Your flight to Catania brings you to Sicily’s bustling, port city, built in grand Baroque style from the black solidified lava of nearby Mount Etna. Don’t miss the impressive Duomo, Catania’s two Roman amphitheatres and the cliff-top town of Taormina.
Step back in time to the Ancient Greek Sicilian capital of Syracuse (76km south of Catania) and the extraordinary Roman mosaics of Piazza Armerina where ladies wearing bikinis are set in stone (97km west of Catania). Join the locals for a stroll around Catania’s largest, greenest park, the Villa Bellini, which has amazing views across to smoking Mount Etna.
Escape the crowds for the lush hillsides of Mount Etna (60km north of Catania). Drive up as far as you can and then hike higher in summer along solidified lava flows, or strap on some skis in winter.
Locals love Catanian-born Marella Ferrera’s provocative fashion. The best-known Sicilian clothes designer’s boutique is on Viale XX Settembre. Take home locally produced wines, olive oils, tuna and pasta and do try Catania’s speciality – maccheroni stuffed with couscous |