I feel like we are getting increasingly annoying with this blog, but today really was another wow day!
It started with a delicious and very varied breakfast on the terrace, which, like our room, looks out to see. We were thankfully invited to join a German couple, as all the other tables in the shade were taken and, even at 9:30am, the temperature was already soaring.
Full enough to keep us going until dinner. we packed our bags and set off into Cefalù (which is barely two miles from our hotel), a local map and SATNav guiding us to the best parking space (a bargain at 5 euros for up to 6 hours!). We succeeded, but, thanks to the interesting one way system, we drove down more narrow streets and tunnels on our way! Thankfully Tom is turning into quite the Italian driver, even to the point of making good use of his horn!
Cefalù is stunning and (to my relief) less hilly than anywhere we’ve visited so far! We pottered through its (surprisingly quiet) winding streets to its Duomo, stopping for a refreshing lemon soda in the Piazzalle Duomo before entering the cathedral itself. It’s a fascinating place that is really quite castle-like on the outside, but a stunning church with beautiful, antique mosaics on its ceiling inside.
Back out in the sunshine, we wandered through narrow alleyways and a gateway back to the sea. where Tom found a perfect spot for his first drone flight of the day, over sparkling and clear seas back to the beautiful town of Cefalù, with the incredible Rocca towering over it. I, meanwhile, basked in the increasingly warm sunlight, while enjoying the gentle sound of the sea as it hit the rocks below.
Drone safely packed in its special backpack, we descended to the harbour and beach area, where the clarity of the sea water is ever more prevalent. Brave teenagers were leaping, spinning and diving off the harbour into the water below and the beach was packed with happy families. Behind the harbour, Tom found another perfect drone launching spot, from which he took some of the most stunning photos and videos of the holiday so far. Cefalù is definitely a favourite with us!
Our next stop was a medieval washing spot, where a fresh spring fills stone basins in the ground (Lavatoio). To our surprise, as well as being free to visit, these were still in use! We gratefully plunged our hot feet into the icy cold water and sat cooling off in the historic surroundings for quite some time!
A final potter took us, via a visit to a gelateria and the purchasing of a new, cooler hat for Tom, along the promenade and back up in the town for a fruitless (as it was closed for the afternoon) trip to an electronics shop. We really need a powerbank to charge the SATNav whilst travelling, so that I don’t have to sit with Tom’s laptop on my knee to keep it going!
Back at the hotel, we spent an hour cooling off in our air conditioned room, before packing up and navigating the steep, stone steps down the sea. The hotel “beach” is actually concrete, but the bay more than makes up for it. The rocky sea floor is a haven for all manner of fish, and with my waterproof camera and prescription goggles, and Tom’s snorkelling set and Go Pro in its waterproof case, we spent an unbelievable two hours watching, filming and photographing all manner of marine life, from rainbow coloured fish, to huge shoals of around 500 swimming around us. Truly an afternoon to remember!
Showered and freshened up, we made our way (ridiculously early) down to the restaurant. Last night, while enjoying a perfect hotel picnic on our fantastic balcony, we had watching a couple sitting at the very best table on the restaurant terrace below, and determined that we would eat there tonight, so we wanted to make sure that we got that table! We needn’t have worried. We were there over 10 minutes before the restaurant opened and seated a good 15 minutes before anybody else arrived! However, it was such a magical spot, that we didn’t mind a jot. We ate a delicious meal, with refreshing gin and tonics to start with, scrummy (and cheap!) local white wine to accompany it, and Marsala (for me – as we’re heading there tomorrow), espresso and whiskey (for Tom) to finish. What a perfect way to complete a perfect day!
Recommendations:
Hotel Kalura – everywhere in Cefalù is expensive to stay, but this place is definitely worth every penny. The view is second to none, the breakfast is excellent and the facilities superb. Plus the food was delicious! Don’t forget to make good use of the pool and beach, and to bring your snorkelling gear!
Cefalù Duomo – fascinating and well worth a visit.
Lavatoio – A really interesting visit, plus a blessed relief from the hot sun!
Cefalù harbour – probably the best place to view the town from.