Monreale

Saturday we started by driving to Monreale to see the 12th century cathedral there with its dazzling interior of multicolored marbles, paintings and mosaics.  It is considered one of the most magnificent Norman sites.  William II, the Norman king, had it built by Norman and Byzantine craftsmen which gives it a unique architectural blend.  There are also very striking Muslim elements as well.

 Muslim influence 

Here are some other views from Monreale.

The city is known for its mosaic artisans.  Here's one at work.

This is the one I'd love to have.  Van Gogh's "Starry, Starry Night".   Only $1800.

Everybody loves John, Mick and Elvis!

Mel enjoys a Sicilian pizza in an outdoor cafe 

Visit to a Sicilian Farm

Friday afternoon we had the good fortune to visit a working farm involved in the agritourism industry, Case Varisco.

Welcoming tastes of the farm's products

 It is a beautiful farm where most of the food used by the family, for their bed and breakfast, and for tourists is grown.  The family greeted us with some refreshments when we arrived.

The farmer's wife and our hostess 

 Some of our group helped prepare delicious rice ball appetizers. 

We started with several appetizers  from a variety of home-grown vegetables in different sauces.  One of my favorites was the grilled zucchini. Next came a pasta course, then a meat course of lamb and pork.  Dessert was amazing poached pears in a mint sauce. And a future farmer served our Limoncello on the way out.  Magnifico!

Into the countryside

Our first activity today involved a ride through the green rolling hills outside of Palermo that produce citrus such as tangerines, lemons and oranges as well as hundreds of acres of olive trees. (I didn't know that there is not a separate variety of black olives.  To get black olives, the farmers leave the green ones on the tees and they turn black
during the winter.)  80% of Sicily is agricultural.

We arrived at Cafalu which is perched high on the cliffs above of the sea.

   






One of the most famous sites in Cafalu is the Cathedral of Cafalu.  It dates from the 12th century during the Norman period.  It has some stunning architectural elements of previous Arab domination in the area, including interesting tile work and mosaics. Because it sits so close to the sea, its construction has the look of a fortress.

There are lots of alleys like this in Cafalu.

A mobile friut pedeler

Welcome to Palermo, Sicily

After 4 airports and many hours, we arrived in Sicily ' s capital this afternoon.   It is warm (high 80's) and sunny here.  There will be 40 of us with Sun City Grand connections on a food and wine tasting trip through Sicily and southern Italy for the next two weeks.

We just had time to go to an ATM machine and take a brief walk around the city's center.  Tonight we'll have a " welcome " dinner to meet the entire group and get the daily itinerary for the next few days.

One startling fact: gas is between  $6-7 a gallon due to heavy taxes on it.

Here are a few first impressions of Palermo.

Most people live in apartments 

Parking is a problem
  

We joined Jim and Joni for a drink in a covered sidewalk cafe

Wrapping up: the end

This has been a wonderful trip filled with fascinating  history and many opportunities to meet local people.  Each of the Balkan countries has its own language and currency which has made things even more interesting.  And every country in the region is struggling to find its unique identity and future.  The people here remind us that they have been independent for only a few decades, not centuries, something we need to keep in mind.

The John Lennon Wall was a protest symbol 

During the Communist regime protesters would risk prosecution by painting his face and song lyrics on this wall.  The police would paint over it with white paint, but the protesters would find ways to sneak in and re-paint it.