Day 12: Cefalù

Another day in Paradise.

While some people enjoy having breakfast at the hotel, for me, eating breakfast out is one of the best parts of the day. I love chatting with local workers—asking questions like, “What do you love about living here?”—and watching residents interact with each other. “Ciao, Mario!” Today’s breakfast was exceptional: fabulous pastries that we ate watching the ocean.

Then we walked fifteen minutes to the lighthouse and saw the charming little harbor.

Later, we took a guided tour of the cathedral, which reminded us of what we had seen in Palermo and Monreale. Like those, it was built by the Normans and featured stunning mosaics created by Byzantine artists.

We had lunch at Al Porticciolo, and it was absolutely delicious. Once again, the view was spectacular. I enjoyed an artichoke and mushroom pizza topped with cheese so good it could make you cry, while Jim had a pizza with San Daniele ham and rocket (arugula). It reminded me of the weekends Jim and I used to take to recharge, but this trip has felt like an extended version of that—one delicious and fun adventure after another.