Portugal, Paris, Sicily and Florence

[FlyingFiona]

Mr Ellen10 wanted to peruse the duty free alcohol, but once we realised we needed to catch a train to our boarding gate, I hurried him along.

but there is no duty free shopping when flying between EU countries.

 

[ellen10]

but there is no duty free shopping when flying between EU countries.

Ah very good point @FlyingFiona !
I will smugly tell him this

 

[ellen10]

Catania, busy gritty and full of life.
We had a great B&B opposite a lovely square, where the locals gathered each morning over a coffee and conversation. I could listen and watch them from our breakfast on the terrace.
We met up with friends from Australia late the first night and enjoyed a free Bellini festival concert in the park. An orchestra, singers, acrobatic performers all to great music. It was a beautiful warm evening and we enjoyed the ambiance.

Next morning we walked the short way in town and dodged the never ending stream of motorbikes, they stop for no one! The car drivers are much more polite.

We visited the bustling fish markets, where you could barter for all kinds of seafood. I loved listening to the merchants, loudly discussing prices, quantities and sometimes squabbling.

Mr Ellen10 is always on the lookout for an espresso and Catania did not disappoint.

We wandered through the massive produce and flee market. Such delicious tasting and smell produce.

We enjoyed good food at the restaurants down near the fish markets. We bought the obligatory gelato after dinner and wandered the back streets filled with graffiti and rubbish (there is definitely a rubbish problem) but it didn’t bother us.

There is numerous versions of the local police driving around, but we never saw anything concerning and we felt safe wandering around.

 

[ellen10]

A few more pics

 

[Scash]

Awesome trip so far @ellen10. Catania was one of my favourite places. Are you doing a trip to Etna?

 

[ellen10]

Awesome trip so far @ellen10. Catania was one of my favourite places. Are you doing a trip to Etna?

Yes we are going to Etna, but from Taormina, the Northside of Mt Etna

 

[ellen10]

We caught the bus from Catania to Taormina. A bit confusing, but cheap, 18euros for two. The bus was packed and you need to put your own bags in front he bins underneath.

It was supposed to be direct, but we seemed to make many stops along the way. It was an experience driving up the narrow switchbacks from the coastal beach to Taormina which sits on the top of the hill, with beautiful panoramic views.

We are staying in a cute B&B right in town. Taormina is a very pretty town with many tourists. But we managed to get off the tourist route at times.

 

[ellen10]

Some more Taormina, as I can’t upload too many photos at a time.
We would have an afternoon beer apéritivo at a bar, good for people watching and the waiter knows us. There are many American tourists, either off cruise ships or bus tours. It’s always nice in the evenings and in the mornings, when they have gone.
Taormina still has a nice buzz about it. We found a great fresh made focaccia hole in the wall place that we liked.

 

[ellen10]

We did a fantastic tour to Mt Etna, with a tour company called “Etna People”. I researched tours before we left home and booked it then. I am very happy with my decision.
Our guide the gorgeous young man Roberto picked us up at 8.30. This tour only takes 8 people (another reason I chose it), us and 3 Canadians couples who were friends.

Our first stop was the lava caves, I didn’t take my phone as you had to climb down, but mr Ellen10 tools his big camera, but I don’t have those photos yet.

Next stop Mt Etna, we were advised to wear long pants, and take a coat as it gets very cold and windy up top. Mr Ellen10 never wears long pants, the company also gave us great hiking boots and poles.

Of course it turned out to be the best day up top that they have had for a couple of months and everyone else wore shorts!

The gorgeous Roberto, told us all the stories of Etna, it’s history, how it was formed, the eruptions and so much more, pictures don’t do it justice, the trek up got our heart rates up, We saw the lower craters. No eruptions while we were up there. The day was so clear that we could see Mt Stromboli in the distance. Mr Ellen10 took most of our photos on his camera.

After descending we went to a local winery for some lunch and wine tasting, I was so hungry I forgot the photos.

Our last stop was Alacantara gorge, for a swim or paddle, the water comes from Mt Etna and is freezing 12 degrees. But of course Mr Ellen10 had to go in and bum bobbed all the way back down.

We had a great day and I would highly recommend the tour. Roberto dropped us back in town at about 6pm, he was definitely worth a tip, he answered everyone’s questions patiently and was so knowledgeable.

 

[ellen10]

The gorge

 

[RooFlyer]

The gorge

Coo. Nice columnar basalt. (With other, no less interesting things in the pics too!!)

 

[ellen10]

Coo. Nice columnar basalt. (With other, no less interesting things in the pics too!!)

Our guide told us so many interesting information about the rocks on Mt Etna. The colours the textures. Some light as a feather, some rocks hollow, you could play like a drum. And the gorge layers were beautiful.

 

[MARTINE]

Some more Taormina, as I can’t upload too many photos at a time.
We would have an afternoon beer apéritivo at a bar, good for people watching and the waiter knows us. There are many American tourists, either off cruise ships or bus tours. It’s always nice in the evenings and in the mornings, when they have gone.
Taormina still has a nice buzz about it. We found a great fresh made focaccia hole in the wall place that we liked.
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Lovely photos @ellen10 of my favorite town - you will definitely note more space in Taormina on non cruise days (Wed if I recall-dramatic). If you loved White Lotus lunch at the 4 Seasons Anciovi restaurant lovely (not $$), all of the bay at your feet.. really loving your trip report

 

[RooFlyer]

Lovely photos @ellen10 of my favorite town - you will definitely note more space in Taormina on non cruise days (Wed if I recall-dramatic).

