No wonder you are being eaten G. That lovely shady pitch with all that dense foliage is mossie paradise. All it lacked was a food source and then you turned up.
Sicily trip - April/May 2023
Day 1
We started our trip to Sicily today. I'll do another trip log if there is any interest? Please let me know...
I'll provide the same caveats as on our winter Spanish trip: we tend to travel straight to our destination rather than stop and sight see en route. As such there will be a fair amount of 'mile munching' as its 1,900 miles from where we live according to Google.
We overnighted in Cirencester at the C&MC site. This is a handy stop for us as it takes us around 4 hours to get here with stops for coffee and lunch. We filled up with diesel when we got here as well as the large Tesco is handy for that. Also our son works in Ciren, so he popped in to say hello too.
www.caravanclub.co.uk
![Ecoregion World Map Line Screenshot]()
We started our trip to Sicily today. I'll do another trip log if there is any interest? Please let me know...
I'll provide the same caveats as on our winter Spanish trip: we tend to travel straight to our destination rather than stop and sight see en route. As such there will be a fair amount of 'mile munching' as its 1,900 miles from where we live according to Google.
We overnighted in Cirencester at the C&MC site. This is a handy stop for us as it takes us around 4 hours to get here with stops for coffee and lunch. We filled up with diesel when we got here as well as the large Tesco is handy for that. Also our son works in Ciren, so he popped in to say hello too.
Cirencester Park Club Campsite
Cirencester Park is a Club Campsite in Cirencester that welcomes both caravans and motorhomes. Enjoy a site open to both members and non-members.
81 - 100 of 119 Posts
Erice
Today we drove to the town of Trapani, which is about an hour from us. It is a destination to visit in itself with an old town area; cathedral and sea front, however we drove straight to the cable car station to take us up the mountain to the hill top village of Erice. Parking at the Trapani end would be no good for MH's but was only €3 for cars. There is some free road side parking too if available. At the Erice end of the cable car, there was also parking and there were a few MH's in there. I think I also saw on a village map that there is a MH specific parking area in the village too but that would need some research to double check.
Erice is a lovely hill top village with cobbled streets and loads of small, independent shops selling local produce. Our visit was unfortunately spoiled by the weather. Being so high up, the village disappeared under low cloud whilst we were ascending in the cable car and at the top it was foggy and rainy too. We still had a wander around but left feeling that we had perhaps not seen the best of it.
Views from the cable car down on Trapani...
![Cloud Sky Plant Building Tree]()
![Cloud Sky Plant Land lot Tree]()
![Cloud Sky Plant Highland Slope]()
At the village itself...
![Sky Temple Building Atmospheric phenomenon Fog]()
![Building Fog Infrastructure Road surface Atmospheric phenomenon]()
There were some lovely, understated churches to visit...
![Furniture Interior design Building Bench Symmetry]()
![Building Bench Religious item Cross Symmetry]()
Today we drove to the town of Trapani, which is about an hour from us. It is a destination to visit in itself with an old town area; cathedral and sea front, however we drove straight to the cable car station to take us up the mountain to the hill top village of Erice. Parking at the Trapani end would be no good for MH's but was only €3 for cars. There is some free road side parking too if available. At the Erice end of the cable car, there was also parking and there were a few MH's in there. I think I also saw on a village map that there is a MH specific parking area in the village too but that would need some research to double check.
Erice is a lovely hill top village with cobbled streets and loads of small, independent shops selling local produce. Our visit was unfortunately spoiled by the weather. Being so high up, the village disappeared under low cloud whilst we were ascending in the cable car and at the top it was foggy and rainy too. We still had a wander around but left feeling that we had perhaps not seen the best of it.
Views from the cable car down on Trapani...
At the village itself...
There were some lovely, understated churches to visit...
