Exploring Europe 2023 | FindPenguins

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Exploring Europe 2023 Traveler
La Botte Restaurant, Taormina
June 9, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
We woke to another clear morning and after breakfast at the Bam Bar (yes, we returned), we took some more photos, did a bit of shopping and just wandered the streets some more. On our last trip we visited the historical sites so this time it is all about relaxing as our holiday winds up.

Walking and shopping made us thirsty so we stopped at the vine covered La Botte restaurant for a refreshing drink and a light lunch of caprese salad and prosciutto and melon. So fresh and so delicious- just what we needed. We sat and enjoyed our drinks and food while people watching and just soaking in our last day here. We are both seeing sad to be leaving Taormina and are so happy it didn’t disappoint.Read more
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Exploring Europe 2023 Traveler
Art Shop - I Love Taormina
June 9, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
We visited the Art Shop - I Love Taormina, a stunning ceramic shop with a very direct name. Even their floor was tiles with their hand-painted tiles. Such a wonderful shop.

The ceramics over here are amazing, bright, bold, unique, modern, traditional - they have everything here. Oh how I wish we were wealthy and I could take it all home. I love it all.Read more
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Exploring Europe 2023 Traveler
Ceramics, Ceramics, Ceramics - Taormina
June 9, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
I am obsessed with all the beautiful ceramics over here and Taormina is a town just filled with them. I love them all.
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Exploring Europe 2023 Traveler
Catania, We Have Returned
June 10, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
We sadly bid farewell to Taormina before making our way to Catania for our flight home tomorrow. Even the Taormina train station was stunning with its beautifully painted ceiling and archeological displays. We have absolutely loved our time her in Taormina and it was the perfect place to spend the last few days of our time away. It was hard leaving.

We have been to Catania previously and are looking forward to our last afternoon in Sicily. Our hotel room is lovely with an amazing view of the Duomo and the elephant statue I love so much. Sadly it is being repaired so is surrounded by scaffold etc. I can still see a glimpse of his cute face though.

Our motel room is in the Piazza del Duomo and the view of the Duomo, the Cattedrale di Sant'Agata from our balcony is stunning. The church has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt after earthquakes that have occurred over time. The first building dates back to 1086 and was built over baths that date back to Roman times. The original water for the baths is still evident and runs beneath a nearby fountain.

We couldn’t get out of our room fast enough though, ready to soak in the bits of Catania we loved last time. With the fish markets just nearby we wandered through, trying very hard not to get covered in fish juice. From there are the fruit and veg markets and they have changed since we were last here. Now the streets are covered with brightly covered umbrellas and amongst the market stalls are more cafes and restaurants. With the old graffitied buildings surrounding the area, it is quite a contrast of the brightly coloured umbrellas and the gritty streets of Catania below. I’m not sure if they are there to distract from the streets and disguise or want to create a place to be photographed and visit. We certainly took a few photos.Read more
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Exploring Europe 2023 Traveler
Prestipino, Catania
June 10, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
We have previously spent time in Catania so we are here to just eat, drink and reminisce for the afternoon before flying home tomorrow. We have returned to our favourite cafe from our last trip here, Prestipino. We spent a few hours here last time, soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the delicious free snacks with our drinks. We are here planning to do so again.

Prestipino opened in 1972 and is now run by the granddaughter of the original owner. A really nice place and definitely a traditional Sicilian cafe.

We started with a breakfast brioche with coffee granita for Brad (nowhere near as nice as the Bam Bar) and I had a Cannoli Sicilian which was delicious. It was too early for “drinks” so we slowly enjoyed our brunch while waiting for the polite time to order a beer and a Prosecco.

Like last time when we ordered our drinks we were given a vast array of complimentary snacks to enjoy with our drinks. We loved the warm cheese and ham balls and the curry snack mix the most. We got so many snacks we didn’t need lunch. And my glass of Prosecco was so big I didn’t need more than two glasses. Brunch, drinks and snacks done, we needed to walk some more to walk it all off.Read more
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Exploring Europe 2023 Traveler
Osteria Il Bell Antonio, Catania
June 10, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
We have ended our European adventure with dinner at a local Sicilian fish restaurant, Osteria Il Bell Antonio. Such a pretty looking restaurant tucked away in a side street which gave it an intimate feel.

While our order got lost on translation and we ended up with a mixed salad for our entree instead of the mixed starters which had a sample of all the starters, the salad was probably better for our bellies anyway. Our mains were what we ordered and Brad had the risotto of the fisherman which was risotto with seafood. Brad was very happy with his choice. I am not a big seafood lover so I had the Mezzi paccheri di Gragnano "Norma", which translates to pasta with eggplant with pecorino cheese and it was also very tasty.

For dessert we found a gelateria near our apartment and both enjoyed our favourite Italian gelato, amarena.

Not wanting our last night to end, we walked some more to admire the streets at night. Catania has changed so much since we were last here and it has flourished. There are so many more bars and restaurants and they are all busy. It has such a vibe.

We ended our night with our last Italian limoncello spritz and complimentary snacks (which we did not need), while sat in front of the Duomo lit up at night. While we are so sad our travels are over, we are looking forward to seeing our family, furry family and friends.Read more
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Exploring Europe 2023 Traveler
Our Last Supper - I mean breakfast
June 11, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Sadly it is our last morning before making the long trip home. We made sure we enjoyed one last Italian breakfast of a cappuccino, freshly squeezed orange juice and a cream filled croissant. Prespitina always does the best pastries and today is no exception. It was a lovely way to end our holiday, especially when we are unsure if we will return to Italy again for some time.

We even managed to fit in some last minute shopping. I have been eyeing off the ceramic heads since we arrived in Sicily but was blown away by the prices. We stumbled across a small shop that sold us a pair of the ones I love at a fantastic price. We couldn’t say no.

Now time to finish packing and start our long journey home.

Sicily has been amazing and we are so happy we chose this as our last stop before heading home. Arrivederci and grazie.Read more
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Trip end
August 31, 2023