The sirocco blew for 3 days and on the 4th day we set sail for Taormina – back down the Messina Straits.
After our day in Palermo we had been expecting to leave but to be on the cautious side we stayed another day in Milazzo.
Rather than sit around in the wind and rain we hired a car – a 500L Bambino – and fanged it over to Taormina to show Francis and Laurie and then have dinner in Giardini Naxos at A Putia. It was a glorious day on the eastern coast and we had fun – the tiny winding roads up to Castelmola and the Madonna in the Rock – the most spectacular views over Taormina to Calabria, over Etna – beautiful.
So Wednesday morning off we go, this time on the water, and a very different trip second time around. Current assist saw us doing 10 knots! Very exciting for us anyway.
Having been delayed by bad weather we are now making haste to get to Siracusa where the boys are getting off and Krissie and Lachie are getting on.
Siracusa is the nicest place. The oldest and most significant port town in the Mediterranean- it is in tact, restored, vibrant, chic, local and amazing.
The markets which happen everyday are packed with local produce, the restaurants and cafes are diverse and up market and combined with an evening temperature of 25 degrees, great swimming pools means you can stay quite some time.
Onwards we go, next stop Marzamemi which is a tuna fishing village from the 10th century. Originally the Arabs started the tuna industry and it has continued.
What an unexpected place.
Ancient warehouses turned into incredible spaces where the locals sell everything they produce. It's rustic, charming and packed. Italian tourists obviously love this place.
This southern coast has been much more than we expected and the sailing has been fab.
We are making our way now towards Marina Di Ragusa our final stop for this trip.
Bye for now
janeandrogersadventure 