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Images from Sicily

Posted by Mark Sullivan on September 22, 2013
Posted in: Italy. 2 comments
The Chiesa Capitolare di San Cataldo, built in 12th century Arab Norman style, Palermo

The Chiesa Capitolare di San Cataldo, built in 12th century Arab Norman style, Palermo

Captured Moors on Porta Nuova, the gate built to celebrate the defeat of the Turks by Charles V

Captured Moors on Porta Nuova, the gate built to celebrate the defeat of the Turks by Charles V

Scala dei Turchi, Realmonte

Scala dei Turchi, Realmonte

Fountain, Palermo

Fountain, Palermo

Market, Palermo

Market, Palermo

Spectacular mosaics in the 12th century palace of the Normans, built by Norman ruler Roger II using the best Arab, Byzantine, and Latin craftsmen of the age.

Spectacular mosaics in the 12th century palace of the Normans, built by Norman ruler Roger II using the best Arab, Byzantine, and Latin craftsmen of the age.

Jim discovers olives, Agrigento

Jim discovers olives, Agrigento

Boy bands, Palermo

Boy bands, Palermo

It's important to dress to match your produce, Palermo

It’s important to dress to match your produce, Palermo

Images from Capri

Posted by Mark Sullivan on September 16, 2013
Posted in: Italy. Leave a Comment
Capri's incredible faraglioni, or "sea stacks"

Capri’s incredible faraglioni, or “sea stacks”

Monitoring part of the road leading up to the ruins of emperor Tiberius' villa

Monitoring part of the road leading up to the ruins of emperor Tiberius’ villa

The cliff near emperor Tiberius' villa from which inconvenient people, including recent lovers, were said to be thrown

The cliff from which Tiberius is said to have had inconvenient people, including recent lovers, thrown

Yes, that would be Sophia Loren's house

Yup, that would be Sophia Loren’s house

Afternoon wine and people watching works OK for Jim

Afternoon wine and people watching look good on Jim

Newsstand

Newsstand

Mark pays a visit to the newsstand

Mark pays a visit to the newsstand

Capri

Posted by Mark Sullivan on September 15, 2013
Posted in: Italy. Leave a Comment

Of the three islands in the Bay of Naples, we saved Capri for last, and now I know why. It is unimaginably beautiful!

This has been a stomping ground for the rich for a very long time. Tiberius, the second Roman emperor, spent a significant part of his life in a massive villa here. Two millennia later, the rich show off their sleek yachts here, shop for their Prada and Dolce & Gabbana, and throw money around in obscenely priced hotels and restaurants. It’s a fun scene to watch — in an incredibly beautiful place.

Checking out yet another stunning vista

Checking out yet another stunning vista

That is a smile driven by beautiful and delicious food -- not the big inflated prices here

That is a smile driven by beautiful and delicious food — not the big inflated prices here

Jim loves his reading spots and was quite pleased with this one

Jim loves his reading spots and was quite pleased with this one

The beach where we spent the day yesterday - and where we might be going right back today!

The beach where we spent the day yesterday – and where we might be going right back today!