West Sicily - Italy

[charlyno]

SICILY 2008

FOTO & VIDEO

Moto used: BMW GS 1200

Departure: 13 August 2008

Arrival: 18 August 2008

Milestones: Palermo-Piazza Armerina (Palio dei Normanni)-Aidone-Morgantina (Archaeological Park)-Syracuse-Ellesmere Port-Avola (Natural Reserve of Cavagrande Cassibile)-Marzamemi-Buccheri (MediFest)-Miletus-Judica-Castel di Palermo

Nations visit: Italy

Km covered: 850

Duration: 6 days



"Siciliana 2008" represents my "first" though short journey in motion after the bad experience of 'August 2007, when because of un'ernia disk had to forcibly stop my journey through Europe. Six days available for a solo tour in the south-east of my beloved Sicily, between ancient folk festivals, ancient cities, nature reserves and all the smells, the scents and emotions that this land can still us.

Aug 13 2008 14.00 Viale Regione Siciliana. In the distance I see a closer STROMMA Suzuki V-650, riding his friend Benedict, motorcyclist known on the web but which has never had the chance to meet. So what better occasion to know if a trip set in motion. Benedict company going for my first leg of the trip, Piazza Armerina (EN) at the 53rd Palio dei Normanni, beautiful and picturesque medieval-religious festival which commemorates the liberation of the city by the Saracens by the Norman Count Roger d ' Altavilla. After a brief greeting is part, via Highway, the thermometer marks the 36th. A quick transfer, then exit at Caltanissetta and aim straight at their destination. Just exit from the temperature rises to 44th, is really hot, but the landscape that shows us immediately, it will soon forget any discomfort. The sun has burnt everything and everywhere as the eye could see fields of a yellowish color mix with an infinitely clear sky, creating a harmony of colors and peace, we could not stop. After a brief pause and some photos to start Piazza Armerina, godendoci to every curve into the landscape. We come to town, where I booked a room at Selene via G. Gaeta n.30 tel. 0935 683 425, a good combination for money. Laid baggage and parked bikes, we move towards the city center. The main square was decorated festively, tents and banner everywhere are beautiful exhibition on balconies. The first tourists begin to position themselves along the way. Everything is ready for the historic parade. Dame, knights, soldiers, religious, begin their parade in a riot of sound, trumpets and drums. The sun at sunset now makes it even more exciting every habit, color and standard of various districts. For more information on Palio and Piazza Armerina www.paliodeinormanni.com and www.piazzaarmerina.org. After completing the Palio decide to end this beautiful day with a delicious dinner in the historic center. After having heard our amply "wishes Panza" is now for Benedict to return home. We still have time to spend all the beautiful days on the road. I take this opportunity for a digestive walk by night along the streets of the old town and then return to hotel, met the beautiful day.

14 August 2008 After an abundance breakfast buffet is ready for another early day on the road. I manage to Aidone, nicknamed the balcony of Sicily. With its 850 meters above sea level offers a splendid view of 360 degrees on the plain of Catania, Etna and the mountains Erei. From the ruins of the Norman castle you can enjoy an extraordinary spectacle. Funny and somewhat bizarre stop along the streets of the historic center, with a nice gentleman and his somarello, an inevitable souvenir pictures. After a quick tour of the historic center, I at the archaeological site of Morgantina just 4 km from the country. The excavations have unearthed the remains of ancient civilizations whose origins date back even to the nineteenth century. BC Very interesting visit, extensively documented by illustrative panels along the route. For more information www.aidoneonline.com. After drinking a bottle of fresh water allotment in the direction of Syracuse through the SS 288 for a long walk through the Sicilian hinterland. Traffic virtually non-existent, a clear sky and a landscape company will be exciting to me throughout the journey. I come in early afternoon at the center Ortigia historical, cultural and artistic Syracuse. The Hotel Milano in Corso Umberto tel.093166981, Spartan rooms but a good price for their entrance will be Ortigia basis for the next three days. Parked the bike and made a quick shower, through the bridge Umbertino to devote the rest of the day visit to this city http://www.comune.siracusa.it/ wonderful. Very funny the boat tour around Ortigia organized by different companies for the price of 10 euros. The trip takes about an hour with the visit of caves and an opportunity to be a dip in the waters of sparkling crystal and Syracuse. Do not miss the Piazza del Duomo all'Apogeo a visit, the old anti shelters of World War II, an underground route through the city, along a path leading out to sea. In the evening after a good dinner and a stroll along the old town lit by a moon extraordinary and only after a delicious and fresh lemon granita, I at the hotel, it's time to relax.

15 August 2008 At 08.00 are already on the street. A good breakfast bar in the square just opposite the temple of Apollo and taken the bike I manage to the Archaeological Park of Syracuse. The Greek Theater, the Roman Amphitheater, the Latomie of Paradise, the Cave Cordaro, the Ara of Ierone and the Dionisio famous Ear leave without words anyone is to visit these places. A jump in a glorious, between the pomp and power of a great city of antiquity, Syracuse. More info http://www.comune.siracusa.it/Politi.../itinerari.htm. After the visit I manage to Ortigia for a quick meal. The thermometer marks 44th grades! Opto for a good sleep two Oretta cool air conditioner in my hotel room and then organize a walk in motion towards the town of Loughborough at about 50 km from Syracuse in high and cool! Palazzolo city of Sicilian Baroque preserves interesting of the past. Wonderful Mother Church and the Church of the Annunziata and very interesting archaeological park in the upper part of the city, with its beautiful greek theater. The ancient city of Akrai was founded in 663-664 BC and the expansion was the bulwark of Syracuse in the Sicilian territory. For more information http://www.palazzolo-acreide.it/index.htm. After the June visit to Syracuse just in time for a shower and watch the games from the marina at the pyrotechnic August. After a short walk and a lemon granita is back at the hotel, tomorrow I expect a pretty tough day.