Monreale
Monreale is a town on a hill which overlooks Palermo. It's main attraction is the cathedral, which was indeed, magnificent. You have to brave the Palermo traffic to get there. I researched the nearest car park to the cathedral which was a very reasonable €1 per hour on a meter...so make sure to take coins with you. It was not suitable for MHs though, only cars. From there it was mainly steps up to the cathedral piazza.
Entry to the cathedral, museum and roof is chargeable however they kindly let us in free as a concession after recognising that Mrs G is disabled. We didn't get up to the roof. The cloisters are superb; the museum is full of religious artifacts if that is your kind of thing; and the cathedral itself was worth the drive. There was a wedding going on whilst we were there so we couldn't really see too much of insides unfortunately: we couldn't get near the altar or choir.
![Sky Building Cloud Travel Door]()
The lovely cloisters
![Plant Sky Building Cloud Tree]()
![Sky Plant Cloud Building House]()
![Plant Sky Tree Landscape Landmark]()
The inside of the cathedral including the wedding...
![Clothing Temple Window Building City]()
![Flower Plant Temple Decoration Flower Arranging]()
The view over Palermo from the back of the cathedral...
![Sky Cloud Property Building Window]()
Monreale is a town on a hill which overlooks Palermo. It's main attraction is the cathedral, which was indeed, magnificent. You have to brave the Palermo traffic to get there. I researched the nearest car park to the cathedral which was a very reasonable €1 per hour on a meter...so make sure to take coins with you. It was not suitable for MHs though, only cars. From there it was mainly steps up to the cathedral piazza.
Entry to the cathedral, museum and roof is chargeable however they kindly let us in free as a concession after recognising that Mrs G is disabled. We didn't get up to the roof. The cloisters are superb; the museum is full of religious artifacts if that is your kind of thing; and the cathedral itself was worth the drive. There was a wedding going on whilst we were there so we couldn't really see too much of insides unfortunately: we couldn't get near the altar or choir.
The lovely cloisters
The inside of the cathedral including the wedding...
The view over Palermo from the back of the cathedral...
Cefalu
We drove here today, which is about 1h 10mins drive from our site. Plenty of car parking along the sea front and I think the car parks down there would also be able to accommodate a MH too.
Cefalu is a pretty little town and a holiday destination in its own right, having a very long sandy beach (normal brown sand too not the black lava sand we have seen to date). The town is a maze of small streets with very limited traffic on them (as close to pedestrianised as possible really, but without a total ban on cars. It is a very pretty place and reminiscent of Taormina but I thought it a little nicer than Taormina.
It boasts a number of places to visit, most notable of which are the ancient wash rooms and the cathedral.
View of the old town from the seafront...
![Water Sky Cloud Fence Plant]()
Narrow streets...
![Jeans Building Infrastructure Plant Road surface]()
![Cloud Building Sky Flowerpot Window]()
The ancient washrooms...
![Road surface Building Road City Alley]()
![Temple Building Stairs Plant Hat]()
The cathedral. There was some kind of youth rally on whilst we were there. Also it looks as though they were renovating the altar and choir area...
![Sky Cloud Building Temple Travel]()
![Building Interior design Window Landmark Temple]()
![Window Lighting Interior design Architecture Building]()
We drove here today, which is about 1h 10mins drive from our site. Plenty of car parking along the sea front and I think the car parks down there would also be able to accommodate a MH too.
Cefalu is a pretty little town and a holiday destination in its own right, having a very long sandy beach (normal brown sand too not the black lava sand we have seen to date). The town is a maze of small streets with very limited traffic on them (as close to pedestrianised as possible really, but without a total ban on cars. It is a very pretty place and reminiscent of Taormina but I thought it a little nicer than Taormina.
It boasts a number of places to visit, most notable of which are the ancient wash rooms and the cathedral.
View of the old town from the seafront...
Narrow streets...
The ancient washrooms...
The cathedral. There was some kind of youth rally on whilst we were there. Also it looks as though they were renovating the altar and choir area...
Wet innit.
www.telegraph.co.uk
Ray.
