We took a day trip to Cefalù, a town about an hour’s drive outside of Palermo on the Tyrrhenian coast. Unfortunately, it was a cold and overcast day, so the “most beautiful village in Italy” left a little to be desired. Despite the weather, it was fascinating to learn about the history of this ancient town, which, like much of this area of Sicily, has a strong Norman influence.
In addition to Cefalù, our tour guide surprised us with a visit to Castelbuono, a small medieval commune nestled high in the mountains. We also visited the town of Monreale, home to the spectacular Monreale Cathedral. Considered a national monument in Italy, the cathedral’s interior was absolutely breathtaking, with intricate mosaics depicting biblical stories, including the story of Adam and Eve.
The best part of the tour was visiting the promontory overlooking Palermo and the surrounding sea. By now, the sky had cleared, and the city and coastline views were absolutely incredible.
