& ROOMS
Discover Catania
The city of Catania can boast a splendid historic center, protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Its architectural wonders, but also the liveliness of the popular markets, the wild beauty of Etna, and the clear sea of the coast will captivate you.
The Cathedral of Sant'Agata (the patron saint of the city), the Bellini Theater, the popular markets, via Etnea, the splendid Benedictine Monastery (seat of the University's Department of Human Sciences), and Mount Etna are just some of the wonders of this city.
Obviously, it is impossible to overlook the culinary delicacies of Catanese tradition, such as arancini (yes, here they are called in the masculine form!), Iris (fried or baked filled pastries), Olivette di Sant’Agata, and brioche with granita. Try them all!
For lovers of grilled horse meat, a symbol of Catanese gastronomic tradition, a must-visit is Via del Plebiscito, a street in the historic center filled with the unmistakable aroma of ever-burning embers. Another unmissable stop, just outside Catania, is the coast, particularly the Gulf of Acitrezza, an enchanting place that, with its sea stacks, was chosen by Giovanni Verga as the setting for his most famous novel, “I Malavoglia.”
Starting from Catania, you can experience the unique adventure of conquering the summit of the highest active volcano in Europe, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. You can choose to take a splendid morning hike around the ancient and fascinating basaltic lava flows, craters, and centuries-old forests that characterize the surroundings of Mount Etna; explore the lunar landscape of the “Valle del Bove” or the desert of black ash. Alternatively, at sunset, you can admire the colors of the setting sun from an altitude of about 2000 meters.
Another natural wonder not to be missed is the Alcantara Gorges, a series of gorges carved into the basalt lava by the Alcantara River, creating a spectacle of unique rock formations and crystal-clear waters. It is a perfect place for hiking, trekking, and, on hotter days, a refreshing swim.
The tour concludes with a sweet aperitif featuring sweet wine and almonds, in full Sicilian style.
Crossing the plain of Catania, crossing rural villages, you can go to Agrigento and take a tour in the Valley of the Temples, one of the most important and popular tourist destinations in Sicily, an archaeological site that has been a World Heritage Site since 1997 and then move to Piazza Armerina.
The city is famous for the beautiful Villa Romana del Casale, which owes its fame to the floors made entirely with mosaics depicting mythological stories.