0.jpg
Franco our Guide
Our guide, Franco, introducing our local guide,Laura. He certainly enriched our experience throughout the entire trip! We're headed out for our first outing to explore and do a bit of tourist shopping in Palermo.
1.jpg
Lobby of Palermo's Des Palmes Hotel
Palermo: A two frame panorama of lobby inside Des Palmes Grand Hotel.
2.jpg
Teatro Masimo (opera house)
3rd largest Opera House in Europe, 1st built in Europe, Neo classic, built in late 1800's.
3.jpg
Royal Palace's chapel
Capella Palatino built 1130 by King Roger, has both East(Greek) and West(France) built by Moslems, thus the Moorish ceiling
4.jpg
Palermo's Royal Palace Chapel
Eastern (Greek) end of rectangular chapel-the dome
5.jpg
a Palermo street scene
every window, doorway an artistic display. A chinese berry tree in upper left.
6.jpg
Quante costa?
Betsie the Bargainer over an Italian fan on the steps to Monreale, a grandios cathedral outside of Palermo.
7.jpg
en route to Monreale
donkey cart is a Sicilian decor-seen on souvenirs.
8.jpg
Monreale
Grandios cathedral 68,000 sq feet of mosaics. 1 generation built it in 20 years (extremely short time)
9.jpg
Square outside of Monreale cathedral
Franco's Chickens Follow Monreale cathedral built during Gothic period, but again built as blend of E & W-western plan, Eastern icons
10.jpg
Monreale
"above imagination"
11.jpg
Monreale
figures are enormous-Christ's hand is 4'6", head is 11', spread of arms is 40'
12.jpg
Greek gods
Monreale Square (note the recently purchased travel vests)
13.jpg
Everyday Art
The outdoor market in downtown Palermo
14.jpg
Fish for Sale-Palermo
orange canopy and lights means-we sell fish (plus puts the fish in the best light)
15.jpg
'a cuccagna-Palermo
Franco's chickens with 'a ciccagma Trattoria owner Sammarco
16.jpg
Grand Hotel des Palmes
Perillo's beautiful bus aside our hotel in Palermo. We toured in this bus until Rome.
17.jpg
Grand entrance to Grand Hotel
a grande albergo(hotel) and our home for the first 3 nights in Palermo
18.jpg
map of Selinonte ruins
on the african coast, this site offers open temples. 100 years after the first settlers on Sicily's east coast, Trojans and Phonecians settled here for trade-planted fennil. had 70,000 inhabitants. 1st Tunesian War was in this area. Quarry is 10 miles from this site
19.jpg
Elaine our guide in Selinunte
looking out at the ocean and at the ruins
20.jpg
Selinonte Sicily Panor
Temple of Hera by the Sea
21.jpg
Temple of Hera-Selinunte
1956 reconstructed-only possible if 60% remains
22.jpg
inside Apollo/Hera Temple
looking into inner sanctem
23.jpg
2nd temple-Selinunte
Franco's Chickens Follow o'er the hillside steep
24.jpg
2nd temple-Selinunte
Columns were blocks pieced together15 different gods worshipped-an acropolis is on other side of estuary
25.jpg
Apollo/Hera Temple
Dovè Matthew?
26.jpg
My favorite lunch
stopped in the beach town of Castlevetrano-a typical Mediterranean summer town The most scrumptous antepasta and BREAD!!!
27.jpg
Castlevetrano Lunch
A grand view, a grand lunch!!
28.jpg
By the Africa sea at Castlevetrano
Fellow dancer, mary and daughter Maria by the beautiful sea at Castlevetrano
29.jpg
Agrigento-in the heart of Sicily
Folk dancers at ruins of Agrigento
30.jpg
Agrigento
It's snowing in Milan, it's raining in Rome, in Sicily it's 'va bene!'
31.jpg
Agrigento by night
the 4 ruins are lit at night-recommend Perillo add to their tour!
32.jpg
Out the window in the heart of Sicily
traveling cross country from south coast to east coast-agriculture everywhere-grapes, almonds, artichokes, WHEAT
33.jpg
entrance to the Roman villa at Armerina
village discovered in late 1800's from 290-300 AD w/ sauna's toilets, porticos, corithian columns, sportsroom, family room kitchen, dining room
34.jpg
entering Piazza Armerina
Franco's chickens follow 'Senora bella'
35.jpg
not typical Italian style
As I recall, she is not Italian-you can tell by her color clash-dig those the purple boots!
36.jpg
Armerina
looking down at tile floors-a hot house in the summer!
37.jpg
Armerina
Franco's chickens, grateful for the cool day, otherwise, we'd be roasted by now!
