L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 T ime is running out, but there's still enough to convince Dame Fortune to choose you! Our two people trip to beautiful Sicily will soon be awarded to the winner of our summer raffle "Sicilia 110:" what are you waiting for? To many, this opportunity (all expenses paid, including air fare and accommodation) may represent a coming back, if not necessarily to the region of their ancestors, at least to Italy, to that Bel Paese their relatives spoke so much about and kept alive day after day through memories, dialects, songs, proverbs, flavors and many recipes which, still today, are part of their family traditions. Once there, then, the leap is shorter: next year, you'll probably feel like to come back to Italy and, maybe, you'll decide to stay more than a week! But Italy is not only the land of our grandparents and our emigrated fathers, of returning and roots, of the curiosity to find long lost relatives. To many, it's a touristic destination to be chosen regardless to the presence of familiar connections. It's a place where many would like to go because of its cinema and music, because of the sensual iconography of La Dolce Vita and that sun and sea combo, because of good food and that special way of living, because of how Italy is described and known around the world. These trips are not only for adults. Travel platform Earth, which is among the most followed by the Generation Y, aka Millennials or Echo Boomers - those who were born between the early 1980s and 2000 - tried to monitor their traveling tastes and their favored destinations. To do so, that is, to understand where Millennials (anyone aged under 35 and for whom everything has to be available online, just like our raffle!) really want to travel to, Earth cross checked the answers of 100.000 followers to the question "where would you like to go?" with the geo- tags of 100 of the most influential travel Instagram users. Positano, on the Costiera Amalfitana, reached the 8th place. This beautiful and renowned town, perched on the same sea caressing the shores of Naples, with stony beaches and tiny, characteristic uphill alleys filled with cafés and stores, is one of Italy's most characteristic, authentic and symbolic locations. This is only one of the many studies carried out on this topic, but all Millennial or not, you're only a click away from our "Sicilia 110" Raffle From the director of them tend to underline how choices are often influenced by the web. What entices Millennials to travel? Yes, it's social networks: Facebook (90%) and Instagram (76%) influence destination choices, as well as the online grading of many locations. The less informed should know, though, that the web is also home to the so called "travel bragging," that is, traveling to show off. If smartphones and social media are an integrant part of every trip (14% of tourists coming to Italy admit to interact with their phone at least 4 hours every day while on holiday), communicating to the world where we are and what we do, especially with the aim of generating surprise and appreciation, is not only a determinant element of our holidays, but a true priority. This means our destination must, first of all, meet a specific requisite: it has to be a perfect location for selfies. Now if, as good Millennials do, you click on www.italoamericano.org, or check out our social networks, you'll find out that in Sicily there are a plethora of enchanting places, which will surely make your friends envious: from the beautiful landscapes around Mount Etna to picturesque marinas, from luminous Baroque towns to the traditional and colorful carretti Siciliani, and even the Pupi which have been passing on the deeds of ancient knights for centuries. After landing in Catania, you'll only need to let this marvelous tour surprise you. And it will offer a lot, regardless to which generation you belong to: delicious fresh fish dishes, mouthwatering cannoli, luxurious cassate, intense local wines. To get your chance to win, you only need a 12 dollar ticket, but of course the more you have, the more opportunities there are. To make it easier for you, we thought of convenient bundles: 3 tickets for 25 dollars, 8 tickets for 50 dollars and a whopping 20 tickets for 100 dollars. Remember, all the proceeds will be invested back into the pages of L'Italo Americano which, for the past 110 years, has been keeping you updated about the Italian American community, its stories and its people, as well as informing you about Italy's news, traditions and landscapes. "Sicilia 110" celebrates this important 110th birthday, symbol of a long lasting service to the West Coast Italian American community. The luckiest among you will have the opportunity to physically set foot onto the Bel Paese. But there are beautiful prizes for the rest, too, each of them worth 1000 dollars! Find out about it and how to purchase your tickets at www.italoamericano.org, on our newsletter, social media platforms and at https://italoamericano.rallyup.com/sicilia110. The draw will take place on the 28th of September. Buona fortuna! Simone Schiavinato, Director NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS

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