Day 1 in Catania
Welcome to Catania, the island`s
second-largest city after Palermo! Upon
arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your
hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not
give in to jet lag! There is so much for
you to see and do.
Spend your afternoon exploring the historic center of Catania, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, easily
explored on foot with many of the city`s main sights. The main shopping strip
is Via Etnea,
about 1.8 miles long. Along the street you will see many churches such as the Basilica of Collegiata, built
in the early eighteenth century, after the 1693 earthquake. Stop in one of the
many welcoming cafes along this street to relax over lunch and take in the
ambience of the city center.
In Piazza Duomo, where you`ll find the
city`s showpiece church, Catania
Cathedral, as well as the Fontana
dell`Elefante, a flamboyant fountain featuring a smiling elephant
and Egyptian obelisk. Then head down to Via Pardo to enjoy the lively Le Pescheria, the city`s famous
fish market, a real folk place. Walk among the colorful vendor
stalls. You can have a snack with typical local foods, such as the delicious
`Siciliana` which is a type of fried pizza, stuffed with cheese and anchovies.
From there, work your way up to Piazza Federico di Svevia and Castello Ursino, a beautiful
13th-century castle that houses the Museo Civico and its collection of archaeological
artifacts. Walk
around the castle for some photographic opportunities.
Behind the monument of
Vincenzo Bellini (the famous composer from Catania), there is a
huge market where you can truly find everything and also make good deals:
clothes, accessories, perfumes, food. In Piazza Carlo Alberto there is a beautiful Santuario della Madonna del carmine,
dated 1729, which dominates the market.
Corso Umberto ends at the 1400 city gate, Porta Catania, emblazoned with the Aragon coat-of-arms.
Near it stands the three-storied Palazzo
Duca di Santo Stéfano, built at the same time as Porta Catania.
It is easy to recognize because of its Gothic windows, fish-tail crenellations,
and detailed stonework along the top. Concerts are held in the Great Hall, and
two rooms display works by the sculptor Giuseppe Mazzullo (1913-88).
Enjoy your evening at one of the many delicious restaurants taking
in the ambiance of the city at night. Try one of Catania`s signature dishes
such as the pasta alla Norma, a delicious marriage of fried aubergines, tomato
and ricotta that`s named after Bellini`s opera.
Day 2 in Catania
Wake up early and head
to Mount Etna, an active stratovolcano and one of the main
tourist attractions of Sicily. Mount Etna is considered the tallest
active volcano in Europe, the most recent eruption was in 2015 when
the volcano actually discharged some lava. Stretching over 224 square miles and
about 20 towns, it offers great hiking and even better views of the entire
island. Various tour operators offer day trips to the Volcano - You can choose
to hike, cycle, or even ride an ATV or a jeep. When at the top of Mount Etna,
on a clear day the scenery is unbelievable and you are granted with fantastic views
of Sicily.
There are some restaurants and tourist points that sell food on
the mountain. We recommend bringing a picnic or planning your day to eat at one
of the many beautiful towns that dot the landscape below the volcano.
Mount Etna is a wildly active volcano, so check weather and
eruption conditions before you go. At times public access to the top of the
volcano is prohibited for safety reasons. Most trips will begin from Rifugio
Sapienza, the Sapienza Mountain Hut, on the south side of
the mountain. From there, you can head up the volcano by foot or cable car.
Weather permitting, the cable cars run all day and prices include a minibus
from the cable car station to the main crater. The walk around the crater
from Rifugio Sapienza takes about four
hours.
A
different way to see Mount Etna and take a step back in time, is by riding the narrow-gauge
train (the only one still operating in Sicily). Ride along the
rails of the historic train station on the railway line from the center of
Catania up to Riposto (3 hours), stops include
Paterno, Adrano and Bronte. The journey is slow and noisy but of great charm.
After a busy day exploring the great
outdoors of Mount Etna, head back into the city to enjoy some of the great nightlife.
Catania offers a great selection of bars, cafes and clubs for all tastes and is
well known for its lively nightlife. The old town has a wide
variety of bars where you can enjoy a traditional Aperitivo, some
lovely wine bars which offer a selection of local wines and delicacies, and
even a jazz club, where you can attend Italian and international Jazz concerts.
In addition for the disco lovers, there is even a great spot to enjoy some
techno and retro hits.
Day 3 in Catania
On your last day in Catania, continue
to enjoy all the heritage and culture this charming Sicilian city has to offer.
Discover the Teatro Romano, located
in-between the Benedictine Monastery and Catania Cathedral. Created in the 2nd
century BC, the theatre features a main seating area and also a smaller Odeon
theatre to the left hand side. The seats of the theatre and several other
sections are actually created from lava taken from Mount Etna and the structure
remains in fantastic condition.
Enjoy
a picnic while relaxing in nature at the Giardini Bellini and the Parco Maestranze which are located to the west of the
Piazza Carlo Alberto in the town center. The Bellini Garden is located at the
east side of the park and contains a beautiful fountain and several flower
beds. Aside from the Giardini Bellini, the Maestranze Park features a series of
shaded walking trails covered by luscious forest.
After
lunch, take a ride about 10 miles north of Catania along the coast, you will
come to the charming village of Aci
Castello. This village was originally constructed around the castle
that lies on the coast and has stood there since the Norman conquests of
Sicily. The castle here is the main attraction that sits apart from the village
on a rock outcrop facing the sea. Built
in 1076 the castle has stood for hundreds of years and is an iconic landmark on
this section of Sicilian coast. Today you can explore the grounds of the castle
and climb up to the top battlements for fantastic views out to the sea and the
surrounding countryside.
End your day at San Giovanni Li Cuti, a beach featuring black volcanic
sands, ash and a multitude of volcanic rocks. The beach is located on the east
coast of Sicily, opposite the Via Zoccolanti, the San Giovani Li Cuti is a
great place to escape from the busy city for a relaxing sunset.
Enjoy a bite to eat
at the small harbor at the northern end of the beach that is full of old wooden
fishing boats. There are several quaint bars and restaurants to choose from.
There are also several sections of wooden decking complete with sunbeds, a
great spot to relax while taking in the sea air.
Additional Days in Catania
Should you be able to spend additional days in Catania we recommend you spend a day at the beach at Lido Azzurro, a perfect place to soak up the sun and have some fun. Just 15 minutes to the south of Catania, this beautiful golden soft sand stretches for miles. At the beach there are many sun loungers so you can sit back with a cocktail and enjoy the beautiful weather. There is also a children`s play area, several beach bars and shops.
Your Last Day In Catania
Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.