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SICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023SICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
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SICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023

May - July 2023
So we have wanted to do this trip since pre-Covid 2019. It has changed a couple of times but our main goals were to finally get to Sicily and to spend over a month in France. That and more - can't wait. Read more
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  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    Day 10

    Taormina Day 2 continued

    May 23, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    More photos here from our walk, the famous hotel, lunch (romantic photos) and the Taormina Botanical Gardens. This evening we spent a lovely time with Janet and Sinclair just munching and looking out at our magnificent view including Mount Etna continuing to erupt.Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    111
    Day 11

    Taormina Etna day

    May 24, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    This morning after breakfast we got picked up by Antonio who was our interesting and handsome guide up to Etna for today. It was an excellent tour which included seeing various existing calderas, plenty of lava, including a lava tube which we walked through. We also saw the lovely volcanic forest which included surprisingly Many birch trees. At the end we went to a local winery which makes wine from grapes grown in volcanic soils and we had lunch there along with a red wine a sweet wine and some interesting sesame biscuits. It was a very interesting day geologically and the sun was shining. This evening we had a wonderful meal at a restaurant called tiramisu which included lobster pasta and some delicious pistachio Panna cotta. Overall an excellent day.Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    Day 12

    Isola di Ortigia

    May 25, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    This morning we left by car with Janet & Sinclair squashed into the back seat! Getting out of Taormina was a little stressful but the drive down to Isola di Ortigia which is part of Syracuse was fine. However, the last bit through the historical centre was one way, very small, narrow roads and quite painful. St Craig Rogers was outstanding and we appreciate his very Italian efforts. Our hotel the Re Federico Boutique Hotel is certainly in a good spot. We set out walking through this baroque town exhibiting all the histories of this area including Greek, Roman, Moors and more. We initially went looking for the daily market and had a nice, noisy lunch amidst all the fresh fish and Sicilians. Afterwards, the Santa Lucia Cathedral, the town square fountain, and various buildings were all amazing. The Cathedral was originally a Greek Temple in the 5th Century BC then later repurposed as a church. All the stages were obvious in the structure and the light shades looked ottoman like and it was a most interesting church to see.Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    Day 12

    Isola 2

    May 25, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    After a much needed rest tonight we set out to walk down to the water area which was actually quiet but pretty. We were trying to work out a boat ride for tomorrow morning but apparently there is a regatta and we may miss out. Having Pina coladas sitting by the beach was fun but cold. The walk home however was brilliant with lots of pretty lights and it seems that Ortigia comes to life at night. We will need to check this out tomorrow night. By the way the cats seem quite arrogant and act like they own the place and apparently it’s against the law to kill a cat here!!!Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    Day 13

    Ortigia boat trip and lunch

    May 26, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    This morning a complimentary breakfast was served in our room. It was delicious and huge! Then we set off down to the water to get a boat trip around Ortigia. Pippo or Giuseppe assured me it was 'safe' and we did the one-hour sale on his 'little' boat. Once out in the ocean, the waves were bigger than we thought so we couldn't go into any of the grottos (caves) but it was pretty to see. Then we circumnavigated the whole Isola - very pretty and enjoyable. After that, it was a sunny walk and coffee. We saw the Castello Maniace that was set up by - King Ferdinand II between 1232 and 1240. The name refers to the Byzantine general Giorgio Maniace who reconquered the city from the Arabs. Today's weather was brilliant :) - sunny but not hot. Back to the lovely hotel for a little rest and a change of clothing. Today, unfortunately, my brother is experiencing major problems in Venice because British Airways has had to cancel many, many flights due to IT issues. At least he and Josy are now flying together so I hope all goes well. In comparison, we enjoyed the best meal we have had so far at a Michelin guide (not star) restaurant called AL MARZAN. Craig had swordfish and I had the bucatini with swordfish, pistachio, pine nuts, dried fruit, and whatever else made it absolutely delicious. Great wine, great service, great friends.Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    21
    Day 13

    And....shopping

    May 26, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    I will add photos of our lovely meal below. But for the first time, we also did some shopping today. I purchased a pair of cute, bluish, sparkly sandals so I have something comfortable but prettier to wear. Massimo's shop was full of interesting paper mache art and so Craig took his photo. Later on at a very trendy shop called 'Ortigia' Craig bought a couple of beautiful, very trendy-looking paper mache plates for our kitchen. One blue, one orange with fish - very stylish Italian - made in Florence. So I had my photo taken entitled: Sleeveless and shopping!!Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    Day 14

    Modica farm

    May 27, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 24 °C

    This morning we left lovely Ortigia with no problem as a result of Craig’s continuing expert driving. We manage to find our farm stay rustic place on via San Filippo with some sheer luck and Diego welcomed us with a coffee and tasty biscotti. The drive and walk into Modica was more challenging but we had an outstanding cannoli at last and found two magnificent churches and a very interesting chocolate tasting and purchase. A thunder storm hit but all good for now. Still worried about Josy and Tony who are still in Frankfurt.Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    Day 14

    Modica farm dinner

    May 27, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 20 °C

    In the evening we went to the local Agriturismo which was about a five minute walk from here. We tried to book for 7 pm but Diego our host said not to go before 7:30 pm. It was all set up - one room for a baptism another one for Alice’s first Communion ❤️ but they said by the time we finished the event would only just be starting at about 9 pm which is exactly what happened. Honestly it was just like having dinner at mum’s place. There was a mountain of delicious antipasta including local cheeses, breads sun-dried tomatoes and a heated up local ricotta. Then we only ordered two serves of pasta to share one ravioli one cover telly followed by two serves of oven baked pork meat as mmain course with salad. Oh delicious including the cute little lemon cream dolci. We were an entertainment item and obviously everyone had relatives they wanted us to say hello to in Melbourne and Sydney. It was certainly a jovial evening and the total cost was €30 per couple!!! I forgot to mention the home-made wine was pretty good too. Before dinner Diego had taken us for a very long tour around this manner property it’s extremely old with both Roman and Byzantine walls in places. His family seems to have owned it from the 1800s and it does need a lot of money spent on but it is a very interesting place indeed to see and stay at.Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    Day 15

    NOTO

    May 28, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Overnight Craig did not feel very well - too much chocolate? Anyway, we three had a lovely breakfast and then eventually set off for Noto. This was further away than Modica but much easier to find, park the car and then walk into. Noto is a very beautiful Sicilian town - mainly built in the baroque style. After having a look at the magnificent Duomo - better on the outside than the inside, we had a drink as it is quite hot today and then went up the hill again to see the magnificent Palazzo Castelluccio. This has an interesting backstory. Abandoned in the 1980s, it lay empty until 2011 when a Frenchman, inspired by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's 1958 novel, The Leopard, purchased the property and began bringing it back to life.
    Decorated with period-style flourishes, plush fabrics, bold colours, original frescos, and exquisite antiques, this palace has very much returned to its golden age - as the photos show. Beautiful rooms and furniture. Next, we walked back down to the main road and went to the Teatro Tina Di Lorenzo. This is a small, circular theatre in sumptuous red and gold colours and we'd love to see a show there. The ticket further included a look at the Hall of Mirrors which is a gorgeous golden room in Noto's Town Hall.    Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    Day 15

    San Filipo passeggiata

    May 28, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Questa bella serata abbiamo bevuto un bottiglia di vino insieme e poi siamo andato per un bella passeggiata vicino questa casa che si chiama San Filippo. We have learnt more about the owner of this property and apparently Diego is actually a nobleman a duke!!! On our walk we met a lovely older Italian gentleman called Pippo short for Giuseppe. He really liked having a chat. Lovely weather today Great day.Read more

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