February 29 - March 14, 2024 - Travelled to Cuba for our fourth visit to this amazing country. The weather was perfect, sunny, warm afternoons, cooler morning and evening. The ocean was crystal clear with shades of different colors of blue. Arrived in Havana and stayed at our previous Casa Particular with Daniel and Fina. Wonderful friends now and she makes a delicous breakfast for us each morning. Lots of fresh fruits, juice, toast and cheese omelets. Went to the different Plazas to see all the architecture, very stunning from the 1800's, early 1900's. Rode the Red Bus around Havana to all the different areas, which included seeing the new, huge, all-inclusive hotels on the west side, along the ocean side. After a few days, took a collectivo taxi, south to Vinales, which is a town that is surrounded by the National Park of Vinales, sits in a lush valley. Visited the Park to see the Prehistoric Wall, the gigantic cave, where we took a boat ride through part of it. Last stop was to a high area to see an overview. The next day, walked thru trails, saw some other visitors, some were on horseback. There are a tobacco farms and other Cubans living in the this area, very quiet and tranquil. We stay in a Casa Particular in the town with Isabel and Mario and their daugher who lived in Havana, but came to help her parents, while we were there. The breakfast was fresh eggs from their chickens, bananas from their trees, along with juice and omelets. Coffee is strong and good, always asking for cafe leche. The electricity goes out from 2 - 4 hours each day in all parts of Cuba, except Havana, where the government is and Varadero, where most of the all-inclusive hotels are for the tourists. The restaurants all have generators, so people can have light, if eating during the time of no electricity. Our stay in Casa Elenas was acorss the street from the pristine beach of Varadero. Elena and her daughter owned the Casa and was built 50 years ago, by her husband. We had a full apartment for our stay. This visit to Varadero, had less people than when we were there in 2019, before Covid and still is recovering from it. Markets were empty, bakery still closed, but the restaurants were opened and had plenty of food. Tourists eat in them, but most Cubans do not, since to expensive for them. All is very inexpensive in Cuba for tourists who visit, mostly Canadians and lots from Europen countries. Still, today Americans do not know that they can travel to Cuba, freely. The Cuban people love Americans and do not see many. When asked where we were from, said Americanos, they were happy and pleased that we were visiting. We shall return! Viva Cuba!

October 7 - October 24, 2023 travelled to Sicily. From NYC to Rome, then another plane to the capital of Sicily, Palermo. Stayed in Centro Center of Palermo, which is all walkable to many sights, shops and restaurants. Went to the Ballero Market, which has everything, crowded with locals and tourists. The Catheral of Palermo is beautiful and is in the historic centre. All foods items are very fresh, since preservatives are not used and can taste the difference when eating pizza or pasta. Lots of cannoli's, croissants, granitas and cappuccinos were consumed daily. The weather was in the 80's, warm and sunny, cooler in the evenings. Rode the bus from there to Canania to visit another catheral, the historic centre and the huge fish market. Made our way south to Siracusa, has a connecting island, Ortigia and is an architectural beauty, with alleys and winding roads, stunning everywhere. The Catheral of Siracusa is in the center of the historic district and walking to the Fort, brings one to the crysal, clear ocean. Can see many locals sunbathing on the cliffs and rocks, around the shore. Took an Oceano excursion boat ride, one can see the sea caves, the seafront, Castello Manice and the coral inside some of the caves. Many beaches are nearby and a 15-mintue train ride to Lido Fontane Bianche, brought us to turquoise, clear ocean water of the Ionian Sea, decided to return the following day with temperature in the 80's and a swim, too. When back in Siracusa, had homemade raviol's at Fari-Pasta e Cucina, which was the best I ever had. Agrigento was worth a visit to see the Temple of the Gods, all built in the 5th century BC, Parco Archeologico ella Valle dei Templi de Agrigento. Awesome sights to see, on a very hot, sunny day to walk around the temples. The Mediterranean sea hugs its border and many people were swimming, on a warm, sunny day. The next day, we took a bus to a nearby town, Favara to visit the Farm Cultural Park in the historic centre. This area was created from the old abandoned houses where they were transformed into places to exhibit art and performances. Back to Palermo, where our visit to Sicily began and has left us with many great memories to be cherished.