We've had no reservations for accommodation or anything the last several days. After 12 days of traveling, admittedly we still have no working Italian phone. I know. Many of you would be cringing at the thought. We aren't quite in peak European travel season, but close enough. Grateful to have a car we aim for the outskirts of otherwise tourist towns. We find a way to either go 'up' or find back roads that we know buses cannot navigate. And we are consistently rewarded. The reason we travel this way is because it allows us to go by the "feel" of a place and follow the timing of the day.
Yes, we are also lucky for sure. We do start to look for a B&B early in the day, around 5 or 6 (any earlier and no one is around in the facility). And just as in Falcenara, we have managed to get the last room available of the first B&B we inquire at. This time we are in Scopello and we are overlooking the town of Scopello, a quiet end of the road location. It's a gem that I well expected to have to pay $75 plus euro for, and it is the standard $60 (the max of our stays so far).
Ok, back up to this morning. We left Erice on those so-Italian winding roads and slowly made our way towards San Vito di Capo and around to the entrance of the Riservo della Zingara. Driving along, I see a sign for a Sanctuario and almost give Deb whiplash, turning the car suddenly up the road towards it. After some minor grumbling about the whiplash, she soon sees the value of this little side tour. We find a lookout point that shows us the road to the waterfront, which then leads us to a delightful hiking path shared with shepherded cows wearing bells. The shepherd dog and the shepherd himself (on an old scooter) are watching us as we walk only the first 10 minutes of the trail. Without water, we were not prepared for any longer. We carry on, find a grocery store to load up on water, fruit, olives, tomatoes, cheese, bread and wine (are you all just rolling your eyes right now? gawd, stop it already!)
We wind our way to San Vito di Capo, a bustling beach town, and drive on towards the Reserva. It's mid way that we find the most magnificent stop. A few people down at the water and spectacular rock formations, molded out of the sea waves of such aqua blue, it's a colour sensation. This was the highlight for sure.
Then on to Scopello. We need to drive back and around to the other side of the cape to get there. Back into agricultural land, vineyards, olive groves and harvested wheat fields. The landscape becomes more Irish looking again, similar to the west coast of Lipari. Splendid rock formations at the edge of the sea with lush greenery.
Am I losing you all with these flighty descriptions? Like, are you actually believing this?
I guess, except for these few pictures, you'll just have to come see for yourself!
Yes, we are also lucky for sure. We do start to look for a B&B early in the day, around 5 or 6 (any earlier and no one is around in the facility). And just as in Falcenara, we have managed to get the last room available of the first B&B we inquire at. This time we are in Scopello and we are overlooking the town of Scopello, a quiet end of the road location. It's a gem that I well expected to have to pay $75 plus euro for, and it is the standard $60 (the max of our stays so far).
Ok, back up to this morning. We left Erice on those so-Italian winding roads and slowly made our way towards San Vito di Capo and around to the entrance of the Riservo della Zingara. Driving along, I see a sign for a Sanctuario and almost give Deb whiplash, turning the car suddenly up the road towards it. After some minor grumbling about the whiplash, she soon sees the value of this little side tour. We find a lookout point that shows us the road to the waterfront, which then leads us to a delightful hiking path shared with shepherded cows wearing bells. The shepherd dog and the shepherd himself (on an old scooter) are watching us as we walk only the first 10 minutes of the trail. Without water, we were not prepared for any longer. We carry on, find a grocery store to load up on water, fruit, olives, tomatoes, cheese, bread and wine (are you all just rolling your eyes right now? gawd, stop it already!)
We wind our way to San Vito di Capo, a bustling beach town, and drive on towards the Reserva. It's mid way that we find the most magnificent stop. A few people down at the water and spectacular rock formations, molded out of the sea waves of such aqua blue, it's a colour sensation. This was the highlight for sure.
Then on to Scopello. We need to drive back and around to the other side of the cape to get there. Back into agricultural land, vineyards, olive groves and harvested wheat fields. The landscape becomes more Irish looking again, similar to the west coast of Lipari. Splendid rock formations at the edge of the sea with lush greenery.
Am I losing you all with these flighty descriptions? Like, are you actually believing this?
I guess, except for these few pictures, you'll just have to come see for yourself!
the clouds rolled in....
Casale B&B where we are staying tonight
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