38.jpg
Armerina-outdoor waiting room
note the cyprus trees to the right-symbol of immortality-"In Italy, it's not even convenient to die"-Franco
39.jpg
Armerina gift shop
40.jpg
Armerino souvenir area
"don't touch the dogs, but if you're fed up with life and don't want to go anymore-touch them!"-Franco
41.jpg
Gato!
Franco didn't say anything about the cats-Enjoying breakfast left overs for a picnic lunch.
42.jpg
en route to Taormina
rolling WHEAT fields
43.jpg
Franco-Taormina
the hotel is just up this small hill
44.jpg
patient Franco-Taormina
movie star or what?
45.jpg
Hotel Villa Diodoro-Taormina
Finally made it! 9 hair pin turns up the mountain, the bus has to park down the hill.
46.jpg
Taormina
The Ionic sea is below, Taormina city is atop a high hill with Mt. Etna as a distant backdrop
47.jpg
Morning stretch-Mt Etna
Enjoying the view of Mt. Etna, early morning atop Hotel Villa Diodoro in Taormina-Betsie and Mary
48.jpg
Teatro Greco
Greek theater hugging slope of Mt. Tauro above Taormina (short walk)
49.jpg
Teatro Greco-above Taormina
50.jpg
Teatro Greco's natural backdrop
shows on high Taormina is from the Ionic sea and a bit of the east coast of Sicily looking south-Mt. Etna is off picture to the right
51.jpg
Live on stage-Taormina
Dovè Betsie e Matthew-on stage above the dressing rooms
52.jpg
Taormina Amphitheatre Pan
Mt. Etna in background
53.jpg
Taormina's public garden
Charlie's angels?
54.jpg
Iso la Belle (island)
below Taormina-beautiful island-a delicious picnic from the mini mart on a large rock island
55.jpg
Iso la Belle below Taormina
We got the Italian bambinos to check out the sea floor-it's rocky but fine for the feet
56.jpg
Iso la Belle's beach
No sand-ALL rocks
57.jpg
TaorminaBeachPanor
sitting on a rock off the Iso la Belle (beautiful island)
58.jpg
Iso la Belle
a beautiful morning off a beautiful island -below a beautiful city, Taormina
59.jpg
Topography of Sicily
Sicily means sic-fig, lia-olive 'land rich in figs and olive trees' we were surprised at how rugged it is!
60.jpg
dinner out in Taormina
61.jpg
Taormina Trattoria
All in the family-Betsie w/ Maria, Gary, Mary & Matthew-chef is part of the family who runs this Trattoria
62.jpg
Syracuse
Following Franco-it's what we do! this is his Al Pacino coat.
63.jpg
Syracuse-"swamp rich in water"
The history of Siracusia is history of Mediterranean. Walled city, larger than Paris-1 million. Here going inside where they kept water, later used for catacombs "Ear of Dyonisius" this is where Giovanni, our guide here, sang to us-in this echo chamber!
64.jpg
Giovanni-Renaissance Man
Greek and Latin scholar, singer, pharmacist, father from Boston, mother French "I am a real Sicilian, a real mess"
65.jpg
Isola Ortigia
Fish market (see the orange canopy)-stopped for lunchtime on this island near Syracuse.
66.jpg
Artful fish
Eels, squid, calamari (octopi)
67.jpg
Isola Ortigia
We ran into Giovanni in a bar and he told us how to get to the main square
68.jpg
Real carriage from 1100's
69.jpg
Isola Ortigia
We forfeited lunch for ambling
70.jpg
artful alleys everywhere
laundry is a thing of beauty all over Italy
71.jpg
Catania
Large port town on east coast. Santa Maria ala Scala-man built this church for his wife. all these buildings were property of 1 Spanish family!
72.jpg
Mt. Etna
taken off balcony of our hotel in Taormina-last morning
73.jpg
Mt. Etna
taken from bus desencing Taormina-on about the 3rd hairpin turn
74.jpg
ferry from Messina to Calabria
heading to mainland Italy-pictured here are Mary, Gary and Maria-
75.jpg
a typical bus pit stop
belly up to the bar-time for cappucino. Pictured are Wally & Trek English w/ Betsie-Ralph and Bob in bkgr.
76.jpg
Columbo Franco
Franco's Columbo coat
77.jpg
going over the Alpennine Mtn range
going north thru Calabria
78.jpg
Lunch in Cozenza
Friends of Franco's prepared us a 5 course lunch-this is only course 1.
79.jpg
Franco's friends
The young girl is soon to be married-here preparring the salat course (after the pasta course)
80.jpg
Ani Ollia
Catherine and Charlie-enjoying the spaghetti w/ roasted garlic and grande panne!!!
