Absolutely stunning Schmet!!!! I hope you enjoy your 4 day trip even without games!!! We will certainly miss you!!!
Good Day ROAD TRIPPERS!!!! Today is our second day in Sicily and we are resuming our adventure in Messina and moving counter-clockwise around the island. I do hope everybody is wearing comfortable clothing, good hiking boots, and had a good hearty breakfast!! I hope you remembered to put drinks/water and snacks, camera/phone fully charged, a flashlight, and your swim gear in your backpack as you never know where will will go on our adventures!!! Lets get rolling!!!! Our first stop of the day will be the Fontana di Orione. This is a large fountain in the center of the Piazza, it is from the 16th century and is remarkable. Here is a link to a tourism blog: https://discovermessina.it/fontana-orione/ Next we are going to the Fontana di Nettuno. This is another large fountain in the center of the Piazza Unità d'Italia, it was sculpted by the same sculptor as the Fontana di Orione. Here is a link to a tourism website: https://www.italianways.com/messinas-fountain-of-neptune-beauty-in-the-face-of-adversity/ Off we go to the Museo cultura e musica popolare dei peloritani. This is an ethnographic museum of all things Sicilian. Here is a link to their website: http://www.museomusicapeloritani.it/ Seems we are moving at a snails pace, but that is alright because we have time delays!!! And we are checking out the Museo Tesoro del Duomo. This is the Treasury of the Cathedral!!! Here is a link to their website: http://www.messinarte.it/the-treasure-of-the-cathedral-of-messina/ Our next stop is the Cimitero Monumentale Gran Camposanto. This is a monumental cemetary or grand cemetary, it is 220,000 square meters in area. Here is a link to the wiki: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimitero_monumentale_di_Messina Next we will be going to the Museo Messina nel Novecento. This is a museum of Messina in the last 100 years. Here is a link to their website: http://www.museomessinanel900.it/ Now we are heading to the Museo del Tesoro di San Placido. This is the Museum of the Treasury of San Placido. Here is a link to a tourism website: https://www.itinari.com/location/museo-del-tesoro-di-san-placido The next stop on our journey is the Orto Botanico Pietro Castelli. This Botanical Garden has a rich history that dates back to the mid 1600s. Here is a link to their website: http://www.ortobotanico.messina.it/home_page/storia_dell_orto/00000020_L_Orto_Botanico_oggi.html Lets take a swim to the Acquario di Messina. Here is a link to their website: http://www.acquariomessina.it/home/la-nostra-storia.html Now we are going to the Tomb of Antonello da Messina. Antonello da Messina was a famous artist thought to have been buried in Venice. Here is a link to a heritage site: https://www.fondoambiente.it/luoghi/tomba-di-antonello-da-messina?ldc For our last stop in Messina, I think we should a-Maze ourselves by going to the Labirinto di Arianna. Here is a link to a tourist website: https://www.snapitaly.it/labirinto-di-arianna-sicilia-ritrovare-se-stessi/ Cocktail hour is 6 pm and dinner is 7 pm at Birroteca Mercury in Messina.
Good Afternoon ROAD TRIPPERS!!! I don't know about anybody else, but I believe, pardon the expression, but Meatloaf comes into my mind, we have been going like a Bat Out of Hell for quite some time and I think we could all use a blob day, or a relaxation and recharge day. So I did not make any plans. We have these glorious villas at the Hotel Villa Belvedere and we have access to private spa facilities and access to a private soft sand beach and we all have private mini-pool/jacuzzis in our villas and I think we should utilize them!!!! I have made special arrangements with the hotel for a private cocktail hour and dinner on the beach with Steak, Seafood, Italian galore, and all of our favorites provided to them by our chefs from the airship!!!! You won't want to be late the bell tolls at 6 pm for cocktail hour!!!!
Meatballs and spaghetti, fried shrimp in butter sauce, garlic bread ( but not too much garlic), a nice rose' to go with it.
