Addio Ortigia and Ciao Bella Palmero

Hotel Gutkowski was whimsically decorated.

Had my last plateful of nespola- a rather wonderful spring fruit here in Sicily that seems something like a smooth skinned apricot, but is compared to a Japanese Kumquat. A fav new discovery!And off we went with driver Antonello across Sicily to Palmero. A 3hr private driver ride rather than the train (when Rick Steves recommends the bus over the train and the trip ETA’s exceed 4-5 hrs, you vote for a little more luxury).

We saw the mountainous Sicilian interior region, their protected park land, agricultural landscapes, clouds and some rain. Warm and we didn’t get wet during the wind shield wiper heavy showers.

Another interesting driver – Antonello plays in 3 bands. Drums and a Celtic instrument Beth recognized. They had quite a conversation about Celtic and Basque music, exchanging musical storylines and having fun with it. He sent follow-up info for her! He also has 2 bands that cover our generations music ie Eagles, Toto, etc. As well as soul.

Antonello got us to Butera 28, a portion of the Butera Palazzo in the La Kalsa neighborhood near the harbor entrance to the city and historico centro.

We found our way around the neighborhood and bistrot for lunch and walked part of the Rick Steves Palermo City Walk. We made it back to the apartment without bread crumbs but it takes all of us and several maps! That’s kind of the fun challenge of it.

Piazza Bellini: Trio of churches (UNESCO recognized)

La Martorana on the left above has the gilded interior below.

But San Cataldo was the draw here though. Arabesque in building and simple inside. The level of religious tolerance this reflects is encouraging – perhaps we will see return to that kind of humanity.

Santa Catarina is the third (I’ll think of it as the Cannoli Convent.

s. Catarina Convent cannoli in the cloisters near the Fountain of Shame. So named because the nuns found them immodest and for years dressed them!

Have we mentioned that Sicilian Cannoli is special! The cream filling is richer with ricotta and they are placed in a more biscuit cookie like shell than the Florentine caramel based shells we’re used to. I love Florentines, but these shells are better. We love them (several times over♥️).

We kind of nestled in for the night. Beth and Mary got us some pasta and salad to eat in and we figured out how to use the small washer. We’ve been on the road for awhile after all!