Touring the Teatro Massimo was my favorite site during my visit of Palermo. The tour included the…read morefront-of-stage and back-stage areas with the roof terrace "add-on." You need to reserve ahead, so make this one of your first stops in the morning. You may want to keep an eye on the booking office to be there when it opens at 10am and be at the head of the queue. You'll then return at 1:15 for the 1:30 tour which takes an hour. We visited the public areas, royal box, orchestra, stage, backstage and the best part, an elevator ride to the top of the theater where you climb a short ladder to the roof terrace. Along the way, our guide (in English and Italian) pointed out special areas, features and history of this, the second largest in Italy and the third largest in Europe. (Your yardstick of measuring may vary.) Officially named Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele, it opened in 1897 and has since seen a number of operas and performances. The theater is noted for having perfect acoustics. You might also notice where the final scenes of The Godfather Part III were filmed if that's something you're in to. Today was a perfectly clear day and from the terrace (15 or 20 minutes to look around!) you could see for ten miles at least. An amazing view of the city. The roof tour is limited to a very small group because everyone has to be able to fit into the elevator together. So there were only six of us plus the tour guide for the sixty second ride to the top. A wonderful experience and I loved every minute of it. [Review 12842 overall, 157 of 2020.]

We were incredibly lucky to have Teatro Massimo di Palermo literally on our doorstep. The…read morearchitecture is stunning and absolutely photo-worthy. It's also famous from The Godfather Part III, where the assassination of Apollonia was filmed. We loved passing by day and night, always catching a new angle. Overall, it's a must-see and an easy stop while exploring Palermo. Saluti

Fantastic selection of goods mostly made by a boyfriend/girlfriend team. There are some really…read morenice styles here, especially if you're into really interesting stones. The designs are elegantly simple, making for some very nice wearable jewelry that is less gaudy than most of the other shops we looked into. Also, if you're an instrument, there are a lot of stringed instruments (mostly guitars and ukuleles) made from recycled items like cigar boxes and wine boxes that are really cool.

My husband and I had visited ossuaries and catacombs in other countries and thought we would visit…read morethis well known one in Palermo. While he has a tough stomach, he wanted to leave ASAP. Agree with others that this may not be for everyone, especially for younger children. There are a series of rooms, some of which are categorized by the occupation (members of the Capuchin order, who originally were the only people to be interred there) and others by age or gender. It is disarming to see a room designated entirely to children and babies. In addition, it is even more disarming to see some of the "residents" in considerably better condition, which is attributable to different embalming techniques. The site appears to still be run by the Capuchins, as a monk sold us our tickets. No pictures to post because signs ask you not to take any and also in deference to the deceased. 8/8

Our fault for going on an organized tour that walked too quickly through the halls and without…read morebeing able to hear much of what the guide was saying through the headsets they handed us on the bus ride over. If you can hook up with a tour of maybe 5-6 others and a guide that's probably ideal, or if you don't mind not knowing much about the who and why you are ogling, then go on your own to take in a fascinatingly freaky experience.

I believe that there are not many jazz clubs in the world like Real Teatro Santa Cecilia. An old…read moreroyal theatre transformed into a stage for passionate blue notes syncopated. But here we are, impressed and delighted. Not much more to say than to wait for the session to begin.

Visited Mercato del Capo while in Palermo. The atmosphere was lively and chaotic in the best way,…read morewith stalls selling fresh seafood, produce, cheeses, and street snacks. Grabbed some fritto misto di mare -- tasty and only €5. It gets busy, but that's part of the fun and energy. Overall, a fantastic place to get lost and dive into true local flavors. Saluti

We came to this large, outdoor, loud, fun market to walk around and sample some delicious and fresh…read moreseafood items as well as to stock up on some other things. You can certainly buy fresh seafood here, but also other local products including vegetables, fruits, cheese, spices, etc.

Contemporary art is usually different. Unlike "modern" art, it's typically more current and can…read moresometimes be political. There wasn't that political stuff, which was nice. Paolo Madonia's art was definitely unique. He paints the pictures and then sets them on fire. I'm not kidding. The randomness of the fire scorches is art. I'm not sure what was going on with the upstairs level. I think the armoires are to be hung from the ceiling? Outside, the rock circle was interesting too. On a Sunday afternoon, I believe that I was the only person in the Museum. That was certainly nice. [Review 12845 overall, 160 of 2020.]

The "day of the dead" or, in Italian, "il giorno dei morti" is celebrated on the 2nd of November…read more This is the day when people remember, with special celebrations, those who are no longer alive. People visit cemeteries, bring flowers and candles to the graves of dead relatives and friends, children find presents `brought' to them by the "morti," their dead relatives sending them presents. As in other parts of the world, for example Mexico for "El dia de los muertos" or Japan for "Obon festival", it is a day dedicated to death as part of life,' and to the family. The various traditions of the "giorno dei morti" express the Italians', especially the Sicilians' strong attachment to life and to their families, both those who are alive and those who are no longer with them. Hundreds of little Fiere dei Morti - Fairs of the Dead, decorate the streets of every Sicilian town and village: a tradition particularly evident in Palermo. Stalls sell typical sweets, the most popular being Frutta di Martorana, fruit made from almond paste (beautiful to see, overly sweet to eat), the "crozzi 'i mottu" (bones of the dead), the tarallis covered in icing sugar and many more tooth breaking sweets. As evening comes, families will reach the tombs of their dead ones to leave these sweets, flowers, candles and prayers, a tradition that serves to strengthen family bonds, linking children to family members who have come and gone before them.