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QuattroRomeo

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Posts posted by QuattroRomeo

  1. Naples, Italy

     

    I arranged another private tour for Naples port, and filled it through the roll call, communicating back and forth with Melania at “Lovely Amalfi Coast Tours”. Melania was very prompt and helpful responding to me. We wanted to do something different this trip, without driving all the way down the Amalfi Coast, so I asked them to create a trip that would go to Sorrento, visit the Marina Grande, the Sorrentine peninsula to see both the Gulf of Naples and Gulf of Salerno from one vantage point, sample gelato at Davide's, have an authentic lunch in a small town and visit Herculaneum on our way back.

     

    When we arrived in Naples, Giovanni was waiting for us outside the terminal, and ushered the 8 of us into a comfortable van, verified the itinerary, and we were off to Sorrento. He was very personable with a great sense of humour! As we drove, Giovanni offered lots of commentary, and he was very good at keeping us on schedule. We first stopped for a photo op on the way to Sorrento.

     

     

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    Always nice to have a van to travel in, intead of a big bus!!

     

     

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    Another great day!

     

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    P.s. A couple that was on other tours with us, wanted to see Agrigento in Sicily. They were unable to get a sufficient group on the roll call, so they booked the ship tour. That tour did go as scheduled, in fact 3 buses were filled. So if you enjoy archaelogical sites, it may be of interest to you; they seemed to really like the tour.

     

    Next port is Naples and our last day of the cruise!

  3. Our return drive to Palermo was lively with Roberto playing his own recordings on cds and singing! We had a great time. The traffic was very slow in Palermo en route to the port, but we made it back on time. The van was modern and comfortable, and Roberto was a very capable driver. We thoroughly enjoyed our day in Sicily!

     

    Goodbye, Cefalu!:

     

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    Palermo traffic and sights:

     

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    DH and I ended up having a terrific pizza lunch at Il Porticciollo. We were welcomed when we arrived, and chose seats on a raised seaside terrace. I ordered the quattro stagione pizza and my husband had the sausage pizza. They were some of the best we can remember having. The wine was a syrah and very good. We had prompt service for lunch and coffee afterward. It was so enjoyable to watch the ocean and look down on the rocks below; where several cats were waiting way down on the rocks, waiting for any scraps that might magically fall their way! But they were no bother to anyone, just part of the experience. Il Porticciolo added a great memory to our visit of Cefalu- we can certainly recommend the pizza and the view!

     

     

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    We were able to visit the Duomo di Cefalu, which would close soon because it was Monday. The inside of the cathedral has incredibly high ceilings, and a mosaic of Christ similar to the larger one in Duomo di Monreale in Palermo.

     

    Afterward, everyone then went on their own, exploring Cefalu and stopping for lunch wherever we chose.

     

     

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  6. A few steps away from the church we were in town square, where we had a terrific tasting of local treats at Fiasconaro. The friendly staff at Fiasconaro were generous with their many items to sample, and very enthusiastic.

     

    Everything was truly delicious, and the displays of products quite artful. I had a look at some of the cakes in the cooler- beautifully decorated with unique designs. The hazelnut gelato was wonderful, and we also bought some local muscat wine-very nice!

     

    The panettone here is quite famous, and the pistachio and manna spreads were wonderful- everything we tried was good!

     

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  7. One lady told me she found the tapestries there far more reasonable than in Florence. I liked the terracotta and ceramic pieces.

     

     

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    Roberto led us to the Matrice Vecchia church, where there is a 14th century crypt with frescoes of the Passion Of Christ. It was quite remarkable to see it up close, and the old stone steps were worn down by centuries of worshippers. Roberto was clearly moved by the sanctity of the place.

     

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