Across the island to Cefalu

The views in Sicily change dramatically as you drive across the island.  Scenic rock beach views, to citrus groves, wide open farmland, vineyards, marble quarries, over to sandy beaches.  All of it is charming and beautiful.

 

 

For the long Memorial Day weekend, we hit the road across the island with our first stop in the town of Cefalu.  What a beautiful town it was!  A beach town with aqua and bright blue water, shops filled with pottery and various gifts, laundry hanging across the narrow streets, and vibrant flowers spilling off of balconies.    

We had seen on a Rick Steve’s video when he had visited Cefalu, he had eaten a fish baked in a thick salt crust, so we were on a mission to find a restaurant that served this kind of fish dish.  We wandered the streets reading menu after menu with no luck.  Finally we asked someone and were told a restaurant just up the hill would have it.  Umm, negative.  However, we didn’t read the menu before being seated, so we were stuck.  Turns out that even though the sought after fish wasn’t on the menu, our meal was absolutely fantastic!  We devoured every crumb!

After lunch, we headed out to take a look at the church and a much needed gelato break! 

 

After making our way back to the car, we were bound for San Vito Lo Capo!  The ride was smooth sailing until I spotted one of the only olive wood venders we’ve seen on the island (the other was at the Carnivale festival).  A friend had given me GPS coordinates for this roadside display situated in a scenic overlook, so I was on a serious lookout mission!  Thankfully Greg was with me, so together we spent A LOT of money (as opposed to me spending the money and him being informed about it later).  Our car was already packed ceiling high with bags tucked around the kid’s carseats, so finding places to stash cutting boards, bowls, serving pieces, ect., was no small feat.  I ended up riding the rest of the way to San Vito with wood packed around my feet and on my lap.  Totally worth it!

 

Noto- Infiorata Festival

After a last minute decision, we found ourselves in Noto for the Infiorata festival.  I’ve mentioned before that parking isn’t terribly user friendly for festivals, but the parking in Noto was hands down the best we have ever experienced (my previous post about Carnivale also mentions a pleasant parking experience… perhaps we are hitting a trend).  A large gravel lot was easy to access from the main road into town and the end of the lot opened up to the festival.  

From the start, festivals all look the same.  There are carts filled with a variety of toys that sing, walk, talk, squeak, or light up.  

Next to that is a giant balloon bundle with Mickey, Minnie, Smurfs, and who knows what else, and next to that is another toy cart.  

Guess what happens when you have a 2 and 5 year old bombarded with toy carts and balloon bundles?  It’s not pretty. 

We manage to all make it past the beginning of the festival alive.  Good news.  As we wandered down the street, we took in breathtaking baroque architecture and handmade wares from a variety of artists...and some fun cars!

We walked a bit of distance and I began to wonder where exactly the flower petal mosaics were.  I thought it was down the main street, but we kept walking and there were no flowers.  I also wondered where all the people were.  Generally festivals are crowded, but we had all the space we could possibly want while walking down the street.  Suddenly off to the right, we found what I had been looking for.  The flower mosaics and all the people!  Up a side street there was picture after picture created by various colors of flower petals, dirt, mulch, and rocks.  Along each side of the street, a walkway was roped off and people were crammed in walking up taking in each picture.  

 

 

We did not go up.  It was just a little too much for us.  And yes, I realize how sad it is that we went to the flower festival and didn’t actually go up to see all the mosaics.  We probably won’t do it next time either.  That’s just how we roll!


I love visiting Noto.  It is a charming town with what is said to be the best gelato bars.  I don’t know about the gelato, it was great in Noto, but it’s great everywhere!  I’ve blogged about the ancient ruins of Noto and I think both the ruins and current town are certainly worth the trip!

Carnivale in Acireale, 2013

Festivals are year round here in Sicily.  Most nights you can hear fireworks exploding from towns all around us.  In February, there is a particular festival called Carnivale that is similar to the American Halloween festivities.  Children dress in extravagant costumes and parades with intricate floats roam the city streets.  This year Greg was back in the States, so along with a friend, my kids and I loaded up and we were off for an adventure in Acireale.  My primary concern was parking.  Italian streets are not known for being, well, car friendly much less when many cars are involved.  Thankfully, we found a spot easy to load in and out of with just a short walk to the parade route. 

 

On the way down, we purchased a couple bags of confetti the kids use to throw at the floats, or at each other, or at me… or basically whatever or whoever is around!  We plant ourselves in a spot that is clear of people all round us.  Not 5 minutes later, we were bombarded by teenagers and a large group of nuns.  The entire block was clear and the entire block across from us was clear, so apparently we found the best spot and it was necessary for everyone to crowd around us.  Or maybe we are just that cool.

We cross the street and begin to be passed by some extraordinary floats!  

 

 

 

 

 

The kids had a blast throwing the confetti and we even met up with a couple of other friends.  After meandering through the venders, finding a booth filled with olive wood wares, and buying lighted swords (that I didn’t realize until it was way too late that they played obnoxious music), we made our way back to the car.

Now, I had the kids in a sit ‘n stand stroller and it was all good going downhill toward the festival.  On the way back, however, uphill with a 1,000 lbs stroller and 2 giant kids (that’s how it felt anyways), I just about died.  Exercise isn’t my thing but totally worth it for the great time we had!

**Special thanks to my friend Rebecca for several of these pictures