By pureguava

In this period of the year the best side to visit is the East one and especially have a visit on:

• Mount Etna
• Catania
• Taormina
• Giardini Naxos
• Castiglione di Sicilia

If you arrive in the Catania airport the best thing you can do is to rent a car or use the public transports (more cheap but you could loose more time).

Just in the airport you can easily find the base points to take the Bus or rent a car. (maybe you could find more info here about driving conditions in Italy)

You could relax and enjoy…here some activity suggestions:

• Baroque tour of Catania and shopping in Via Etnea.

By Sim

You can also taste the typical foods in the well known bar “Savia”, very famous for its “Arancino” and other Sicilian sweets -Tot. Cost ….depends on what you buy

• Shopping in Corso Umberto in Taormina and visit the hill town of Castelmola (Up to Taormina) to taste the typical Almond wine of “Bar Turrisi” a very typical place to visit

By alit22fred

• Do and Excursion on the Etna – Tot. Cost 200€ to divide for your group members
• Wine tasting in the country of Castiglione di Sicilia (up to the Mount Etna) to taste the typical Sicilian wine – Tot cost 15€ at person
• Beach vacations in the beaches of Catania and Taormina – Tot cost FREE

The Best beaches of Catania are:

1) San Giovanni Li Cuti

By gutter

2) La scogliera

By Gioacchino Forte…my Daddy

• Relaxing golf vacations
• If you are active you can have a look on the outdoor adventure holidays

The Accommodations in this period are less crowded and it’s possible to apply for a discount price.

I’ll suggest you:

• Holiday Club Naxos: Rooms are of good size and clean with a pool and small beach.
• House holidays Bellavista
• Camping jonio
• Apartment for rent by Tiziana

General tips:

• For rates it’s better you contact them directly.
• Consider that September is still peak season so it’s better to book as much as early possible.
• With 1 week you will be able to tour quite a bit!

Enjoy you Sicily holidays…hope I’ll be useful!!

Try to imagine: You are travelling to Sicily and you’d like to enjoy and discover more about this island…

Here the list of the best news and events of this week about Sicily.

The Sicilian Arancino festival in Acicastello, Catania

From the 6 to the 9 September 2007, Ficarazzi (fraction of Aci Castello) will accommodate the festival of the arancino.

The manifestation represents an occasion to taste the varieties of different types of arancini from the classic with the “ragù” to the arancino with chocolate!

Also will be prepared a giant arancino to try to enter in the Guinness World Records.

Food and wine tour of Mazara del Vallo, Trapani

The Sicilian typical products in a “Gastronomic collections”

The manifestation “Gastronomic collections” will be in Mazara del Vallo (Trapani, Sicily) from the 12 to 14 October 2007.

In the Kempinski Hotel Garden of Costanza, the best sicilian chefs will realize the dishes of the ancient sicilian tradition. They will propose ancient dishes left by historical dominations that, today, are part of the sicilian culture.

Horseback riding in the Nebrodi Park

On 2 August 2007 there will be the way of the Nebrodi by horse. This second edition will be an occasion to promote a tourism in the green area of the Sicily.

The horsemen who will participate at the initiative, will cross the forests, lakes and the summits of the Nebrodi until catching up the sanctuary of the Three Virgins, for a naturalistic route of extraordinary beauty.

Ecotourism holidays in Salina, Aeolian islands

Returns, after the success of the last year, the Salina Festival. In this manifestation, will be inaugurated the Acoustic Park.

This is a part of the island dedicated to the listen of the atmosphere. The event previews numerous concerts, cinematographic projections, extensions like “19 loving fragments”, tastings of typical products of the zone with “Sea of Malvasia” and sonorous walks with some not seeing guides.

An opportunity to discover the charming nature of Salina and promote a responsible tourism. More

Video of the last eruptions of mount Etna in Nicolosi,Catania

The Volcanology’s Museum of Nicolosi will be open every weekend of August for the review “Vulcania, Works in progress”.
The manifestation will be in Nicolosi in the days 24 of July, 8, 22 and 29 August. It will illustrate the Etna’s eruptions. There will be projections of video that contain extraordinary images of the volcano’s activity.

The projections, for every evening, will start on 09,00 pm, with this program: the 24 of July the documentary “The perfect eruption”; the 8 of August the association “Etna viva” will remember Vincenzino Barbagallo, the first guide of the Etna; the 22 of August will be the projection of the documentary “The rope broken” and during the last evening, 29 of August, will assist to a multimedial reproduction of the Etna’s activity.

On Mt Etna the event “Etna under the stars”

For the promotion and the appreciation of the Etna, the event “Etna under stars” will be in scene from the 5 to 15 August 2007.

A rich program of sport and gastronomic appointments, that will be carried out on volcano, at 1800 meters of altitude in “Contrada Serra La Nave”.

The review will be opened with the manifestation in honor of the “Madonna delle Nevi”, on 5 August. In the other days, there will be:

• “Glasses under stars”, a manifestation with typical wine tasting of the Etna and a guided visit at the Astrophysical Observatory of Serra La Nave
• Races of trekking and mountain bike that will be carried out in the night
• Kite constructions and flight demonstrations

The event will finish on the night of “Ferragosto” (the 15 August) with astronomical observations with the telescope, tastings of typical sicilian products and with the show of pyrotechnician fires.