16 August 2008 With the breakfast bar in the square early birth to Avola at about 30 km from Siuracusa to visit one of the most beautiful Nature Reserves in Sicily, Cavagrande of Cassibile (more info http://www.guideiacono.it/cavagrande . htm). Located nell'altopiano Iblei, this is a long canyon with high rock walls from 200 to 250 meters, enclosing the river Cassibile which forms the limestone pools (a kind of natural pools of water and crystal limpidissime with its fish) where we must absolutely lose plunge. It comes to the reserve following the signs for Avola Antica. Since guarded by forest, where it is registered for security reasons, partly along a steep path, medium difficulty, in about an hour that will take you to lakes, as they are called in these parts. The route is also feasible for children with the necessary caution. Once there, the place reward the hard work fully addressed. Spend a day on this trip, distributing your time between the Great Lakes and some Lakes' most secluded. I would advise you to bring so much, lots of water, especially for the climb for which Approximate hour when properly trained, breakfast bag (you can buy delicious sandwiches in the bar at the entrance to the reserve, well equipped with everything) relax and enjoy this wonderful place, including a cool water bath and a pennichella the sun. Lifts wait for the sun falls, in this way make the journey in the shade. For the more difficult, at the end of the quarry are excavated about 80,000 graves at grotticella forming the Necropolis of Cassibile. Having remained in ecstasy from this wonderful place and tackled the tough route back to me safely enjoy a deserved rest before a mountain of ice cream and watch the fun come on top with the faces overwhelmed by fatigue hikers return from Cava. The time is 19:00 and I just want to go back, so I decide for a short walk to Marzamemi beautiful seaside village close to Liberty with its old trap and the seventeenth-century mansion of Principles Villadorata. I enjoy a magnificent sunset over the small harbor and after a good coffee allotment towards Ortigia. The fatigue is beginning to feel and after a quick meal are already in bed waiting for a new day on the road.

Aug 17 2008 Get the Ortigia motion for leave to proceed Buccheri http://www.comunedibuccheri.it/ in the province of Syracuse at the MedFest 2008, very interesting and fun medieval festival. Came to town in the central square asking for a room, not sure of finding nothing seen the festival and instead with my usual luck find a single room in a lovely B & B on "Don Luciano" via Tasso 9 Tel. 0931873854 cell. 3385039754 www.donluciano.it in a building in the historic center, completely renovated with 10 beds, equipped with every comfort and just 50 meters from the square! Motorcycle parked just below the entry and after a nice refreshing shower, I dedicate to visiting the historic center until 18:00 when the event begins. It is lunchtime and after having asked the lady who runs the B & B I go all'Osteria U Local via Dusmet 14 tel. 0931873923. The choice could not be the best! The dell'osteria motto is: "Panza cuntént, core lenient, Panza to diuno, containing pirdunu"! Strongly recommended. Panza with a full pennichella of an hour was the perfect face for a long night. 18:00 begins the historic parade, followed by the "drums of Assisi and Drums Buccheri, from Sbandieratori acrobatic San Gemini, acrobats on stilts, musical groups from Senegal and Tunisia, with a great performance in the square. To 21 after a good pizza, witnessed an extraordinary spectacle of acrobats on stilts to "atmospheric" with their spectacle of lights, sounds, games and fire pyrotechnic "Flam" really exciting. Wherever stalls and places to eat everything. To one and a half on the lookout around the castle, the fireworks at the conclusion of a fantastic day.

18 August 2008 Today is the day of return and then later after a good breakfast in the square, completely different to yesterday, it was back to savor the quiet of small towns in the hinterland of Sicily, Palermo allotment to, not before a stop outside the country to photograph one of the few still exist and "ice" by Buccheri. A sort of trulli in Puglia, built with lava rock in which it was collected during the winter for powder to be sold in the summer to hospitals, nobles and neighbors. A true grain of Sicilian history, now distant and forgotten. Allotment to Castel di Judica in the province of Catania. Along the way a magnificent panorama on the plain of Catania and Etna. June Miletus dovo to take it to a stop and a tour of the historic center and the beautiful Cathedral Church. Today is the feast of the patron and in the evening the festival will take place along the streets of the country, so I want to stay but I can not. I come to Castel di Judica under a burning sun and a hungry wolf from! I come recommended for the Old Castle Tavern via Monte Santo 30 tel. 0951661762 cell. 33,313,120,674. I sit in the shade outside the view godendomi Etna accompanied by a great plate of pasta and un'arrosto Joint! Full all'inverosimile not resist a short while but pennichella pleasant half-hour on the table! I am the only client and I are allowed! After a good coffee and a chat with the owner, allotment to Agira to take the highway to Palermo, through some beautiful roads in the hinterland of Sicily. I love the last moments of this trip entusiamante in my land, which still smells, smells, traditions and still succeed every time to emotions. In the next