Rome

Rome Day 1

Buongiorno. Sleep is wonderful … but so is a shower and hot coffee. Our building is incredibly quiet … built in the 1500s or 1600s (can’t remember which) the walls are a foot thick so there’s no noise from the…

Rome

We’re Going to Italy

But first we have to get there! Glen’s sister was immensely kind in offering us a place to lay our heads overnight and putting up with the car until we got back. A huge peace of mind. Thursday was one…

Rome

Rome – 2

Sun and blue skies this morning, however it’s not supposed to last … predictions claim thundershowers by 11:30! It was a lovely walk through our neighbourhood — the streets looked fresh and newly scrubbed … the sun was warm on…

Malta

Hop, Skip and a jump to Malta

Apartment locked … Check.  Key in drop box …. Check.  Down the wonky stairs for the last time and onto the street – hope the taxi is on time.  A young father two doors down scooped up his sons and…

Malta

Dghajsas and Rabbit Stew

Exploring the local neighbourhood was a must… starting with St. Paul’s Pro Cathedral (also referred to as a Co Cathedral) … indicating it has Cathedral status but is not the primary one. This is the iconic dome that dominates the…

Malta

Off to Mdina

Rather than dragging our bags a significant distance along rough sidewalks we called up a Bolt car instead (similar to Uber) and ridiculously cheap. A local gift shop conveniently ran a business to store visitor’s luggage so we deposited ours…

Sicily

Welcome to Sicily

Breakfast in a sun-filled room with blue and while table cloths and a wide selection of comestibles — such a civilized way to start the day. Ernesto swept in with a large pot of freshly brewed coffee and another of…

Sicily

Chocolate, Cars and Buses

It was cloudy and cool today … dark skies threatened but after a sprinkle or two, didn’t do anything. There are countless ways of walking down to the lower section of town (Ibla) — all involve stone steps of varying…

Sicily

Markets, Mercury & Modica

Another cool, cloudy day. Helena mentioned there was a big market in upper Ragusa every Wednesday and Thursday morning. We timed the number 31 community bus beautifully and the driver waved away payment. It wound its way through ridiculously narrow…

Sicily

How to Move

Elevators in apartment buildings here are generally really compact — 4 people maximum and maybe a bag of groceries. Definitely not designed for moving furniture. We got a front row seat of the apartment building across the way … one…