EarthlyLOCOmotion.com

This stop was by far my best so far for this trip to Sicily. Ortigia is located just over a short bridge form Siracusa, on the south eastern coast of Sicily. There are few cars here. The streets are devoid of any litter. Parts of the island appear as a movie set, especially at night. This is the historical heart of Siracusa. Walking all over this small island is a pleasure with its tight-medieval lanes, romantically-crumbling (or lovingly-restored) baroque palaces and churches. The restaurants and bars are plentiful and each one unique. With a walking map you can find your way all over this island.

 

 

 

 

Next week I plan to travel to Amalfi and Capri.  In the meantime I’m really digging this place.  Until next time, be well.

Craig

This little town is beautifully scenic.  It is perched about 800 feet or 230 meters above the sea below.  It is located on the east coast of Sicily, just opposing the tip of the “Italian Boot.”  Taormina is home to only 11,000 people.  If you visit this little gem do not miss the Greek ruins near the top of Taormina.  Positively a highlight.  The place is however overrun with tourists.

Palermo is a trip, and at times a challenge.  While there is a lot of beauty it can at times be an assault on all of your five senses.  A paradox absolutely.  I spent eight days here, which was way too long.  Three is probably perfect.  I’m not going to provide you guys with a lot of history as you can get that from other sources.  I just hope you enjoy the this post as well as the few to follow.

 

 

Great town with lots happening. But you may want to pity Nice because it is overshadowed by megawatt Riviera neighbors like aristocratic Monaco, red carpet Cannes and the Champagne-soaked st.-Tropez.  This is the fifth largest city in France. The population of this sprawling town is about one million. The seaside and the dramatic deep blue waters of the Cote d’Azur are obviously big draws.  Also a draw must be the Art Deco architecture.  There is also an atmospheric old quarter with an evolving restaurant scene.

 

 

 

Eze is located just above the French Riviera at an elevation of 2,300 feet (or 700 meters). Its location is almost equidistant (about 12KM)  between Nice and Monaco.  It is a fortified mid-evil village with a population of 3,000 people.  It is perched like an eagles nest on a narrow rocky peak overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.  From the point of taxi drop off it is 345 uphill paces and steps to reach my hotel. The place is worth every grueling step.  This was a great place to stay while exploring the coastal towns and villages that comprise the French Riviera.

The hotel is built as part of a 12th century castle.  Eze is a pretty village but if you are looking for something off the beaten path this is definitely NOT it.  This village is contrasted by the residential Eze-sur-Mer, a seaside “town” between Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Cap d’Ail.  Eze-sur-Mer has beaches, water sports, cafes, restaurants and hotels.

Monaco is a sovereign city-state. It is located on the French Riviera and has only 38,000 citizens.  It is bordered by France on 3 sides and the remaining side is on the Mediterranean Sea.  This place should be on your list of places to see, but once is probably enough.  It is truly a spectacle to see, much like Las Vegas in the United States.  The display of wealth and the conspicuous consumption is at the same time both amazing and appalling.  It seems that at least every 4 out of 5 cars cost more than an average home in any first world country.  Monaco has no personal income or wealth taxes. Generally, there are no property taxes either.  This might explain in part why so many wealthy people (including Steve Wynn) call this place home.  So it comes as no surprise that with all this money sloshing around, Monaco has built up a healthy financial sector, which accounts for roughly 17% of its economy.  The entire country of Monaco occupies only 3 quarters of 1 square mile.   It is defended by France.

Malaga’s history spans nearly 3,000 years, thus making it one of the world’s oldest cities. It traces its history back to the Phoenicians. The Moors ruled Malaga for nearly eight centuries.  These invaders from North Africa rendered the city both rich and beaufiful.  The Moors left their deep imprint on Malaga.

Malaga leads somewhat of a double life.  As the capital of the Costa del Sol, it reflects the festive Spanishness of one of Europe’s prime resort regions.  Only the sunny Mediterranean climate and the obligatory siesta link the businesslike and fiesta faces of the city.

Closer to Malaga, trips along the coast survey the appeal of the Costa del Sol resorts – as refined as Marbella (more of a jet set enclave), or as the more bohemian Torremolinos, where the sun coast becomes the fun coast.  If I am lucky enough to visit Spain for and extended period of time, this is the area I would call my temporary home.  However, because of my schedule time will not permit on this trip.

 

Gibraltar –

Most Americans only know Gibraltar’s silhouette as the long lasting Prudential Insurance logo, and know little else.  Well, I hope this installment of EarthlyLOCOmotion.com is not too lengthy, but there is quite a bit more to this tiny Country.  Gibraltar is a very small (only 7 sq. miles) but amazing place.  There are about 30,000 inhabitants here.  As the portal to the Mediterranean, the Rock of Gibraltar rises some 1400 ft from the sea.  It is not an island as it is linked to the Spanish mainland.  Gibraltar is a possession of Britain and in many ways classically British.  Most of the inhabitants (whether their descent be Italian, Iberian, Indian, Jewish Morocan or Maltese) – are united in preserving the British connection.

