Sicily.
See you on Monday where they'll be a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Bye for now. X

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38 comments

  1. WOW, Jacqui!! What a freaking AMAZING place!! It's absolutely gorgeous. I adore old villages full of character like that. I guess I'll have to add Sicily to my must-visit list! And another WOW and a YOWZER to you in that coral two piece. You're stunning in it!
    Big hugs
    Suzy xx

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    1. Oh, you are so sweet Suzy, thanks so much for stopping by. x

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  2. What a fab location, and how elegant are you in all these beautiful outfits. So pleased David fulfilled his wish of 50 years. And yes, those Italian thunderclaps and immediate and brutal.
    Great post, Mary xxx
    thepoutingpensioner.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Mary, we had a marvellous time and I would love to return one day. x

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  3. Jacqui, your trip to Sicily makes me want to go and stay at that exact hotel and wear all the beautiful clothes you wore! Perfection!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    1. It was amazing Kellyann, so lovely to get there and wear all my special clothes. x

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  4. What a super cool place to visit! The photos are wonderful and your new coral satin skirt and top set is stunning on you! I really enjoyed reading about The Godfather locations!

    Shelbee on the Edge

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    1. Awe it was wonderful, thanks so much for leaving such lovely comments. x

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  5. What a fabulous weekend bringing David's dream to life! And your orange two piece is a triumph!
    Pamela
    www.style-yourself-confident.com

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    1. It was marvellous, loved every minute of it and can't wait to go back again. x

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  6. Although I haven't seen the movie it looks like you had a wonderful time on your trip seeing all the sights! :) I liked your holiday wardrobe too!

    Thanks for the link up. Hope you are having a great day :)

    Away From The Blue

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    1. It's a good movie to watch, maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but worth a watch. Thanks for stopping by Mica. x

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  7. Savocca looks incredible! I would love to travel to Sicily one day! Your photos are beautiful!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

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    1. Many thanks for stopping by Jill, such kind words. x

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  8. My husband sure would love a holiday there! It looks so beautiful and he would love to see all of the places from the movie. You look wonderful in all of your chosen outfits.
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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    1. It was an amazing holiday and I'd love to go back again very soon. Thanks for your lovely comments. x

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  9. Wow, absolutely gorgeous photos! And you are so photogenic in this beautiful locale. The wine photo is my favorite...stylish, relaxed, and loving life.

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  10. What a lovely vacation! Such a beautiful spot. I don’t blame you for sticking to your guns on the car rental. Of course you need a Fiat in Sicily! And all of your outfits are amazing - from your tropical shorts to that coral evening dress. Fabulous!

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    1. Thank you so much Michelle, such kind words. x

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  11. The anonymous comment was mine. I was too quick hitting submit.
    Michelle
    https://mybijoulifeonline.com

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  12. It certainly looks like you have a marvelous time on this weekend getaway. You've captured the beauty of the sights you saw so well. And how fabulous and happy you look, too! My husband's grandmother was from Sicily so it's a place that we'd love to visit some day. What a wonderful surprise to see that you picked my post as your favorite from last week's link-up.

    Rena
    www.finewhateverblog.com

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    1. We had a wonderful time, well worth it. I think you should definitely visit Sicily especially if you have family there. x

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  13. Your trip looks absolutely dreamy!! I would love to visit someday!! Sending hugs to you regarding Queen Elizabeth. I'm not even British and I was torn up about it <3

    Lizzie
    www.lizzieinlace.com

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    1. Lizzie, it was wonderful and truly a wonderful experience. Thanks for your kind comments, such a hard time for us all. x

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  14. Wow! That looks like an incredible vacation!

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  15. Thanks for sharing your fabulous trip! I would love to visit. My condolences on the loss of your Queen.

    Rosemary
    Distinctly Southern Style

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  16. It looks like such an amazing trip and you looked fabulous in every outfit! I'm missing travel so I'm living vicariously through you!

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  17. Love your fabulous vacation outfits! Looks like such a wonderful time!

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  18. First, my condolences on the loss of the Queen. Yes, I shed tears as I thought of the loss the family must feel. Secondly, what a gorgeous vacation! And, how fun to visit where The Godfather was filmed! You definitely look fabulous in all of these looks, Jacqui! Thanks for the link up!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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  19. Stunning photos of Sicily! Strange time at the moment, in a way we are waiting for the state funeral for closure x

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  20. What an incredible place to visit Jacqui! You look amazing! The photos are incredible.

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

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  21. I felt the same way about our Queen- it affected me too. I love your Sicily pics! I miss Italy!

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  22. Thanks for sharing your fantastic trip. The photos are fabulous ❣️

    Rosemary
    www.distinctlysouthernstyle.com

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  23. Jacqui, ony got around to reading your Sicily trip post now. It sounds amazing and the photos are magic. I want to go now.

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