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Our last adventure in Sicily was a trip to the island of Vulcano, one of the eight Aeolian Islands. Currently 470 people live on the island which primarily live off of the tourism. There are a few little restaurants and small places to stay. We headed straight to the beach.
The beach that we landed at is right next to the sulfur baths (a bit smelly). It was fun to swim around and happen upon a vent spurting out warm water. Mostly though, it was just nice to be in the ocean.
After five days that took us around the entire island of Sicily, it was time to head back to the main land. We found a boat that would take us over night to Naples, not a bad way to go in my opinion. A word to the wise though: pack your own dinner. The food on the boat was expensive and not great. The view though, well... that was worth it.
After five days that took us around the entire island of Sicily, it was time to head back to the main land. We found a boat that would take us over night to Naples, not a bad way to go in my opinion. A word to the wise though: pack your own dinner. The food on the boat was expensive and not great. The view though, well... that was worth it.
Sleepy Charlie, early in the morning as we arrived in the Bay of Naples.
The sunrise over Mount Vesuvius. A beautiful welcome to the next leg of our journey.
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Vulcano Island and a boat ride to Naples
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After a blistering hot day in Agrigento, Charlie and I were more than looking forward to a day in the coastal city or Taormina. Driving several hours amongst overly aggressive Italian drivers had me dreaming of a cool dip in the ocean. After once again finding ourselves lost among narrow city streets we descended upon what looked to be a perfect beach...
As we strolled onto the beach we laughed at all of the silly tourists that were laying on the rocky shore rather than swimming in that beautiful blue water. Then we finally got close enough to the water to realize the reason no one was swimming. The water was full of jellyfish! What? To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. I was ready to jump in head first and worry about the stinging beasts later. But then, my all too logical husband suggested that we get a over priced ice cream instead and call it even. I grudgingly agreed.
After a disappointing afternoon at the beach we took the tram to the top of the mountain and wondered along the city streets. Dinner was at a little pizzeria followed by a night of watching the world cup at a little pub. In the end I managed to forgive Taormina for the jelly fish, just barely. The shot above shows one of the streets of Taormina with the active Mount Aetna behind.
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Taormina
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After a scrumptious breakfast we headed towards Agrigento, stopping along the way at the mountain top city of Erice. We wandered the streets of Erice, around the castle and through the cobble stone streets.
Charlie and I with the Pepoli Castle behind us.
Charlie and I with the Pepoli Castle behind us. The view from the top, looking down at Trapani.
Charlie stole my camera.
Venus Castle, built atop the ruins of the the Temple of Venus.
After our little jaunt up to Erice we headed off to Agrigento. Arriving in yet another hilltop town, but this one meant navigating through streets that were a bit more of a challenge. At one point we were headed straight up a cobble stone street that was so narrow I had about two inches on either sides of my mirrors. I was holding my breath just hoping that no one would be coming from the other direction. Ahhhhh the adventures of traveling in Italy!
We did eventually find our hotel and decided to head down to the Greek Ruins and then to the Museum. The ruins were pretty impressive, but it was a bit too hot and we didn't have any water on hand.
After our little jaunt up to Erice we headed off to Agrigento. Arriving in yet another hilltop town, but this one meant navigating through streets that were a bit more of a challenge. At one point we were headed straight up a cobble stone street that was so narrow I had about two inches on either sides of my mirrors. I was holding my breath just hoping that no one would be coming from the other direction. Ahhhhh the adventures of traveling in Italy!
We did eventually find our hotel and decided to head down to the Greek Ruins and then to the Museum. The ruins were pretty impressive, but it was a bit too hot and we didn't have any water on hand.
The ruins with Agrigento in the background.
I really enjoyed the museum. At one point Charlie and I got separated. I manage to meet one of the restorers from the museum and he whisked me about showing me the treasures he had worked on. We communicated as best we could, me with my broken Italian, him by acting out what he was saying. He got me a cool bottle of water, gave me a nice little souvenir and helped me locate my missing husband. Once again, the kindness of the Sicilians wins me over.
Edward Maurer:
Sara, your work continues to blow me away. Beautiful imagery. Charlie's quite handsome too.
(06.28.10)
Dd:
Sara, your photos beckon a history lesson. Beautiful. Dd
(06.28.10)
Sara Atkins:
Thank you Ed! Unfortunately we will not be joining you long term in Michigan... I would still love to come visit though!
(06.29.10)
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Erice and Agrigento
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Traveling in Italy is an adventure to be certain. The funny thing about traveling in Italy is that you can never really expect things to run as planned. When we left Chioggia we thought we had everything all planned out. Flight booked, rental car reserved. No problems right? Well... not exactly. When reserving our rental car the print read (in english): 'Your car has been reserved, use this print out as verification of reservation'. We get to the rental office to find out that that little one line of print in Italian on the bottom of the page says that there was an error and the car has not been reserved. What? And, surprise surprise, there are no other cars left to book. Awesome. Luckily I got to work on my newly acquired phrase, parla inglese? as I spoke to just about every rental office at the airport. Eventually we did get a car and were off on the whirl wind tour of Sicily.
We headed east to Scopello. This little town was pretty darn adorable, nestled on a hill above the coastline. Our first day was a bit overcast and rainy, but beautiful and full of character. This shot is taken looking out to sea from at an old tuna fishery turned hotel. The water was so refreshing, a perfect spot for our first dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea. After a swim we decided to walk back up the hill for dinner when a thunderstorm let loose and the clouds began to bucket rain on us. Lucky for us, the local dive crew saw us scampering up the hill and came to our rescue. Before leaving Chioggia Davide told me that Sicilians were nice. He told me how they they go out of their way to help perfect strangers. It didn't even take me an entire day in Sicily to know exactly what he was talking about.
We headed east to Scopello. This little town was pretty darn adorable, nestled on a hill above the coastline. Our first day was a bit overcast and rainy, but beautiful and full of character. This shot is taken looking out to sea from at an old tuna fishery turned hotel. The water was so refreshing, a perfect spot for our first dip in the Tyrrhenian Sea. After a swim we decided to walk back up the hill for dinner when a thunderstorm let loose and the clouds began to bucket rain on us. Lucky for us, the local dive crew saw us scampering up the hill and came to our rescue. Before leaving Chioggia Davide told me that Sicilians were nice. He told me how they they go out of their way to help perfect strangers. It didn't even take me an entire day in Sicily to know exactly what he was talking about.
Dd:
These are gorgeous photos Sara.
(06.25.10)
Anonymous:
Love the pics....wish I was there...hope you are all feeling better.
(06.27.10)
Sara Atkins:
Thank you so much, we are both feeling a lot better these days. Thank goodness!
(06.29.10)
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On our lovely little weekend with the Boscolo family we did quite a bit of wondering. Between sniffles and hacking coughs I managed to make a few photos of the places that we visited. here are a few more...
This is the same river that runs near Chioggia, where we began our journey to Bossano.
As we walked by a restaurant this pup was waiting to greet any interested guests. This is one of the things that I have been loving about Italy. Not only are you often allowed to bring your pets with you, but critters are often part of the establishments around town.
Charlie looking out over the landscape of Bossano...
This is the same river that runs near Chioggia, where we began our journey to Bossano.
As we walked by a restaurant this pup was waiting to greet any interested guests. This is one of the things that I have been loving about Italy. Not only are you often allowed to bring your pets with you, but critters are often part of the establishments around town.
Charlie looking out over the landscape of Bossano...
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Bossano
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