12th November 2017 Catania , Sicily, Italy

We have visited the Sicilian city of Catania on several cruises and on this occasion we decided against the planned tours of the ship or via private tours to enable us to see some of the City independently, but also hoping that we could ride the Hop on Hop off bus.

We exited the cruise terminal and were greeted by the usual purveyors of tours and all other activities.  But a pleasant young woman, speaking perfect English inquired if we would like to ride the bus.  We have previously visited the Volcano at Mt Etna, walked up and down the lava flows, but wanted a more gentile trip.

So at 9.35AM we were on the bus in comfortable seats on the upper deck of the bus with the hearing plugs attuned to English and we departed on the tour..  so we travelled to Aci Castello and Aci Trezza following the tour of the historic City Centre.  We depart the port and you are immediately taken by the baroque style architecture of the town and city centre.   We travel along the coast and following 45 minutes of enjoyable and pretty coastal scenery we come to Aci Trezza which is surrounded by a protected marine park.  Aci Trezza is the location where Ulysses struggled against the giant Polyphemus and it is also the beautiful setting of" The House by the Medlar Tree" of Giovanni Verga's, il Malavoglia.  It is a stunning seaside location.

From here we travel back toward the city Centre but above the coastal road.visa the Corso Italia and son arrive at the beautiful Palazzo di Giustizia, from here we visit Piazzo Trento and Piazzo G. Vergo .  We drive past the Villa Bellini, and on to the Piazza Stesicorso.   Then to Canti and Teatro Bellini, before making our way back to the beautiful square Piazza Duomo-elepfante E Cattedrale di S. Agata.  This is a beautiful square with several Cathedrals and open plazas.

Jeanette and Ken walk from this square back into the main city area and visit a beautiful park. Via Etnea giardino Bellini and then walk to the Via Etnea- Palazzo delle Post ( Central Post Office).  

This has been a relaxing morning enjoy a small but impressive city and for the most part away from the hordes of tourists.

We decide to return to the Ship for a late lunch at Waves where we enjoy hamburgers and sandwiches.  But I should briefly comment on the beautiful Piazza Duomo, which stands in the heart of the city made up of exquisite Sicilian Baroque buildings and in the middle of the square stands the famous Elephant fountain, a replica of Bernini's Minerva Elephant in Rome.

In our considerations we considered an afternoon tour of Taormina and its remarkably preserved roman theatre.  Ken decided that we would have a quieter afternoon.  We were still tired and a little sore from our prior day in Valletta.

Whilst today is perfect we are forecast to run into a storm as we make our way North toward Naples and its beautiful hinterland.

We enjoy a