Imola grand prix cancelled due to deadly floods
Formula One is continuing to look at holding the race later in the year, but it is thought extremely unlikely due to the packed schedule
Ray.
Palermo
Firstly to anyone reading this, I'd say that Palermo is a big place and we only went in for part of a day (all Mrs G can manage) but you could easily spend 3 or 4 days in there exploring. Secondly I'd say that I am so glad I didn't drive in!!!
We took the train from our local town which was a cheap, easy experience. The return tickets were €6.20 each and the trains hourly. They were on time; clean; and with plenty of seating. We got off 30 mins and 8 stops later at the Orleans station, which is right next to the Norman Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni) which as Dick mentioned above, is a 'must see'. If doing a full day in the city, then when making some plans, it is easily feasible to get off at the Orleans station and then get the train back at the Central Station. The walk between the 2 would take in a great amount of the ancient sites, palaces etc.
The first stop was the Norman Place together with it's Palatine Chapel and gardens. It was €15.50 to get in but free for disabled. I think the Palace itself was free and the charges were for the Chapel and living quarters. There is a café in the gardens as we couldn't find one near the Palace to get a coffee. The Palace, Chapel and gardens are stunning and well worth a visit we think. There is a separate Box Office ticket booking system to the Palace outside, where you have to get your tickets before entering.
After visiting there we walked down to the Cathedral though some public gardens which were well kept and very pleasant to walk through. The cathedral is free to visit but costs extra if you want to go up on the roof or see certain parts. We didnt do this but the numerous options to do the extras were anything up to €12 each from memory. The cathedral, like all the churches we have visited on this trip is very nice and also understated we thought (compared to ones in Spain, for example).
The Norman Palace...
![Cloud Sky Plant Building Landmark]()
![Sky Cloud Plant Building Tree]()
![Sky Facade Arcade Arch Cloud]()
The Palatine Chapel...
![Temple Painting Art Facade Ceiling]()
![Light Building Temple Art Symmetry]()
The cathedral...
![Sky Plant Building Cloud House]()
![Interior design Building Symmetry City Vault]()
![Building Symmetry City Ceiling Facade]()
Firstly to anyone reading this, I'd say that Palermo is a big place and we only went in for part of a day (all Mrs G can manage) but you could easily spend 3 or 4 days in there exploring. Secondly I'd say that I am so glad I didn't drive in!!!
We took the train from our local town which was a cheap, easy experience. The return tickets were €6.20 each and the trains hourly. They were on time; clean; and with plenty of seating. We got off 30 mins and 8 stops later at the Orleans station, which is right next to the Norman Palace (Palazzo dei Normanni) which as Dick mentioned above, is a 'must see'. If doing a full day in the city, then when making some plans, it is easily feasible to get off at the Orleans station and then get the train back at the Central Station. The walk between the 2 would take in a great amount of the ancient sites, palaces etc.
The first stop was the Norman Place together with it's Palatine Chapel and gardens. It was €15.50 to get in but free for disabled. I think the Palace itself was free and the charges were for the Chapel and living quarters. There is a café in the gardens as we couldn't find one near the Palace to get a coffee. The Palace, Chapel and gardens are stunning and well worth a visit we think. There is a separate Box Office ticket booking system to the Palace outside, where you have to get your tickets before entering.
After visiting there we walked down to the Cathedral though some public gardens which were well kept and very pleasant to walk through. The cathedral is free to visit but costs extra if you want to go up on the roof or see certain parts. We didnt do this but the numerous options to do the extras were anything up to €12 each from memory. The cathedral, like all the churches we have visited on this trip is very nice and also understated we thought (compared to ones in Spain, for example).
The Norman Palace...
The Palatine Chapel...
The cathedral...
