We SHOULD have had the appropriate amount of time to get to the Stansted (north of London) airport however we weren't aware that it was the Friday before a holiday weekend (Monday, Aug. 31 was a holiday here) and traffic would be insane because everyone was headed to the airport and out of town. We got stuck in over an hour of traffic and were really thinking we were going to miss our flight because it was REALLY close. At first I kept remapping it on google maps to see what the ETA was and when the heavy traffic ended but after awhile I had to stop looking at it since we had hours to go and it wasn't going to change anything. Meanwhile I totally had to go to the bathroom for hours but there was no time to stop so I had to go in the parking lot bushes quickly before the shuttle pulled up. We had already checked in online but still had to show our passports at the check-in. Luckily, there was no line and so we zipped through. We still had to reach the gate before the gate cut-off time so we were racing through the security and duty free area (this thing was the biggest duty free I'd ever seen, of course when we just want to get to the gate--it was like a cruel joke). And then two stops on the train to the international terminal. But we made it with 1-2min. to spare before the gate cut-off and got straight into line. Whew, we really thought we were going to miss it! I totally wreaked and had pit stains from my hippie natural (doesn't really work unless you don't sweat) deodorant. Ah, it made me all the more grateful for our getaway after we came so close to missing our flight. Here we are sitting in our exit row seats (living it up on Ryan Air!), excited for our trip! Bring on the wine!! (Two mini bottles each) :)
Our neighbor on the airplane was a riot! We started talking with him after he was hemming and hawing over whether or not to get a Heineken and having them take out ones toward the back of the drawer and feel whether it was cold enough. Two glasses of wine later, we were happily chatting away with our buddy next to us. Eitan is Israeli and has lived in London for around 20yrs. A newly retired fashion photographer now working on a book about heterosexual relationships--he was very interesting, we had some great discussions. Someone turned around in the row in front of us and asked us to keep it down. Whoops, too much fun I guess! He was meeting his Russian Israeli-born lawyer girlfriend in Sicily and planned on going to the Zingaro Reserve, hiking around and finding some secluded lakes and beaches to hang out and skinny-dip.
We got our rental car and it was a bit confusing trying to get to the Punta del Nord Est hotel (Google maps was taking us on a wild goose chase). After checking in, we had a few G&Ts in the lobby.
Check out the view from our room!
The hotel was awesome, we were throughly impressed! (The rave reviews were spot on!) the breakfast had three long buffet tables: one with boiled eggs, cheeses, meats, breads and rolls; one with homemade sweet breads and croissants (pictured below) and the third with all sorts of fresh fruit.
Here is where we ate, outside in the courtyard, under the lemon tree:
We chatted with some New Yorkers at a nearby table. They said we were some of the only Americans they had met all week. I gotta say, the bulk of people staying there were Italians on vacation.
Then we walked along the water 10min. to get into the main harbor area of Castellammare del Golfo:
The marina:
Chris with all the pretty ladies lined up in a row (these statues look kind of like the Venus of Villendorf):
Cactuses everywhere (and they sold the cactus fruit too):
We checked out the museum inside the castle. Free entry, there were some cool things on display:
I think the cobbler's shoe making equipment was pretty cool:
What a stud:
We relaxed by the pool for a few hours in the afternoon and it was glorious! There were plenty of loungers, it wasn't like some hotels where you have to get up early and snag chairs. It was in the 90s so we were totally sweaty walking around town. It was perfect laying in the shade and taking a dip in the pool:
Then we got the key to the gate and stairs down to the private beach. Picked up a couple neat rocks and tile pieces for the kids:
Cleaned up and headed to town for our 7:30 dinner reservations at La Cambusa:
Chris got to pick out his fish:
This homemade veal tortellini is the best pasta dish I've ever had (check out how much shredded mozzarella they give you!):
We couldn't decide on dessert so she gave us the sampler platter (which ended up only being €5!):
That was seriously one of the best meals we'd ever had! (And not really that expensive either.) We totally wanted to go back but we had to be at the airport by 6:30/7 the next night so we didn't really have time. The place really filled up at 8-8:30pm (people eat late here!) and we were surprised to see how many little kids were out until at least 10pm and how well-behaved they were eating out! We were so full that we couldn't do anything but lay there in bed.
Sunday we took the rental car to Tonarra di Scopello (an old tuna cannery, featured in Oceans 12). Look at that Aqua water, just gorgeous!
And then to through the countryside to Segesta Roman archaeological site temple and colosseum:
Tried to go to this restaurant for lunch that we got a flier for in the parking lot but Google maps had us going down this dead end road that was getting narrower and narrower. We headed towards the airport and ended up stopping here instead for a fancy prefixe late lunch instead:
The first course of pasta was a huge mound that filled up the plate. And then here was the second course--wow. So full!
There was a language miscommunication and we ended up with red melon instead of dessert (we were so full that it was refreshing and probably for the best). Look at how red it is!
Turned in car (after fiasco trying to find an open store to get change to go back and fill up gas tank), flew back and didn't reach the townhouse until 4:30am! What a great little getaway! So grateful my parents were able to watch the kids so we could go!
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