Our last look at Mt Etna

Left Catania at 8.40am for our journey north to Pompeii. We had another ferry ride (with our train) from Messina in Sicily across to the mainland. The glimpses we caught of the Amalfi coast as we sped past we're beautiful. The sun was sparkling on the the ocean. It's easy to imagine this area to be teeming with tourists in season. The coast is wall to wall holiday accommodation of varying standards - quite deserted now. The beaches are black sand. The change o...

Gorgeous view looking north from the hilltop town of Taormina on an absolutely beautiful, sunshiny day.

A typical alley way just off the 'main drag'. A half hour train trip north took us to Toarmina Giardini Naxos station which is down close to the sea. The station had marble everywhere and was as tidy as any we've seen. The town was way up the hill so we caught a bus to take us up the zigzag road to the centre. What a beautiful little place?!!! Super clean. Bright and inviting. Very touristy but in a friendly way. We headed for the amazing amphitheatre where...

Another cute alleyway full of fresh produce. I absolutely love these little stalls that seem to pop up everywhere in Italy. They're often not cheap but seem to be really fresh. Wanted to buy just 4 loquats today and the guy wanted 3€ - about $4.50!!! Gave them a miss!!!