Pre-tour
Pre-tour detour
We like to arrive a few days in advance to acclimate. This trip, however, we had a bit of a detour in London. Thanks to the British air traffic control system experiencing a complete meltdown a few days prior to our trip, our originating flight was late, which caused us to miss our connection. British Airways rebooked us, but for the next day! So we had an unexpected free afternoon in London where we took the underground into the city and visited Buckingham Palace and the surrounding area. Add that to the list to explore further some day.
Beachside bar
Shopping for swordfish at the market.
Enjoying our creations with our chef.
Beachside bar
Remember, you're on Sicilian time now
Finally in Palermo, we spent our first day wandering around the city to get our bearings. We found a beachside bar and tried Sicilian beer and Aperol spritz (which quickly became my new favorite summertime beverage), while watching cruise ships motor in and out of the harbor nearby. Sicilians like their siesta time, and we quickly discovered the shops and most restaurants close in the afternoon until at least 6 or 7 p.m. when the heat of the day subsides.
The next day we took a cooking class with an Irish chef who married a Sicilian and has lived there for many years. A small group enjoyed several hours of cooking instruction followed by an amazing meal of antipasto, pasta, swordfish and a special unique Sicilian dessert.
Charming Cefalu
Cefalu is a charming little seaside town inundated by day-trippers coming to soak up the sun on the sandy beaches (soft sand is a rare commodity on Sicilian beaches; many others have rocks the size of golf balls). The old part of town is easily walkable along the cobblestone streets, which all lead to the center square and imposing cathedral. Cefalu is not on the Rick Steves tour itinerary, but definitely worth a day excursion on your own if you arrive a few days prior to the tour. It only takes about an hour by train - the morning trains will be packed but you'll have the train car to yourself if you go back to Palermo mid-day!
Tip: with all the slide galleries, double click on the image and it will show the whole photo.
