Locals say February is the coldest month of the year. And I'll back them on that! It was cold, but we bundled up and headed out for another road trip - this time we headed south.
Juan had to work, so Tony & I rented a car and headed down the 417 to the hilltop town of Caltagirone. Our goal was to climb the 142 steps of Scala Santa Maria del Monte. We did it! After soaking in the views we headed back down to walk through the streets & piazzas.
We tried to find the tourist ino office to get a map of the city. No luck. After passing a group of labors working on a building front for the 3rd time one asked what we were looking for. We were able to communicate and he showed us the door to the info center only to tell us it was closed! By then we had worked up and apetite so we asked the "guys" for a restaurant suggestion. They suggested a restaurant at the foot of the stairs.
We welcomed the warmth of the restaurant. By then the sun was completely hidden behind the clouds. The food was great - Bruscetta, caprese salad and a combination plate that included spaghetti, salad and the hottest, saltiest french fries I've ever tasted! We finished up with a cappacino and headed out to find the car we left in a parking lot some were on the ring of the city.
On our way back to our residence we stopped at the base and joined Juan who was still working. He gave us a tour of the base, including a ride around the runways. We then toured the hanger (no pics from that) and later got to witness the landing of a drone- no pics from that either.
We're back in our rooms, enjoying a glass of wine and some peanuts...kinda like being at home!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
2-12 Valley of the Temples
Well, we were up earlier this morning. We had to meet the tour bus on base at 8:30 a.m. Juan booked a tour to Agrigento's Valley of the Temples and dinner at a Sicilian winery, Bagliesi. It was a great day!
The drive over to the southwest quarter of Sicily took about 2.5 hours. Our first stop was Valley of the Temples, a Greek colony built around 580 BC and later seiged by the Romans around 200 BC. Old stuff and amazingly the best preserved Greek temple in the world. We had a guided tour (Temple Building 101)through the acropolis of Agrigento. These structures were built before the birth of Christ!
After some great photo ops the bus delivered us to the Bagliei Winery for a "light" lunch and wine tasting. The "light" lunch began with a buffet of hor derves (cheese, salad, frittata, veggies, focaccia, etc), followed by the best italian sausage I've evern eaten, then on to Sicilian orange slices sprinkled in fresh pistachio, and ice cream.
After a great afternoon we jumped back on the bus for the ride back to camp. Off to bed we go. Tomorrow Juan returns to work and Tony and I are venturing out alone.
The drive over to the southwest quarter of Sicily took about 2.5 hours. Our first stop was Valley of the Temples, a Greek colony built around 580 BC and later seiged by the Romans around 200 BC. Old stuff and amazingly the best preserved Greek temple in the world. We had a guided tour (Temple Building 101)through the acropolis of Agrigento. These structures were built before the birth of Christ!
After some great photo ops the bus delivered us to the Bagliei Winery for a "light" lunch and wine tasting. The "light" lunch began with a buffet of hor derves (cheese, salad, frittata, veggies, focaccia, etc), followed by the best italian sausage I've evern eaten, then on to Sicilian orange slices sprinkled in fresh pistachio, and ice cream.
After a great afternoon we jumped back on the bus for the ride back to camp. Off to bed we go. Tomorrow Juan returns to work and Tony and I are venturing out alone.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
2-11 Taormina
Mt. Etna is still hiding from us on day 3 in Sicily. The stubborn cloud cover just doesn't want to leave. Hopefully the rain tonight will clear things up for tomorrow.
We got started a bit earlier this morning - 9am. Juan picked us up and we drove over to the base to get guest passes for Tony & myself. We did a quick tour of the base, hit the money wall and then headed out to Taormina, a small costal town north of Catania.
We found our way to the town with no problem, parked the car, then hiked up to the town's main street. Our first stop was a cafe for some cappacino and a few pasteries. Then we moved on to Teatro Greco, an ancient theater on the edge (literally) of town. We took in the beautiful costal views and walked through the ruins marveling and asking "How did they build this back then".
The benefits of traveling off season is that there were no tourists. During the summer the main pedestrian street, Corso Umberto, is shoulder to shoulder people. Today, with the exception of a few locals and sprinkle of additional tourists, we were the only people in town. It was wonderful! We walked through the town, stopping at the piazzas to enjoy the views. On the way back to the car we stopped at a small sandwich shop for a quick bite to eat and then headed back to the base. Good timing, it was starting to rain. Guess we won't be seeing Mt. Etna on the way back either.
Back on base we decided to see a movie - Tom Cruise's latest Mission Impossible movie. We were a pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the show. Before calling it a day we stop at the Days Inn restaurant across from the base for a calzone, pizza and caprese salad. We're heading to bed early tonight. Tomorrow morning we're taking a tour to Agrigento to see the Valley of the Temples.
We got started a bit earlier this morning - 9am. Juan picked us up and we drove over to the base to get guest passes for Tony & myself. We did a quick tour of the base, hit the money wall and then headed out to Taormina, a small costal town north of Catania.
