The lunch view in Cefalu … and yes, I know that rhymes!

Gosh, has it really been a month since I last posted? Oops. It was a great month, enjoying the last of the summer sun, with a trip to Lyon, France, thrown in for good measure!

But back to Sicily. The glorious side of Sicily. I’m ready to show you it’s not all refuse and garbage, but gobsmackingly beautiful too.

We spent time on the east coast, where Mt Etna seems to always be looming, then the north west and south east corners. We covered some miles! We visited Passopisciaro, Fiumefreddo, Cefalu, Castellammare del Golfo, Punta Secca, Scicli, Noto, Syracuse, Mt Etna (was 15 degrees Celsius, we didn’t stay long!) and Taormina.

Favourite places?

Cefalu, Punta Secca, Syracuse and always Taormina.

Here we go:

Passopisciaro/Fiumefreddo region

The neighbour’s next to Leo’s dad’s house.

The beach at Fiumefreddo

A daily ritual, I’m sure. Old men having a chat in Linguaglossa.

Driving north

High on a hill …

Cefalu:

Impressive rock and umbrella formations

The view from our hotel balcony. Shame it was only for one night … Could get very used to that!

The Cefalu hotel complex. You could walk down to the rocks and swim.

Ships ahoy!

Cefalu church. Famous apparently!

Sneak peak through the tunnel

I fancy an apartment, right on the water

I bet those rocks get a hammering in the storms

Cactus figs were everywhere. They taste quite bland, so no wonder they weren’t being stolen!

Side angle of Cefalu beach

Balcony view at sunset

Castellammare del Golfo:

The beach was so busy … so busy …

So we spent time by the B&B pool. Not a bad alternative to the heaving masses!

Spectacular. (But someone, cut down that telephone wire, would you?)

Funky spikes

There’s a man under there somewhere, carrying it all!

The fort walls

A lively night scene and sooo many restaurants!

We took a day trip along the coast up past Scopello. Glorious.

Plenty of colour

The other view of the fort wall

The beach in front of this abandoned building was littered with marble pieces. It was an old factory

Big and small pieces everywhere

A dinosaur wants his teeth back

Just one more pool view …

Punta Secca:

Ok, this was the true highlight of the trip because we stayed two nights in the Inspector Montalbano house. They use it in the tv series and it was such a thrill to stand on the famous (to viewers) balcony.

I think everyone comes to the sleepy town of Punta Secca just to see this house

This year we stood on the balcony instead of just taking photos of it

A lovely little beach with warm water. A nice change to the north.

Sweet beach house with the famous lighthouse seen in the opening credits of the show

The sun goes down right in front of the balcony. Next time we’re downing a bottle of champagne for sure!

Looking back towards the house and village

Just one more sunset shot …

Scicli and Noto:

Leo outside Inspector Montalbano’s office in Scicli

We did a short tour inside as well, and saw the office of Montalbano’s boss, which is the mayor’s office in real life.

Bombs away!

Flippin’ clear water

One of the many churches in Noto

Syracuse:

The Aperol Spritz cost twice as much as normal here, but you can see why.

Boats in Syracuse harbour

An unusual swimming spot in Ortigia, a small island next to Syracuse connected by bridges. It’s magical here

Leo swimming in Ortigia, our last swim in the ocean on this trip. Unusual backdrop, for sure!

Mt Etna and Taormina:

Why spend time here …

When you could be looking at this instead! Lovely Taormina.

And that’s about all I’m going to show. You’ll just have to visit too!

Wishing you a wonderful day.