KALLIKOROS TO BORGO PANTANO - DAY 7

Since the morning ride was to be a steep, long uphill and the afternoon downhill to our new hotel, we decided to skip the morning and take the van.

 

However this didn't bother most of the younger riders.

At the top of the hill we met the rest of the group to explore Noto Antica.

Noto Antica was an ancient city that was destroyed by the terrible earthquake of 1693.  It is enclosed between two great ravines which made the city easy to defend.  Its streets were once crowded with people and are now surrounded by vegetation.

The Castello Reale was started in 1091 by Duke Giordano, boosted in 1430 by Duke Peter, modernized in 1545 under Charles V, and finally in 1675 provided with guns during the              France-Spanish War.

 

Doorways are all that remain of once sturdy homes.

            The new Hospital, along with the small church was built here in the mid 16th century.

Part of the old wall remained intact along the edge of a ravine, with the remains of a watch tower in the distance.

Peggy who rode up the hill with us got back on her bike for the trip to Agriturismo Agri Milo.

It is a teaching farm of 22 Hectares.

 At the farm we saw stone walls and flowers galore.  Owned by 3 brothers who also have a restaurant
 where they prepare local specialties from their home grown vegetables.



 When we were there several classes of school children were  taking turns riding in the donkey cart, while others were making kites (which probably wouldn't fly)!

This is only a part of the delicious lunch that we were served while we were there.  We were well fortified for our DOWNHILL ride to our next hotel.

Hotel Borgo Pantano was a very pleasant surprise when we arrived there.  The patio was filled with
                       interesting objects of various kinds and had comfortable places to sit.

But best of all it led to the pool, outside bar and a cabana!!

OGNINA TO PLEMMIRIO - DAY 8

Our last day of biking began more beautiful than the day before. Weather wise each day seemed to get better and better - we will hate to leave.

Our three guides give us the riding instructions outside again, under s huge umbrella.  Since it was a short morning ride and mostly downhill to the sea, we got an early start again.

We spotted a small harbor as we reached the coast and stopped to see the fishing boats there.  One fisherman was just coming in with his morning catch, and the van and the first of the others bikers caught up with us.

We biked along the rocky coast, until we reached  one of the most popular beaches south of Syracuse.

The van was stopped there with the usual array of snacks  and we continued our walk along the coast to see what we could see.

One of our new friends took this picture of us and in this one we weren't tired.

     

There were always wildflowers to appreciate and photograph this time of the year, and this stop was no exception.

As we rounded a corner with our guide I was mesmerized with this view of Syracuse across the water
with Mt. Etan in the background.  We had signed up for the post trip which began the next day.

We were headed towards our lunch spot on the
property of Guisi, the owner of the Hotel Borgo.
As is always the tradition in Italy our guides has prepared a special picnic lunch for us there

   They were deserving of a well earned rest.

It was a great trip with wonderful people -
who we now consider special friends!!!

THE POST TRIP, SYRACUSE - DAY 9

The next morning, before breakfast we walked around the grounds of our splendid hotel.

The pool, early in the morning was deserted, and serene,

This children's riding horse hanging from a tree in the play area and these whimsical chairs were special.

                        We gathered for the group photo before boarding the bus to Syracuse
.

Our hotel was a 4 star, and I think lived up to its rating.
The room was luxurious with a view of the sea from the
windows, a glass topped sink in the bathroom,  and
comfortable beds.  Couldn't ask for anything better

We left our hotel for a walk through the city, starting along the coast
outside our room, enjoying the view,

and ending at the Fountain dedicated to Diana the Huntress.

 

Along the way to Cathedral Square I spied these figures, the center one, the Trinacria, Medusa, appears on flag of Sicily, adopted in 1282.



,

The Cathedral rises on the highest point of the Island of Ortygia.  In ancient times it was the site of the Temple of Athena, a magnificent example of a Doric structure from the 5th century B.C. On the
Byzantine age, 7th century A.D., the Temple was transformed into a Christian basilica.

We found a nice spot by the water for lunch, and in our wanderings afterwards,

Were fascinated by this bike rental set up.  We never did figure out how to put money in.

We made a short visit to the Puppet Museum.

But there was no show that day.

Just wandering the narrow streets and alleyways was an
adventure in itself. There was always something new to
see and enjoy.

We finished our day at the ruins of the Temple of Apollo, which were freed during the thirties and
forties of the 20th century from the medieval structures that covered them. This is considered the
oldest of the peripteral  Doric temples in Sicily ( sixth century B.C.).