7-8 May -Sicily .. how beautiful you are ! Italy

[charlyno]

ALL PICS AND VIDEO HERE

Used bike: BMW R 1200 GS

Stages: Piana degli Albanesi, Palermo-Corleone-Preece-Stephen Quisquina-Bivova-Alessandria della Rocca-San Biagio Platani-S.angelo Muxaro-St Elizabeth-Aragon-Palma Favara-Lichtenberg-Marina di Palma-Falconara-Freeze- Niscemi-Caltanissetta and Palermo

Countries visited: Italy

Visited regions: Sicily

Km covered: 510

Duration: 2 days
05/07/2010 (km 210) 16.00 hours under a sky a bit 'dark, due to a slight haze, leaving behind the chaos of Palermo to make a "leap" in the peace and tranquility of the Sicilian countryside. 185 km separates me from my destination, Palma de Lichtenberg in the province of Agrigento. I headed to Piana degli Albanesi, passing the entrance to the beautiful lake on SP5 SS118 direction Corleone. The landscape is one that leave you enchanted. Few kilometers and the sun shines again in a fantastic blue sky. A slight breeze moves the grass in the meadows, creating a ripple effect that will send a peace infinite. Can not stop. Several times along the way I take this opportunity for a relaxing stop in company with only the rustle of the wind, the roar of the herds to pasture. Traffic is deltutto absent. Parties of Prizzi, the view of the lake once again forcing me to stop. On either side of the road is a nice colt intent to graze. It gives me a look and then calmly continued his walk, almost to want to say. Do not disturb! Continue along the SS118 up to Alessandria della Rocca, sliding on the sides of lakes and Filaga Bivona. Take the SP19, crossing San Biagio Platani Muxaro Sant'Angelo and St. Elizabeth to continue until June Favara and finally here in Palma de Lichtenberg (http://www.comune.palmadimontechiaro.ag.it.) It's around 20.30 and immediately I go to B & B "The land of the Leopard" - Via Berlin - Tel. 0922961605 - cell. 3891524181-3891524180. Managed by friendly and his wife Rosario is a brand new, very comfortable, with swimming pool and indoor parking for bikes. So the ideal for us motorcyclists. After a nice refreshing shower, I take advantage of a ride up in the center, although you could easily walk (.. but all uphill!). I do a lap for the city center by night. Very impressive the Mother Church with its long stairway and the ancient convent of nuns, to mention only some of its finest monuments of Palma. The tummy, so I take this opportunity to eat a good pizza at Pizzeria "Il Gattopardo". And 'here that I meet with Francis and Jeanne. Between a chat and discover that the other is the cousin of my dear friend Victor. The hospitality in these parts is at home, as everywhere in Sicily, so I find myself having paid the bill and the call to the village pub "1970" to drink a beer, this one offered by friends of Palma, in the which I take this opportunity to thank them warmly for their kindness, helpfulness and hospitality.

08/05/2010 (km 300) 07,30 hours, wake up! To welcome once again a beautiful sunny day. I have breakfast in the lobby of the B & B. After a souvenir photo with the Rosary, I headed to the city center. On the slope leading to the historic center, on a hill called Calvary, the remains of St. Maria Luz 1650. The old town is dominated by the beautiful Cathedral Church with its imposing staircase. A short walk to the Palazzo Ducale and the Benedictine Monastery, whose interior is full of extraordinary works of art, including the statue of Our Lady of the Castle and the extraordinary wooden ceiling, finely crafted. Even beyond the seat of the Municipality which is located in the Palace of Piarist. After a quick tour through the streets of the town, leaving the center to walk towards Marina di Palma, to visit two other impressive monuments, the Castle Chiaramontano of 1353 and the Tower of St. Charles in 1639. The castle is located in a very suggestive, from the top you can admire a beautiful panorama stretching from coast to coast dell'agrigentino. I am the only visitor, and so I enjoy it in peace now. Sin can not enter the castle, because tomorrow there will be a big party for the transport of Our Lady of the convent up to the occasion here and visits are suspended, reason for return. Allotment towards Gela. On the way up to the castle of Falconara Butera (CL). Manor is the only province to look out over the sea. Too bad that is not open so I must settle for a peek through the front door of the large garden and the beach below. Distributed quickly come to the city of Gela (http://www.comune.gela.cl.it/). The ancient Lindios, a town founded by the Greeks between 689-688 BC has a long history. I'm very intrigued by the defensive walls built by the famous tyrant Timoleon in 338 BC A Head Above the entrance to the archaeological site. The walls are powerful and have been preserved over time through a sand dune that has preserved over the years. To walk in and touch send a thrill. After the visit I headed to the archaeological museum of the city, full of amazing artifacts dating from different periods. Next to the necropolis of windmill, where you can see the only remaining column of a majestic temple that once stood in this area. The stomach begins to grumble and instructed the caretaker of the museum I headed along the seafront at tel.0933919350 Company restaurant, excellent food at an exceptional price. Of course a stone's throw from the sea I can eat all fish. After a coffee allotment to Niscemi to visit one of the most beautiful natural reserve area, the cork of Niscemi. This is a beautiful grove of oak trees for the production of cork. Parked the bike I'll take a nice walk along the paths of the forest, until the Oak http://www.guidasicilia.it/ita/main/...IDRubrica=1483 Mosaica, a huge tree circumference six meters. The cork of the particular forms of life, very characteristic. Numerous animal species live in this area. I lie for early enjoying the absolute stillness of the place and admiring the sky, the circling of a pair of buzzards just about me, as if to keep me eye. Reluctant to leave this enchanted place and head towards Caltanissetta. Yet glimpses of extraordinary beauty along the SS190, twisty corners and a treat for us motorcyclists. I come in Caltanissetta where we stop to greet his friend Ernest, in which I take a drink. After a couple of chats allotment for Palermo, take the motorway for a quick return home. The next