Good Day ROAD TRIPPERS!!! Today we are beginning our expedition in Cefalù, Sicily and depending on how much time we take there, we may even begin our tour of Palermo, Sicily as well, we shall see. Seeing as we are well rested after our blob yesterday, we should have lots of energy today!!! So lets get rolling!!! Cefalù is a town on the northern coast of Sicily. Here is a clip from the wiki and a link to the wiki: Cefalù is a coastal city in northern Sicily, Italy. It’s known for its Norman cathedral, a 12th-century fortress-like structure with elaborate Byzantine mosaics and soaring twin towers. Nearby, the Mandralisca Museum is home to archaeological exhibits and a picture gallery with a portrait by Antonello da Messina. The beaches of Mazzaforno and Settefrati lie to the west. Cefalù has an area of 25 square miles and approximate population of 13,777 people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cefalù Our first stop of the day will be the Duomo di Cefalù. This is the crowning glory of Cefalù. Here is a link to their website, we are booked for the red itinerary: https://duomocefalu.it/tour/itinerario-rosso/ Guess what time it is??? It is time for Acqua Verde. You got it, a Water Park!!!!! But not just any old water park, this one has a spa as well, Breanna!!!! Shopping, a spa, food, what more could we ask for, a Pirate Lagoon of course??? Here is a link to their website: http://www.acquaverdecefalu.it/it/acquapark.html Next we will be visiting the Lavatoio Medievale. What is this you ask? Why it is a public laundry!! Here is a link to the town website with photos: https://www.cefalu.website/en/what-to-visit/lavatoio-medievale/itm/161/ Our next stop is the Tempio di Diana. This is the ruins of an ancient Byzantine Temple to the Goddess Artemis (Greek)/Diana (Roman). Here is a link to a town travel guide: https://www.cefaluguide.it/en/item/tempio-di-diana/ Now its time for a little bit of retail therapy, we are going to stroll down the Corso Ruggero. This is the main street in Cefalù and divides the town. Here is a link to the Michelin travel guide: https://travelguide.michelin.com/europe/italy/sicily/palermo/cefalu/corso-ruggero This is a new type of museum of us!!! We are going to the Museo Digitale al Bastione Innovazione Cibo Cultura. This is a VR museum about the history of the Arab-Norman path. Here is a link to their website: http://bastionecefalu.com/museo-digitale/ Off we go to the Museo Diocesano di Cefalù. This is a museum inaugerated in 2010 to house the Treasures and relics of the Cefalù Diocese. Here is a link to their website: https://www.beweb.chiesacattolica.i...efalù | Museo diffuso della Diocesi di Cefalù Now I am flying you away to Palermo, Sicily. Here is a clip from the wiki and a link to the wiki: Palermo is the capital of the Italian island of Sicily. The 12th-century Palermo Cathedral houses royal tombs, while the huge neoclassical Teatro Massimo is known for opera performances. Also in the center are the Palazzo dei Normanni, a royal palace started in the 9th century, and the Cappella Palatina, with Byzantine mosaics. Busy markets include the central Ballarò street market and the Vucciria, near the port. Palermo has an area of 61.4 square miles and an approximate population of 1.3 million people. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palermo Our first stop in Palermo is the Palazzo Conte Federico. This is the Palace of Count Alessandro Federico. Here is a link to the website: https://www.contefederico.com/newsite/la-storia/ Our next stop is the Norman Palace. This is also referred to as the Royal Palace or the Palazzo Reale or dei Normanni. Here is a link to their website: https://www.federicosecondo.org/palazzo-reale-2/ Next we are going to the Cattedrale di Palermo. This is the Cathedral of Palermo and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here is a link to the UNESCO site for the Cathedral: http://arabonormannaunesco.it/il-sito/monumenti/cattedrale-di-palermo/ Off we go to the Piazza Pretoria or della Vergogna. This is a very large fountain in the center of the historic area. It has mythological Gods and animal busts all around it. Here is a link to a tourism website: https://www.tourismsicilia.com/piazza-della-vergogna-palermo/ This will wrap up our adventures for today!!! Cocktail hour will be at 6 pm and dinner will be at 7 pm at the Roadhouse Grill, Steakhouse, Burgers, and Italian!!! Full bar as well.
