Following Montalbano’s Footsteps: Karen’s Sicily Adventure

Welcome to Our New ‘Traveler Stories‘ Series 

Every journey tells a unique story, and at Nada’s Italy, we’re honored to be part of so many unforgettable ones. That’s why we’re excited to launch our new Traveler Stories series—a collection of real experiences from guests who have explored Italy with us.

Today, meet Karen, who joined our Sizzling Sicily tour. Her story is a wonderful blend of cultural connection, curiosity, and a dash of adventure. Traveling with a small group of like-minded explorers, Karen experienced Sicily’s vibrant cities, rich history, and unforgettable cuisine. But what makes her journey truly special is how she added her own twist—venturing out during free time on a personal quest to visit filming locations from her favorite Italian detective series, Inspector Montalbano. With the help of a friendly local and a cheerful taxi driver, Karen made it happen, proving that sometimes the best memories come from those spontaneous adventures.

Karen’s Interview

1. First of all, tell us a little bit about yourself please.

I was born and raised in upstate New York. Prior to 1990, I had a career in interior design in Houston and New York. In the fall of that year, my husband’s career as an oil and gas executive brought me and my two children to live in Athens, Greece. I’m American, he’s Greek, so it was an easier adjustment for him than us.

I have lived in Greece since then. Now my kids are grown (they are in the US and England) and I have three grandchildren. I visit my family often. In the summer, I often have friends and family visit me in Greece, in the island of Crete where I’ve spent every summer for over three decades.

2. Was this your first Nada’s Italy tour? Why did you want to go to Sicily?

The Sizzling Sicily tour was my first Nada’s Italy tour. I have friends who had done a tour of Sicily, and raved about it. They were particularly impressed with so much evidence of Greek culture that has remained since antiquity in many places of the island. I also had a private  reason of my own.

3. Tell us a little bit about the Sizzling Sicily Tour. 

The tour began in Catania, a city at the foot of Mount Etna, a looming volcano. Our route circled the island’s coast for the most part and took us to key cities and regions. It was wonderful to travel in a luxury van with only two other couples, our Journey Director Salvo and our driver. We all became friends and the travels went quickly with lively conversations. We were there at the time the new Pope was chosen in Rome, so it was especially exciting.

4. We heard that you ventured out on your own during free time. Tell us about that!

I mentioned I had a private reason of my own to visit Sicily. During the covid epidemic, my husband Adam and I got hooked on an Italian detective series on Netflix called “Commissioner Montalbano”. I was particularly enchanted by the detective’s beautiful apartment with balustraded balconies right on the sea.

While staying in Ragusa Ibla, I asked Salvo, our Journey Director about it. He said it was not far away, at a place called Punta Secca. During our free time one afternoon, I hired a taxi, went there for a selfie in front of the house, and another at Enzo’s restaurant which was also depicted in the series. I was thrilled to see the house is now an accommodation for tourists and the restaurant a flourishing business.

5. Did you do your research ahead of time on where to go and how to get there? 

Unlike my normal approach to travel, I did no prior research at all for this trip. I was not sure I was ready to go anywhere after my husband’s passing only months before, but my son and his wife convinced me it would be good for me. They were right. The entire tour, lodgings and cuisine experiences were arranged with a minimum of decisions on my part, so instead of being stressful it was a healing experience.  

I was also concerned if I could keep up with the others due to my limited mobility.  It turned out not to be an issue, as I could sit out any part of the tour I found too strenuous, like walking up to Mount Etna.  

6. How did you feel about your Montalbano adventure, were you nervous?

Concerning my Montalbano adventure, it was a bit daunting venturing out by myself in a country whose language I didn’t know, but the receptionist at the Ragusa hotel shared my excitement for my mission and helped a great deal.  She called one taxi service after another until she found a taxi driver who could make the round trip within my time frame at a logical cost.  He was cheerful and accommodating, got me there in about 40 minutes, and even recommended I visit Enzo’s restaurant which was nearby.  Punta Secca is a small resort town without a lot of commercialization, and it felt like home to me. Montalbano’s house is now a rental accommodation and Enzo’s a thriving business, wonderful to know.  

