Day 12: Salerno to Aci Castello

Thursday 30th May

Our lovely B&B


The b and b gave us vouchers to use in a nearby coffee shop/ bakery. It was busy with Italians drinking their morning coffee and eating sweet rolls/ cream buns. It felt like an alien thing to have for breakfast. We met a lovely group of American students from  the University of Mississippi. They were there for a month to study Italian and visit places of interest. It was excellent to be with such bright, inquisitive young people. (Rather than this dull, old one? Ed)


With a train journey of 7 hours ahead we settled into our seats in first class and watched the coastline below Salerno come into view.




This reminded me of interrailing in the 1970s

At one point the conductor checked our online ticket and shook his head. ‘You’re on the wrong train’. We looked confused until he explained that there were two separate trains travelling together at present but one was going to Palermo and the other to Catania. We were on the wrong bit. So just before we crossed from mainland Italy to Sicily we had to get off our train and join the attached train which soon was unhitched and separated.


Changing from one train to the other


The two trains were driven onto the ferry side by side and we were able to get out for the forty minute crossing and enjoy the views. 


Disembarking from the train on the ferry







It was rather laborious disembarking the ferry and getting going again with much clanking and shunting. The temperature was also rising.



Views along the Sicilian coast


We knew a bus from Catania station was due to leave for Aci Castello within a few mins of the train arriving so we hot footed it to the bus stop. Two woman laughed when we told them we were expecting a bus. They said travelling was frustrating; there were no timetables, they got spurious information and even saw a sign saying ‘We do not give out information’ Miraculously the bus arrived, albeit twenty mins late. It was pretty full. Neil tried to pay for a ticket but the driver waved him away with a ‘tranquilo’. We travelled the forty-five minute journey free. Catania looked busy, grimy and hardly inviting. 


Aci Castello is a small town that lies on the coast about ten miles north and reminded me a little of Tenby.

After locating the house we met our host Valeria who showed us round her 1850’s apartment. We have never stayed anywhere like it!


As it was past seven thirty we found a nearby restaurant for pizza ,salad and local beer( with salt) ?




 

A walk round the small town afterwards revealed a pastry/ ice cream shop where Neil purchased some chocolate ice cream and a St Agatha’s nipple!  He said we must try one. 😂😂

Comments

  1. David's 2022 WalkJune 3, 2024 at 12:22 AM

    It seems like you've sampled an inspiring number of restaurants. Bon appetito!!

    ReplyDelete

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