2nd June to 7th June, Catania, Wendy heads home

We really enjoyed our 5 day stay in Marzamemi, exploring the local area on borrowed bikes. Wendy was due to fly home on the 7th June, so we left to sail back up the coast to Catania, stopping for a night at Syracuse on the way. We had time for a quick look around Catania together before Wendy left. Dave is here for two more days waiting for our friend Paul to join for the sail across the foot of Italy to Corfu.

The lovely old church in the village square at Marzamemi.

Wendy's favourite beach, at the nature reserve  

The nature reserve looking back to the old tuna factory we visited with Becky.

We spent one night at anchor in the grand harbour at Syracuse on our way to Catania

Catania is not a particularly attractive city but it does have some nice buildings and squares

This Roman theatre lay under medieval housing until it was excavated in the 1950's. It is now use for public performances once again. 

Underneath the theatre

This elephant is the symbol of the city and stands in a grand square outside the cathedral

30th May to 1st June, Porto di Marzamemi

We had a really good sail down the coast to Marzamemi, where we plan to spend a few lazy days before heading back up the coast to Syracuse and then Catania, in time for Wendy's flight home.

The old harbour at Marzamemi, now surrounded by cafe's and restaurants.

Wendy liked this tiny café.

We are now close enough to the nature reserve we visited by car, to ride their on bikes kindly loaned by the marina. Wendy went for a swim, but Dave decided it was still too cold.

Dry stone walls, just like home!

26th to 30th May , Syracuse and the south

Becky joining us was an excuse to rent a car and explore the south east corner of Sicily. First on the list was Etna, which dominates a large part of the east coast. When you have driven to the highest car park, you can take cable cars higher up the mountain, (Etna is a ski resort in winter), then 4 wheel drive buses up close to the active crater.

Etna from the coast

Dad and daughter on the town quay in Syracuse

Becky near the summit of Etna 

 In the south east of Sicily there are a number of town which were destroyed by earthquake in 1693, and rebuilt in an opulent Baroque style. In 2001, eight towns were selected by UNESCO as World Heritage sites. The most spectacular is Noto.

Becky in the bell tower at Noto

Noto Cathedral and public buildings from the bell tower of the former nunnery. 

Several of the wide staircases in Noto have been given this rather amusing treatment (clue, the people on the staircase are real)

 A part of the south east coast, which includes sandy beaches and salt marches has been designated a nature reserve.

Mother and daughter cooling their toes after exploring a part of the nature reserve.

 We drove Becky to the airport on Sunday then went south again to visit another of the UNESCO designated towns, Ragusa Ibla, our last day before taking Cara Mara to the southern tip of Sicily to the tiny town of Porto di Marzamemi.

Ragusa  Ibla was largely abandoned in favour a new town Ragusa Superiore. Recent renovation of its narrow Baroque style buildings on the medieval street plan has made it a lovely place to wander. (When we returned to our car in a suspiciously empty multi-storey car park we found there was no way to pay, and so no way to leave. Ooops!)