Enzo’s restaurant

7. Have you always been a detective fan? What other books or TV series do you follow?

I have always been a fan of well-known writers like Agathie Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Andrea Camilleri who did the Montalbano series. I am also an admirer of the Canadian series Murdoch Mysteries, the creation of Maureen Jennings.  Other writers’ work I appreciate for their sense of place are Patricia Highsmith, Louise Penny and Anne Zouridi, so much so in fact, that I decided to write my own mystery novel. It’s called Untimely, set on the Greek island of Crete in the 1920’s. It’s about illicit antiquities trade and has a mix of real-life and fictional characters. I am soon releasing a sequel called Knossian Knot. Both available on Amazon.

[You can check out Karen’s book Untimely: Grave Robbers’ Reunion here on Amazon!]

8. People sometimes are hesitant to travel as a single, how was your experience?

Just go and do it, is my advice. A single traveler always finds friends.

9. What was your favorite food during the tour?

Salvo introduced us to olive oil and wine tastings which were beautifully presented with accompanying dishes. Our farm-to-table cooking experience revealed all of us were no slouches in the kitchen. Most of all, I loved the eggplant that was on every table we sat down to, along with pasta and fresh seafood!

10. Any other special moments that you want to share with us? 

One of the ladies in our group did a little match-making between a young Sicilian chef and her niece…I never found out how that worked out, but it sounded promising.

11. Lastly, since you live in Greece now, we would like to ask for some tips for our travelers interested in going to Greece. Everyone knows about Athens and Santorini, but what are some of the off-the-beaten-path destinations to explore in Greece? 

I was afraid you’d ask that. Some years ago, my niece was a feature writer for a travel magazine and asked the same question. I recommended the island of Milos and she wrote an article Milos Rocks. Within a couple years after its publication, the island zoomed up past Santorini as Greece’s most popular destination. Although it brought prosperity to the island, the prices soared for us travelers, so I have mixed feelings about mentioning any other place I dearly love. Come to Greece and make your own discoveries!

[If you are curious about discovering Greece, check out our Legends of Greece tour!]

12. Is traveling to Greece very different from Italy or Sicily? 

The Italians have an expression “Una faccia una razza” meaning they and Greeks are one face and one race. Yes, there are many similarities, the best of which are hospitality, and a democratic way of seeing the world.

13. How is living in Greece as an American? Do most people understand English?

Yes, most people understand and speak English, and I know several who speak five or more languages. With tourism being the number one industry, languages are a necessity. But living here is better if you know Greek. It’s only taken me forty years to learn it. Ha ha.

Why Karen’s Story Matters—and What It Says About Small-Group Travel

Karen’s experience captures what we love most about travel: it’s not just about the places you visit, but the connections you make and the memories you create along the way. On the Sizzling Sicily tour, Karen didn’t just see iconic landmarks—she laughed with new friends, discovered hidden gems, and even ticked off a personal dream by visiting her favorite TV detective’s filming locations!

This is the magic of small-group travel. With Nada’s Italy, you’re not one of 40 strangers on a bus. You’re part of an intimate group of like-minded travelers (just 6–12 guests), guided by passionate local experts who make sure your experience feels personal, stress-free, and deeply authentic. Everything is curated for you—from boutique hotels to culinary experiences—so you can relax and truly savor the journey.

Karen’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to travel boldly, embrace new cultures, and create your own adventure. If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring Italy, we’d love to help you write your next chapter.

Ready to create your own story?
👉 Discover our Sizzling Sicily tour and experience Italy the way it was meant to be: passionately, authentically, and stress-free.

Or, check out our Legends of Greece tour and make your discoveries in Greece!