We had such a wonderful day today. The weather was stunning. Cefalu was stunning. The day began with a slow morning and then a taxi to the train station and then a very pleasant and scenic trip. I booked an Uber at the station to take us into the heart of the city – and a stroke of good luck brought the nicest man into our orbit. Piero Marra runs Marra Transfers, which is a private transfer company, but on this day because it’s slow season, he was providing Uber rides. He picked us up and truly made our day.
White Lotus fans, like us, recognize Cefalù as the location for many of the scenes from season two. While the characters stayed in Taormina, a lot of the filming was actually in Cefalu, and it’s clear why. The place is stunning. With a towering limestone cliff, La Rocco, and the turquoise waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the town is a maze of medieval streets and the twin-towered Norman Cathedral
We arrived in town around 1 p.m. and weren’t exactly sure where to go, but Piero, who lives there, guided us. Our first goal was lunch and he told us that many of the restaurants were closed for the season since it’s February, but he called a friend for advice and then took us to a restaurant very near the Cathedral. We sat outside on a picturesque street and enjoyed a wonderful salad, fresh fish and a dessert to die for. Then we visited the Cathedral.
The Cefalù Cathedral (Duomo di Cefalù) is a massive, twin-towered fortress-cathedral that anchors the town’s main piazza. Built in the 12th century by the Norman King Roger II, it’s a mix of Norman, Byzantine, and Arab architectural styles. The exterior is rugged and imposing and was designed to double as a defensive structure. The interior is famous for its Christ Pantocrator mosaic. Set against a shimmering gold background in the central apse, it is considered one of the finest examples of Byzantine art in the world. It’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It was an easy day, no glitches, no lost items, no drama. Just a beautiful town, a delicious lunch, an encounter with a kind man and then back home around 6 p.m. for an evening of conversation, sharing and laughter. What could be better.
Today, we go to Monreale.
p.s.: Here’s the mobility scooter that we used once and are anxious to rid ourselves of.
pss: Here’s why today’s blog is short and sweet. We had a late and very fun night.
Kim & Betsy 
Scooters don’t work well on international travel. We are accustomed to the adaptive design from the ADA. The cobblestone and uneven surfaces are difficult. My friend had been limited now in her travels and she used to go everywhere.
That church!