81.jpg
Franco's friends
Franco's wife's brother (sitting in the middle) the owner of the trattoria (standing) Silvano, our bus driver (to the right) and Al Pacino, I mean, Franco w/ the basket of grande panne!
82.jpg
local Trattoria
how do you like them rolls!
83.jpg
our Trattoria Hosts
84.jpg
A fond farewell to a divine lunch
85.jpg
Arreviderci e Grazi
86.jpg
En route to Rome
scene in Calabria-almond trees in foreground
87.jpg
Argobolania-Italian Rainbow
near Largo Negro-we pass towns not cities...several hours south of Salerno-rainbow is blessing this town! this rainbow was a complete arch!
88.jpg
Salerno
89.jpg
Amalfi
90.jpg
Mediter. Sea-Amalfi
91.jpg
Caffe in Amalfi
92.jpg
Amalfi
Refreshment after the Amalfi drive-from Sorrento to Amalfi
93.jpg
Dolche Vita
Art in everyday living
94.jpg
on the amalfi drive
95.jpg
Amalfi drive impass
took about 10-20 min. to back up our bus more than 3 bus lengths to let another bus by, then cars behind us whip around to pass before the oncoming traffic "we need wider roads or narrower busses"-Franco FYI-tourist busses can only go from Sorrento-1 way on the Amalfi drive
96.jpg
Amalfi
Out the bus window-mirrors on the road reflect the side of our bus. "Don't get scared, do like Silvano and shut your eyes"
97.jpg
Maiori on Amalfi drive
98.jpg
Maiori
99.jpg
Sophia Loren lookout
Viewpoint over Sorrento bay w/ 3 trees-where Sophia Loren had a scene in a movie-by the veneer factory (laminated wood mosaic boxes)
100.jpg
Veneer Fctry Rd Ovlk Panor
101.jpg
Geo's Bday-March 25
couldn't find my camera, they brought Geo the entire platter holding everyone's desserts-biggest bumpy cake ever! Dinner out in Sorrento
102.jpg
dinner out in Sorrento
the ristorante in the heart of Sorrento-like NYC's Tavern on the Green!
103.jpg
Sorrento port
waiting for ferry to Capri
104.jpg
Franco's Entire Batch
embarking to Capri from Port Sorrento
105.jpg
Port of Capri Panorama
106.jpg
Anacapri's Mt Solarno
Br-20 min. later it snowed! Arrived by chairlift-great views all around-this is overlooking Capri
107.jpg
Bello Portal
taken on stairs from Capri to Docks "Via Acquaviva via Truglio" to the port via stairs
108.jpg
Stairs to Capri
See Bibbsy (our daughter's cat) leading the way to Capri-these are the stairs to look for from the dock
109.jpg
Franco, our fearless guide
110.jpg
Torna a surriento
Returning to Sorrento from Capri
111.jpg
Follow Franco/Sorrento
112.jpg
Franco's Chickens -Sorrento
group shot, minus Betsie-at Port Sorrento
113.jpg
Sorrento by twilight
mary, Trek and Betsie opt for afternoon walk in downtown Sorrento-note light on bell tower in background
114.jpg
city center Sorrento
Caution: Dancers at Work
115.jpg
"Tell us a story Franco"
116.jpg
Pompeii
"Today I will bring you back into the past--you will disappear."
117.jpg
Pompeii
"Dress the buildings with plaster and colors."
118.jpg
Inside Pompei Panor
Jupiter's temple with porticos running down either side-Vesuvius in background
119.jpg
Franco's Roamin' Chickens
Roamin' in Pompeii in front of Jupiter's temple -Vesuvius in background-whole ground minus Betsie & Franco-
120.jpg
Pompeii's Jupiter temple
for your calenders or postals:) "No disaster [eruption] has brought such a benefit to humanity" from the 1800's This is the only place where an entire city is preserved.
121.jpg
Pompeii men's bath house
frescos still vibrant-60' of layers built up over the years. Pompeii was found looking for water! 19 hours of ash fell, small rain of stone-12,000 survivors, 1,000 victims
122.jpg
Bad Boy Bob
He who acts up must sit at teacher's feet (in the bathroom)
123.jpg
Trek in the tub
Full size tub and I don't mean the bathing beauty inside! "Really sorry to break spell and wake you up to the future"
124.jpg
Perillo's dynamic duo
Franco and Silvano-the perfect host and escort! Outside of Naples City Hall square
125.jpg
Naples Square Panorama
126.jpg
Neopolitans
2nd largest port in Italy
127.jpg
Naples Square by theatre
Wedding flower girls
128.jpg
Neopolitan PIZZA
Mama mia-thatza pizza!
