Cherie's Place

Filed under Anecdotes, Holidays, Taormina 2019

Taormina – Day Six

We arrived at breakfast a little later than on the previous days and found the room to be full and chaotic. Some food items were running out, including bread, and we had to wait for a table to be laid. After breakfast we walked to the bus stop near to the Porta Messina to purchase a bus ticket to Castelmola. The bus wasn’t due for another hour so we went to one of the cafe bars and ordered a cappuccino.

The drive up to the castle was reminiscent of the hairpin bends we experienced on a journey from Ravello to Amalfi (and back) a couple of years ago. The journey is three miles and I had considered walking up but, as Mr C had a large blister, we chose the easier option. I was glad that we did because the road wasn’t really suitable for walking being very narrow and busy. Stepping off the bus in Castelmola was a big contrast from the bustle of Taormina. Castelmola was quiet and quaint with stunning views.

We wandered around the narrow streets and visited Chiesa di San Nicolo di Bari where I lingered for a while.

We had lunch in Per de Chat where we enjoyed views of the blue sea far below us. The owner was warm and welcoming and told us to sit and relax and stay as long as we wanted. He recommended a dish of locally prepared Arancini, one beef and tomato and one spinach and ricotta split in half for sharing. We took him up on his offer and ordered a wine for me and a beer for Mr C. The Arancini were delicious.

We then walked up to the ruins of Castello di Castelmola. The views were even more spectacular from this elevated position and Etna seemed closer than ever.

We descended back to the square and caught the next bus back to Taormina where we called in at cafe for a refreshing citrus drink. There was an unusual gadget on the table with buttons with options to order, pay bill and cancel. We pressed the appropriate button and a waiter appeared from a nearby shop to take our order.

Back in the hotel we chilled out before heading out dine in Rosso Di Vino. The restaurant was full and they could only offer a table on a balcony which didn’t look very comfortable. As we had a plan B I asked if we could book a table for the next evening instead. Table booked we headed around the corner to Ristorante Al Duomo who were able to accommodate us.

We were placed at an outside table overlooking Piazza del Duomo. The food and atmosphere were excellent and I was reluctant to move but all to soon it was time to head back to our hotel for the night.

Tags: Arancini, Castello di Castelmola, Castelmola, Chiesa di San Niolo di Bari, Italy, Per de Chat, Sicily, Taormina 2019, Vacation

8 Comments CherryPie on Oct 25th 2019

Filed under Anecdotes, Holidays, Taormina 2019

Taormina – Day Five

This was the third day in a row that we had to plan breakfast around a meeting with the tour rep. We decided to go in for breakfast and Mr C slipped out to pay for the trips. In the end he only paid for the Etna trip as there was still doubt surrounding the Aeolian Islands trip.

After the meeting and breakfast, we headed into town and caught the cable car down to Isola Bella Bay where we took our life in our hands walking along the narrow roads, dodging the cars. Our walk was interrupted by a sprinkling of rain so we took the cable car back to Taormina where we had lunch overlooking the Cathedral square.

We visited the Sicilian Cart Museum then briefly returned to the hotel before visiting Palazzo Dei Duchi Di Santo Stefano which is a Norman structure situated near to Porta Catania. The interior of the building is used by the G. Mazulla foundation. The works of this artist are displayed in the palace and the gardens.

We next enjoyed a refreshing drink overlooking Piazza Duomo, soaking up the atmosphere in the Italian sunshine. Some things just have to be done.

Whilst we were back at the hotel getting ready for our evening meal the wind got up and we heard a loud crash. Initially we thought something had blown over until it dawned on us that it sounded like a motor accident; several roads are just below the hotel. I looked out of the window and saw people looking over the wall and photographing/videoing the scene below, which I found upsetting. However once again I was able to watch the sunset over Etna.

