Reset search
SICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023SICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
SatelliteEdit route

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
  • 124footprints
  • 5countries
  • 71days
  • 1.0kphotos
  • 1videos
  • 51.1kkilometers
  • 45.3kkilometers
Follow Calendar Share Bucket list
Date ascending
  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    Day 16

    Vendicari Nature Reserve Walk

    May 29, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    After breakfast served by good-looking Emmanuel this morning, we set off driving down to the southeast coast of Sicily. Once again the roads were quite challenging and took us out of the way towards the south before we got to the Vendicari Nature Reserve. This natural reserve “Wildlife Oasis of Vendicari” was established in 1984 by the Sicilian Region. It’s located precisely halfway between Noto and Pachino with a territory that extends for about 1512 hectares. Inside the reserve, an entire ecosystem lives undisturbed. We saw the sea, dry vegetation, lots of birds, including flamingos, Herons and storks as well as rocky cliffs that looked like parts of the west coast. This area used to be the tuna processing factory and there were very interesting buildings from that time as well as remnants of the Greek invasion time. Once again there were loads of students with their teachers on excursion - they seem to be everywhere!We did find it a bit too hot in the end!! So on our way back to the farm we stopped at the local Agriturismo for a light platter to share. Being seated in the shade with a breeze was much better.Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    Day 17

    Piazza Amerina - good and bad!

    May 30, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Our final breakfast with Duke (or Don) Diego was once again lovely and we really valued his helpful, friendly assistance.
    However, this morning when we set out the little roads totally stuffed us around again! Eventually, we got onto the bigger roads BUT around very hilly, winding Ragusa the GPS which is not coping well, took us on the coastal road to Gela instead of northwards to Piazza Armerina. Never mind we did get the better road ultimately and with a little bit of Italian help and a wonderful Italian speaker called Lina 😉, we did find our place for the night called B&B Giucalem. After a quick turnaround, leaving our bags we next went to the brilliant Villa Romana del Casale which is the reason we came here. This is a large and elaborate Roman villa or palace. Excavations have revealed one of the richest, largest, and most varied collections of Roman mosaics in the world, for which the site has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The villa and artwork contained within, date to the early 4th century AD.
    The mosaics cover some 3,500 m2 and are almost unique in their excellent state of preservation due to the landslide and floods that covered the remains. An extraordinary collection of frescoes covered not only the interior rooms, but also the exterior walls. Anyway, we all agreed it was worth all the driving hassle and THEN A MASSIVE STORM HIT. Craig and I just made it to the car and waited a long time for Janet and Sinclair to eventually make it also. Getting back to our accommodation was also tricky. No power, no internet, no hot water because of the storm. It did all eventually come back but then the owner told us that the meal they were going to provide was not possible but eventually he said he would take us to a restaurant. Lots of painful things today but the mosaics were certainly worth it.    Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    1
    Day 18

    Selinunte arrival

    May 31, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    We eventually arrived at our apartment in Selinunte which is on the south coast of Sicily. After a long walk for the supermarket we were exhausted after a hot walk at Agrigento. However we have a lovely sea view on our balcony and enjoyed a drink there before we went out separately for our meals. Craig and I ate at the hotel La Rosa which is very close and the meal was fine. Our beautiful Kenyan host called Esther Is very attractive And also seems intelligent therefore Craig is in love. However at the moment we have no coverage no Wi-Fi but at least the hot water and the broken door frame have been fixed!!!😮Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    Day 18

    Agrigento

    May 31, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    This morning we had a great breakfast with Giuseppe. This followed his outstanding assistance last night Showing us around all of the old and new Piazza Amerina. He showed us his mum‘s place and great grandmother‘s house and his school and all around the old quarters which were really cobbled and interesting. Eventually he left us at ristorante Toto and we had one of the best meals in Sicily so far. Driving was much easier today and we got to Agrigento around 11. This site was absolutely brilliant. Several temples some in beautiful condition💕💕.Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    Day 19

    Selinunte Archaeological Parco

    June 1, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    This morning we woke up and had breakfast at home and then went for a walk down to find the fish market enjoyed a cappuccino but there were more men than 🐠. After that we managed to get lost again trying to find the archaeological park but eventually did and it certainly has been worth it. The archaeological site contains many great temples, the earliest dating from 550 BC, with five centred on an acropolis. At its peak before 409 BC the city may have had 30,000 inhabitants, excluding slaves. It was destroyed and abandoned in 250 BC and never reoccupied. However the ruins we saw were truly outstanding. Afterwards we purchased a couple of Sicilian tea towels and had a great antipasta lunch at the Enoteca Sicilia - very yummy lunch.Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    Day 20