Now you know all you have to know…Enjoy your trip and Good luck

Then read these simple guide to help you understand what are the main attractions to visit and how to find bargain accommodations.

In you follow these simple tips you could save up to 30% on your hotel or city tour reservation.

General description of the City

This is one of the most important city of the south of Italy. The city is extended between the Ionian sea and the Mount Etna.

It was founded by Greeks in the 729 a.C. Here can be found the rests of ancient dominations like Greeks, Romans, Normans and Arabs. The city was destroyed 4 times by the Etna eruptions and the earthquakes. The reconstruction saw the birth of a wonderful historical center in baroque style.

How to find and choose the best accommodations in Catania

The cheapest hotels in catania are located in the heart of its historic center. These are XIXth century residences of baroque style made of lavic stone and white limestone.

Hotels are more expensive than other types of accommodation like b&b or apartments. They are indicated for business men or rich vacationers.

They have a range from five-stars to one stars and are provided of many facilities according to the number of stars.

The rooms are furnished in a practical and comfortable style. Every room is complete with facilities and services ( bathroom, mini fridge, tv, air conditioning, telephone) Most of them are equipped with all services such us bar 24 hours a day, Restaurant , Fast laundry, an ample guarded parking. Rooms are provided with services, hair dryer, TV, direct dialing telephone, heating, e-conditioner.

These hotels boast an enviable position, opposite the famous sandy beach of Catania or the cliff, and far away from the chaotic city center. In these private parks water plays and large swimming pools with Jacuzzi contribute to create a calm atmosphere. The hotels offer Restaurant, Bar, 24-hour Front Desk, Non-smoking Rooms, Rooms/Facilities for Disabled. De-luxe suites and rooms, all equipped with private terrace and the most exclusive comforts.

Price for hotels can be from 100€ a night to 400€ a night for a suite.

If you want to stay on a budget it’s better to choose a Bed and breakfast or an house for rent. Average price depends on the season. It can starts form 25 € a day to 50 € day in high season (price for 1 people a day)

Here an example of possible city sightseeing tour in Catania that you could experience…

The center has some beautiful buildings and interesting museums. All of the main sights are accessible by walking. For orientation, the main roads of Via Etnea and Via Vittorio Emanuele II meet at the Piazza del Duomo. To the South, through the Porta Uzeda, is the port of Catania, to the north Via Etnea is the more urban part of the town.

In Cathedral square is situated also the symbol of Catania, the 18th century Elephant Statue made of lava stone supporting an Egyptian obelisk on its back. One of the place you can’t miss in the sunny catanese mornings is the Fish Market.

Villa Bellini relieves the grey and black of lava stone with the green of vegetation. This is really a large park, dedicated to the famous Catanese composer. There are amusements for children, fields for gaming, and the occasional snack vendor to complement the colored and picturesque daytime atmosphere.

Roman amphitheater is Its most interesting thing to see even though it is invisible, in fact the Roman amphitheater withstood destruction caused by lava and earthquakes.

Via Etnea is the main street to promenade on a Sunday afternoon and night. Families, couples, groups or teenagers and so on stroll gently down the street. The thing I find fun is strolling all around the streets behind via Etnea where are situated many pubs crowded with young people and sitting in a café drinking and people watching.

The main attractions to visit are:

• Via Etnea (Etnean street)
• The Dome and Fountain of the Elephant
• The Cathedral
• Castello Ursino (Ursino Castle)
• The “fish marketâ€? and “A fera o luniâ€?
• The Museum Giovanni Verga
• Museum of the Sea
• Paleontological museum
• Diocesans museum
• Piazza Dante and the Benedictine abbey
• Roman rests ( Teatro Romano , Oden, Terme dell’Indirizzo)
• Piazza Stesicoro
• Via Crociferi
• Piazza Teotro Massimo and the Bellini Teather
• University square

For a Complete tour of the City and a guide you can download this free podcast here:

Here the map of the itinerary:

How to arrive in Catania?

Catania is one of the most reachable cities of Sicily.

• By Car you arrive here from Messina (or Taormina) by the A18 highway and from Palermo by the A19 Highway. From Syracuse you can arrive here by the SS 124 and the SS114.
• By Bus using the services provided by the AST (Azienda Siciliana trasporti)
• By Ferry you can arrive from Naples, Malta and Ravenna
• By Train: From Messina and Syracuse. (If you come from the main land of Italy you can take the rout from Naples or Rome: Eurostar)
• By Airplane you can search for flights on the “Fontanarossa – Vincenzo Bellini” Airport.
• Once you arrive in the airport you can take a Taxi (a bit expensive), a bus provided by the AMT that connects the airport with the railway station or rent a car.

Shopping guide

The Main shops are located in Etna street and Umberto Street. There are all type of shops. Shopping hours are from 9:00AM to 1:00PM and from 5:00PM to 8:00PM from Monday through Saturday.

Shops are closed:

• January 1st-New Year’s Day
• January 6th- Epiphany
• February 5th- St. Agatha’s Day
• Monday following Easter- Pasquetta
• April 25th- Liberation Day
• May 1st- Labor Day
• June 2nd- Republic Day
• August 15th-Ferragosto
• November 1st. -All Saints’ Day
• December 8th- Immaculate Conception
• December 25th- Christmas
• December 26th- St. Stephen’s Day

Now you have a complete view of the city. Book your next holiday in Catania is simple. All you have to do is to contact us, write your requests and start enjoy your vacation.