After all the drama and uncertainty of whether I’d make it across to Sicily, it felt even more special stepping off the ferry
I drove from Messina to Palermo ready to meet Aimee. The views from the motorway were pretty spectacular
I stopped at the services to have a van shower, fill up my water tank and make sure everything was clean and tidy
Aimee arrived late that evening
And made herself straight at home
The next day we explored Palermo
Climbed up onto a church dome
And were treated to great views over the city
On the way down, I snuck onto a hidden balcony to peak inside
We had a little coffee stop
Then on to the Cathedral
It’s origins date back to a Byzantine basillica founded by Pope Gregory I. It was converted into a mosque by the Saracens who conquered the city in the 9th Century In 1185 it was rebuilt as a church by the Norman Archbishop of Palermo. Renovations and extensions were carried out in the Renaissance period and also in the 18th and 19th Century.
We ended our visit to Palermo with a walk around the gardens
That evening we drove a little way down the coast to a lovely free parking spot on the beach
We went on a walk into the nearby Castellammare del Golfo to find somewhere for a drink and some food.. everywhere seemed to be closed for winter so we weren’t feeling hopeful! But we found a lively little bar full of locals and had a great evening
I went for a morning swim
We explored the town in the light of day
Then we drove on to the Zingaro Nature Reserve
We walked a little way along the cliff top and saw the most beautiful cove
We headed down
And couldn’t resist a swim in the crystal clear water
A little note on my Green Pass incase you were wondering… at this point I had still not recieved it, I was naughtily borrowing someone else’s to go into the churches, cafes and restaurants. Then, the night before my birthday, it came through!! I now have an EU digital covid certificate and Italian Green Pass which will last 6 months 😁