Driving across Sicily
Trip Start
Sep 03, 2010
1
5
Trip End
Sep 14, 2010
Where I stayed
Excelsior Hilton Hotel
Palermo, Sicily, Italy
Friday, September 3, 2010
The flight to Catania by BA was an early one but was on time and helped by a glass of champagne or two to celebrate the trip. It was rainy and cloudy on arrival but still very warm. We collected the hire car after having to ask at info where the hire car desks were as it wasn’t that obvious. However we were glad that we had used a little known company (Sixt) as there was no queue and we quickly got our little Mercedes. Don’t even think of getting a big car here. The way of driving in Sicily is to head for a space. It does not matter whether you are turning left or right, just head for a space if there is one. Undertaking and overtaking are allowed and at roundabouts it is a free for all and the one who goes gets through. Saying that most of the cars here have dents and scratches so if you don’t want to lose the deposit on the hire car, then some care allied to courageousness is required. When someone beeps, it is not through annoyance it is just to let you know they are there and coming through. There are a plethora of scooters who of course do not follow any rules at all so watch out for them coming on both sides but still head for your space. Pedestrians meanwhile cross with eyes fixed firmly ahead so everyone has to avoid them. We did see a motorcycle accident and there are a lot of ambulances about and they get through the traffic with the same determination as everyone else but with some deference from other drivers .
After this initial introduction to the driving situation we were happy to arrive at our hotel in Palermo. The drive across from Catania via the A29 reveals a mountainous barren landscape with little cultivation. The arrival into Palermo is disappointing as the outskirts like any major city are full of the blocks of uninspiring apartments. However once deep into the city the architecture changes to older grander buildings, which have once been palatial but some of which need a bit of care and attention- reminded me of Lisbon and Buenos Aires , but much nicer than the outskirts. We had brought our satnav with us which was a good idea as many of the streets are one way and there was a need to weave one’s way through the traffic without trying to consult a map at the same time..
Our hotel was the Excelsior Hilton, which is very central so everywhere walkable. It is a business hotel so no pool but there is a fitness centre which the kids went to but we didn’t. A cold beer was the order of the day followed by late light lunch in the hotel. After a rest and unpacking we set off walking. The rain had stopped and the streets were still wet but it was hot so they soon dried up. The hotel recommended a restaurant called Tinto on Via XX Settembre. It is a lively busy place with good atmosphere. We made the mistake of ordering a starter and main course. Our starter of melon and prosciutto was huge and could have been shared but was gorgeous. Main courses of pasta were equally good but we were too full to appreciate but ate them never the less and staggered home!
A good first day
