Catania

Distance from Catania Km. 17 | h. 00:00 | SS

Etna National Park

Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe. It is located in the north-east of Sicily and is the result of numerous geological events that have taken place over tens of thousands of years. Its huge mass faces the Ionian Sea to the east and is bordered on the northern side by the Alcantara river which over time has carved out of the bed of volcanic rock splendid narrow gorges which now form part of the reserve of the Gorges of the Alcantara River. Etna is bordered to the west and south-west by the Simeto river. Presently, the volcano is approximately 3,300 metres high, has a perimeter of around 210 kilometres and a surface area of approximately 1,600 square kilometres. During periods of intense volcanic activity, lava can erupt from hundreds of temporary craters on the flanks of the volcano which are grouped into more than 260 eruptive systems. The current structure of the volcano, whose height is constantly changing through eruptions and flanks falls, has been building up on the old volcanoes of Trifoglietto, whose collapse created the Valle del Bove as well as the Mongibello crater, from the Arab word gebel which means "mountain of mountains", still active today. The summit of the volcano comprises the Central crater, Voragine and Bocca Nuova, the North-east crater at a height of 1,911 metres above sea level and the South-east crater at a height of 1,971 metres above sea level. In addition to the craters on the summit, Montagnola and Monti Silvestri are of particular interest. Montagnola is one of the most imposing among the temporary volcanic cones of Etna; it rises to the south of the Central crater at an altitude of 2,500 metres and was created by the 1763 eruption. The Monti Silvestri were created by an eruption in 1892 and the road that runs from Zafferana and Nicolosi to the area in front of the Rifugio Sapienza and to the cable car, the destination for all visitors who wish to climb the volcano, passes between these two volcanic cones - Monte Silvestri Superiore ("higher") and Monte Silvestri Inferiore ("lower"). Located at a height of 2,900 metres is the Torre del Filisofo, a structure named after Empedocles, the philosopher from Agrigento who climbed the volcano to study its geological phenomena and make his home there. Legend has it that the philosopher died when he fell into the mouth of the volcano but no-one is sure whether he fell by accident or voluntarily.
Guided tours to the craters on the summit are available with expert and qualified local guides in 4x4 buses and off-road vehicles. The company which operates the cable car runs these services officially, however, there are many other operators offering a similar service. Departures take places from the Rifugio Sapienza with "Acquaterra" on the southern slope or from Piano Provenzana with "S.T.A.R." on the northern slope. Flying over the volcano in a helicopter is a unique and exhilarating experience. Among the various companies offering this service we recommend "Volcanotrek".

Distance from Catania Km. 53 | h. 00:00 | A

Taormina

Suspended between the rocks and the sea, Taormina is located on the side of Monte Tauro at an altitude of 200 metres above sea level in the Province of Messina.  Its origins are uncertain, however, it is likely that the first settlement dates back to the period prior to the establishment of Naxos, the first Greek colony founded in Sicily in 753 B.C.. Over the centuries Taormina was occupied by the Greeks, the Romans, the Goths, the Byzantines, the Arabs and finally the Bourbons.  Since then many famous writers and artists (Goethe, Maupassant, Rouel and others) were attracted by its amenities and by its archaeological beauties. From that day on, Taormina began to develop into a tourist resort for the élite, initially attracting travellers from England such as Lady Florence, daughter of Baron Spencer Trevelyan, whose paternal grandmother was Lady Maria Wilson, first cousin of Queen Victoria, who decided to live in Taormina where she married Salvatore Cacciola, a wealthy philanthropist who was mayor of Taormina and a friend of the Duke of Kent. Other visitors to Taormina included King Edward VII, Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Friedrich Nietzsche, Kaiser William II of Germany, Oscar Wilde and Tsar Nicholas I. So Taormina became the social tourist resort par excellence in Sicily, thanks to its natural beauties and stunning views over Etna and the gulf of Isola Bella. Numerous aristocratic villas, palaces and luxurious hotels were constructed during this period. Mass tourism arrived at the end of the 1960’s and led to excessive construction in the surrounding area. Nowadays Taormina attracts thousands of travellers from all over the world. Its small historic town centre welcomes tourists who can admire its architectural jewels, shop at one of its numerous small shops and enjoy wonderful views over the gulf below from one of the numerous cafés and restaurants that can be found in the town. The heart of the town, however, is the unique and magnificent Greek theatre which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and offers breathtaking views of Etna. Every summer the theatre stages numerous theatre productions and concerts. Taormina is a small town which is difficult to reach, especially in summer, and the best means of access is either the cable car which takes you right into the centre of the town or one of the shuttle buses which run between the various car parks and the town centre. The coast of Taormina has some beautiful beaches such as Isola Bella, Lido Spisone, Mazzarò and Giardini Naxos, however, these become very crowded in August.

