EUROPE - Life with my unicorn

Destination:

Italy
Albania
North Macedonia
Kosovo
Ireland

Northern Sicily in the Shoulder Seasons

October 27, 2024

2024, Blog, Italy

We’ve spent three seasons in Northern Sicily so far, and without a doubt, we much prefer the shoulder seasons. Compared to the peak summer season, there are fewer crowds with the added benefits of mild to warm temperatures perfect for...

The Balkans: Part 3 – Three Weeks in Kosovo

October 13, 2024

2024, Blog, Kosovo

Originally, we planned to return to Albania for our final three weeks in the Balkans after North Macedonia. However, to escape the summer heat, we traveled 100 kilometers through the Shar Mountains to Kosovo. As a landlocked country with...

The Balkans: Part 2 – North Macedonia

September 29, 2024

View of Vejtse, North Macedonia - a small village in the Shar Mountains

2024, Blog, North Macedonia

Our trip to North Macedonia was like no other! Paul found a tiny village on the map, and our sense of adventure kicked into full gear. Since we weren’t traveling light during our four-month stint in the Balkans, Paul...

The Balkans: Part 1 – Summer in Albania

September 15, 2024

2024, Albania, Blog

Our epic 2-day scenic route from Castelbuono, Sicily to Durres, Albania involved hopping in cars, on trains, ferries, a bus and a motorcycle. Why? We needed to reset the “1-year clock” on Paul’s motorcycle that he imported from Canada. Without...

How We Spent a Month in Ireland

June 3, 2024

2023, Blog, Ireland

Our month in Ireland was more than just a vacation; it was a heartfelt and unforgettable reunion with a long-time family friend, Annie, who I lost touch with over 20 years ago. This trip marked my first visit to the...

Our Checklist Before Moving from Canada to Italy

May 18, 2024

Beautiful view of the Madonie Mountains; Isnello, Sicily (Italy)

2024, Blog, Canada, Italy

Before we hopped on a plane to fly across the world, we made a commitment to find a new home by selling 95% of what we own. We often get asked how we chose Sicily out of all of...

Castelbuono, Sicily: Part 2 – A Slower Pace of Life

September 25, 2023

A view of the Madonie Mountains with a streak of sun bursting through the clouds; Pollina, Sicily (Italy)

2023, Blog, Italy

Within a week, the decision was clear that we wanted to extend our stay in Castelbuono, Sicily. It’s undeniable that Castelbuono is a special place to us. With a strong connection to traditions, naturally beautiful and fertile land, and...

Castelbuono, Sicily – The Madonie Mountains

September 11, 2023

2023, Blog, Italy

So, why Castelbuono, Sicily? After we made the decision to explore beyond Palazzolo Acreide, I found a newly listed home for rent (with no reviews) in the Parco delle Madonie. With very limited knowledge of Northern Sicily, we followed our...

The Battle of ‘Palazzolese’ Pizzas

August 21, 2023

Taverna di Bacco; Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily (Italy)

2023, Blog, Italy

After eating many pizzas during our month-long stay in a small Sicilian town, Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily, I decided to do a comparison of one of their most famous pizzas called ‘Palazzolese’. It’s typically made with tomato sauce, cheese, Palazzolo sausage,...

How We Spent a Month in Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily

August 14, 2023

Enjoying the view from Teatro di Akrai; Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily (Italy)

2023, Blog, Italy

We stumbled on Palazzolo Acreide purely by accident after finding several property listings in the South-East region of Sicily. We opted for a two-story apartment that’s centrally located, so we could access neighbouring towns within an hour, such as Noto,...

Buongiorno Italia!! – Our First Week in Italy

July 14, 2023

I'm standing in front of a BMW G650 motorcycle while holding my motorcycle helmet gearing up for our long motorcycle ride; Hotel Antonella, Pomezia (Italy)

2023, Blog, Italy

After 151 days of planning and over 17000 kms later, our feet were finally planted on Italian soil! Despite the odds and the speed bumps along the way, I’m so grateful to be able to visit such a beautiful country...