Siracusa

 Sunday, October 26, 2008
 
After putting off our trip to Siracusa twice, we decided to proceed this morning. Since the morning weather icons were displaying rain over the entire island for the day, we knew we were going to get wet wherever we went. Besides, meteorological luck has been on our side throughout this trip and we thought it might hold. Let’s just say that, even in the rain, Siracusa is a lovely city. Most memorably, the Piazza del Duomo is glorious – large, open, traffic-free and just lovely. Or, as one of our (multiple) guidebooks says, “enchanting.” It was wet, though, and so were we. We did stroll around the city, but were happy to return to our car, our “dry land” for the day.

We continued to Noto, a nearby city that had been totally relocated and rebuilt after an earthquake at the end of the 17th century. The result is considered a model of urban planning, beautiful baroque city – one gorgeous piazza after another, filled with golden-hued buildings and green spaces.

Most of the day was spent in the car, trying (desperately pleading with our GPS at times) to get from one place to another. Tom was our driver and it was a tough slog. (When he said he’d actually consider a beach day tomorrow, I knew we’d crossed a line!) We were happy to reach Cefalu (no evidence of rain here!) and we were more than ready for this evening’s happy hour when we did!

Fortified by happy hour, dinner and the wine that accompanied them (thank you to Brian and Susie Lenney), we may be ready for Palermo tomorrow, instead of the beach!

Ciao!
Mary Ellen