Day trip to Syracuse

Although we stayed in Syracuse 12 years ago, as it is a beautiful town we thought a day trip from Noto was in order.  An obligatory visit to the cathedral in Piazza del Duomo and the Castello Maniace followed by lunch at the markets. Lots of tourists about as it is a public holiday tomorrow and lots of Italians and other Europeans are soaking up the lovely weather.

Noto

We are now staying in Noto possibly the most beautiful (and most popular)  of the baroque towns in Sicily.  Gorgeous churches and pallazzi - even the staircases are artistic. I also have it from a reliable source that some scenes from season 2 of white lotus were filmed here. 

Pretty staircase 

Modica

A sojourn to Modica today another baroque town about 30 minutes from Ragusa. Beautiful churches and lots of steps! 

Ragusa

Yesterday we hired a car to drive from Agrigento to Ragusa.  The weather was warm so we made a stop at the beach at Mafria for a swim. We has some heart palpitations driving to our accommodation on the narrow streets of Ragusa.  We are now without the car and so it was lots of stairs down and up to the old town today. I got sweaty palms watching a Mercedes 4wd scrape it's sides as it tried get to through the very narrow old town streets.

Mafria beach 

Ragusa ibla

Agrigento

We were here 12 years ago but still amazing.  Valley of the Temples.

Marsala

We are still in western Sicily in Marsala, home of the sweet fortified wine you may have drunk as a teenager. There are lots of wineries in the area and wine bars in Marsala serving up mainly red and white wines ( but not much marsala).  We went to Donnafugata winery yesterday for a tasting and paired with Sicilian local delicacies. Wines good although they have recently partnered with Dolce and Gabbana to produce a range with trendy labels.  Appears to have tripled the price!   The fabulous archaeological museum contains remains of a warship sunk during the first Punic War.  The Phoenicians were quite advanced for 3rd century bc. Marsala is a town with baroque buildings and food with Arab influences. Cous Cous is excellent! 

 

Segesta

A trip today to Segesta about 45 minutes from Trapani. The archaeological site contains amongst other less preserved ruins, a Doric temple built by the Elymians in 420 BC and a Greek theatre with views down the valley towards the Gulf of Castellamare. Both the temple and the theatre are still used for events and performances.

Temple !