Distance from Catania Km. 60 | h. 01:00 | SS

Alcantara Gorges

The Park of the Alcantara River covers the basin of the Alcantara river located on the northern slopes of the Etna volcano. The source of the river is located in the Nebrodi Mountains near to Floresta. The Alcantara river has a length of around 50 kilometres and, near to the point where it crosses a series of imposing lava flows, the river has created a series of deep gorges characterised by their sheer sides and columns with prismatic bases. The columns surround the walls of the basalt canyon like organ pipes. Inside the gorges small pools and cascades have formed where it is possible to take a swim. Access to the park is located near to Motta Camastra at Fondaco Motta and from this point it is possible to descend into the gorge to the riverbank on foot via a long pathway or, upon payment, via a series of private lifts. In the summer the Circumetnea railway offers a tourist package which includes a guided tour of the Alcantara Gorges. Another feature worthy of a visit are the so-called "Gurne" of small lakes which are formed by the river near to Francavilla di Sicilia.

Distance from Catania Km. 65 | h. 00:00 | A

Syracuse

Syracuse is the fourth largest city in Sicily by population. Its name is derived from the siculan word "Syraka" which means city rich in water due to its numerous waterways and marshy area. Described by Cicero as "the most beautiful of all the Greek cities" in 2005 it was declared, together with the nearby necropolis of Pantalica, a UNESCO world heritage site. Both in Greek and in Latin, the city's name was expressed in the plural form, "Siracusae", because the city founded by Archia, a Corinthian noble, in 734 B.C. soon became a "pentapolis" or grouping of five cities after the addition of a further four centres to the original centre located on the island of Ortigia: Acradina, Tiche, Neàpolis ed Epipolis. The reputation of Syracuse is directly related to its Greek history and at that time the city was surrounded by a fortified wall with the castle of Eurialo as its apex, a unique example of a Greek fortress which was never conquered and is still in existence. Stone used to construct the castle and temples in the surrounding area was excavated from underground quarries or "latomie" during the Greek occupation. The most famous of these "latomie" is the Latomia dei Cappuccini which was used to hold prisoners of war during the war with Athens where they were left to die of starvation and privation. A number of temples remain partially intact at Syracuse, the most famous of which is the Temple of Apollo. The temple is the oldest in Sicily and is located on the small island of Ortigia which contains the original part of the city. During the Roman period the city grew noticeably both in splendour and importance. A number of works of significant importance remain today such as the Roman Amphitheatre, one of the largest in Italy used for gladiatorial contests, the Roman Gymnasium and the Catacombs. Syracuse then endured a series of occupations by various powers including the Byzantines (when it became a Byzantine imperial court), the Muslims and subsequently the Normans. After the earthquake of 1693, the city underwent a new architectural renaissance and numerous churches and Baroque buildings are still standing today as evidence of the splendour of this period. The illustrious history of Syracuse is demonstrated by the fact that the city possesses the first Christian church in Europe (the Cathedral), the largest theatre in the Greek world (and the best preserved in Europe), the Orsi museum which is the largest archeological museum in Europe and the Roman Catacombs which are the largest of their kind in Europe outside Rome. Inside the Archeological Park which covers an area of 240,000 square metres you can find the above-mentioned Latomie, quarries where the Greeks excavated stone for construction projects and which were subsequently used as prisons, the Ear of Dionysius, an artificial grotto with an entrance on the form of an auricle whose internal acoustic features amplify sounds as featured in the legend of the tyrant Dionysius who imprisoned his enemies here and heard their amplified words from afar. Also inside the Archeological Park you can find the Roman Amphitheatre from the third century A.D., the Greek Theatre constructed in the fourth century B.C. but which has been modified periodically over time, the Roman Gymnasium from the first century B.C. which comprised a portico, a "quadriportico" (an open space surrounded by a portico on each side), a temple and Roman Burial Grounds stretching for a distance of around 150 metres. A number of important nature reserves are located in the area around Syracuse, including the Cavagrande del fiume Cassibile and the Vendicari Nature Reserve.

