Day 6: Cerda (1st night)

IF READING ON YOUR PHONE, TILT SIDEWAYS FOR THE BEST VIEW:)

September 23, 2023: The drive from Savoca to Cerda was about 3 hours and, thankfully, uneventful! I neglected to mention earlier that we had passed 2 wildland fires along the North coast while driving from Cefalu to Savoca. It was a warmer day and with an offshore wind, spot fires were popping up everywhere within site of the coastal towns. 

Luckily our drive was taking us through the center of Sicily, away from the fires and with the opportunity for new views. This route was free of the toll roads with farms, small villages and even some ancient strongholds dotting the landscape. One beautiful old city we passed was Enna which was built on the level summit of a hill and surrounded by cliffs making it easily defensible to attack around 400BC. An impressive site to see just from the road and I look forward to exploring it!

We arrive at our farmhouse B&B in the mid-afternoon: Terra Di Himera. The owners bought the dilapidated structure, originally built in the late 1700s, about 10 years ago and spent 2 years renovating it. The vision 

partial front view

they had was astounding given the original state in which they found it (see pic). They retained many of the interior and exterior walls and repurposed much of the remaining wood that local skilled craftspeople made into chairs and tables. 

After meeting the owners, they set us up with a glass of wine just as it started to rain. We sat outside, 

finally able to relax, enjoying our wine and and listening to the rainfall:)  

We were shown to our room (see video). So pretty and again, I thought of how they had the realization for this property, its rooms and the amenities. It is 10 minutes up a windy road from from any civilization. They rerouted the entry lane, brought in and compacted the pebbles scattered around the driveway and property, landscaped and planted, reroofed, picked out doors and windows, tiled, fashioned a kitchen and put all the finishing touches on this place. And then, to be able to keep up the rooms of a B&B AND prepare amazing food for the guests is a whole separate skill-set!

We debated on going out again for the evening, but settled on just staying here for some R and R. Dinner would be served by previous reservation at 8:30pm. I don't mind eating at those European hours, but something lighter is generally preferred. The meal they serve here is multiple courses of goodness that can't be passed up and leave you feeling happy, satisfied and ready for bed!

Pizzas and Stuffed Peppers

Minestrone

3 kinds of sausage with potatoes

Chocolate and Pistachio cream-filled pastry