Ciao Taormina...Buon giorno Palermo!!

Well, sadly today we had to leave the lovely town of Taormina! This was one of those typical Italian/Sicilian cities you would picture in your brain. Narrow little alley ways and streets, no sidewalks, everyone out strolling at night eating gelatto...very typical. Was right on the Sea and had gorgeous views of Mt. Etna...can't really go wrong, can you?!?!!?

Today we headed out to Cefalu, a quaint little fishing village up on the Sea...absolutely gorgeous! We had about 2 hrs of free time and had an amazing lunch sea side with the waves crashing up against the rocks...aaahhhh...Then we wandered around down by the beach and the rocks.... was a gorgeous day - not too hot, finally!!

For the next few nights, we're staying in Palmero, also up in the north on the Tyrrhenain Sea. Our hotel is nice - quite modern, with uncomfy beds...go figure! Is a port town, so there are quite a few ferries that go out of here destined for a variety of places. It's a fairly large town, so this afternoon we chose to wander around. Tomorrow we're doing a whole walking tour.

Learned a bit about Olive Oil today. Interestingly enough, the best stuff comes when the olives are pressed right after picking. Apparently the local buy it from people they know instead of the big companies and store it, for up to a year, in glass jars. Some companies buy their olives cheaply from Spain & Tunisia/Northern Africa and then press them in Italy and claim it's Italian oil...interesting.

Haven't heard much about the Mafia since being here. That's apparently a good thing. When you hear about them, or they are active, it's because they're feeling the squeeze coming from somewhere.....let's just hope it stays quiet!!!

**steph, still super-excited about her ATVing day yesterday....wow!!!