Giro Stage 1

As the famous Giro d’Italia heads to Rome tomorrow for the final stage of the 2018 race, Greg and I have completed the first stage of our own ‘giro‘ here in Sicily.

From our base in Syracusa, we headed south, then west, on a tour that would eventually take us more than 870-kilometres. Along the way we saw some beautiful places, met some great people, and discovered that Sicily is a region of contrasts.

 

The first stop on our tour; lined with Baroque palaces and churches, Noto's Corso Vittorio Emanuele is said to be one of Sicily's prettiest streets
The first stop on our tour; lined with Baroque palaces and churches, Noto's Corso Vittorio Emanuele is said to be one of Sicily's prettiest streets
Next it was on to Modica; we really liked this town, and not only for its speciality - chocolate!
Next it was on to Modica; we really liked this town, and not only for its speciality - chocolate!
Though as it turned out, we liked the chocolate as well!
Though as it turned out, we liked the chocolate as well!
Ragusa; the BBC's 'Inspector Montalbano' television series is shot in and around this city
Ragusa; the BBC's 'Inspector Montalbano' television series is shot in and around this city
Agrigento's 'Valley of the Temples'; the archaeological site includes eight temples built by the Greeks around 5BC
Agrigento's 'Valley of the Temples'; the archaeological site includes eight temples built by the Greeks around 5BC
The site has wonderful views down to the Mediterranean Sea
The site has wonderful views down to the Mediterranean Sea
Scala dei Turchi (Stair of the Turks); the white cliffs do resemble stairs but were otherwise mis-named after attacks by Moors - not Turks - on towns along the coast
Scala dei Turchi (Stair of the Turks); the white cliffs do resemble stairs but were otherwise mis-named after attacks by Moors - not Turks - on towns along the coast
Wind and solar farms are common sights in Sicily (and elsewhere in Italy)
Wind and solar farms are common sights in Sicily (and elsewhere in Italy)
Further west the olive groves and orchards start to appear
Further west the olive groves and orchards start to appear
The west is also Sicily's wine region; the city of Marsala is the industry's commercial centre
The west is also Sicily's wine region; the city of Marsala is the industry's commercial centre
In Sicily, the 18th century fortified farms are known as 'baglio'; we stayed in one on the west coast not far from here
In Sicily, the 18th century fortified farms are known as 'baglio'; we stayed in one on the west coast not far from here
Of course Sicily isn't all beautiful locations; there are also many ordinary towns like this one where people are working hard to earn a living
Of course Sicily isn't all beautiful locations; there are also many ordinary towns like this one where people are working hard to earn a living
Out onto the coast again and north of Marsala, the road sweeps around a large and beautiful bay
Out onto the coast again and north of Marsala, the road sweeps around a large and beautiful bay
Ancient salt pans at the northern end of the bay; salt is harvested here today as it has been for almost 3000 years
Ancient salt pans at the northern end of the bay; salt is harvested here today as it has been for almost 3000 years
As you travel further north, the coastal plains are left behind and the landscape becomes more rugged
As you travel further north, the coastal plains are left behind and the landscape becomes more rugged
We took the three kilometre-long cable car up to the town of Erice; the views from the top were spectacular
We took the three kilometre-long cable car up to the town of Erice; the views from the top were spectacular
After you turn right onto the region's north coast, the landscape changes again and stretches of sandy beach begin to appear
After you turn right onto the region's north coast, the landscape changes again and stretches of sandy beach begin to appear
This is the lovely town of Terrasini where we experienced some great Sicilian hospitality
This is the lovely town of Terrasini where we experienced some great Sicilian hospitality
Cefalù is a pretty town squeezed onto a narrow stretch of flat land between a mountain and the sea
Cefalù is a pretty town squeezed onto a narrow stretch of flat land between a mountain and the sea
We happily lingered over a long lunch here
We happily lingered over a long lunch here
From Cefalù, we turned south and started to head for home
From Cefalù, we turned south and started to head for home
The roads through the centre were very rough in parts
The roads through the centre were very rough in parts
But then almost every corner revealed another amazing view
But then almost every corner revealed another amazing view
The last stop on our tour was the hill town of Enna, almost right in the centre of Sicily
The last stop on our tour was the hill town of Enna, almost right in the centre of Sicily
At 1000 metres above sea level, the views from here were spectacular; it was a lovely way to end stage one of our 'giro di Sicilia'
At 1000 metres above sea level, the views from here were spectacular; it was a lovely way to end stage one of our 'giro di Sicilia'