Charming Cefalu

Main beach at Cefalu.

In late April, after a busy week travelling together, we said goodbye to Bill, Gen and our hire car at Palermo Airport.   From there we took a train to Cefalu, a resort town on the northern coast of Sicily. For the first time on this trip we didn't have any accommodation booked.  We were 'winging it', just like we did as backpackers in the 1980s.

We had few requirements for this next stop in Sicily: an apartment within an easy walk of the town centre, a beach for strolling along, bars for enjoying an evening aperitivo and a good internet connection so I could complete some work online.

The local tourist office was most helpful. We were pleased to find that the old method for finding accommodation still works. After viewing several apartments we found one which met all our criteria.

The view from the balcony of our apartment

For the next week we settled into a predictable routine.  By day, I tapped away at the computer while Stefano explored in and around Cefalu.  He took the steep, hour-long walk to La Rocca, the craggy bluff overlooking the town, where on a clear day you can see the Aeolian islands beyond.

He also visited Cefalu's famous cathedral,

just as a confirmation ceremony was about to commence.

Stefano's most important goal each day was to find a bar for our evening aperitivo, my reward after a day of staring at a computer screen.

Late spring was the perfect time to visit this part of Sicily.  The temperatures were mild, the beaches empty and accommodation was easy to find.  Perhaps in summer it would be less charming as it is a very popular resort with Italian and English holiday makers.

The weather was finally warming up as we left Cefalu on our way to Lipari, one of the Aeolian islands.

A Lipari con il treno e la barca.

Where we stayed:

Although the one bedroom apartment in the centre of town was reasonably priced at 50E per night, it isn't one we would recommend as it was fairly basic.  

Where we ate:

Rather than eating out we enjoyed an evening drink at the various bars along the beach front.  All were fine but none outstanding.