Day 31
We moved some 2 hours down the coast today, to be nearer the port for when we cross on the ferry on Sunday. As such we have 2 nights here...
agricampeggioalessandra.com
On first showing it's a nice place. The pitches are 100m2 and all delineated by hedges; 16A EHU; water and drainage on each pitch plus a solar shower as well, which would be useful in the summer after a day on the beach. The wifi is free and it's a very short walk to the beach. The ACSI price is €19 pn. We made a reservation but I guess you could just turn up. The front gate and reception is closed between 1.00pm - 4.00pm but there is parking room outside until it re-opens.
The facilities all look new and clean however the only downside thus far is that I could only find one hot water tap which was in the men's shower room. There wasn't even hot water in the pot wash area which seems strange to me!
Update 21/05/23: The very friendly reception ordered some pizzas for us to be delivered to site for our tea, which was a first for us.
![Map Ecoregion World Water Line]()
We moved some 2 hours down the coast today, to be nearer the port for when we cross on the ferry on Sunday. As such we have 2 nights here...
Home page
Scopri un nuovo modo di fare camping. Vieni all'agricampeggio Alessandra in Provincia di Messina. Capo d'orlando. Bungalow, tende, camper.
agricampeggioalessandra.com
On first showing it's a nice place. The pitches are 100m2 and all delineated by hedges; 16A EHU; water and drainage on each pitch plus a solar shower as well, which would be useful in the summer after a day on the beach. The wifi is free and it's a very short walk to the beach. The ACSI price is €19 pn. We made a reservation but I guess you could just turn up. The front gate and reception is closed between 1.00pm - 4.00pm but there is parking room outside until it re-opens.
The facilities all look new and clean however the only downside thus far is that I could only find one hot water tap which was in the men's shower room. There wasn't even hot water in the pot wash area which seems strange to me!
Update 21/05/23: The very friendly reception ordered some pizzas for us to be delivered to site for our tea, which was a first for us.
Day 33
We have overnighted here...
...which is just a stopover for us. It is €21 for the night for a large pitch including EHU (6A or 10A). Showers are €0.50 extra. Wifi is free. There is a tight entrance to get in. Reception were very friendly with some English spoken. There is a bread van which comes around at 8.45am apparently.
Rather annoyingly they have decided to sort the bins out at 6.00am, which are quite close to our pitch. 6AM???!!!
Next door there is another campsite called Camping Marina Dell Isola, which is an ACSI site, which would also be an option and to which we were headed but after an hour driving around due to road closures in the town, we just wanted to drop anchor.
![Map Azure World Line Water]()
![World Water Map Ecoregion Azure]()
It's a shame that we got here later than planned and tired as Tropea was voted Italy's Most Beautiful Village in 2021 apparently but we didn't get a chance to explore. Maybe next time
View from our pitch of the interesting cliffs upon which most of the village is...
![Cloud Sky Building Plant Tree]()
We have overnighted here...
Da Ciccio Parking - Area Attrezzata Camper Tropea
Da Ciccio Parking Area di Sosta Attrezzata per camper, situata alla Marina dell'Isola di Tropea con accesso diretto alla spiaggia ed al mare e dotata di 40 posti camper e di tutti i servizi necessari.
www.daciccioparking.com
...which is just a stopover for us. It is €21 for the night for a large pitch including EHU (6A or 10A). Showers are €0.50 extra. Wifi is free. There is a tight entrance to get in. Reception were very friendly with some English spoken. There is a bread van which comes around at 8.45am apparently.
Rather annoyingly they have decided to sort the bins out at 6.00am, which are quite close to our pitch. 6AM???!!!
Next door there is another campsite called Camping Marina Dell Isola, which is an ACSI site, which would also be an option and to which we were headed but after an hour driving around due to road closures in the town, we just wanted to drop anchor.
It's a shame that we got here later than planned and tired as Tropea was voted Italy's Most Beautiful Village in 2021 apparently but we didn't get a chance to explore. Maybe next time
View from our pitch of the interesting cliffs upon which most of the village is...
The ferry from Messina in Sicily back across to the mainland.
