JUNE 2023 : DAY 29 : SICILY : Palermo

Today we travelled from Naxos to Palermo via Cefalú

Seafront from our hotel

Evidence of an ancient lava flow on the Naxos seafront and views to Taormina on the adjoining rocky outcrop

Mainly travelling in the interior today - much drier - vineyards, orange orchards and wheat fields - and hilltop town of Enna.

The very popular seaside town of Cefalú

Entering the former walled town

The Byzantine/ Norman duomo is in the main piazza

It is renown for its mosaics but is unfortunately under renovations at the moment. We had a glimpse of the quality of the mosaics in picture form around the church.

We wandered from the main thoroughfare down the narrow streets to the beach. Lots of ceramics and tourist trade.

A seafood lunch and Capresi salad at one of the many seafood restaurants

One of the characters in this group is an Iranian/American dad travelling with his long-suffering son and daughter-in-law. He sees himself as star quality and every single photo he has taken in the last six days has been a selfie. ‘So he remembers where he was’ I couldn’t resist one with him for the record.

Another fellow found this great t-shirt which sums up so much of the history being discussed this week.

Fish farewell dinner in a seaside village under Monte Margherita near Palermo. A happy evening to conclude our tour.

M&M

JUNE 2023 : DAY 28 : SICILY : Taormina area

Today we are in and about Taormina

Early breakfast in the hotel dining room

An hour and a half drive to the Etna ‘base camp’, through little townships.’

Mt Etna is 3,200m and the last eruption was on 21st May this year.

Three stages (cable car, 4WD buses and a hike with guide) to the 2,000 m where there are several craters.

We saw two impressive craters now extinct. Another 1,000 m higher we could see the steam from the active Mt Etna. Hikers were all over the site, some walking all the way to the top. 

The 4WD buses constantly ferrying groups from the funicular station.

When we returned to the funicular station we were welcomed by hostesses serving mango, pistachio, lemon and a cherry liqueur. Of course, it was a sales pitch but a novel one.

While we waited for the bus I had my first pistachio granita. Refreshing.

Back at the bus at 12.30 we were driven to the town of Giarre. We were taken to Gi.Val, a jewellery manufacturer.

High class jewellery made with Mt Etna lava stone, red coral, pearls and gems.

The highlight was the free lunch served on their terrace.

From here, we drove to the hilltop town of Taormina, considered one of the most beautiful towns in Sicily. The destination for the rich and famous. 

We enjoyed a wander down the main street between two ancient arches. It was rich with colour of creative ceramics.





We found a bar to shelter from the heat and we were able to tell Francesco how much we’ve enjoyed the tour and his excellent guiding.

Set meal at the hotel restaurant then a walk along Naxos foreshore and views to Taormina.

M&M

JUNE 2023 : DAY 27 : SICILY : Taormina area

Today we travelled from Agrigento to Naxos in the Taormina area.

A misty sea fog greeted us at breakfast but the sun was out by 8am and another hot day emerged.

Yesterday as we neared Agrigento we saw some large ruins high on the hillside. The promise of what was in store today.

This morning we had a guide who led us through The Valley of the Temples archaeological site.



The Greek city states of Crete and Rhodes settled this section of the Sicilian coast from 500BC until they were ousted by the Carthaginians around 400AD. In those 900 years they created a huge settlement including several temples.

The first at the top is called the Temple of Juno. It has been partially rebuilt.

There were catacombs carved into the rock used as tombs.

As late as 2006 two large Roman statues were unearthed in pristine condition in this area.

This Temple, known as Concordia, due to some inscriptions found on the site. This temple is still in the same state as was two and a half thousand years ago. Built with mathematical precision.

The sculpture in front is of Icarus, created and donated by a Polish sculptor.

The Greeks brought Afghani goats with them for milk and cheese products and the same breed still graze on the site today.

 


In the 1920s an English Naval office, Alexander Hardcastle, fell in love with the area. He built a villa and created a garden with almonds, olives, pistachio and many other plants and then became fascinated with the history. He financed much of the excavation of the buildings, ensuring that the artefacts found remained in Italy.

The latest temple to be reconstructed is the Temple of Ercole.

All of these temples were built only a few decades apart.



Back on the road for a few hours on our air conditioned bus. It reached 37o as we travelled along. Delightful distractions along the way.

Lunch, with lots of options, at a cafeteria on the site of Villa Romana del Casale.




The Villa del Casale is inland in the south- west of Sicily.

There is no certainty about its origin but the main theory is that it belonged to Maximian, a co - emperor with Diocletian in the 4th century AD.

The most significant legacy of the villa is the stunning mosaic work which depict life at the time. Some are in pristine condition. Mainly manly pursuits like hunting, sailing, bringing exotic African creatures by boat for Roman games and contests. There is one section about women, nick-named the ‘Bikini Girls’.

Orange groves all through the Catania plateau with Mount Etna as a backdrop.

Hotel Kalos in Naxos with sea views.

We are here for two nights. Looks wonderful.

A meal, music and wine tasting at a cantina on Mt Etna, Tenuta San Michele for dinner. Lots of fun.

M&M