Sicily

Unexpected challenges, many hours of travel, fellow sojourners coming from other countries to meet in the middle, some fellow sojourners defeated in their attempts to get here — but we are here, two people shy of our anticipated number, but serene all the same. We were meant to be six, but passport troubles mean that…

It was up and at ’em early today. After a good breakfast, we set off for our first chance at exploring Sicily. Our destination — Ortigia, an island connected to Siracusa by a handy bridge. Ortigia is not far from our villa, and with the exception of having to disturb our road dog (who lies…

Yikes. Certainly, there’s more to be said about it, but “yikes” kind of sums it up. Our adventure for the day was Noto, a beautiful baroque town rebuilt in the 1600s after a devastating earthquake knocked over all of the existing buildings and killed pretty much everybody. But in true Sicilian spirit (these people have…

We start every day the same — quiet reading, a good breakfast, coffee, and a check of the weather. Guess what? Same as yesterday. Then we admire the beauty of the villa and remind ourselves how lucky we are to be here. Today’s destination was the ancient city of Siracusa, not far from our villa…

We love our Sicilian villa so much we are more than happy to forego touring for another day of hanging out, hiding from the sun, and doing nothing. You know you are relaxed when the main events for the day look like this: * Cut up a melon. * Eat yogurt, muesli and melon with…

We are rested enough, and Taormina beckons. Our touring guidebook has this to say about it: “On a bluff above the Ionian Sea, at the foot of Monte Tauro, Taormina is Sicily’s most famous tourist resort.” Who wouldn’t want to go there? We decide to take the scenic route because our touring book also talks…