PALERMO AND BEYOND, BEFORE LEAVING ITALY

Manifesta 12 July 31 to September 10

Manifesta 12 exhibition

My time back in Palermo extended longer than I had originally planned. Although I'd already seen some of Manifesta 12, the citywide arts festival, I realised there was much more to discover. I was happy to stay on. Not only were the exhibitions noteworthy, but most were housed in old palaces generally closed to the public. It was a fascinating display of the old and new.

And the city was endlessly startling me with memorable sights and its beauty.

A flock of flamingos

A juggler honing his skills.

Palermo's shore

A practical use of a basket.

The Antonio Pasqualino Internationonal Puppet Museum

Evening in Palermo

Mondello Beach

Capo Gallo, Mondello, Palermo

And then it was time to move on.

I made my way to Brindisi with plans on taking a ferry from there to Corfu,Greece.

Brindisi's annual festival

But first there were places nearby to explore.

Trulli houses, Alberobello

Polignano a Mare

Vieste

Trani

Trabucco Di Monte Pucci: a working fishing station with intricate mechanisms and nets. Also a great restaurant for lunch.

Matera, an ancient city with a fascinating history and soon to be the European City of Culture in 2019.

And then I took an overnight boat to Corfu, Greece. It was a tough decision to leave Italy.

At port in Brindisi before my evening departure for Corfu, Greece.