We found our way to the town with no problem, parked the car, then hiked up to the town's main street. Our first stop was a cafe for some cappacino and a few pasteries. Then we moved on to Teatro Greco, an ancient theater on the edge (literally) of town. We took in the beautiful costal views and walked through the ruins marveling and asking "How did they build this back then".
The benefits of traveling off season is that there were no tourists. During the summer the main pedestrian street, Corso Umberto, is shoulder to shoulder people. Today, with the exception of a few locals and sprinkle of additional tourists, we were the only people in town. It was wonderful! We walked through the town, stopping at the piazzas to enjoy the views. On the way back to the car we stopped at a small sandwich shop for a quick bite to eat and then headed back to the base. Good timing, it was starting to rain. Guess we won't be seeing Mt. Etna on the way back either.
Back on base we decided to see a movie - Tom Cruise's latest Mission Impossible movie. We were a pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the show. Before calling it a day we stop at the Days Inn restaurant across from the base for a calzone, pizza and caprese salad. We're heading to bed early tonight. Tomorrow morning we're taking a tour to Agrigento to see the Valley of the Temples.
Friday, February 10, 2012
2-10 Friday in Sicily
What can I say - we slept 'til 12:30 today. Actually we woke up at 7:45 to the rap music next door. But the occupant left for work and the music stopped. So we slipt back into slumber and woke again after noon. Ahhhhhh....vacation.
So we got up, and walked through the street of Sigonella. That took us 15 minutes. Then we walked back to the Sigonella Inn and had lunch at the restaurant. Tony had tomato spaghetti served in a parmesan cheese shell. DELICIOUS!!! I had lasagna - different from what we're served in the states, but still - DELICIOUS!!
When we finished meal, the waiter brought two Sicilian oranges to our table. They had just been delivered from a local farmer (we saw the box delivered through the front door). It was so juicy and sweet. It had a hint of red coloring through the meat and the peel. The orange gets it's distinct flavor from the soils of Mount Etna. It was a wonderful treat.
We walked back to our lodging and rested 'til Tony returned from work. Then we drove to Motta to have dinner at the Spaghetti House. It was great to see Tony recognized by the propietor. We had bruscetta and pesto spaghetti washed down with the wonderful house wine.
As we finished our meal, , the proprietor, (name forgotten at this time) took my hand and gave me a gift saying "this is for you". It was a little shot glass with the restaurant name on it. What a nice gesture welcoming us into his restaurant. Now, I know his gesture was business based, however, as a customer, and visitor to his country, he made us feel welcome.
After dinner we walked next door for some canolli - a pastry shell with rocotta cheese stuffing. Tony knew the proprietor (Antonillo) who works at one of the NAS (Naval Air Station) bases. The shop is run by Antonillo's wife. The pastry shop also has home made gellato (yes, home made) and Antonillo promised to have some ready for us on Wednesday night. Guess I know where I' ll be eating on Wednesday. So after some wonderful conversation, we took our canolli and proceeded down the hillside to our lodging.
Back at our lodging we enjoyed the cannolli and skyped with some of the folks back in the States. Time for bed. Tomorrow we're off to Taromina!
Don't forget to check out the pictures in the photo link to the right!!!
So we got up, and walked through the street of Sigonella. That took us 15 minutes. Then we walked back to the Sigonella Inn and had lunch at the restaurant. Tony had tomato spaghetti served in a parmesan cheese shell. DELICIOUS!!! I had lasagna - different from what we're served in the states, but still - DELICIOUS!!
When we finished meal, the waiter brought two Sicilian oranges to our table. They had just been delivered from a local farmer (we saw the box delivered through the front door). It was so juicy and sweet. It had a hint of red coloring through the meat and the peel. The orange gets it's distinct flavor from the soils of Mount Etna. It was a wonderful treat.
We walked back to our lodging and rested 'til Tony returned from work. Then we drove to Motta to have dinner at the Spaghetti House. It was great to see Tony recognized by the propietor. We had bruscetta and pesto spaghetti washed down with the wonderful house wine.
As we finished our meal, , the proprietor, (name forgotten at this time) took my hand and gave me a gift saying "this is for you". It was a little shot glass with the restaurant name on it. What a nice gesture welcoming us into his restaurant. Now, I know his gesture was business based, however, as a customer, and visitor to his country, he made us feel welcome.
After dinner we walked next door for some canolli - a pastry shell with rocotta cheese stuffing. Tony knew the proprietor (Antonillo) who works at one of the NAS (Naval Air Station) bases. The shop is run by Antonillo's wife. The pastry shop also has home made gellato (yes, home made) and Antonillo promised to have some ready for us on Wednesday night. Guess I know where I' ll be eating on Wednesday. So after some wonderful conversation, we took our canolli and proceeded down the hillside to our lodging.
Back at our lodging we enjoyed the cannolli and skyped with some of the folks back in the States. Time for bed. Tomorrow we're off to Taromina!
Don't forget to check out the pictures in the photo link to the right!!!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
2-9 We've Arrived!!
After 25 hours we've arrived in Sicily!! The fourth flight of our adventure touched down in Catania at 6:30 (9:30am CA time) Thursday evening. Tony and his roommate, Ryan were waiting for us at the airport.
