Calabria

This morning we said goodbye to Sicily. It’s been a very pleasant week, one that has gone by too fast.

Last night outside our place, at sunset in Catania

It was a nice drive up to Messina, the island’s second biggest city, where we boarded the ferry that took us to Villa San Giovanni, southernmost city on the mainland, in the region of Calabria.

Neptune fountain in Messina

A fort in Messina. Across the strait is Calabria.

Our van in line for the ferry

Partial view of Messina, from the ferry

Today was really intended as a drive day, getting from point A (Catania), to point B (the city of Matera, in the region of Basilicata). Most of the drive is through the visually stimulating Calabria. We really had no time to explore here, but we did make a long lunch stop at the town of Palmi, where we enjoyed the tranquility, as well as the wonderful meal at a place called L’ancora d’oro.

The mountains rise straight up from the sea

The town of Palmi

Calabria is bordered by the Ionian on the east, and the Tyrrhenian Sea on the west. In the center are the Apennine mountains, each offering beautiful vistas.

Old mountain village

Land of contrasts.

Well into evening, we made it to Matera. We had a wonderful pizza and took a pleasant stroll through the lively center of town. Just enough to whet our appetite for what awaits us tomorrow morning.

Entrance to the old city

Sasso Barisano in Matera

In tomorrow’s post I’ll tell you much more about Matera, and what brought us here. For now though, this is all folks!!