Matera and Its Caves

If you're reading this blog you know how passionate I am about learning the history and culture of other places.  Well today, Thursday, was really beyond description.

Sassi di Matera is an ancient town known for its cave dwellings, both historic and modern.
The caves show evidence of human habitation dating back to 7,000 B.C. and are thought to have been the homes of the first humans in what is now modern day Italy.

The Italian government forcibly moved most of the people out of the caves in the 1950's, citing the area as an eyesore and health hazard.

Life in a cave

Since the 1980 's tourism has given new life to the caves.  Our local guide has turned 7 caves into a modern home for his family. He also said that there are B and Bs that offer a night in a cave for $1,000---without breakfast!  The remake of Ben Hur, out in 2016, will be partially filmed here too.  Talk about re-purposing!!!

Saying goodbye to Sicily

I believe Sicily is a relatively undiscovered gem to Americans.  Its rolling hills, sunwashed beaches, blue skies, multi-cultural society and amazing history has something for everyone. We spent our last evening in Sicily Tuesday night enjoying a delightful meal al fresco with a lively Sicilian band serenading us.  We watched the sun set over the Ionian Sea, a branch of the Mediterranean Ocean.

Carol and I  enjoy our last dinner in Sicily

Here are a few of the things I learned about Sicily :

*85% of the terrain is hills or mountains 

* Palermo saw the beginning of the Mafia when 46 clans/families started dividing up territory, but today the "Cosa Nostra" is much more active on mainland Italy than in Sicily

*It has only been part of Italy for about 150 years
*It has been ruled by many diverse cultures in its long history including the Carthinigians, Romans, Greeks, Muslims, Normans and Spanish.  Each civilization has left its distinctive mark on modern Sicily.

Goodbye to our hotel

Last views of Sicily from the ferry

A ferry transporting  people between Sicily and the mainland

Taormina, a vacation paradise

We took a day trip to Taormina Tuesday.  It has been an international tourist destination since the 1920's and I  can understand why!  It is appropriately known as Isola Bella, Beautiful Island.

View of Mt. Etna 

Narrow alleys with fun cafés 

The Greek Amphitheater from the 3rd Century B.C.

View of Mt. Etna through an archway 

Unusual ceramic pots from this area

1 Euro=$1.13

Catania and Mt. Etna

Monday we drove through stunning views watching Mt. Etna getting closer and closer. We stopped in Catania to see its UNESCO- designated Baroque city and Cathedral. We walked through a lively fish market and saw fresh produce being sold too.

Mt. Etna is Europe 's largest volcano.  Its last big eruption was in 2002.  As we got closer to it, it appeared clouds were engulfing it.  Its height is over 10,000 ft. but we only went up to a crater that was slightly over 6,000 ft.  However, our guide found out later that it wasn't clouds that were obstructing our view.  There was actual smoke coming from one area of the volcano, a fairly regular occurrence.  There is more smoke coming from it now, Tuesday evening.

On the crater

                                    

Food and wine

Since this is billed as a "Flavors of Sicily and Italy" tour, I thought I  should include more photos to prove it.  This was our dinner in a restaurant near our hotel in Giardino Naxos, "the garden of Sicily," Monday night.

Prosciutto and melon

Pasta

Potatoes,  chicken, and sausage wrapped in lemon tree leaves 

Fresh fruit

We also visited a winery where we had a light lunch and sampled red, white and rose' wines from grapes grown in the rich vocanic soil on Mt. Etna ' s slopes.