Our final day in Sicily began slowly with a leisurely breakfast on our shady balcony. As our British Airways return flight to London wasn’t due to depart until 20.30 we had arranged a late check out, enabling us to have access to our apartment until late afternoon.
We started the day with a stroll along to the cathedral and admired its beautiful facade for one last time. Taking a walk around the side of the majestic church there was even more intricate stonework for us enjoy. Our route took us to the Capo district which is home to another of Palermo’s large outdoor markets. The Capo market was similar in size to the Ballero market located near to our apartment, stretching out from the square along neighbouring roads.
After wandering amongst the stalls and trying to figure out what all the fish were, we continued on as far as the National Museum of Sicily which had a delightful courtyard inside its entrance way. It was then time for a coffee in a nearby square. Although I’ve been enjoying my daily morning cappuccino’s, I do wish they could be served in larger sized cups like at home.
Feeling rested after a morning in the hot Sicilian sunshine we decided that we couldn’t leave Palermo without one final visit to the waterfront and marina with its stunning cliff side backdrop. Our seaside walk took us through some gardens which offered a little shade whilst sitting on a bench a few minutes to study our phone map.
We soon realised that we were quite close to the Villa Giulia Gardens which offer free entry. As we reached the gardens, all the gates seemed to be padlocked but eventually after continuing around to the other side of the park we found the main entrance which was open,
The gardens are well maintained and attractively laid out, particularly in the central section which has four matching pavilions. Bougainvillea was growing over the arches creating a blaze of red and purple blossom.
An ice cream kiosk was a welcome find and we wandered slowly back inland to our apartment trying to finish our cones before they melted in the heat. A late lunch out on on terrace followed comprising of a variety leftovers that needed eating up before going home and we accompanied these with salad.
It was then time to finish packing our things together and after doing so, we wheeled our luggage along to the station for a train to Punts Raisa, Tickets cost only €5.90 for the 35km journey but if you plan to make this journey, do allow plenty of time as the train stops repeatedly and takes 65 minutes to reach its terminus beneath Palermo airport.
Fortunately there were no other passengers waiting to check in at the BA desk which was a bonus and passing through security was also a reasonably fast process. The only bad news was that our flight was delayed by 40 minutes so we had longer than expected to amuse ourselves in the terminal.
Once on board the aircraft we found it was only 75% full and we were again fortunate to have a spare seat next to us, enabling us to spread out a little. The flight passed quickly and managed to make up for its late departure coming into the gate at Heathrow’s Terminal 3 exactly on time. After collecting our luggage from the baggage carousel we then opened our cases to retrieve our coats as it felt decidedly chilly in London compared to the temperatures we had experienced during our two weeks in Sicily.
This brings to an end my series of posts on our visit to southern Italy. Thank you for taking an interest in this trip and for your ever welcome thoughts which hopefully might inspire some of you to visit beautiful Sicily for yourselves!
If you have enjoyed reading this series of posts you may also be interested in the following:
I would like to thank Visit Sicily for arranging our visit. As always all views and opinions are entirely my own.
Love Travelling Blog 
Pingback: Day 6. Acireale & Catania, Sicily – Love Travelling Blog
Pingback: Day 7. From Catania to Palermo, Sicily – Love Travelling Blog
Pingback: Day 10. Monreale, Sicily – Love Travelling Blog
Pingback: Day 4. Visiting Praia da Luz, The Algarve – Love Travelling Blog
Hello, and thank you for following my own blog, and our recent trip to Scotland. We took a wonderful 4 week trip on our own to Italy in 2014 and still have very fond memories of that trip. It is interesting reading about your own experiences there.
