Unpacking Italy & Sicily - Part Eleven
An Introvert’s Pause: Savoca and Spello
Buongiorno,
Oh, how I love the Italian villages of Savoca and Spello.
As an introvert, I sometimes found I needed to sit out a tour or two to enjoy a little quiet time to myself. That was the case with the first village I’m sharing today—Savoca, the charming Sicilian town made famous by The Godfather.
Honestly, the journey alone was worth the price of admission. Getting to the top of this rustic hilltop town was an adventure in itself.
Our bus driver navigated the hairpin turns with remarkable finesse, winding us up the steep hillside. At times, he had to stop, reverse, then carefully inch forward again to make the turn. It was equal parts terrifying and exhilarating
As I sat in the town square under the Sicilian sun, sipping a café latte, my daughter joined the Local Specialist to visit a few of the filming locations, including the Church of San Nicolò. By chance, a local woman who had appeared in The Godfather was standing on her balcony, and the tour group had the rare opportunity to speak with her. Here are some of the highlights my daughter shared with me through her photos.
Tucked into the Umbrian hills, Spello is one of those villages that feels gently folded into time. Known for its ancient Roman walls, cobbled streets, and vibrant floral displays, Spello is a feast for the senses—especially in spring and summer, when flowers spill from every windowsill and doorway. Unlike the cinematic fame of Savoca, Spello’s magic lies in its quiet beauty and everyday rhythm.
Wandering through narrow alleyways, with their pastel shutters and bursts of color, I felt like I’d stepped into a still life painting. Time slows down here. There’s an art to how life unfolds—over long lunches, quiet piazzas, and the soft echo of church bells in the distance.
It’s the kind of place where you don’t need a list of must-sees. Simply showing up, walking slowly, and letting the town reveal itself is the experience.
In Spello, I didn’t feel the need to do anything. There was no pressure to check off sites or rush from one stop to the next. Instead, I simply wandered—heart wide open—soaking in the textures of stone walls, floral bursts, and the gentle rhythm of daily life.
It was a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful travel moments aren’t the grand or planned ones, but the quiet, beautiful pauses in between.
Let yourself simply wander…
When was the last time you let yourself simply wander—without a goal, just to enjoy?
Hope you'll join us at The Kitchen Table on Friday, June 27th. This month at the Kitchen Table, we gather with suitcases full of stories, hearts cracked open by beauty, and maybe even a little sand still in our shoes.
Inspired by the theme “The Art of Returning,” we’ll explore what it means to come home—not just physically, but emotionally and soulfully—after stepping away from our everyday lives. Whether you’ve recently travelled far or simply taken a pause from routine, time away has a way of shifting something inside us. We’ll reflect on how holidays—of any kind—leave us changed, awakened, softened, and somehow a little more ourselves again.
As always, we’ll share gentle conversation, meaningful reflection, and a creative project to anchor our experience.
Arrivederci!
I always wander when I travel, even to when going to the popular sites. Wandering leads to wonder and serendipitous possibilities.
Such charming scenery and villages. Those pots rimmed with doilies--I'm thinking we have enough of Grandma's lace to do something similar if you get the urge, 😂