A favouite scenic road
Taking the Scillato Road (the SS 643) from Polizzi you meander through the scenic Madonie mountains past small country houses and gated villas, centuries old water mills, tended garden plots, small farms, aged olive groves, flowers in bloom, and the odd restaurant down side lanes.
The Scillato Road (so named because it finishes at the tiny village of Scillato, which sits alongside the A19) is a charming road to take when heading down to join the A19 which runs across the centre of Sicily, linking Palermo and Catania.
Views, a villa and Polizzi
And to turn down some of the potholed and tight side roads off the SS643 makes for nice lingering. Remote houses, a memorable villa - Villa Chiaretta, roadside fig trees, rambling summer berry hedges, old hazelnut groves (Polizzi was once noted for its hazelnuts), the odd hidden restaurant - Ristorante Giardino Donna Lavia, run by Luigi, is one of these restaurants (I really like it and return often), spring water flowing from the depths of the towering mountains and wonderful views of Polizzi.
A handful of photos
Roses in full bloom, the Scillato Rd
Sunset view from Giardino Donna Lavia
Old olive trees tended
A classic bucolic scene near Donna Lavia
Donna Lavia
Looking to Polizzi (on a spur - 917 m above sea level) across memorable Villa Chiaretta. Seen from a side road off the Scillato Rd
Madonie Mountains glowing
Wisteria gate
Panorama from Donna Lavia
Saluti
Suzanne