I'll be there on a cruise boat next year ... but only 180pax, I promise!

Its a 'gastronomy of Sicily' cruise, so I hope its up to scratch!

Epicurean Delights: The Food & Wine of Sicily: from 11 Apr 26 to 19 Apr 26 | PONANT International

Epicurean Delights: The Food & Wine of Sicily: from Valletta to Sicily. Duration: 9 days, 8 nights on board. Theme: Timeless

au.ponant.com

 

[VPS]

I'll be there on a cruise boat next year ... but only 180pax, I promise!

Its a 'gastronomy of Sicily' cruise, so I hope its up to scratch!

Epicurean Delights: The Food & Wine of Sicily: from 11 Apr 26 to 19 Apr 26 | PONANT International

Epicurean Delights: The Food & Wine of Sicily: from Valletta to Sicily. Duration: 9 days, 8 nights on board. Theme: Timeless

au.ponant.com

slightly OT

that just piqued my interest to check out what Ponant has at the moment with no SS - I'm sure you used to be able to search for cruises and now you have to sign up for a digital brochure so then they have your email and you get bombarded. This really CMO

 

[RooFlyer]

slightly OT

that just piqued my interest to check out what Ponant has at the moment with no SS - I'm sure you used to be able to search for cruises and now you have to sign up for a digital brochure so then they have your email and you get bombarded. This really CMO

not so. I'll DM you. Sorry for the diversion @ellen10

 

[ellen10]

Great ceramics in Taormina, delicious pomegranate juice, freshly squeezed. Limoncello spritz, Sicilian wine and cannoli. And daily we walked past the so called tik tok famous Bam bar, always huge queues. There were many more cute places to enjoy, without queuing for an hour. We have enjoyed our stay.
We decided to go to the beach for a swim and relax. Mr Ellen10 was keen for a cooling swim in the sea. Never been to a Lido before, sun lounges, umbrella, water temp 24 degrees and people watching.


And last look at Mt Etna at sunset

 

[VPS]

Great ceramics in Taormina, delicious pomegranate juice, freshly squeezed. Limoncello spritz, Sicilian wine and cannoli. And daily we walked past the so called tik tok famous Bam bar, always huge queues. There were many more cute places to enjoy, without queuing for an hour. We have enjoyed our stay.
We decided to go to the beach for a swim and relax. Mr Ellen10 was keen for a cooling swim in the sea. Never been to a Lido before, sun lounges, umbrella, water temp 24 degrees and people watching.
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And last look at Mt Etna at sunset
View attachment 471422

The advantages of going in off season. No queue at Bam

 

[ellen10]

We are in Ortigia and I am behind.
We caught the train from Taormina to Siracusa/Ortigia. Although the train was very full, we managed to get a seat and somehow stored our bags. The train was airconed and much better than the bus.
We caught a little local bus (extremely crowded down to our stop. Met an Aussie family who had just flown in from Australia, economy and extremely tired.

Our apartment for 4 nights is lovely and the host has added some nice little extras, nibbles drinks etc. Which was nice, we did self check-in.

Two main priorities at 4 pm was, the local laundromat, the local little supermarket and lunch. Late lunch was pizzas and a beer on a hot day.

Priorities done we unpacked and took a wander in the little alleyways and down to the water to watch the sunset and the daredevil local boys jumping off the rocks. Of course Mr Ellen10 was keen (still thinks he is in his 20s)! But fortunately didn’t have his swimming costume with him.

A nice glass of red at a wine bar, sitting out on a barmy evening. I think Ortigia is my favourite place in Sicily

Oh and another thing Ortigia is a cat town, cats everywhere.

 

[vmile]

We are in Ortigia and I am behind.
We caught the train from Taormina to Siracusa/Ortigia. Although the train was very full, we managed to get a seat and somehow stored our bags. The train was airconed and much better than the bus.
We caught a little local bus (extremely crowded down to our stop. Met an Aussie family who had just flown in from Australia, economy and extremely tired.

Our apartment for 4 nights is lovely and the host has added some nice little extras, nibbles drinks etc. Which was nice, we did self check-in.

Two main priorities at 4 pm was, the local laundromat, the local little supermarket and lunch. Late lunch was pizzas and a beer on a hot day.

Priorities done we unpacked and took a wander in the little alleyways and down to the water to watch the sunset and the daredevil local boys jumping off the rocks. Of course Mr Ellen10 was keen (still thinks he is in his 20s)! But fortunately didn’t have his swimming costume with him.

A nice glass of red at a wine bar, sitting out on a barmy evening. I think Ortigia is my favourite place in Sicily

Oh and another thing Ortigia is a cat town, cats everywhere.
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We left Ortigia this morning- if there is something in particular you wish to see, we found opening times tend to vary from what you find on the net, so see what is important to you first... It's Sicily....