Isola Bella, Sicily, Italy

Helsinki, 22 degrees

I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.

Monday. Sunny outside. First day back at work after my two-week-long holiday. I think you can appreciate how that feels. Despite the fact that I love my work, it's always tough to get back to the working beat. Oh well, it's only for two weeks and then I'll have my second holiday! A great way to find energy for the start of this week is to look through the photos from our recent trip to Sicily, Italy. I wanted to share a magical place with you. Also known as The Pearl of the Ionian Sea, Isola Bella (the beautiful island) is located within a small bay on the Ionian Sea. Have a look, and see this pearl's oyster!

Isola Bella was a private property until 1990, when it was bought by the Region of Sicily, then being turned into a nature reserve. I think that is very cool, seeing as this place is so breathtaking. I thought it was amazing that this island is home to several species of birds, and a few types of lizards.


To reach the beach, one had to take some stairs. The staircase basically functioned as a store space since vendors used its walls as clothing bars. Isola Bella had a narrow path that connected the island to the mainland beach. The island had a small and a rather rocky beach (it reminded me of Nice, France and its beach) which seemed to be a very popular destination for sunbathers.


The scenery was so unique that we had to stay for lunch and soak in the atmosphere! We decided to enjoy lunch at restaurant Gabbiano (the seagull in English) that had an incredible view facing the island. 

I wanted to share this amazing place with you, especially today since it's Monday. If you need something to lift up your spirit like I did, sit back and enjoy this video clip. You won't regret it!




No wonder that one of my friends went to this pearl during her honeymoon. What is your favorite island? Aren't islands just pearls in the sea?

What's your opinion?

  1. Wow, this looks incredible! You always visit the most beautiful places! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and your pictures :)
    the-creationofbeauty.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Shannon, I appreciate your kind words!

      xxx
      E

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  2. Hi Elisabeth! Hope you made it well through the working day, i know how it can be coming back after vacation. This is indeed a beautiful island, so picturesque and the waters are beautifully crystal clear.

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    1. Yes, last week went well, and now it's only four days 'til my next holiday so I'll be just fine, haha!

      xxx
      E

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  3. never been to an island. Except an old military base called fort sumter during a tour.

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    1. Oh, then you should visit Helsinki! We have about 300 islands in front of my lovely home city! :)

      xxx
      E

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  4. Getting back to work after a wonderful holiday is always a struggle, even if you do enjoy your job :) But it looks like you have wonderful memories to reminisce about until your next holiday - Isola Bella looks like such an incredible place! I'm really hoping to visit Italy this summer, and this post only made me want to do it even more :)
    xox,
    Cee
    www.cocoandvera.com

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    1. Haha, I'm happy that you feel me. Where will you travel this summer?

      xxx
      E

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  5. Great Pictures! Love this Post <3

    kisses

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  6. wow, I just can't get over the fact how your posts about Sicily bring back memories about Crete. I do really miss that place a lot! I didn't even realize how much though :) anyway, it was a truly beautiful post illustrated with even more beautiful deep blue photographs and it definitely brought some necessary joy for me :) oh and you're so lucky to have your second holiday arriving so soon! I still have to work almost 40 days before my second one will come.. but oh well, what can you do, right? by the way, what are your plans for the second vacation? :)

    ps. today my favourite island has to be Crete!

    Maiken,
    Maikeni blogi - part of me

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    1. You'll be fine Maiken, I'm sure of it. The best way to get through the countdown is to make plans. Daydreaming is the best! I'll fill you in on some of my plans for the second part of my vacation in my upcoming blog posts :)
      Crete, not Suomenlinna? Haha!

      xxx
      E

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  7. Wow, the first picture is amazing! In fact, all of the pictures are! That is a great place to go, for sure! So nice that you enjoyed! I love colorful places and the sea! I noticed the row of beach dresses on a narrow street, right? Would love to see that in person! Thanks for sharing it! denisesplanet com

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    1. Thank you, I think so too! Yeah the beach dresses were cute!

      xxx
      E

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  8. lovely post. your thinking is spot on! I agree that the best moments aren't always when huge explosions of amazing stuff happen. It's the little things that sometimes brighten our hearts more than anything could.
    this photo is spectacular. Sounds like you have some wonderful memories :)
    Maria

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    1. I'm happy that you share my way of thinking!

      xxx
      E

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  9. Sicily is magic and this little island even more! :-)
    I live in Italy, but in the north :-)

    Have a lovely day

    xoxo

    Piera Anastasia

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    1. Yes, I think so too! I like north of Italy as well, I used to live there two years :)

      xxx
      E

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