Sicily and Malta

After breakfast, we collected the car, loaded it up, and headed east towards Milazzo. The roads were very modern with lots of tunnels and bridges. Drove out to the end of the point in Milazzo, but didn't find a restaurant. Stopped at a grocery store for deli meats and cheese for lunch. Continued east and then south to Taormina, a cute little hillside town. Drove through the windy spaghetti streets to our hotel, Villa Carlotta. It's perched on the side of the mountain with amazing views from both of our rooms. Relaxed in our rooms for a while before dinner. Met in the "library" on the top floor, then headed to the hotel restaurant for a tasty dinner overlooking the sea. After dessert, it was time for bed.

Up for 7:45 breakfast. At 9, we headed to Fiumefreddo and Helisicily Etna Helicopter Tours. Had a guided flight over the volcano where we saw it smoldering at the top. Lots of cones and craters all over the hillside.

Drove back to Taormina, changed into shorts at the hotel, then dropped off the car at Avis in town. Walked down the street to the gondola, which took us down to the water. Walked out to the beach and had lunch at Lido de Pigna while we admired the sun and water in front of us.

Took the gondola back up the hill, then walked over to the hotel with a quick stop at a viewpoint. The views are stunning! Rested a bit, then we all walked over into town. Super cute, found a table along one of the narrow streets for a glass of wine and people-watching.

Walked down the street to Gourmet 32 for a really nice dinner. Then it was back to the hotel. Rick headed to bed, and Randy and Pam went up to the library, where we chit chatted until 1:45 a.m.!

Had breakfast in the hotel. Pam had been up even later talking to Phillip, so she decided to get some more sleep. Randy & Rick walked up the hill to the Teatro Antico, where we had stunning views of the amphitheater and Mt Etna. Went back to the hotel for bathing suits and walked down the long staircase to the water.

Pam walked up to the theater and then started down to the water. After swimming for a bit in the clear Mediterranean water, we walked up a short staircase to Bell'Assai for a seafood lunch. Pam joined at the end. Walked over to the gondola station for a ride back up the hill. Rested in the room for a few hours.

Walked back into town after sunset, had a glass of wine, then walked to Ristorante Pizzeria Porta Messina for a pizza dinner. Walked to the west along Corso Umberto, where we saw a whole other part of town. Walked along the wall back to our hotel, then it was time for bed.