FlyingFiona
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but there is no duty free shopping when flying between EU countries.
Portugal, Paris, Sicily and Florence
- Thread starter ellen10
- Start date
but there is no duty free shopping when flying between EU countries.
ellen10
Established Member
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- Jul 18, 2008
- Posts
- 3,652
Ah very good point @FlyingFiona !
I will smugly tell him this
ellen10
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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 didnāt bother us.
There is numerous versions of the local police driving around, but we never saw anything concerning and we felt safe wandering around.
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 didnāt bother us.
There is numerous versions of the local police driving around, but we never saw anything concerning and we felt safe wandering around.
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ellen10
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Yes we are going to Etna, but from Taormina, the Northside of Mt Etna
ellen10
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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.
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
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- Joined
- Jul 18, 2008
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Some more Taormina, as I canāt upload too many photos at a time.
We would have an afternoon beer apĆ©ritivo at a bar, good for people watching and the waiter knows us. There are many American tourists, either off cruise ships or bus tours. Itās 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.
We would have an afternoon beer apĆ©ritivo at a bar, good for people watching and the waiter knows us. There are many American tourists, either off cruise ships or bus tours. Itās 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
Established Member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2008
- Posts
- 3,652
We did a fantastic tour to Mt Etna, with a tour company called āEtna Peopleā. 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 didnāt take my phone as you had to climb down, but mr Ellen10 tools his big camera, but I donāt 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, itās history, how it was formed, the eruptions and so much more, pictures donāt 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 everyoneās questions patiently and was so knowledgeable.
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 didnāt take my phone as you had to climb down, but mr Ellen10 tools his big camera, but I donāt 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, itās history, how it was formed, the eruptions and so much more, pictures donāt 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 everyoneās questions patiently and was so knowledgeable.
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