2026

Countries/territories visited: .it

The year begins in Naxos.

Eden Campsite

Not the most celubrious of sites, but all facilities. €7 a night, with lekkie extra.

N037.82193

E015.26725

Then it's off for a few days to Bucoli, the second time.

Brucoli Cliff Parking

Just free Wifi, but a great view.

37.28424

15.18623

Then follows Siracusa, also again and for a few days.

Syracusa Area Von Platen

Really crappy site, but well located.

37.07716

15.28756

We get to hear the massive explosions of a Sicilian marriage, Zoa is most unimpressed. There is rain and storm Harry which does a great deal of damage to some of the seafronts on the east coast.

Then we spend days next to the Eurospar in Marina di Ragusa

Marina di Ragusa - 42 Via Sebastiano Caboto

Just a carpark, with other vans

36.7869

14.5592

Zoa loves the beach here.

at the municiple stop in Marina di Ragusa

Municiple Stop

Cleaned up since the last visit, all services including lekkie. €15

36.78843

14.54680

and up the road from the Nature Park at Punta Braccetto

Road Parking

No services

36.82084

14.45981

The weather is changable and Ruth causes concern with an unreliable starter battery, so we head to Ragusa Techmat and buy a battery booster. Hope we don't need it, although the engine doesn't spring to life with the willingness of a 17-year old.

On the way back to the coast a night at Donnafugata

Donnafugata Parking

No services

36.88060

14.56513

Then back to the Marina and in an around with a stop at the FIAT services in Ragusa for an oil and filter change.

There is sometimes rain

Marina di Ragusa - 42 Via Sebastiano Caboto

Just a carpark, with other vans

36.7869

14.5592

We have coffee here most mornings. Zoa has decided he likes the people here and greets them with great Gusto!

We have days of sunshine and then a few days of wind. Goodness knows how other parts of Europe are coping, where their wind is twice the conditions we are having on Sicily. It's difficult to sleep with the van rocking.

It too passes and we settle back into the daily routine of walks, coffee, food and a few online information channels.

02-MAR and we packup and head for Catania to have Ruth weighed (for free) in a 3380 Kgs. Then on to the Mall near the airport for a less-than quiet night, but I'm OK with it.

Commercial Center Catania

Just a carpark, with the airport just over the road.

36.7869

14.5592

Some absolute idiot started a war and so the price of diesel seems to have lifted off. We do manage to get a decent deal before 2 nights with a view of Etna at another shopping center.

Etnapolis Mall Catania

Just a carpark, but with free lekkie and dog walks.

36.7869

14.5592

When then take the back road to the west of Etna and visit Castello Bronté, only because we used to live in a house called Bronté House at the top of Lympstone, Devon. Not special, but with a long history. Onwards down a spectaculr (and narrow) road to Messina Point for 2 nights

Messina Point Parkup

Just a parking place - but what a view. Some rubbish.

N038.26690

E016.65150

An early morning ferry takes us to the mainland and a long drive on the Autostrade to Paestum

Paestum Parkup

A carpark for a taverna, quiet.

N038.26690

E016.65150

Again and early departure and we take the road to Monte Cassino, but not that interesting, so we drive on to Fiumicino

Fiumicino beach carpark

Just off the port. No services.

N041.76926

E012.22123

I'm getting tired of the Autostrade, but the free roads are do not have the best surface. Anyway we end up in Orbetello for the night, after a walk around the town. Saturday, so nothing happening.

Orbetello municiple camper park

No services.

N042.44586

E011.23138

Some Monday morning shopping at the Coop, then on to a lovely beach. And we have windstill and sunshine.

Pappasole Rest Area

No services. Just a carpark. This time behind a line of pines and a long sandy beach.

N042.94704

E010.69294

We were here in 2011, nothing changed.

Saw diesel at €1.84 again, so grab a tank full.

La Spezia municiple camper park

All services, including toilet and hot shower. Lekky extra, not cheap.

N044.10931

E09.86164

A bit out of the way behind the docks, but we walk to the city. The Post Office, built in 1940 by the fascists.