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”
Category Archives: Sicily
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”
La Vucciria
Palermo’s oldest street market is La Vucciria, which translates to ‘voices’ or ‘hubbub’. It’s based in the side streets around Piazza San Domenico and it is Palermo’s most established outdoor market. These days it is a somewhat faded and shrunken version of itself and we didn’t stay long. Just long enough to snap some of theContinue reading “La Vucciria”
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”
Syracuse
Next on our tour of the East coast of Sicily is the town of Syracuse. This historic 2,700-year-old city played a key role in ancient times, when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world. It’s a UNESCO world heritage site due to the amount of stunning buildings. But before we getContinue reading “Syracuse”
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”