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Written by Roderick Eime
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Wednesday, 28 November 2007 |
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When the huge Costa Serena jostled for a berth in the busy summertime season in Sicily, it was clear Palermo was not just another big ship whistle stop. Roderick Eime revisits.
I hadn’t been to Palermo for thirty years, and I’m pleased to report that very little has changed. Last time was as a student backpacker, this time it was almost red-carpet as we filed aboard our luxury coaches for a series of shore excursions into this 2800-year-old port.
The ancient Phoenicians and Carthaginians were the first to recognize the value of the ideal harbour, with sheltered anchorages and high cliff tops for perfect defences and look-outs. These early traders and merchants operated blissfully there for some six hundred years until the Romans turned up – and they didn’t share very well. The Romans were extremely tough on the Punici and effectively drove them out of existence as well as Sicily. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 07 January 2008 )
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Saturday, 19 July 2008
Stories from Europe, UK and Scandinavia
THE Brits can be a thankful lot, and love slapping gongs and sashes on each other and tapping peoples’ shoulders with swords and calling them Sir and Lady, and passing the hat around for a job well done.
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