First, a bit about the trip. Flights were great! None of the flights were full. In fact, the flight from Dulles to Munich was so empty in our section that we moved seats and were able to stretch out in multiple seats for the 8.5 hour flight. The flights were good and the connections were great! The only thing that really bummed us out was our 5 hour layover at the Naples airport. Unfortunately we weren't able to check in and wait at the gate because the Air Italy policy is to not check anyone in prior to 1.5 from the flight. So Tony & I found a place to stretch out andwait.
But we made it. Juan had already picked up the keys to our room for the next 10 days so we dropped off our luggage andheaded to the Sigonella Inn for Pizza and wine. Yum, Yum and Yum.
Then we walked back to the room, unpacked a bit and now we're ready to hit the sack. Well, Tonys's a bit ahead of me. I wanted to let all of you know that we arrived in Sicily.
For those of you who don't know, Europe is having one of the coldest winters in history. We flew from Munich to Naples crossing over Venice. And once we hit the main land, everything was snow covered. Not just spots, but EVERYTHING. The flight attendant on our final flight said this has been a record year for snow. She's originally from Verona, which usually gets some winter snow, but she's never seen this amount. The land was snow covered until we crossed over a mountain range just north of Naples.
The weather in Catania is cool - 40's in the night, but the days should be up into the 60s. Great touring weather.
So, we're planning to sleep in. Juan has to work until 7. Then we'll head out for dinner! YUM!
Here's the link to my pictures:
First, a bit about the trip. Flights were great! None of the flights were full. In fact, the flight from Dulles to Munich was so empty in our section that we moved seats and were able to stretch out in multiple seats for the 8.5 hour flight. The flights were good and the connections were great! The only thing that really bummed us out was our 5 hour layover at the Naples airport. Unfortunately we weren't able to check in and wait at the gate because the Air Italy policy is to not check anyone in prior to 1.5 from the flight. So Tony & I found a place to stretch out andwait.
But we made it. Juan had already picked up the keys to our room for the next 10 days so we dropped off our luggage andheaded to the Sigonella Inn for Pizza and wine. Yum, Yum and Yum.
Then we walked back to the room, unpacked a bit and now we're ready to hit the sack. Well, Tonys's a bit ahead of me. I wanted to let all of you know that we arrived in Sicily.
For those of you who don't know, Europe is having one of the coldest winters in history. We flew from Munich to Naples crossing over Venice. And once we hit the main land, everything was snow covered. Not just spots, but EVERYTHING. The flight attendant on our final flight said this has been a record year for snow. She's originally from Verona, which usually gets some winter snow, but she's never seen this amount. The land was snow covered until we crossed over a mountain range just north of Naples.
The weather in Catania is cool - 40's in the night, but the days should be up into the 60s. Great touring weather.
So, we're planning to sleep in. Juan has to work until 7. Then we'll head out for dinner! YUM!
Here's the link to my pictures:
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| Sicily 2012 |
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
We're Checked In
Just checked us in for our flights. So this is what T & I will be doing for 25 hours beginning at 8 a.m. tomorrow:
Flight date: Wed, Feb 8, 2012
Flight number: United 970
Departing: 7:54 AM San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Arriving: 3:40 PM Dulles International (IAD)
Flight date: Wed, Feb 8, 2012
Flight number: United 902
Departing: 5:31 PM Dulles International (IAD)
Arriving: 7:35 AM Munchen (MUC)
MUC 09:15 AM - NAP 10:50 AM
Flight date: Thur, Feb 98, 2012
Flight number: Lufthansa 1926
Departing: MUC 09:15 AM (That's midnight in SD)
Arriving: NAP 10:50 AM
Oh wait, that's not all. We'll be hanging out at the Naples airport for 5 hours then catching an Air Italy flight to Catania which is scheduled to arrive at 18:10(11 am Thursday in SD). Needless to say we won't be doing too much on Friday. But on Saturday - Taormino here we come!
Flight date: Wed, Feb 8, 2012
Flight number: United 970
Departing: 7:54 AM San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Arriving: 3:40 PM Dulles International (IAD)
Flight date: Wed, Feb 8, 2012
Flight number: United 902
Departing: 5:31 PM Dulles International (IAD)
Arriving: 7:35 AM Munchen (MUC)
MUC 09:15 AM - NAP 10:50 AM
Flight date: Thur, Feb 98, 2012
Flight number: Lufthansa 1926
Departing: MUC 09:15 AM (That's midnight in SD)
Arriving: NAP 10:50 AM
Oh wait, that's not all. We'll be hanging out at the Naples airport for 5 hours then catching an Air Italy flight to Catania which is scheduled to arrive at 18:10(11 am Thursday in SD). Needless to say we won't be doing too much on Friday. But on Saturday - Taormino here we come!
Another Adventure
It's the day before departure and we're ready. I won't remember what we've forgotten until we're on the plane. No worries, we're on vacation! A real VACATION!
Damn, the dog just puked. Sorry Roxz, we're still going.
Damn, the dog just puked. Sorry Roxz, we're still going.
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| From Sicily 2012 |
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