CALAMOSCHE - NOTO

My cousin Pina, Matteo and Saro took us to a favourite beach spot, called Calamosche, south of Acireale . But firstly we dropped into a cafe 'Connavo' in Acireale for a Granita de Mandola macchiato con caffe. we bought some panini filled with prosciutto and provalone cheese for our lunch, which we would enjoy on the beach.

I'm starting to sound like an Italian. Actually being amongst the locals helps me brush up on the language.

Calamosche is situated to the south of Trinacria, on the tip after Siracusa, Calamosche is a beach that like the one that follows, has been included in the list of the '10 most beautiful beaches in Italy' by the experts of the Italian Environmental group, Legambiente. Scientists have monitored the coast of Italy to make the census of the best beaches which include cleanliness of the sea, the intact state of the natural landscape and the matters of rubbish, pollution, ecology and quality of water. Beaches chosen are protected and harder to reach due to their wild aspect, than their conveniences to tourists . The local dialect name for Calamosche is "Funni Musca".

On arrival we had to walk on foot for a kilometre before reaching the beach, where we found this enchanting stretch of white sand, at least 200 meters long and wide. The beach stretches between two rock promontories characterised by numerous caves. On one side and all round are sand dunes, Mediterranean vegetation and salty marshes frequented by migratory birds. The water is transparent with tones ranging from green to emerald to intense blue. It's a breathtaking sight for all nature lovers.

We spent most of the day bronzing ourselves in the Mediterranean sun and swimming in the clear waters. 

Later that afternoon Saro drove us to Noto, Noto is famous for its fine buildings of the early 18th century, considered among the main masterpieces in the Sicilian Baroque style. It is a place of many religious buildings, there are several palaces and many other edifices . 

Noto was known as the ancient city of Netum, a city of Sicel origen, left to Hiero ll by the Romans by the treaty of 263 BC. In 866 it was conquered by the Arabs. In 1091, it became the last Muslim stronghold in Sicily to fall to the Christians. Later it was a rich Norman City. In 1503 king Ferdinand lll gave it the title of "Ingenious City" and in the following centuries the city expanded its medieval limits: and new buildings, churches and convents were built. These, however were totally destroyed by the 1693 earthquake.

The current town was rebuilt and the new structures were characterised by a soft tufa stone, which under sunlight assumes a typical honey tonality. Parts of the Cathedral suddenly collapsed in 1996, a great loss to Sicilian baroque. The dome has been restored.

We visited Palazzo Nicola Ducezio, San Francesco and the Cathedral which is dedicated to the patron Saint Santo Nicola . After some walking and feeling the heat of the day, we sat in a bar for some refreshments. Granita and brioche was the popular choice and my choice of Peach was very refreshing. So far this was the most expensive granita we have had at €5.50. Most Granita's we have paid for is €2.50. In addition we had to pay a further 22% service charge on top of the bill. We paid double the price that we would pay in Acireale. They obviously new we were coming.

On returning back to Acireale, Zia Carmen (Mum's youngest sister), and her husband, Zio Roberto welcomed me at Zia Graziella's home. A few of my Aunts and most of my cousins are looking forward to meeting Peter when he arrives in Sicily and it seems that we will have a busy schedule once he arrives on the 20th of August. The diary is filling up and so Peter will be very busy and hopefully will enjoy his stay.

After Zia Carmen and Zio Roberto had left, Pina and Saro took me to visit an Aunt of his, Zia Marianina and her daughter Carmen who is a transexual. They both live in Torre Archirafi. Marianna and Carmen were very hospitable people and we enjoyed a lovely super over the course of the night. Lovely to know that my cousins are accepting of people's differences.

 Buona Notte,