Caltagirone to Ragusa, to Noto and then the Island of Ortigia

This morning Anne's friend Camille is arriving from the Netherlands to join us. We were picking her up from Catanaia airport at 10am, so we got up early to explore Caltagirone during daylight.. We walked out of our apartment and onto the stairs - looking down as the sun was rising onto the city..

First of all we walked up to the top to look around...

The view from the very top...

Caltagirone is known as the city of ceramics. Even the signs of he important buildings were beautifully done in ceramic and the colours of Italy.

This building is our airbnb apartment we were staying at. from the front door, we were on the next level - you can see our balcony window which is open...

Little alleyways...

 Beautiful views...

Children on the way to school...

 The main square...

 Once again at the bottom of the steps with me about to cimb to the top. Anne is already halfway up, I'm making photography excuses! I counted - 96 steps to our apartment. My poor hips and butt!

But this breakfast awaited us at the apartment!

Our view while eating breakfast!

After picking up Camille we drove to Ragusa. We thought we had arrived a the old town, but we found out after lunch that we were in the new old town, and that the old town was further down the hill! But we explored the new old town first... The cathedral...

A couple of interesting sculptures...

 The white cat of Ragusa...

Driving to the 'old' old town...

Interesting Balustrades...

The 'old' Old Town Cathedral..

Then I had to walk up hill, up and down more stairs for the rest of the afternoon. It was definitely a butt and hip day. My knees will never be the same...

Sometimes very narrow staircases through very small tunnels...

And finally at the top the huge cathedral...It was hot too - about 29C and I wasy dying of heat!

And back down again through narrow staircases...

Camille bought a sicilian cuisine book - this is one of the recipes. Lost in Translation!

Then on to Noto - another ancient town, this time much different. The buildings were bigger and more wealthy. More palaces...

We stopped for wine and cheese (and meats) and soaked up the atmosphere!

And drank red wine from Corleone!

We then drove to the island of Ortigia in Syracuse, where we were staying the night! Anne and Camille went out to explore, but I was exhausted and stayed in, did some washing, and was fast asleep by the time they came back! A full day!