Palermo-Nebrodi Forest-Milazzo

We departed Palermo on Thursday and it was an adventure from the outset.  Like a knucklehead I didn't realize our car was to be picked up at a different train station than the central one, which was a mere 10 minute walk from B&B Allegretto, a great location and warm family with a comfortable setting.  Carmen the baby was the cutest little kid I've seen in awhile.  Anyhow, I got a taxi to the other station instead of waiting the hour on train, then wandered my way through Palermo back to pick up Kathie and the bags.  Thankfully it was a holiday so traffic was light, however road closures and missed turns made it about 2x the length of a trip.

A small sample of the traffic is here; you gotta be crazy or brave to drive south of Florence in this country, I suppose I'm a little of both.

Our trip across the northern coast of Sicily was uneventful, lots of tunnels on the Autostrade and several very compelling views, however even with our extended holiday we cannot stop for everything.  We did make time to drive into San Fratello and then the Nebrodi Forest, famous for the black pig that makes the best salami you can find.

We saw not only the pigs but cows and donkeys grazing aimelessly alongside the road, and then stopped and took some photos with the drone.

San Fratello 

We then cruised into Milazzo for a short one night stay in the Eolian Milazzo Hotel, a very welcoming establishment who agreed to allow us to keep our car in their secure lot, with a trunk full of clothes, while we jetted out to Stromboli the following day for the weekend.  We did find a quaint trattoria, eating outside of course, and enjoyed some delicious pizza and wine for supper.

Tomorrow we depart for what may be the highlight of our entire trip, a two night stay on Stromboli including a sunset hike to the summit to watch it erupt.

Ciao

Palermo & Monreale-Day 2

 We started today with a great Italian breakfast including pastries, salami and cheese, fruit and of course a cappuccino.  We caught an AST bus, a regional company that runs across Sicily from town to town and a good option if you don't want to rent a car, to Monreale from the Palermo train station.  We jumped on just in time, literally the guy held the door for us and wasn't worried that we didn't have a ticket.  (He guided us to a bar on arrival and we purchased tickets then). The 8km ride up the hill was incredible, just so impressive that these folks can drive on the tight streets, with basically no traffic rules except if you can make it then you already should have gone.  There must have been 2 inches between the bus and the cars crammed into parking on the side of the roads, and that is because everybody but one hapless driver tucked their mirrors in.  Yep, his got taken by the bus.  The 8k took nearly an hour to get to Monreale, and all of 3Euro, well worth not needing to drive ourselves.  The town of Monreale was cute and the Duomo was amazing, yet the view of Palermo from the hilltop above was remarkable.

We headed back down to Palermo and after an uneventful trip into the Palazzo dei Normanni we had a snack, the unique Palmeritan treat called a broscia.  Yes, gelato stuffed into a brioche, and you haven't lived until you've had an ice cream sandwich like this!  Gelateria D'Orleans hooked us up with these tasty treats, mine had mixed berry and chocolate gelato, Kathie just the chocolate; I may need to go back for another right now.

A short walk to the Palermo Cathedral led us to a beautifully crafted church with a great mix of architecture and a silver altar, something I don't recalling seeing before.

We then paid the 5Euro each to climb the 110 steps to the roof of the chuch, truly a special view that pictures don't do the proper justice.

Dinner soon, it will need to be special to live up to the ensalade polpo (octopus) and bucatini con sarde from Il Cambusone Trattoria.

Ciao

We've arrived

We've arrived in Palermo and I've already found my kind of place.

Settling in for the evening after a little fried food and people watching in the Ballaro market for lunch.  Sitting next to twin 4 year old boys on the flight is not recommended, ugh.  Off to find some pasta con le sarde for our our evening meal and some rest.

Look at the size of that tuna!

Pulled the trigger on a drone

Yep, I went and did it. Parrot Bebop 2, figure why not. Video is better on my iPad than here but you get the point. No regrets people.

Funny stuff right here http://www.thelocal.it/20160509/the-complete-guide-to-the-insanity-of-driving-in-italy There is no other way to explore the countryside of Sicily or Puglia without a car. Park it in the big city and drive it places like the Stelvio Pass, no way I'm missing that drive!

T Minus 1 week

We're getting so excited as the trip nears.  We just locked in with my brother and family, they're meeting us in Rome for about 10 days midway through our adventure!  Perfect timing, beautiful people, It will be so much fun.

We leave Memorial Day and things are coming together nicely.  We've needed to make early-in-the-trip reservation changes due to the ferry/hydrofoil schedule, something to consider before a trip.  Utica Lines  Sells tix online and the schedule s are readily available.  They've recently added a trip out to the islands, at least in availability online, so I'd check in very near your trip departure.

We've done all the planning ourselves and hope you enjoy the stories and pictures along the way.

Oh, Mt Etna is currently erupting, is it a calling?

Closing in

SelectItaly.com  is a great way to purchase tickets, such as we did for DaVinci's Last Supper.  I'd recommend checking their site for museum tickets early and often as your trip approaches.  The dates available for this piece will dictate how we navigate a good portion of our northern Italian adventure.

We've decided own bags, two each.  I am carrying an Osprey Farpoint 80  and my lady the smaller one.  I have received my second bag from Peak Design, this messenger bag is great for all sorts of camera gear and an iPad.  (I also love the capture clip they've got, so easy to take the camera on and off your belt for example.)  I'll use it and my lady's far point has an integrated day pack for hiking for her/us.  Additionally she's purchased a bag that goes under the seat in front yet is rolled and sturdy enough to support her feet for the long flight.  Our goal is to easily carry all our stuff, mailing items home as needed.  I will be packing an empty large duffel bag to bring home as well for souvenirs and gifts.

We've got less time from now to departure than the overall length of our trip, plus we've got a day on each end in NYC.  Needless to say I am getting excited.

We're hoping that my brother and family will be able to join us for a week or so while we traverse north on the peninsula, such fun that would be.

I took the firm advice of my doctor and booked her lovely recommendation for our stay on the Amalfi Coast in Praiano.  Just following doc's orders, I'd do almost anything she said ;-)  I've been using booking.com to keep track of our rooms along the way, free cancellation rooms only for reservations, her reco was available.

Lastly for today my work is being so cooperative for this whole thing, the opportunity for me to go while getting a new role in my organization is both flattering and so appreciated. #pgemp