RAGUSA

     The train from Syracuse to Ragusa had only two cars and chugged along at a leisurely pace stopping to rest at almost every station on the way. Ragusa is only 33 miles from Syracuse as a determined crow would fly, but our trip was more than double that. Still, it was a good start to our transition from urban environments to small towns and countryside.

    Ragusa is described as “something out of a fairy-tale with its towers peaking above terracotta roofs that spill down the hillside.” There are two parts to it. The new town (Ragusa Superiore) was rebuilt after the great earthquake of 1693, but we're staying in the old town (Ragusa Ibla), one of the best-preserved in all of Sicily, and a Unesco World Heritage Site. A deep ravine separates the two parts.

     We arrived at our lodging, NEROPECE B&B, in the old town.

Neropece

Our Room

     

      Rita, our landlady, greeted us at the door and led us up along staircase  to a lovely room with a private terrace, where she gave us a welcoming glass of Prosecco.  

 

After settling in, we walked in town to get a feel for the place, snapping a photo of the local Duomo on the way  and a typical street scene. 

 

Our destination was the restaurant where we're to have dinner this evening. Near it is the town's lovely park, but since it is overcast today and threatening rain, we did not take any of the recommended “vista” shots—just the park itself.

 

       In the park and all the way back to our B&B were men and boys in black suits with colorful ties, women and girls in fancy dresses, and children all decked out, walking toward toward the church in the park. It appears that the whole town is headed to what must be the wedding of the year. If it didn't cut into our nap time, we would have stayed to cheer it on.