Later, as we walked to Trattoria Tiramiso Taormina for dinner, we saw the remains of the accident which was still being attended by the emergency services. I was left hoping that no one was seriously hurt. Whilst dining we got chatting to two Americans who were sharing their holiday experiences with us. Also whilst we were dining the tour rep texted to advise that despite the bad weather the Aeolian Islands trip would go ahead, but by now we had gone off the idea and didn’t want another interrupted breakfast…

Tags: Etna, Hotel Excelsior Palace, Isola Bella, Italy, Moonrise, Palazzo Dei Duchi Di Santo Stefano, Rainbow, Sicilian Cart Museum, Sicily, Sunset, Taormina 2019, Vacation

14 Comments CherryPie on Oct 23rd 2019

Filed under Anecdotes, Holidays, Taormina 2019

Taormina – Day Four

We were ready for breakfast slightly later than intended so because we had arranged to meet Sylvana to pay for the trips we had chosen, breakfast was delayed until after the meeting. We had chosen one of the Etna trips and a visit to the Aeolian Islands and Stromboli. We were informed that Stromboli had erupted earlier in the year and so it might not be possible to land and also forecast bad weather might cause the sea to be choppy. She suggested that we decide later in the week when she had more news. This meant that she did not take any money for either trip!

We had intended to visit the Greek Theatre early before the day got too warm but this delay and Mr C having an unexpected phone call meant that we got there later than we intended. The Greek Theatre is impressive and there are some stunning views from the top tier.

When we had finished the self guided tour, it was time for lunch so we headed back into town to find a suitable cafe bar. After lunch we visited the remains of the Roman bath house, the Church of St Joseph, the Church of St Augustine (now the town library) and the Cathedral of St Nicholas before returning to relax by the hotel pool.

That evening we dined in Ristorante Malvasia which served excellent local food with friendly service and atmosphere. We returned to the hotel for a nightcap on the hotel terrace looking out over the bays. We got chatting to the bar manager and he pointed out Taormina Bay, Catania, a small part of Syracuse and also the mainland of Italy. The wind got up slightly which was refreshing after the heat of the day.

Tags: Greek Theatre, Hotel Excelsior Palace, Italy, Sicily, Taormina 2019, Taormina Bay, Vacation

12 Comments CherryPie on Oct 22nd 2019

Filed under Anecdotes, Holidays, Taormina 2019

Taormina – Day Three

The breakfast room was light and airy and the buffet spread was comprehensive, including some rather sweet looking choices that were not quite to my palate first thing in the morning. After breakfast we met with Sylvana, the Citalia rep. She told us about the various trips that were available and where to find things in Taormina. We decided not to choose there and then but consider the options, especially the different types of trip for visiting Etna.

We headed into town enjoying the streets and shop displays before it got too busy with guided tours. We stopped for coffee before heading off to the municipal gardens. We got a bit off track and ended up by the Greek theatre which we decided to leave for another day. Instead we went in search of the main bus station so that we could check the timetables and see if the was a scheduled service to Syracuse. We failed to find the bus station although we passed by the cable car terminal.

We headed back into town for lunch before setting off on another route to locate the bus station, again without success. Instead we located the correct path to the municipal gardens. The gardens were lovely, and, quiet after the hustle and bustle of the town.

The weather was sunny and perfect as we enjoyed the garden but as we left there was an ominous rumble of thunder in the distance. On our way back to the hotel we stopped for a cool refreshing sorbet ice on a stick. Lemon flavour was the obvious choice for me.

Back at the hotel we decided that we would sit and read by the hotel pool although the idea was slightly delayed due to a short rain shower. Eventually we walked through the delightful hotel gardens to the pool area where the sun graced us with its presence once again. Later when we headed back to the hotel there was another lite sprinkling of rain with thunder and lightning in the distance.

I had in indulgent soak in the bath before heading out for dinner in restaurant Don Camillo. I had freshly cooked fish with potato and onion salad whilst Mr C had stuffed squid. We both had cannoli for dessert although they were filled with custard cream rather than ricotta cheese.

After dining we returned to the hotel terrace for a nightcap accompanied by live music. A fortieth birthday party was taking place; this should have been on the terrace but the earlier rain meant that the celebrations had moved indoors to the conservatory area.