129.jpg
Castlenuavo
Castle built in 12 century-called it then New Castle-stands at the center of Naples by the Port
130.jpg
Caffe Grande?
EVERY time!!! they filled a Caffe Americano GRANDE- this far- in the cup.
131.jpg
atop Spanish Steps @ sunset
first night, first walk in Rome, before first dinner
132.jpg
Rome's Trevi Ftn. by sunset
throw a coin in over your head backwards and return. We're returning!
133.jpg
Poem in Borghese Gardens
"Oh Rome! ...city of the soul!..Come and see the cypress...and plod your way o'er the steps of broken thrones and temples...."
134.jpg
Poem in Borghese garden
"Fair Italy!...the home of all Art..."
135.jpg
Dovè Georgio?
Gardens behind Villa Borghese-now a Gallery-hint-Georgio ala centre
136.jpg
Rome 'n by Bus
Walk to tobacci, get card, find fermatta (bus stop), find right bus, find machine in bus, don't expect to find a seat!
137.jpg
St Peter's Square Panor
138.jpg
St Peter's square south side
since 1929 Vatican independent city (Mussolini recognized it as part of conciliation)
139.jpg
St Peter's dome
highest dome in world designed by Michaelangelo when he was 72-for free-in 1500 old church collapsing, Pope Julius built this-500 yrs old now-
140.jpg
view from St Peter's cupalo
320 stairs above the level of these statutes is the cupalo-with a grand grand view
141.jpg
looking out over St Peter's square from the roof
halfway up the stairs to the cupalo is the half way point-awesome standing behind Jesus and the apostles.
142.jpg
RomeSkylineFrmStPetCupeloPanor
143.jpg
MY FAVORITE PLACE IN ROME
The Capitoline or Capitol Hill or Campidoglio designed by Michaelangelo-grand entrance-best lookout: in the gardens. In back: 2 grand lookouts over the Forum
144.jpg
Roman Forum
This is view from Capitoline, w/ Colosseum in background
145.jpg
Il Tinello Ristorante- Rome
146.jpg
Table musician in Rome
147.jpg
Franco's Roman Serenade
148.jpg
Arrivederci Roma....
149.jpg
O Sole Mio
150.jpg
Vatican Museum
1st of 3 galleries-escavations in 1500 of ancient city from 2000 years ago!
151.jpg
Small, medium, or large leaf?
decision was made in 1500 to hide genitalia w fig leaves. Set up factory making sm, med. and large leaves
152.jpg
Vatican Museum
3rd of 3 galleries-Ceiling looks like cameos-3-D but it's not-it's all painted-flat -after the shade of light school-Chiaro scuro
153.jpg
Vatican Museum Maps
3rd (of 3) galleries-map gallery and shaded ceiling
154.jpg
Sistine Chapel Ceiling
taken w/ no flash from back of Chapel
155.jpg
Sistine Chapel-Last Judgement
156.jpg
Andiamo-Let's Go!
157.jpg
Take 5
take 5 plus an hour, for lunch and stroll around St. Peter's square-feel free to take those thingies out of your ears (tour earphones)
158.jpg
Hi 5
Millie our on board entertainer
159.jpg
Whatdidyousay?
"We'll see you in an hour-bon appetit!
160.jpg
Can you hear me now?
Wonder if I have time to mail a post card from the Vatican PO?
161.jpg
Inside Colesseum w/ Maurio
Built in 72 AD took 8 years to build-then became a quarry! in the 1500's marble etc. was removed
162.jpg
Michaelangelo's athletic Jesus
found in Santa Maria sopra (over) Minerva church near Pantheon-carved as an athlete-St Catherine's tomb is also here-her head is in Sienna and her fingers we saw in Sicily!
163.jpg
Pantheon
looking up into the open air opening in the center of the sanctuary-Raphael's tomb is inside as well as Vittorio Emanuela II-Italy's unifier
164.jpg
Neptune Fount Piazza Navona
the north fountain-1 of 3 in Piazza Navona-by Bernini
165.jpg
Last Supper-Rome
Edoardo Ristorante
166.jpg
Last Supper-Rome
167.jpg
Last Supper-Rome
168.jpg
The Roamin' Goddesses
The end of a perfect day, night, tour....
169.jpg
Ciao, Ciao
To the sad sweet end, Franco, ever caring...
170.jpg
Rome's DaVinci aeroporto
Charlie's travels..... Questa vaggio, era un piacera! "When we want, we can do everything"-Franco
171.jpg
I don't wanna go homma from Roma
The last Tè e caffe con tamborine
172.jpg
Still Life
Our last blood orange e un cappacino
173.jpg
Ah, an Italian finale
One to check the bags, one to check the checker, one to check the checker's checker and one to make sure nobody gets their luggage