European Adventures - Day 7

In the morning we had breakfast at the same place by the Duomo. Dad had an almond granite (a local breakfast ice cream type food) with brioche. We all had a try and decided it was nice but weird for breakfast…

Jim drove to base of Etna, I drove up to the top and I was glad it was a big tourist pull so the roads were nice and easy. Change of clothes half way us as it started to cool down. The road was near a previous lava flow and there were ruined houses around. At one stage we could see just the roof top of a house and nothing more. There was a small blast about 6 weeks ago; not sure what damage it did if any. We rode the cable car the rest of the way. Quite expensive at 30 Euro but I guess of the Etna blew they would need all that money to rebuild! The cable car lasted 10 minutes to the top, we then had a great look down over south eastern Sicily.

View from half way up Etna

Near the top of Etna

Etna from the top carpark

Kate and I near the peak at Etna

 We enjoyed some lunch at the top then drove down and onto Gole Alcantara (Gorge). They actually had a elevator down to the base of the river… only in Italy… The basalt rocks are hexagonal shaped and look amazing. We went for a paddle but nothing more as the water was freezing. Mum and Dad went for a short walk.

Gole Alcantara (Gorge)

 After that we made the trip to Taormina through more epic tunnels and over more massive bridges. The hotel we stayed in this time was an apartment type. The road was very stressful and windy. Taormina is a small town perched up onto of a rocky hill and there is even a small town above that! There is a castle right on to if the hill which we didn't get to as we are were only spending one night there. The streets were buzzing and the atmosphere was wonderful. People everywhere, in caffes, shopping on the main drag. We got to the end of the main drag and there is a small church in a square and a wedding on at the same time. We managed to get some great shots from the square looking back towards Etna.

Etna in the background

Church in square

Buzzing streets

City at night

Inside the local church in the square

Pool at the apartments

The street that the hotel was on