Day 35 - Taormina - July 1

This man was above our breakfast table and seemed to be judgemental about Ronnie’s breakfast choices.. Not conducive to over eating!

Porta Messina.

Porta Messina from the other side. 

We are heading far from the madding crowds (Ronnie’s feeling a little hemmed in) to Castelmola today by bus and then decided to catch the bus back as well instead of walking down to Taormina because it’s 30*C and the path looks dry and barren.

No directions to the Castello except this bullseye. We followed it...

It led to...the icon of the Madonna della Scala (Madonna of the staircases). At least we know what we are in for today.

Start of the stairs to the Castello.

View.

Finally made it...there is not much left of the 10th century Castello. The primula growing out of this wall is incredibly tenacious as everything in the surrounding area is dying because of the drought. 

 Castelmona street.

Took the bus back to Taormina.

Cooled down in the hotel pool.Then walked through town again.

 Isola Bella.

The view from Ristorante Granduca.

Dinner at Ristorante Granduca. Great view but food not as good as last night. 

 Stairs up from the restaurant.

Corso Umberto is not as crowded as last night.

Day 34 - Taormina - June 30

View from the balcony in our room at Taormina.  Pretty sure we are looking the “wrong” way towards Sipsone and Mazzeo rather than Isola Bella but it’s nice to see the sea. 

Chiesa di San Giuseppe.

Chiesa di San Giuseppe inside.

View from the main square.

Fabulous dinner at 3/4uarti antipasteria Siciliana. Including meatballs wrapped in lemon leaves, frutti all cooked by the mother of the wait staff, wine and frozen lemincello. 

Day 33 - Cefula - June 29

We decided to walk up La Rocca as early as we could because of the heat. Most of the literature says it opens at 8:30 in summer. The man controlling the gate unlocked it at 8:25 but wouldn't let us go up until 9am. Only in Italy! La Rocca is a limestone promontory that is 2630m above sea level. On top stands the remains on a castle and half way up is the Temple of Diana.

  View of Cefalu from half way up.

 View of Contrada Caldura from the Byzantine Castle on La Rocca. 

A goat on the castle - we saw a group of five.

Guardhouse.

 View from the guardhouse.

Temple of Diana outside.

Temple of Diana inside.

The duomo.
Dinner at Al Ristoro Di Re Ruggero. Mussel zuppa was a bowl of mussels in their shell!

Day 32 - Cefalu - June 28

Last view of Switzerland.

Sicily from the plane.

We flew from Zurich to Palermo Airport and rented an Avis hire car. After much dispute about the extra charges we finally set off with our brand new automatic Audi 1 and drove to Cefalu.

Our first Roman ruin.

View from the air conditioned apartment. 

Lunch at Sutt’a Ravia. 

Did some washing and had a swim. 

Free beach. Water is warm and clear but it is very crowded.

Free beach at 6pm. 

 Dinner at La Botte Restaurant and it was very good - sword fish and grilled octopus and seafood risotto.

 A little alleyway - cars might just squeeze through...

 Medieval wash house - 'Fiume Cefalino'

 Not uite as good as Granada's washhouse!q

Sunset at Cefula.

Staying at Royal Sea House with a view of the water. 

Day 31 - Lucerne to Zurich - June 27

Another ferry ride to see the other end of the lake before catching the train to Zurich.

Lake Lucerne.

Rutli - an historic wharf still in use.

One of many monuments along the lake shore.

The most exclusive hotel on Lake Lucerne - The Park Hotel Vitznau. It only opens in summer and its restaurant has 3 michelin stars.

One of the historic paddle steamers that go up and down the lake that we sailed in.

Interesting rock formations.

Bauen.

Stayed at the Radisson Blu Zurich Airport for an early departure tomorrow.
Checked in for our flight with Swiss Air and got an exit row - lots of leg room.
Dinner at Air.