Tantalizing Taormina...

il 26 aprile
Catania

Catania, founded in the 8th century BC, was a cultural highlight in Sicily during the Renaissance and, today, continues to be a center of education and industry. I must admit to it not being on my "favorite place" list, as I found the city hectic with lots of cars and people about, plus an abundant amount of graffiti coating the exterior walls of shops. What I most enjoyed here, besides two aperol spritz aperitivos, was our visit to the World War II Museum, dedicated to the Allied landing on Sicily's southern coast. Interactive displays and lots of memorabilia filled its rooms; a grim reminder of death and destruction, although not to forget the heroes who rose from the ashes.

The afternoon was spent taking in the beauty of Taormina which enthralls its visitors (and there were many) with glorious views of the Ionian Sea and the impressive ruins of a Greek amphitheater; this is a city definitely on the "must visit" list. After our formal tour was completed, there were a couple of hours left for walking, browsing, shopping, and, of course, savoring the best gelato I have ever eaten!