Goodbye USA – Hello Sicily

We picked up the Mitturas and headed to Dulles Airport a little before noon. The traffic out 17 to 29 was almost non-existent. The drive was pleasant all the way to the airport and went by quickly. Once reaching Dulles we headed to the green economy lot, only to find it was slammed full, and there were signs directing us to the Purple lot. Tom thought we were driving back to Fredericksburg. The luck descended on us and there was a spot very close to a bus pick up point and lo and behold a bus was approaching. It was all too easy!

Andy and Karen had gone online and done the paperwork for Pre-Check and had an appointment. We waltzed into the terminal went straight to the Pre-Check office and withing 15 minutes they were done. This was just going too well. Our good fortune continued, and we arrived at our gate in time to enjoy a linner (lunch/dinner) before having to endure airplane food. The plane was PACKED for our journey to Munich, where we would change planes to our destination of Palermo. Slightly delayed taking off, Tom was nervous because every minute counted when we transferred planes in Munich, and every minute counted. We had 75 minutes to change planes and we just left 19 minutes late.

The flight (United 108) was comfortable and offered a great entertainment package to be enjoyed. The food, as expected, was awful, and our linner had been a good decision. Janet got very little sleep and Tom watched a movie and then was out like a light. He followed his travel habit of awakening over the UK as the sun begins its new day in the western hemisphere.

Landing in Munich just a few minutes late, we had to clear passport control and change terminals. For those following us on the trip, it takes a solid 35 minutes to make a transfer, and there is some walking involved. We did not slow down and made it with 10 minutes to spare.

Once again, the Lufthansa flight was like our earlier United Flight, packed. Three out of the four of us do not remember taking off from Munich. The journey was less than two hours and we all woke up as the captain lowered the landing gear.

Within minutes we were in the arrival hall in Palermo enjoying a cappuccino looking out at the blue sky. The Stutlers would be arriving in less than two hours from Barcelona to join us.

The Gang is All Here!

We had arranged for driver to pick us up at 1:20 and Antoni arrived right on time. Let the vacation begin! Our villa was not ready, so he took us there to drop the bags and we headed off to Isola Pesca for a mid-afternoon feast. We are staying in a small fishing village east of Palermo, Isola delle Femmine, which is known for fresh seafood. The pictures say it all! A Bottle of Grillo and Zibibbo washed down our treats from the sea. Our server was so kind in helping us maneuver through the menu, his limited English and our no Italian. Words cannot describe the dishes we enjoyed and believe it or not, we finished it off with what we were told was an almond parfait – AMAZING!

Appetizers Isola Pesca

Pasta Busiata Isola Pesca

Pasta with Pistachio

Pasta Spaghetti with Mussels

A few prawns just because!

Pasta Calamarota with Swordfish

Almond Parfait

We received the word that our villa was ready, and it was just a waddle away. 

Villa Sara is a short half of block from the sea and offers plenty of space to chill and prepare for our trip. Running on half empty, we gathered around an outside table and just enjoyed the Sicilian day fade into evening. 

The night cooled off quickly as the sun set and our first day in Sicily came to an end.