Within the “Rock” there are some 33 miles of tunnels.  Some are for auto traffic, while others are for pedestrian use.  Some of these were excavated during the various wars fought here.  Those have some museum-like exhibits with big guns and related armaments, as well as historical displays.

In a few days time I will be visiting Malaga, Spain so please check it out.

 

 

Madeira is an island approximately 350 miles off the coast of North Africa. It is a province of Portugal. It has been described as the island of eternal spring. Portugal is approximately 600 miles to the northeast. Funchal is the capital and is home to about one-third of the island’s 265,000 people.
Thousands of red tile-roofed homes cling the the steep cliffs that were once carpeted with fennel, their gardens overflowing with greenery and flowers.  The climate is as near perfect as it gets since it is in the gulf-stream flow of the Atlantic Ocean.  The warmest month has an average temperature of 73 degrees F, while the coolest is 61 degrees F.  This island receives a near perfect 28 inches of rain annually.  About 55% of that is in November-January.

Year round the clean, clear sea is excellent for bathing, snorkeling, water-skiing and fishing.  The streets, as well as the air are almost pristine.  Parks and cobbled streets are found to be prevalent.  There is an old town the is quite charming, and as you would imagine, very pedestrian friendly.  As with most of these european cities there is a great open food market which is filled with produce, meats, and fish.

I took a 3 hour bike tour while I was there and it was fabulous.  That day was sunny and 64 degrees F.   The tour took me from the old town to the new areas (as depicted in my photo images.)  While riding through the newer more cosmopolitan parts of town there were abundant opportunities to be either hit by cars and buses, or have car doors opened in your path.  The roads were similar to Rome but with more traffic circles.  There were no bike paths and consequently we were in the street with the rest of the vehicles.  Since there were 14 participants in the tour I believed my odds to be pretty good for not becoming a statistic.  I also remained near the middle of the group for some added protection.  I completed this outstanding tour without incident, and so did everyone else.  In just a couple of days I will arrive in Gibraltar.  Please await for heads up email for that one.

If you have the time and are planning a European holiday try to coordinate it so that you can either sail to Europe from the States, or better yet sail back to the States.  I prefer sailing back (west) because of the time zone changes giving you 6 or 7 additional hours, as opposed to losing them.  Either way there is no jet lag and you will have an amazing time meeting sojourners from all over our planet.  Another good reason for opting for sailing as opposed to flying is that these sailings are what are known as “repositionings.”  Basically moving the ship from one part of the world to another, with only a limited number of ports.  On this voyage I’ll be spending time in Funchal, Madiera as well as Gibraltar and Malaga, Spain before arriving at Monte Carlo, my point of disembarkation.  Consequently, these sailings are relatively cheep in comparison to those stopping at many ports.  So, if you like sea days (and there is a lot to like), this slow mode of transportation (18 MPH) might be for you.

I had a trip planned in January where I was sailing from Los Angeles to Auckland New Zealand.  Unfortunately, one day in I received an email about a death in the family.  The first opportunity to abort the trip and fly back would not occur for another 12 days when the ship arrived in Tahiti.  At that point I bailed and returned back to the states.  So the transatlantic voyage was in essence a “redo,” if you will.

I’m sailing (or cruising) on a small high-end ship known as the Seabourn Quest.  I use the term “sailing” interchangeably with cruising as it is a term which is a part of a rich nautical history and lexicon.  This ship has only 450 passengers but is not significantly smaller than a ship carrying 1,600 passengers.  It is equipped with all modern stabilizer equipment and is very comfortable.

I meet people from all over the world on board.  Most have a great appetite for exploration and more importantly, fun.  The crowd is for the most part very interesting to engage with.  I rarely get to my cabin before 1 AM, after drinking, dining, more drinking, and of course dancing.  It is a pretty good workout both physically and socially.  Because the first 10 days out of Fort Lauderdale are sea days, early awakenings are not necessary.  This allows for burning the candle at both ends.

Daily life is pretty relaxing.  Eating, reading, the gym, daily trivia,and usually some day drinking.  This cruise line is all inclusive, and high end as well.  So as you might imagine the scene around any bar on board is very friendly.  One can be as busy or as useless during these days at sea.  Therein lies the beauty of this experience.  On sea days there is no place to go and all day to do it.   After being at sea for some 6 days, we will not arrive in Madiera for 4 more.  Please login into the blog for that experience.  Meantime, I must return to the pool deck for some afternoon beverages.