    Segesta stop and on to Trapani

    June 2, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    This morning we packed to leave and did one last walk along Selinunte's beach road. This morning there were more fish than men at the local fish market. Our drive to the Segesta archaeological park was short and simple for a change!! It was certainly worth visiting. A bus took us up to the agora and we saw a great amphitheatre. Then a long walk down to see the original tempio (temple) which is also in remarkable condition. The views of it from a distance were quite mesmerizing and it did not disappoint up close. The drive into Trapani was a bit more challenging and we are now in the biggest town so far. Working out the parking was also tricky but we did manage to check in and go out for a nice but rather costly lunch. Today is Italian Republic Day and good to be here. My burrata lunch was very appropriately coloured.Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    Day 20

    Funicular up to beautiful Erice

    June 2, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    After lunch, we once again had some difficulties driving through Trapani to find the funicular. This GPS which we have named Maddalena is rather painful at times as it has not kept up with road changes in Sicily. Eventually, we got there and it is the longest, highest funicular we have ever been on. Erice is the original town of Trapani which survived various invasions - no wonder as it is so high! The first thing we went into is the Real Duomo (Royal Cathedral). It is very old and was originally constructed by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD. The filagree-looking ceiling was breathtaking as were the cornices - something for Craig to consider. We continued to look around this very pretty town. We bought some sweet cakes but later had the best gelati we have had so far in all of Sicily from Liparotti - the flavour was pistachio, lemon peel and roasted almonds - yum yum. This place was quite enchanting.Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    1
    1
    Day 21

    Trapani & Favignana Island

    June 3, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Today we decided to have separate days. Janet & Sinclair really wanted to do a full day tour of the islands off Trapani - we wanted to take only half a day so that we
    could spend more time in Trapani. So after a lovely breakfast here at the Salamurecci Camere we walked down to the lovely port area and took a Liberty hovercraft to Favignana Island. Of course, Craig loved being on a boat again and it was very smooth. Favignana is one of the bigger of the Egadi islands nearby. It had a very cute fishing port and a fishing market upon arrival. The town was small, easily walkable and many people hired bikes and scooters. We checked out the centre, saw a church being prepared with gorgeous flowers for a wedding and we also liked the Florio town square along with the palazzo that this very wealthy entrepreneur set up. It was full of photos (and a video) of the owners, their history, and family life. Florio was responsible for part of the salt mining, and lime/earth mining, plus wines and marsala south of here. Most importantly he set up the 'tonno' which is the tuna processing factory which was hugely important here. His sons continued with these industries and the second son also invested in sports, especially car racing. We came back and had lunch along the sea boulevard at a cheaper place with yummy mozzarella & prosciutto, salads, and cheesy, peppery meatball - quite delicious. We also saw a wedding and some cool fashions?Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    2
    Day 21

    Trapani afternoon

    June 3, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    We came back for a rest and then set out to have a look at Trapani. It was rather quiet but we did see the beautiful San Lorenzo Cathedral and various other streets with beautiful buildings. Trapani has very good signage to tell you all about the various buildings and churches etc. Continuing our walk seeing 2 more weddings, the beach and Craig bought a new shirt - this town is quite lovely.Read more

  • TravelerSICILY/UK/FRANCE 2023
    Day 22

    Palermo day 1 cont…

    June 4, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    After a rest Craig and I set off for a nice walk. After some seedy roads, we saw a crowd of people. We stopped and asked and the neighbourhood was very, very excited about the fact that it was St Rita's procession time. It went on for ages so after seeing the confetti cannon spray lots of red confetti, we walked on to find the amazing Palermo Cathedral. Although it was being renovated, it is huge and seemed like 3 or 4 churches in one - Norman, Arabic, and Spanish/Christian aspects. Next, we walked on to find the Porta Nuova which was very fancy compared to most we have seen. The walk back was once again very crowded but we saw the 4 corner square and the huge but waterless fountain. Several little girls were having their first communion photo shoots there!! We met J&S on the rooftop of our hotel for what turned out to be ridiculously expensive, but delicious Aperol spritzes and snacks. The view was worth it and eventually, there were fireworks we could hear as well as more St Rita excitement. Quite a day. Palermo is huge, full of life, beautiful, and feels somewhat dangerous in parts.Read more

  • 2024© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Blog
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Support
  • Legal notice
  • English