Today may be shorter, we learned so much it is mixed up in my little bitty brain. Today we started out by heading south along the coast until we reached Agrigento, originally the Greek city of Agrakas, one of the most culturally advanced cities of the ancient world. Ours stop here was in the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997 and one of seven in Sicily. The landscape, city organization and city size have changed dramatically since we left the influence of the Normans from our first few days. The city was founded in 581 BC on one of the most benign sites on the Mediterranean coast and lies on a hillside sloping down to the sea only three miles away. e took a tour of the remainder of the temples ... read more

Started this morning off with a walking tour of Mazara del Vallo where we visited two churches.From the outside the churches look very plain, but what a difference inside. The churches in Sicly outclass the churches that impressed me in other places, not by just one mile, but many. I used to think St Patrick's Cathedral in New York, St Peter's Basilica in Rome and a small church in Ixtapa, Mexico were magnificent in their gold and statuaries, but even the size and grandeur of those churches is diminished by the churches here. The craftsmanship in the friezes, statues, paintings and mosaics far outstrip othe places. The Duomos today were no exception. Ceilings reminiscent of the Sistene chapel soaring high above the pews and Carved Cherubs and Angels covering the roof supports from the bottom of ... read more

Sunday, 1 May Today is Italy's Labor Day, although it has another name. It is supposed to be a family day, but since it is Sunday, the people kind of got the shaft on a day off. Since so many are Catholics, half the day is spent in church, but our guide says at least they get a good meal. Temperature has dropped here quite a bit. I am very glad I packed a couple of long sleeve shirts and my jeans. Afraid I am going to have to do laundry soon, otherwise my pants will probably stand by themselves. This morning we headed to Castelbuono, about an hour and a half away by bus. Have to say the bus or "coach" as they say here, is extremely comfortable. It is very large, about 53 seats. ... read more

Hi all, sorry about short blog. Was using it as a test because kept getting message that I was not connected. So, here goes the fifth try, this time from the lobby. We got here at 4:30 yesterday after a long two days of travel. Four hour flight to JFK, three hour layover, eight hour flight to Rome, five hour layover, one hour flight to Palmero, half hour wait for all the others to get there, half hour drive to hotel. Was going to take sleeping pill on Rome flight, but dinner did not come for about three hours and then it was too late to take sleeping pill. Did manage a few catnaps on Palermo flight. Our rooms are very nice, fronting on main road. More on that later. Had a short introductory walk of ... read more

Hi everyone, Just got back from a wonderful family wedding in Cancun. Great time was had by all. Package deal so free drinks, food and entertainment. Have never seen so many drunk or sunburned people at one time. I managed to down a few, but luckily I did not tip the bartender or I would have wound up on my a__ like some. Now I am doing laundry and packing. Three days and counting. Three flights including long one overnight. Heading to JFK first, followed by overnighter to Leonardo Di Vinci, Fumicello, Rome then off to Palermo. Better get a move on packing, so ciao for now.... read more