Jesi

From Venice we took the train down the east coast of Italy to Ancona and then to Jesi where Alice's brother Mason has a country house and where Alice's brother Ali and his wife Laura and family live. It was the highlight of our trip to spend time in this wonderful old town and to help harvest the Rocca family olive crop.

Venice

We loved Venice!

Palermo to Milan

We flew from Palermo to Milan and were met by Bart and Catherine Rocca, Alice's mom and dad. We had a wonderful visit there with Alice's brother Mason and his wife Corinne and their really cute kids: Sofia, Theo and Mason Vito. We went to see Mason's basketball game which his team, Armani Jeans Milano, won in great style. Very high caliber professional basket ball combined with the whacky Italian fans. It was a hoot. The next day we took the train to Venice.

Last day in Sicily - Erice and the north coast

We drove from Palermo on the autostrade toward Trapagni and went to the old walled city of Erice. A beautiful site 2000 feet straight up from the sea with fantastic views all around. We drove home along the north coast past Capo San Vito and the Zingaro Reserve. A beautiful day and a spectacular drive.

Palermo Market - The Balaro

We spent the morning at the amazing Palermo outdoor street market, the Balaro. It goes on for blocks and blocks in the narrow streets of old Palermo. Beautiful fruits, vegies, meats and fish and anything else you could want.

Teatro Massimo Opera

We came back to Palermo a day early in order to attend the opera. It was quite a scene.

Segesta temple

Segesta - 2500 year old theater

South Sicilian coast Agrigento to Sciacca

Sicilian Road Signs

Our Favorite Sicilian Road Sign

Dinner at the Locanda de Terra

Read it and weep mi amici -

1. Tortino di formaggi con zucchini stufato e riduzione di Nero d'avola

2. Ravioli di peace con creme I melanzane e gamberi

3. Involtini di " picaredda" con cupola di Giarrantana

4. Lampuga in crosta di patate e capperi di Salina

The view from our hotel

Lynn and Rob

The "old" main road

Sheep in the olives

Lynn on the rocks

Old Olive

Temple de Concordia

Tuesday 10/19 Siracusa to Agrigento

An easy three hour drive via the autostrade to Enna and then the red road to Agrigento. We arrived at our hotel, Villa Athena in early afternoon and, in spite of rain had a great long walk through the 2500 year old Greek temples. It is a beautiful place.

Noto

Noto

Monday 10/18 Noto &Modica

We drove out into the country today from Siracusa. To bad we had heavy rain but still a nice drive on the southern coast.

Averna and canela

Cozze oh my

View from our room in ortigia

View from our room

Ortigia and Siracusa

Buono sera oh my !! Siracusa imagine they named Syracuse new York after this Greek roman town!!
I won't bore you with the details but the ruins are really fantastic, I can just imagine all the slaves building these majestic temples villas and of course the teatros and coliseums.did I tell you that there are more Greek ruins in Italy than in Greece,,here's a good fun fact..you know the European custom of kissing twice once on each cheek? Do you know why?? The Greeks of course..the greeting was to bring good stuff to the spirit and also to the body!
Whoobah,we had soooo much fun riding our bikes all around this island wwhere we are staying
Ortigia a lovely baroque town I just love all the folderol's all over the buildings and the carvings incredible , we ate in two terrific places here are the photos ,we met an artist from NYC named susan klieinberg ,had a drink with her,another night an Italian gent came over to our table probably after too many vinos to kiss my hand, I think rob prearranged it!! Hilarious!
Thats all for now..love you all lyn and rob

Ortigia

Acireale

Foccacia

Grape harvest

Chestnut tree

Taormina to Siracusa

Saturday, 10/16 we drove from Taormina to Siracusa, detouring on the mountain roads of Mt Etna. Had a cappucho at St Alfio where we saw a huge chestnut tree ( 196 feet in diameter). Saw grapes being harvested and drove through Acireale where we found delicious pistacio granite and an awesome foccaciaria. We ended the day arriving in Siracusa at our hotel on the island of Ortigia. Our hotel has bikes to use so we road all over the island. It is a beautiful place!

Taormina

Mt Etna

Taormina - the view from our room, looking at Mt Etna

Taormina

Taormina is a beautiful place - the views are the most impressive thing about it. We went to the L'Arco de Cappucinni for dinner on Omar's suggestion. yum !! Scampi and delicious thin sliced tuna tartar were the highlights. We particularly liked our hotel here, the Villa Angela.

We found nancy and omars granita place. YUMMMMMMMM