The bus is open sides and roof and I will add that every tour bus we have taken in Italy have seat belts.
As usual, the weather was beautiful . The whole bus ride was a blast and the driver and guide young and fun. First their was a recorded guide telling us about the different towns and when that was finished it went to Virgin radio where we listend to hard rock from 70 and 80s. To me it seemed strange but the music worked as we roared down some of the high , high windy roads. The drivers must passed some of test as they are buses pass each other with just inches between.
First town was Castelmola with a population about Westport. This town sits high above Taormina this town is pre Hellenistic. The streets are so narrow that about three can walk abreast . The road leading up has beautiful hotels leading up and we watch people make that walk. A stunning outdoor restaurant overlooks the sea, Taormina , mt Entna. The wind was up so very warm that it did cool us down a bit.
Then back to Taormina to pick up and drop off people. On to a resort area, beach , called Giardina Naxos. This town directly overlooks the sea and is the first Greek colony in Sicily. We did not have time to go to the archaeological areas but the beach was beautiful. It was a fishing village up to about 30 yrs ago when tourism became the number money maker. Sounds sort of similar to Westport.
The fishing here seems to be tuna, anchovies (I had marinated ones that were Wonderful) Bruce did not even want to look at them.
We then drove down to a town directly on the water that was just plain beautiful. As a matter of fact this was an area that we would come back to stay. Never again being gone for a month but ten days would be easy to do. Pretty boats take visitors on tours of the bay's, there is a grotto where the water is emerald green to sapphire blue according to people we talked to yesterday. Warm , warm and not to hot.
Then onto te last town called Letojanni which is a major tourist destination. Again the beaches are white sand and very clean and well maintained.
This area was really discovered during the 50s as it really borders Taormina. A Dr Hauser built a villa to house his patients many from Holloywood and Greta Garbo was a regular.
Then it was back to Taormina. We discovered so much more here than we really knew and, again, just full of all kind of history from ancient to modern.
Before I forget, Oscar Wilde was a regular at this B and B we are staying at. The who who's of Hollywood were regulars in this area ; Burt Lancaster, one of my favorite actors, the Burtons, Sophia,
Audery Hepburn a zillion .
This afternoon we happened on a restaurant and the inside walls were covered with photos of the owners with many notable Americans . Senator Tom Harkin, Michael Douglas, American movie directors, on and on.
So now we are back in the hotel to rest then back out for an early dinner as we leave tomorrow.
Yup, we would come back here. We are learning so much about ourselves as travelers. Like, no need to drive with all that anxiety as trains, taxis are great.
Plus, we have learned to take a roll of masking tape with us when we travel if we plan on shipping stuff home.
Tonight will be quite for us dinner and packing and trying not to be too anxiety ridden with the drive from here to Cefula.
Bruce is feeling some what better but not a whole bunch better. So I am worried about his driving and stress level but his appetite is fine as he is eating his second piece of tarrone candy.
Grace and Bruce
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