Time to get back to work Cappadocia 7 : Gueray Mueze : https://pikamu.com/location/gueray-mueze-avanos/383371523 Mount Ali : Mount Ali was named after Ali Baba who supposedly hid out in this area Mount Ali is also known for Para gliding and is one in a number of volcanic mountains . Sunset view point ( Gorem ) - Seljuk Museum : Al Nazar Church : https://www.cappadociahistory.com/post/el-nazar-church we will have dinner in "Old Cappadocia " https://www.yelp.com/biz/old-cappadocia-cafe-ve-restaurant-nevşehir-2
Cappadocia 8 : Asmah Konak : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asmal%C4%B1_Konak Set for a Turkish TV show . Oezkonak Underground city : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96zkonak_Underground_City Asikli Hoeyuek : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C5%9F%C4%B1kl%C4%B1_H%C3%B6y%C3%BCk https://www.aa.com.tr/en/culture-and-art/asikli-hoyuk-story-of-oldest-village-in-central-turkey/1247029 Doener Dome /Kuembet : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonbad Aksaray : Central Anatolia region of Turkey and the capitol district of Aksaray Province https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aksaray Aksaray Museum : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aksaray_Museum
Aksaray part 2 : Egri Minare : https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/aksaray/gezilecekyer/egri-minare-kizil-minaret Kizil Minare Cami they can't seam to built straight towers in this town . Grand Mosque : Aksaray Square Clock Tower : Zinciriye Medresesi : https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/aksaray/gezilecekyer/zinciriye-medresesi Recep Tayyip Erdogan Genclik Pari : https://aksarayhaber68.com/haber/recep-tayyip-erdogan-genclik-parki-aciliyor-20178.html
Cappadocia part 9 : Pasabag Yolu : Kayseri Archeological Museum : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayseri_Archaeology_Museum ok time to do something else besides look at houses built inside of rock formations . Mazakaland Eglence Merkezi : no you don't need a doctor degree to go here , just know how to have fun Agacalti Church https://www.exploreturkey.com/exptur.php?id=108
Cappadocia 10: Selima Cathedral : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%BCzelyurt https://www.ancientpages.com/2019/03/19/cappadocias-huge-and-unique-selime-cathedral/ Cappadocia Art & History Museum : Cappadocia Doll museum
Cappadocia 11 Nevsehir : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nev%C5%9Fehir Nevsehir Castle : Nevshir Damat Ibrahim Pasa Kueiyesi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nev%C5%9Fehirli_Damat_Ibrahim_Pasha https://www.captivatingcappadocia.com/cappadocia-nevsehir-damat-ibrahim-pasa-cami/ Kursunlu Mosque : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kur%C5%9Funlu_Mosque_and_Complex Elmali Church ( open air museum) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churches_of_G%C3%B6reme Nigde Museum : https://www.ktb.gov.tr/EN-113990/nigde-museum.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ni%C4%9Fde_Archaeological_Museum Kizil Kilise : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kizil_Kilise https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:K%C4%B1z%C4%B1l_Kilise.jpg
Cappadocia 13 : Cavusin Kilisesi Avanos Asma Koeprue ( Hanging Bridge ) Milli Muecadele Muezesi : https://www.inspirock.com/turkey/kayseri/kayseri-lisesi-milli-mucadele-muzesi-a5507718761 Devrent Vadisi https://www.shutterstock.com/search/devrent%2Bvalley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUYhpptlKCE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRt32vkYkN4
Cappadocia 14 : Saint John's Church , Guelsehir https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_John%27s_Church,_G%C3%BCl%C5%9Fehir Carikili Church Seyfe Lake : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Seyfe Yamula Dam and Hydroelectric Plant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamula_Dam_and_Hydroelectric_Plant Kuep selaleleri : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd5yzD6SK5s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFWiwkDgyN8
Cappadocia 15 : Tokali Church : https://www.cappadociahistory.com/post/buckle-church-tokali https://www.shutterstock.com/search/tokali+church Nigde Castle : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ni%C4%9Fde
one of the valleys is called " Imagination Valley " , so if that's what you see , why not. I just wanted to say , watch the you tube videos , especially the ones after the water fall pictures , those are amazing .