Tags: Don Camillo, Etna, Hotel Excelsior Palace, Italy, Municipal Gardens, Sicily, Taormina 2019

16 Comments CherryPie on Oct 21st 2019

Filed under Holidays, Taormina 2019

Cherie’s Place – Thought for the Week

Earth laughs in flowers.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tags: Cherie's Place Thought, Etna, Italy, Sicily, Vacation

10 Comments CherryPie on Oct 20th 2019

Filed under Anecdotes, Holidays, Taormina 2019

Taormina – Day Two

We were up, not necessarily bright but early, at 4 am in order to be at Manchester airport for a 5.30 check-in. The heavy rain that had started the previous afternoon had almost stopped as we loaded our luggage into the car. At the airport we headed to the check in desk and found that a self check-in and baggage weighing service was in operation. This caused a few people to have problems scanning their luggage onto the conveyor belt, the label had to be facing in just the right direction for the camera.

Successfully checked in and scanned, we headed to the security check with thoughts of breakfast once we had cleared security. I was a little surprised that my bag was sidelined into the queue for manual checking. It was a long queue with several people that hadn’t packed their hand luggage appropriately. This gave me plenty of time to wonder which of the few items in my bag could have raised an alert. When it was my turn I was informed that my bag hadn’t scanned and it was returned to the conveyor belt and I was told that if it didn’t go through I was to go straight to the front of the queue. Thankfully my bag went through the scanner with no further problems.

We had our long awaited breakfast before passing through to the boarding gate. Whilst we waited to board the plane a lady got chatting to us about all manner of interesting things although it was a bit much for me, so early in the morning. Once everyone boarded the plane the captain stepped out of the cockpit to address the passengers. He told us that the co-pilot had phoned in sick and a replacement was on his way but he was contending with the Manchester rush hour traffic. The plane left 30 minutes later than planned and as we left UK airspace the inclement weather faded into the distance. At one point we flew over Lake Geneva and the Alps which were amazing seen from so far above.

On arrival at Catania airport we stepped off the plane into brilliant sunshine and passed through immigration and collected our baggage without any hiccups. Our private transfer was waiting for us, and as we drove to Taormina, our driver pointed out various towns and landscape features along the way. The view of Etna was looking lively with smoke venting from its summit. On arrival at the hotel we were shown to our room which had a French balcony on one wall and a full length window on another wall allowing us views of both Etna and the sea. We left our cases unpacked and headed into town for a late lunch. I ordered bruschetta which turned out to be a lot larger than I was expecting.

After lunch we went for a walk along the main street, Corso Umberto I, walking further than we intended ending up at the Porta Messina gateway, our hotel being situated next to the Porta Catania gateway about a mile away. On the way we stopped in Piazza IX Aprile to see the views over the Naxos bay. Later we sat on the Caffe Wunderbar terrace with a glass of wine, enjoying the view before returning to the room to unpack.

As we were getting ready to dine in the hotel restaurant we enjoyed the view of Etna whilst the sun set behind it and the moon rose above. During this time there was a call at our door (there was a small doorbell outside which we had not noticed). On opening the door the gentleman announced, “Room service”, and presented a plate of small biscuits.

We enjoyed our meal and finished our wine outside in the warm evening air enjoying the view of the bay below the hotel terrace.

Tags: 006, Corso Umberto I, Easy Jet, Etna, Hotel Excelsior Palace, Italy, Moonrise, Sunset, Taormina 2019, Vacation

19 Comments CherryPie on Oct 19th 2019

Filed under Anecdotes, Holidays, Taormina 2019

Taormina – Day One

All packed and ready to go on our travels to Italy, we set off mid afternoon for our overnight stay in the Premier Inn near to Manchester airport. We chose the quick route using the motorway which turned out to be unexpectedly slow and the fading afternoon light led to unpleasant driving conditions. This caused us to stop off at a motorway service station to have a refreshing cup of tea in Gregg’s before continuing on our journey to the Premier Inn.

It was almost time for dinner when we arrived at our overnight hotel. We did a quick recce of the airport to find where we needed to leave our car for the ‘meet and greet’ service before heading off to the nearby Tatton Arms for our evening meal. On arrival we were told that food was only available until 8pm. The waitress took our drinks order and gave us the specials menu. We were left waiting for some time…

Normally we wouldn’t have minded but we were conscious of the kitchen closing at 8pm. Our order was taken 15 minutes later. Shortly afterwards the waitress came back to us and apologised that we had been left unattended due to her being in the office upstairs. She went on to say that our drinks would be on the house. We enjoyed our meal before returning to the Beefeater (next to the Premier Inn) for a nightcap before an earlyish night in readiness for our early morning check-in at Manchester airport.