New Cousins in Old Places: Our First Visitor to Capo D'Orlando (And Day Trips)
Better late than never! Cousin Gerlyn visited us last October (2023), shortly after we arrived back to Capo D'Orlando. As often happens, life got busy and I never made a blog. But that is no reflection on what a special and fun time it was! Now that it's October again, I'm reminded of and grateful for the time and experiences together.
Gerlyn visited us during the perfect month - October - when the weather is still beautiful, and our town goes all out for the saint (Mary) festival. We enjoyed a blend of days hanging out in Capo D'Orlando with some day trips to nearby towns, and ended with a short trip to Palermo. Gerlyn said we are New Cousins in Old Places - very accurate!
Walking the streets of Cefalù.
GG's trip got off to a rocky start when her train from Palermo airport was stuck, about 35 minutes away from Capo D'Orlando, on the track for hours. It was so long that a local pizzeria started delivering pizzas to the passengers! As it turns out, there was a fire blocking the tracks. Normally, the train company would send a bus to transfer people in this situation, but the road was also blocked from the fire. So, they had to go back to Palermo! Trenitalia provided lodging for those who weren't local, but the only available lodging was in Terrasini, all the way back past the airport!
What do you do when you're stuck on the tracks? Order a pizza! GG had nice digs at a resort in Terrasini, but only for a quick overnight rest and shower.
Finally arrived!
Capo D'Orlando
We had so many fun activities around Capo D'Orlando, from beach days to meet-ups with friends, to cooking lessons with Grazia, to festivals / holidays. And, we ate all the foods!
First up was the Festa di Maria SS. di Capo D'Orlando. Our town's patron saint is Mary, and her big festival is in October. On the 22nd, there are many religious (e.g. processions and special masses) and secular (e.g. fireworks) activities to celebrate. Gerlyn and I walked in part of the morning procession, and then the afternoon procession came down our street. In addition to the activities of the saint day, there is a huge street fair, with vendors of food and a variety of other products, that fills the streets.
Gerlyn enjoys taking cooking lessons during her travels, and she was able to get the real deal from our friend Grazia, who taught us how to make bracciole. We cooked the braciole in pasta sauce, per Grazia's instructions. Buonissime!
Swimming, relaxing, and rock / sea glass collecting.
Donna
Lexie and Marcos
Francesco and sisters Corinne and Linda
Grazia and Salvo
Steve, Leslie, Linda, and Corinne
Another important holiday fell during GG's visit, All Saints' Day. I saw that the city was offering a free shuttle up to the cemetery on that day, so Gerlyn and I decided to go explore. There were many people at the cemetery, cleaning graves and honoring ancestors. And the views were fabulous!
The Foods around Capo D'Orlando
Crema di caffè
Cannoli
Special panino con la salsiccia, on offer during the saint fesitval, more caffè.
Arancino
Gelato, pizze
Roasted chestnuts
San Stefano di Camastra
This is a town a few train stops away that we had wanted to visit, because it is famous for its ceramics. Since GG was on the hunt for a ceramic plate, it was the perfect target for a day trip. We knew that the train tracks were below the city, and that we'd have to climb some stairs. But, we had no clue of the extent. So many stairs! It was so many - and so high - that I had to keep pausing for a rest because it was giving me vertigo! (For clarification, there aren't any taxis or ride share services - you either need a car, bike, or on foot.) However, once in the town, we had a lovely day of exploring, eating, shopping, and enjoying the beautiful vistas. At the end of our day, we found a road - albeit steep - going down to get back to the train station.
All smiles before we knew the trek ahead, LOL.
Sights along the trek, and more stairs! They were quite pretty.
After the climb, we were ready for some coffee. We came across this promenade / piazza with gorgeous views and beautiful tile and ceramics.
A little explore and break before heading to the mother church. Interestingly, none of us made any photos of shopping!
Chiesa Madre di San Nicolò di Bari. This church was constructed in 1685. It had a pretty Mary and bell tower, but the tiles were the real standout.
When I visit a new Sicilian town, I like to try and find the war memorial to make piccies to share in the Sicilian Genealogy Facebook group. San Stefano's memorial was in a piazza with gorgeous views. It was a perfect place to stop and have a snack and a break. Truly a picture-perfect day!
Our explore completed, it was time to head down the steep, cobbled road back to the train station. Always interesting things to see along the way!
Cefalù
This is a popular tourist city about an hour's train ride away. We had considered this charming town, where sea meets the ancient city, for retirement, but in the end it was too touristy for us for a permanent location. It's a very easy day trip from Capo D'Orlando, so we headed out for an explore.
Where the beach meets the ancient part of the city. Porta Pescara, the arch, is the only remaining of 4 walls to the city c. 1200-1300. Lots of people still enjoying the beach.
The Lavataio Medievale, restored, dates back to the 1500s. The cast-iron spouts and stone washing basins are original.
One of the highlights of Cefalù is the cathedral that is part of the UNESCO cluster of significant Arab-Norman architecture called the Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalú and Monreale.* The first time John and I tried to visit, we missed the open hours. This time, we were able to go inside, but the beautiful mosaics for which it is known were under restoration. However, we still enjoyed exploring the exterior and interior, and there was a nice art exhibit by local students inspired by the works of Ukranian artist Maria Prymachenko.
This poster describes the nature and inspiration of the photo exhibit Art and Peace. It was a thought-provoking and lovely exhibit.
We also enjoyed meandering around the streets and soaking up the atmosphere. And, success, Gerlyn found the ceramic plate that resonated with her!
Palermo
Gerlyn was returning home via Palermo, so we took a couple of days to visit there. I covered our visit to Palermo with GG in a previous blog about Palermo published earlier this year. Included in that blog are pictures and observations related to the UNESCO cluster mentioned earlier (*).
New Cousins in Old Places
Now it is one year later, and Gerlyn and I will soon meet up in Budapest to begin a Danube river cruise to celebrate our 60th birthdays. After that cruise terminates in Germany, we will go by train to Venice to begin an Adriatic Sea cruise. I'm excited to finally visit Greece and Austria, which are top items on my travel bucket list!
John was supposed to join us for the second cruise, but he is nowhere near ready to travel after his troubles this summer (fractured femur, two emergency room visits, two operations, two months in rehabilitation facility). The Travel Trio, as we call ourselves, will not be the same without him. On the positive side, he is finally back at home and is looking forward to spending some time with Emily while I'm away.
The Terrible Topple Trauma, Part II
A visit a Villa Pacis. John enjoying a spicy panino while Emily gives him a concert.
Rehabilitation Round Two (Round One covered in this blog)
Saying good-bye to some of the great folks at Villa Pacis. They told him only come back to visit. Agreed! Returning home celebration pizza.
Lovely pictures as usual. Best of luck to John. I had my left hip replaced at New England Baptist September 27th. It was outpatient and I was home by noon. Mine was from osteoarthritis, not injury so an easy rehab. My right hip was done there 2 years ago. Now I'm even!
ReplyDeleteThank you! So glad you had good procedures. I can't envision it being outpatient and back home. Amazing! It's good to be balanced. :)
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