Day 1 (30 April 2009)
Catania, Aci Castello, Acitrezza
I force myself to down a truly repulsive Gatwick airport coffee knowing that for the next six days I'll be treated to the best of the best. The destination is Catania, where my father grew up, and we're taking this pilgrimage to explore the east coast of Sicily.
As we approach the island, I know I'm in for a treat. The glorious weather gives a sublime view, practically into the mouth of the ever-volatile Mount Etna.
My memories of Palermo return as soon as we hit the roads, with the sounds of horns blasting, the scooters zipping in and out of traffic...
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25-26th June 2007 - Palermo
I stepped off the plane in Palermo yesterday evening and the heat hit me like the blast of air you get when opening an oven. Temperatures have reached 47 degrees Celsius and the signs are everywhere. Sirens can be heard regularly and in the distance are rows of fires billowing smoke up into the air.
It doesn't feel any cooler in the hotel either, since the air conditioning isn't working, so it's a tough start to the day. Nonetheless, it's an excuse to get out early and see what this city has to offer.
I've twice missed the catacombs in Paris, so Palermo's tombs...
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My Easter weekend wasn't exactly what you'd call 'traditional': I've had a day of shopping, eaten more pizzas than I care to remember and more ice cream than I've had in a year. Oh, and I sat under the Curva Sud of the Guiseppe Meazza... Yep, it's my obligatory trip to Milano...
Highlights were a restaurant allowing me to test out my pizza making skills, window shopping in the Golden Quad, the huge skeleton art display by Il Duomo, relaxing in the Parco Sempione and of course, each of the three goals Milan scored against Empoli.
Milan is going through a prolonged period of throwing away scoring...
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To make up for my first two months of the year, I've been on three holidays in the following two!
A last minute trip to Morzine, on the border of Switzerland and France, with a few mates was absolutely brilliant. To be able to ski across the border with endless amounts of pistes was great fun. We then had several mad evenings chucked in there too. Best of all, we've got some of the funniest (and maybe a little tipsy) moments captured on film - and I'm currently in the process of (my latest hobby) editing the footage to make a DVD.
Soon after that trip, Emma and I went to Venice for a long...
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