Blogs from Sicily, Italy, Europe - page 14

Geo: 38.1922, 15.5566As we awake Reflection is situated about 5 miles off the sea east coast of the volcanic island of Stromboli. After Etna and Vesuvius she is the third of Italy's three active volcanoes. Today she is shrouded in cloud and so we cannot see much of her. Reflection continues southward towards the straits of Messina. As we approach we see two small boats with some men shouting very loudly. Someone is swimming the straits from Sicily to mainland Italy. It's only three miles so hardly compares with the English Channel but am sure it's a challenge nonetheless. We dock in the busy port shortly after 10am and not longer after guests are pouring out from Reflection to meet their tours guides. We know that many of the most popular tours to Taormina have been ... read more

Geo: 37.3835, 14.3697In Agrigento we were staying at Hotel Villa Athena, an elegant property with views across to the Temple of Concordia which looks beautiful by day and even more spectacular at night when it is lit up. Superb property in every way... although posh dinner was an extremely entertaining experience!We were greeted by the Head Waiter on arrival and seated on the terrace where only about 5 other tables were occupied. I counted six other waiters hovering around - all looking very dapper in their white jackets but then it seemed that the cloak of invisibility had been thrown over us. After a very lengthy time with no appearance of either menus, water or bread we were rather perplexed. After resorting to asking for menus, it seemed another table hadn't finished with the menus, so ... read more

Geo: 38.1157, 13.3612Late night arrival in Palermo. Unique and quirky accommodation in the old city. Every room decorated differently. Obscure art pieces adorning each room. Old motorbikes, scooters and sculptures feature prominently, as do highly carved doors from India. Allesandro a great host - clearly he has a penchant for collecting unusual artifacts.Chiesa di San Giovanni degli Eremiti, an interesting mix of Arab Norman architecture, built on top of a mosque. Really beautiful columned Norman cloisters surrounded by a garden of citrus trees, palms, cacti, rosemary bushes and ruined walls.The Capella Palatina, the royal chapel of the Norman kings of Sicily in the Palazzo Reale is jaw dropping. Built around 1140 it is has glittering gold mosaics over all the walls, exquisite marble floors and a wooden carved ceiling. It is so ornate it's actually difficult ... read more

The Normans did not only conquer Britain in 1066 but were as far south as Sicily in the 12 Century. KIng Roger ll crops up everywhere here and seems to have been a great builder ... the World Heritage has recognised religious and civic sites in Cefalu , Palermo and Monreale as special in that there are amalgamations of religions of Western, Byzantine and Islamic cultures. In addition Cefalu is a lovely seaside town with narrow street thronged with locals and tourists. Cafes and restaurants abound and there are little shops selling everything from Italian leather handbags and ceramics to sundried tomatoes and pesto! Tucked away down one street is a mediaeval laundry site where women would gather and do their washing as well as have a good old chat I am sure !! The water ... read more

I started my last holiday blog to Romania with the words “We almost went to Italy” and then we did! Right at the very end of summer we saw a cheap flight to Catania in Sicily and decided to grab it. People say that Sicily is different to the rest of Italy but I thought it was typically Italian with a twist. With just two weeks before our trip and without knowing much about our destination I started reading about it and within a short time I felt completely overwhelmed. So much to do! So much to see! So much to eat and drink! We decided to stay on the east coast and leave the rest for another time. We like slow travel, getting up late-ish, going to bed whenever, taking our time, and planning our ... read more