This morning we met our local guide, Alessandra, to begin a day of exploring the Palermo area in more depth.
After a short panoramic drive through the city center we made our way out of the city & up into the nearby hills to the town of Monreale to visit the superb mosaics of the Norman cathedral & for views over the hazy city below.
Back down in Palermo itself we took a walk through the Balllaro neighborhood, seeing its colorful (& bountiful) produce stalls, a street eatery, & a nearby Baroque church, complete with a bell tower that was originally a city watchtower & that we were able to climb for views over the city roofs.
After visiting the Cathedral & Porta Nueva city gate, it was time for lunch - & the challenge of figuring out the complexiities of ordering, paying & getting one's order in an Italian cafe
Our final visit was to the Royal Palace & its magnificent Palatine Chapel, seemingly even more covered in glittering mosaic than Monreale!
Back at our hotel we split up for the rest of the day, with a free afternoon & evening.
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