We felt that the signage and organisation was easier coming into Messina than it was on the mainland. The ferry and 'Embarque' are signposted from the motorway. We had prebooked our return tickets so didnt have to queue to buy one so we just drove straight into the next ferry. We paid €88 for the return, which was an open return. I downloaded the App for the ferry com[any (Caronte & Toirist) and was able to do a self check in on that which yielded a QR code which is then scanned to get on the ferry.
On this crossing I wandered away from the MH to se what was on board. There was a cafe and bar as well as numerous seating areas and toilets. The cafe sold food to takeaway like sandwiches etc, so useful if for us as we were travelling and hadn't picked up any bread for lunch.
Disembarking was straightforward and we fed into the road network easily.
![Car Land vehicle Vehicle Cloud Sky]()
Our last view of Sicily...
![Cloud Water Sky Boat Naval architecture]()
![Water Sky Cloud Boat Watercraft]()
We felt that the signage and organisation was easier coming into Messina than it was on the mainland. The ferry and 'Embarque' are signposted from the motorway. We had prebooked our return tickets so didnt have to queue to buy one so we just drove straight into the next ferry. We paid €88 for the return, which was an open return. I downloaded the App for the ferry com[any (Caronte & Toirist) and was able to do a self check in on that which yielded a QR code which is then scanned to get on the ferry.
On this crossing I wandered away from the MH to se what was on board. There was a cafe and bar as well as numerous seating areas and toilets. The cafe sold food to takeaway like sandwiches etc, so useful if for us as we were travelling and hadn't picked up any bread for lunch.
Disembarking was straightforward and we fed into the road network easily.
Our last view of Sicily...
Day 34
A long drive brought us to the town of Caserta and a sosta. The sosta is basically a car park that charges by length. We paid €25 for the night (which should have been €30) but sub-7m MHs would only pay €20. For this you get 6A EHU and water on the pitch and a very basic toilet and shower (an extra €1 for that). The site is handy if you are visiting the town or as a stopover but I wouldn't recommend it otherwise.
Sosta Camper Caserta
![World Map Water Line Screenshot]()
![World Ecoregion Map Water Line]()
A long drive brought us to the town of Caserta and a sosta. The sosta is basically a car park that charges by length. We paid €25 for the night (which should have been €30) but sub-7m MHs would only pay €20. For this you get 6A EHU and water on the pitch and a very basic toilet and shower (an extra €1 for that). The site is handy if you are visiting the town or as a stopover but I wouldn't recommend it otherwise.
Sosta Camper Caserta
Day 35
Another long drive has brought us to Siena where we will now stay for 2 nights. We drove 360km on the autostrada and paid only €27 in tolls which we thought reasonable. We decided to endure 2 long drives so that we could have a 2 night stopover as we have both been here before but not with each other and want to make some new memories.
The campsite is of a very high standard with an immaculate toilet block (with toilet paper which is rare in Italy!) and the pitches would suit most sizes of units. The EHU is unmetered and 16A plus there is strong, free wifi. Reception spoke English and were very pleasant. There is a restaurant which opens at lunchtime and from 7pm in the evenings. The bus stop for buses into Siena itself is some 150m away and the buses are regular, at least 2 an hour and tickets can be bought at reception, a reasonable €3 pp return.
All in all a total change from our previous night in Caserta however......it comes at a price as it's an eye watering €40 a night including city tax!
They normally do not accept bookings for less than 5 nights but there appeared to be plenty of space for short stay options. A neat thing they do is put future reserve dates actually on the pitches, so you can tell if you can use the pitch up until it is needed...for example if it was booked in 3 days time, you could use it for the days leading up to that, which is handy if you are only staying a couple of nights.
![Map Ecoregion World Line Terrestrial plant]()
![Map Ecoregion World Rectangle Line]()
Another long drive has brought us to Siena where we will now stay for 2 nights. We drove 360km on the autostrada and paid only €27 in tolls which we thought reasonable. We decided to endure 2 long drives so that we could have a 2 night stopover as we have both been here before but not with each other and want to make some new memories.
