If there is one thing that Sardinia is not short of it is stunning beaches, so we’re starting off with the one closest to Cagliari – Poetto beach. Spiaggia del Poetto di Cagliari is a long stretch of white sand with the rocky headlands of Tempio Punico rising above the harbour. Poetto beach is eightContinue reading “Poetto beach”
Category Archives: Italy
Religious art
The Cathedral of Santa Maria, or the the Cathedral of Cagliari, has an incredibly ornate interior with geometric marble inlay creating mesmerising patterns. Heading underground to the crypt you come to the Martyrs’ Sanctuary, so called because there are around 179 niches containing the relics of the martyrs of Cagliari. Heading back into the cityContinue reading “Religious art”
Scintillating Sardinia
We’ve off on our third trip of 2017 now. To the stunning Italian island of Sardinia. Sardinia is one of those places that doesn’t seem to register very highly on people’s travel radars but is an absolute hidden gem. Over the next ten days we find majestic old cities, hidden coves and stunning beaches soContinue reading “Scintillating Sardinia”
Final glimpses
It’s time to bid a final adieu to Sicily with a final batch of photos from the trip. We make a return visit to the Fountain of Shame in the sunlight for a better look at all the rudey nudeys! The details are all the more impressive under the glaring Sicilian sunshine. The weird aquatic fantasyContinue reading “Final glimpses”
More market malarky
We head deeper into the barely contained chaos that is Palermo’s Capo market. Beset on all sides by jewel bright vegetables, slimy snails and red raw animal heads! Note how the man looks supremely defensive on all the photos with hands securely over any valuables – markets are prime pickpocketing areas so beware. Briefly seekingContinue reading “More market malarky”
Final Noto glimpses
After the excitement of the magnet shop there was just time to grab a bite to eat and then a final whirl through the honey coloured stone streets. We final spot one of the traditional Sicilian carts but sadly it is not one of the most ornate examples! A simple yet effective church door catchesContinue reading “Final Noto glimpses”
Head for heights
As we continue our tour of the delightful city of Noto we decide to get a different perspective of the sights. So we headed up the steep spiral staircase at Chiesa di San Carlo’s bell tower to emerge, blinking into the sunlight for stunning views of the city. Here’s the Cathedral in all its fullContinue reading “Head for heights”
Baroque Noto
The next stop on our Sicilian tour is Noto a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque. In 2002 Noto and its church were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The current town, rebuilt after the earthquake in 1693 was planned on a grid system by Giovanni Battista Landolina. Its flanks of epic buildings, made of soft tufa stone,Continue reading “Baroque Noto”
Ortigia island
We’re heading for Ortigia – Syracuse’s island heart. Packed full of history and architecture. It may be small but it’s crammed with over 2,500 years of history. As we head to Ortigia we pass The Fountain of Diana by Giulio Moschetti At Diana’s feet, Alpheus looks on as his love interest Arethusa turns into a fountain after she asks for helpContinue reading “Ortigia island”
In the clouds at Castelmola
While the views from Taormina are spectacular, its tiny cousin Castelmola, 1,800 feet above sea level, offers absolutely stunning ones. Cobblestones, ruined castles and winding alleys almost devoid of tourists, offer a breathing space. Although the sun was beginning to go down, as our little bus trundled up the hill towards the village, you beginContinue reading “In the clouds at Castelmola”