Distance from Catania Km. 68 | h. 01:00 | SS

Nebrodi National Park

The National Park of the Nebrodi mountains, stretching for around 70 kilometres, together with the Madonie mountains to the west and the Peloritani mountains to the east, form the siculan Appenines. The Park faces the Tyrrhenian Sea to the north and is bordered to the east by Etna, the Alcantara river and the upper reaches of the Simeto river. The natural features which most strongly characterize the landscape of the Nebrodi mountains include the diversity in the shape of the landscape itself, the rich vegetation and the moist, humid atmosphere. Their peaks, which reach a maximum height of 1,847 metres above sea level with Monte Soro, have round flanks which open out into wide valleys that have been sculpted by numerous rivers which flow into the Tyrrhenian Sea. In some parts their features resemble the Dolomites with irregular profiles and jagged forms. Good examples of this are the spectacular and impervious limestone rock formations of Monte San Fratello and, above all, the Rocche del Crasto in the region of Alcara Li Fusi and S. Marco D'Alunzio. The Nebrodi mountains are characterized by dense woods, high, verdant pastures, peaceful lakes and fast-flowing streams which contrast with the popular view of Sicily as an arid land parched by the sun. The Park has numerous destinations of interest for visitors such as the Castello dell’Impallaccionata or Pietratagliata, the Maulazzo lake at an altitude of 1,400 metres set in the middle of the Solazzo Verde plantation of beech trees and the Biviere lake near Cesarò which is the most important moist, mountain habitat for nature in Sicily. The Zerbetto, Malo Passo, Fossa del Lupo, Mangalaviti and Serra del Re woods between Longi and Bronte, accessible from Galati Mamertino, represent an area of extraordinary beauty and fascination for its dense vegetation and numerous streams. In total there are 23 municipalities inside the Nebrodi National Park: Acquedolci, Alcara Li Fusi, Capizzi, Caronia, Cesarò, Floresta, Galati Mamertino, Longi, Militello Rosmarino, Mistretta, Sant’Agata Militello, Santa Domenica Vittoria, San Fratello, San Marco d'Alunzio, Santo Stefano di Camastra, San Teodoro, Tortorici, Ucria, Bronte, Maniace, Randazzo, Cerami and Troina.

Distance from Catania Km. 85 | h. 01:00 | SS

Caltagirone

Caltagirone ("Caltagiruni" in Sicilian dialect) is nicknamed the Queen of Mount Erei. Located in the centre of the eastern part of the Province of Catania, its fame derives from the production, both ancient and modern, of the most refined, hand-painted Sicilian ceramics. For more than two thousand years Caltagirone was a stronghold in this part of Sicily for the Byzantine, Arab and Norman empires who controlled the plains of Gela and Catania from this position. Its historic centre is rich in churches, palaces and 18th century villas but the monument which really makes this place famous is the majolica staircase which has become a symbol of the city. The municipality is located in the Val di Noto which is classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. In the city's gracious and welcoming historic centre there are numerous shops selling ceramics and majolica; some only specialise in the sale of souvenirs to tourists but others display examples of true majolica ware, hand-made by Sicilian craftsmen, both new and antique. These hand-painted works include dinner services, bowls, vases and objects of various kinds, however, the famous Heads of Caltagirone representing historical and mythical figures, such as Saracen and Moorish warriors, are truly outstanding. Garden tables decorated with lava stone cut in various shapes and sizes are also very popular.