If I may ask, i see that you have thousands of followers on your blog. I am interested in trying to increase the exposure to my own blog. After three years of blogging, I only have less than a hundred followers. I do use the free version of WordPress and wonder if that may be a limiting factor? What do you think has been the most important factor in your blog generating such a large following? Thanks for any suggestions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for commenting, it’s good to hear from you. My blog s just over four years old and after the first few months with just a trickle of followers it started to grow quite fast. I don’t know what the answer is as it’s probably different for everyone but I try and be consistent, post to a regular schedule but above all believe that a quality post is much more important than quantity so if I didn’t have some good content ready I would delay posting. The important thing is to enjoy writing and hopefully more followers will come your way and your blog will get noticed by some bigger websites who will share your content. Hope this helps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoyed following the trip, it seems like you had a nice final day in Sicily. Shame about the delayed flight though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for taking the time to comment Jason. Our first ever trip to Sicily was good and the slightly delayed flight was soon forgotten.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope to visit Palermo in December and really enjoyed reading your posts. Doubt the weather will be that wonderful but fingers crossed!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your much appreciated comments. I’m certain you will enjoy visiting Palermo and hopefully it will still be reasonably warm.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing this visit series with us all. Most enjoyable! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you enjoyed this series of posts in Sicily Ian, thanks for your much appreciated thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fabulous trip Marion…this was clearly a particularly good day – I would have loved all the places you went to on this day. PS it’s very warm here today getting so close to summer but we already have had horrendous bush fires with over 460 homes lost in New South Wales alone and four people have lost their lives..so sad!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I saw the devastating bush fires on the news, so horrific for everyone and the landscape. What with the floods here I don’t know what the world’s coming to. Am abroad at the moment but will definitely have to dig out my hat, scarf,gloves, down coat and boots on my return as it’s getting colder for us! Take care, and thanks for your ever welcome thoughts. Sicily was lovely and highly recommended. Marion
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your comment about the coats made me laugh. My grandson (7) and I will be flying into Heathrow in a few days and I had already decided to take a small overhead case just for our coats/scarfs/hats and gloves. I know we are going to need them.
Looking forward to your next adventure.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks for your kind words Helena. I hope you both have a splendid time in England. Are you just visiting London? I’d advise a small umbrella in your bag too, as it’s been a bit wet recently!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Visiting family in Wales, with the last day in London. Praying for breaks in the rain…like 10 days worth!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think we’ve had our fair share now so it can only get better. I’m sure you’ll be fine!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Living around the UK I learned to always have a coat and an umbrella on hand.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was too warm to need a coat but I do always carry a small umbrella in my bag which often comes in useful but it didn’t rain too long. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
Haha…even in summer. I was born and brought up in Wales. Will definitely be taking a warm coat and my faithful brolly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure you’ll enjoy every minute of your holiday whatever the weather!
LikeLike
I love the look of Palermo, very colourful and full of interesting architecture. Your Sicily trip has been a delight to follow. Got me thinking now …….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for your welcome contributions on my recent visit to Sicily. I loved both Catania and Palermo and would like yo return sometime.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HAVE ENJOYED THE POSTS AND THE PHOTOGRAPHS, CHINA
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s my pleasure, so pleased to receive your comments and learn you have enjoyed these posts on Sicily.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always sad when a holiday’s over, Marion, but I doubt it’s long till your next 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Exactly Jo but it’s so nice to have upcoming trips to plan and look forward to! Thanks for your welcome thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have much enjoyed your trip around SIcily which has provided plenty of food for thought in planning a trip of my own. Thank you 🙏
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s my pleasure Sheree. So good to learn you enjoyed this series of posts and that they will provide some inspiration for your own visit.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have loved following your trip around Sicily. Brought back fabulous memories and fuelled our thoughts for another trip there in the next year or so.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you s much Browne’s for your kind words. I’m so pleased that you have enjoyed my series of posts on Sicily and hope you get an opportunity to return there soon.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Palermo cathedral is sooo beautiful, the view from the airport is breathtaking, the garden, harbour and museum is also amazing. I hope last day at Palermo is memorable. Good luck travelling and have more fun on your next visiting place.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your kind words Jepsy. It is so nice for me that you have read and commented on so many of my Sicilian posts.
LikeLiked by 1 person