2015-07-21 Porto di Levante, Vulcano Island (Aeolian Islands) to Nettuno Marina, Milazzo, Sicily

The Gran Cratere lays quiet as we depart Porto di Levante
The Gran Cratere lays quiet as we depart Porto di Levante

 

Once again we bid farewell to John our sailing friend from NZ
Once again we bid farewell to John our sailing friend from NZ
Ferries frequent between the islands and mainland Sicily
Ferries frequent between the islands and mainland Sicily
Don takes a shower on the stern of the boat as we travel back to mainland Sicily
Don takes a shower on the stern of the boat as we travel back to mainland Sicily
Through the haze the chimney stacks of the power station east of Milazzo can be seen as we near the coast
Through the haze the chimney stacks of the power station east of Milazzo can be seen as we near the coast
We approach the town of Milazzo on the north east coast of Sicily
We approach the town of Milazzo on the north east coast of Sicily
The Salita Castello which is clearly seen from the water was built in 1239
The Salita Castello which is clearly seen from the water was built in 1239
We arrive at Marina del Nettuno where we have booked a berth for the night
We arrive at Marina del Nettuno where we have booked a berth for the night
The old Duomo from the 17th Century by the castle is now believed to be used as a congress hall
The old Duomo from the 17th Century by the castle is now believed to be used as a congress hall
Just as well we booked a berth as there does not seem to be any spare spots along the pontoons
Just as well we booked a berth as there does not seem to be any spare spots along the pontoons
Tangaroa in Milazzo
Tangaroa out on the end of the pontoon at Marina del Nettuno
As no hire cars were available, we hired a driver and comfortable air conditioned vehicle to take us to Messina and Taormina for the day
As no hire cars were available, we hired a driver and comfortable air conditioned vehicle to take us to Messina and Taormina for the day
Arriving in Taormina we enter the Messina Gate to the old town
Arriving in Taormina we are dropped off at the Messina Gate to the old town
The Corso Umberto 1 is the main street of Taormina which is lined with shops, pasticcerie and cafes
The Corso Umberto 1 is the main street of Taormina which is lined with shops, pasticcerie and cafes
The Cathedral of San Nicolo was built in the 13th Century
The Cathedral of San Nicolo was built in the 13th Century
Many ornate doorways line Corso Umberto 1
The ornate side doorway to the Duomo
Antique shops are interesting to explore
Antique shops are interesting to explore here
The stunning San Guiseppe Church
The stunning San Guiseppe Church
The views over the water from the Piazza in front of the San Giuseppe Church are quite outstanding
The views over the water from the Piazza in front of the San Giuseppe Church are quite outstanding
If we would have come by boat we would have moored in the bay below and caught a bus or taxi to the old town
If we would have come by boat we would have moored in the bay below and caught a bus or taxi to the old town
The old checkerboard paving looks amazing in the piazza
The old checkerboard marble paving looks amazing in the piazza
Susie taking plenty of photos of the lovely scenery
Susie taking plenty of photos of the lovely scenery
Ric only just fits in the narrow alleyway
Ric only just fits in the narrow alleyway
The ancient theatre in Taormina was first built in the 3rd Century BC and rebuilt by the Romans in the 2nd Century AD
The ancient theatre in Taormina was first built in the 3rd Century BC and rebuilt by the Romans in the 2nd Century AD
The ancient theatre is nowadays regularly used for concerts etc
The ancient theatre is nowadays regularly used for concerts etc
Susie and I take a hillside route back to the main entrance
Susie and I take a hillside route back to the main entrance
Wonderful views from Taormina
Wonderful views from Taormina
A truely lovely position for a hotel
A truely lovely position for a hotel
Beautiful villas nestle into the hillside by Taormina
Beautiful villas nestle into the hillside by Taormina
Back to the main square where we meet up with the boys
Back to the main square where we meet up with the boys
On our way back to Milazzo we stop in Messina
On our way back to Milazzo we stop in Messina
The votive column at the entrance to the port of Messina
The votive column at the entrance to the port of Messina
Looking over the famous Straits of Messina
Looking over the famous Straits of Messina
The Orion Fountain in the foreground with the Duomo and the Torre dell'Orologico in the background
The Orion Fountain in the foreground with the Duomo and the Torre dell’Orologico in the background
The Torre dell'Orologico, a 200ft clock tower comes alive at 12 noon everyday with it's bronze statues of a lion roaring, a rooster crowing and heroines moving - see YouTube
The Torre dell’Orologico, a 200ft clock tower comes alive at 12 noon everyday with it’s bronze statues of a lion roaring, a rooster crowing and heroines moving – see YouTube
Our next stop in Messina is our driver's favourite arancino shop
Our next stop in Messina is our driver’s favourite arancino shop
We order several varieties of Papa Di Francesco's arancinos to try and they all were amazing especially the one with the chilli
We order several varieties of Papa Di Francesco’s arancinos to try and they all were delicious, especially the one that was picante
We head back to Milazzo
We then head back to Milazzo
Back to the marina to freshen up before exploring the town
We return to the marina to freshen up after our long day of travelling and sightseeing
Good light for photos this eveing
Good light for photos this evening
Sunset over the marina
Sunset over the marina
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The evening was very warm and humid so we went for a walk around the vicinity of the marina
16 (83)
The buildings and fountain were clearly of the Baroque style
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While enjoying a cocktail or two we were serenaded by an organist

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