Vanchella Vagabonds

  Hoping that our virtual holiday card finds you well and enjoying the holiday season. We're at home, enjoying time together and local holiday activities. It's especially important this year, because Emily is not with us during the week, as she is taking a training program for potential work with Costa Cruises. The training is held in Palermo, so she is there during the week and back home on the weekends.  On Thursdays, the students go on board Costa Smeralda, while she's in port in Palermo. Now that I've experienced a few Christmas holidays in Sicily, I've really come to appreciate the approach. The Christmas season extends from December 8, Feast of the Immaculate Conception (a holiday) through January 6, Epiphany (also a holiday). Included in this period are saint days for Lucia and Stefano (the 26th, also a holiday) and New Year's (and covers the 12 Days of Christmas).  Now, it may seem like that is a long period and might be stressful, but it's actually ...

  I had the opportunity in June to visit four of the Aeolian Islands. I visited Panarea and Stromboli on my own, while John and Emily accompanied me on a tour to Lipari and Vulcano. You can often spot some of the Aeolian Island chain in photos of the sea we take from Capo d'Orlando. On a clear day we can see Alicudi, Filicudi, Salina, Lipari, and Vulcano. The Aeolian Islands are a UNESCO site .  Aeolian Islands in relation to Capo d'Orlando. Salina, Lipari, and Vulcano Alicudi, Filicudi, and Salina Visiting the islands has been high on our bucket list, but they are a little challenging for us to get to. Tours from Capo d'Orlando are only available in the high season, when it is too hot for us. Otherwise, we have to depart from Milazzo, which presents its own challenges: While accessible by train, the city (and port) is far from the station (I knew this not only from the map, but also from John's visit there to the emergency room in 2024).  We had planned to go last summ...