The campsite is of a very high standard with an immaculate toilet block (with toilet paper which is rare in Italy!) and the pitches would suit most sizes of units. The EHU is unmetered and 16A plus there is strong, free wifi. Reception spoke English and were very pleasant. There is a restaurant which opens at lunchtime and from 7pm in the evenings. The bus stop for buses into Siena itself is some 150m away and the buses are regular, at least 2 an hour and tickets can be bought at reception, a reasonable €3 pp return.
All in all a total change from our previous night in Caserta however......it comes at a price as it's an eye watering €40 a night including city tax!
They normally do not accept bookings for less than 5 nights but there appeared to be plenty of space for short stay options. A neat thing they do is put future reserve dates actually on the pitches, so you can tell if you can use the pitch up until it is needed...for example if it was booked in 3 days time, you could use it for the days leading up to that, which is handy if you are only staying a couple of nights.
Siena
What a wonderful place! We had a lovely few hours wandering around this pretty city. In fact we saw no rubbish, graffiti or decay of any kind during our time there.
The bus from the campsite (bus stop 150m away) deposited us near the cathedral and Piazza del Campo that were the 2 things we wanted to see. There are masses of other places to visit but with Mrs G's limited energy levels, we had to cut our cloth to suit especially as it is a hilly city.
We walked to the cathedral however there were long queues: one for tickets and another for entry so we decided against going inside. Instead we sat outside in the piazza and enjoyed our last cappuccinos in Italy (probably) for this trip, whilst having a wonderful view of the magnificent cathedral.
From there we walked to the Piazza del Campo where the famous horse racing takes place. We did a circuit of the piazza and found somewhere to have an early lunch as it was a hot day. We had a table on the edge of a restaurant with a view into the pizza but in the shade and enjoyed a long, languid lunch enjoying the view and doing some people watching.
En route to the cathedral...
![Sky Plant Temple Vegetation Tree]()
![Sky Cloud Property Building Wall]()
![Shirt Window Building Brick Neighbourhood]()
Some of the inner streets and passageways were so hilly. You might not be able to make it out but the legs on the tables are about a foot longer on one side due to the angle of the hill. The small stool to the left gives an idea of the angles involved..
![Furniture Table Building City Chair]()
The cathedral As viewed from our coffee stopping place)...
![Sky Building Temple City Facade]()
![Sky Building Skyscraper Tower Travel]()
The Piazza del Campo...
![Sky Building Travel Urban design City]()
![Sky Building Tower Travel Clock]()
![Sky Building Cloud Architecture Travel]()
What a wonderful place! We had a lovely few hours wandering around this pretty city. In fact we saw no rubbish, graffiti or decay of any kind during our time there.
The bus from the campsite (bus stop 150m away) deposited us near the cathedral and Piazza del Campo that were the 2 things we wanted to see. There are masses of other places to visit but with Mrs G's limited energy levels, we had to cut our cloth to suit especially as it is a hilly city.
We walked to the cathedral however there were long queues: one for tickets and another for entry so we decided against going inside. Instead we sat outside in the piazza and enjoyed our last cappuccinos in Italy (probably) for this trip, whilst having a wonderful view of the magnificent cathedral.
From there we walked to the Piazza del Campo where the famous horse racing takes place. We did a circuit of the piazza and found somewhere to have an early lunch as it was a hot day. We had a table on the edge of a restaurant with a view into the pizza but in the shade and enjoyed a long, languid lunch enjoying the view and doing some people watching.
En route to the cathedral...
Some of the inner streets and passageways were so hilly. You might not be able to make it out but the legs on the tables are about a foot longer on one side due to the angle of the hill. The small stool to the left gives an idea of the angles involved..
The cathedral As viewed from our coffee stopping place)...
The Piazza del Campo...
81 - 100 of 119 Posts
