Leaving tomorrow, via Munich, where we stop for five nights at end of trip.
Instead of packing, so much more fun to post here, and ask if anyone has last minute tips: PROCRASTINATION IS THE NAME OF MY GAME!
Catania: booked LE TRE BOCCHE and thinking of SAPIO which is “fancy” but has a la carte (will be there for two nights (on two non-consececutive dates). Hoping to get to Museo Delle Sbarco, and to Jen’s cannoli recs…
Loved fish market restaurant where I ate solo last year but thinking of Sapio to placate partner for big birthday dinner, as he is not a fish lover And their a la carte says they have Ricci…(do not prefer tasting menus)
Booked second visit to LA MADIA, where we will go by car from our B&B near Marina di Ragusa.
Partner has it good…two lovely (I hope) dinners for his BIG birthday…(too big!!)
Then: twelve nights Salina where we meet up for three days with chef friend from Bay Area and her partner…likely take all meals at our lovely hotel, where we stayed last (rainy) May. A lovelier hotel than PRINCIPE DI SALINA may not exist. No tv, tiny rooms…none off the matters…the warmness of staff, the communal table for dinner…we love it all…this year partner will be able to walk a bit so looking toward to this immensely…rent boat to see other islands and likely take bus which goes around island…no plans…no restaurant booked…the view of Stromboli from our room will be enough for us… Chef is retired surgeon from Milano but she is a deft (daft??) hand in the kitchen…more, please!! Son in law in master bread baker…this place is heaven on earth. If I was thinking of a third marriage, I would have it here!!
At the end, three days at a rural, non fancy hotel near Siracusa (NEVER plan to depart Aeolians on the same day as your flight, as boats are often canceled due to winds) with free shuttle to that city…thanks to Jen, have one dinner planned in city of Siracusa, (MAMMA IABICA) and will probably return to Don Camillo…let’s see how that shuttle actually plays out…by then we will have no car…if have to walk or take taxi, no worries but do hope that shuttle pans out…
Side trips possible, when we have car first part of trip, near Marina di Ragusa (B&B Silva Suri): Cutrera, although not the time for new oil, La Madia in Licata, probably Ragusa Superiore for Giumarra’s savory pastries, and, I hope, Modica, where we have never been…
Will advise housekeeping in advance of need for extra towel to place over pillowcase so I do not awaken each morning with brown streaks all over said pillow cover (no, nasty readers, NOT what you think)–it’s chocolate and I dare you not to finish an entire bar after dinner…look for mulberry, if in season, or the spicy red peperoncini bars…buy twice what you think you will want…if you happen to share a bed, in between pillowcase and actual pillow is a good hiding place…hence the need for that extra towel!!!
And the Modica pastry with chocolate and pork which Jen knows…
Yikes…last trip gained 5 pounds…how many are in my future this time!!!
I know there was NO NEED to write any of this but you can see, besides the procrastination, that I am VERY excited, beyond belief!
