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We have compiled lists of tips and various resources in response to inquiries regarding specific places or events mentioned during our travel in Sicily that we would particularly recommend.  We have not attempted to list every restaurant or accommodation – only those that stood out and that we would love to return to. Accommodations SiracusaContinue reading “Resources – Sicily and Puglia”

Our journey has concluded. We have had another outstanding adventure. It unfolded like a rapturous feast, the kind seen in movies like Babette’s Feast. A series of superlative offerings. Set in the perfect order.  Each offering topping the previous. Ecstatic traveling. That is the Wesley/Casey way.  If someone asks, as many will, reasonably so, whatContinue reading “Heathrow Airport, 6/8/16”

Between CATANIA and our next destination, the up-market inn, Monaci delle Terre Nere, in ZAFFERANA ETNEA, we have several hours to fill, before our room is ready. We will drive north on the west coast to make a short visit to TAORMINA.TAORMINA is nestled on a steep hill with a view that has made itContinue reading “Taormina & Etnea, May 29”

In the year, sixteen-hundred and seven, composer, Claudio Monteverdi, more or less, invented the operatic form. In Mantua, in a relatively small room in the ducal palace, Monteverdi’s Orfeo premiered.  Commencing with blazing trumpets and bacchanals, he told the story of Orpheus. In another opera, The Coronation of Poppea, he wrote aching and dazzling andContinue reading “Catania, May 27-29”

After spending four carless (such bliss!) days in Siracusa, we picked up another car (Fiat 500) to continue our exploration of Sicily.  The next stop was Modica, one of the several “baroque towns” in southeastern Sicily that were completely rebuilt at the height of the baroque period following an earthquake that devastated the region inContinue reading “Modica and environs – May 24 – 27”

We arrived into SIRACUSA by train and decided to walk to the rented apartment. The walk, though, was not long. From train to apartment was thirty minutes. It was a memorable transition. The day was warm. The car traffic zipped by. It did not make a “wow” impression. The cobble stone streets and stone sideContinue reading “Ortigia, May 20 – 24”

On the way to TROPEA, we detoured to MORANO CALABRO, a city which ascends up a tall mountain. However, we did not ascend. The road, we suspected, would be complicated with narrow twists and turns. Additionally, the historic centers of Italian cities are protected from motor traffic via the ZTL designation, which stands for “zonaContinue reading “Tropea, May 18, 2016”

During the middle of our journey, we moved fast through many places. On several occasions, we were substantively in three cities during one day. I wrote notes along the way, but I got behind. With these next four, or so, entries, I aim to catch up. I want to make a general remark about myContinue reading “Matera, May 16, 2016 and a prelude to the final posts from the trip”

Lecce, Puglia, ItalyMay 13, 2016 When you mention, Lecce, to an Italian, they cannot help themselves. Immediately, they say, bellissima.  And it is.  The historic center, contained by an ancient wall, is dense with exceptional baroque churches in outstanding condition. The streets are worn white marble cobble stone. There are two Roman theaters from aboutContinue reading “Lecce, 5/13/2016”

Train from Lamezia Terme to Siracusa Tropea Although the distance between mainland Italy and the island of Sicily does not appear to be too large to be linked by a bridge, despite many plans to construct some type of link between the two land masses, there is still no bridge.  The exports from Sicily travelContinue reading “Our trip into Sicily by train”