Distance from Catania Km. 98 | h. 01:00 | SS

Piazza Armerina

The city of Piazza Armerina is located in the southern Erei mountains at a height of 700 metres above sea level a short distance from the main town of Enna in the heart of the most harsh and untamed area of Sicily. The town was constructed under the orders of the Norman king Roger II and is surrounded by woods and the forests of the Ronza Park. Piazza Armerina, now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for the Villa Romana del Casale which was constructed in the 4th century and contains some of the finest examples of Roman mosaics created by African craftsmen. The villa was constructed as a result of increasing pressure on the wealthy Roman classes, in particular senators and quaestors, to move away from the cities to country estates due to growing fiscal pressure and the burden of their responsibility to maintain public services. And so the owners themselves came to occupy these estates which were no longer cultivated by slaves but by colonists. Considerable sums of money were spent on the enlargement and embellishment of country residences or villas to make them more comfortable. The Villa del Casale is an example of a villa that underwent such a process, as is the Villa del Tellaro near Noto. The Villa del Casale comprises a palatial entrance with 3 arches which provided access to the baths complex with its octagonal room and to the residential complex which comprised a hallway, a quandrangular peristyle, an oval peristyle, the corridor of the "Great Hunt", service rooms and principal apartments on the north, east and south sides of the building.

Distance from Catania Km. 89 | h. 01:00 | SS

Palazzolo Acreide

… It is towards Palazzolo Acreide that you should rather direct your steps as you will not only appreciate its eighteenth century appearance, but you will also be seduced by the ruins dating to the Greek period. (Gesualdo Bufalino)  Palazzolo Acreide is one of the baroque villages belonging to the “Iblean Mountain Valley” that figure in the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. Located within the province of Siracusa, Palazzolo Acreide is an important historic and cultural site, functioning as a significant historic-cultural reference site in eastern Sicily. Of great importance are its baroque and art nouveau Palazzi, its numerous baroque churches, its Greek theatre, and the delicious flavours of genuine Iblean gastronomy. This is one of the most ancient archaeological areas in the whole of Italy. Its urban network has been almost fully preserved and you can still observe the various historic layers that have succeeded each other: from the Siculian necropolis, dating back to the XII century, to the ruins of the Greek polis, as well as the subsequent reconstructions initiated by the Romans and the Byzantines. The Greek Theatre in Palazzolo is still used today for classical performances during the International Festival of Classical Theatre for Young People that takes place every year in the month of May. Another important monument in Palazzolo is the “House Museum Antonino Uccello” founded by the distinguished poet and anthropologist A. Uccello. This is a regional ethnographic museum where faithful reconstuctions of peasant living spaces, manor farms, olden oil-mills, as well as a splendid collection of Sicilian puppets (“pupi”) are on display. This allows visitors to re-experience these ancient atmospheres which would have otherswise disappeared forever. In Palazzolo it is possible to taste and buy excellent local produce such as “Monti Iblei” D.O.P. oil, local honey, organic mushrooms, local cheese and sausages. You will have a chance to relish in the renowned Palazzolo gastronomy in the many popular restaurants spread around the village. This type of cooking is renowned because it still maintains the genuine flavour of traditional Sicilian cooking. On 29th June Palazzolo celebrates his patron Saints Peter and Paul with a big religious and very old festival.

Distance from Catania Km. 100 | h. 01:00 | SS

Aidone

The eleventh-century Saracen village of Aidone rises high on a hill of the Erei Mountains. In Aidone, nicknamed the “Balcony of Sicily” for its elevated position, you breathe pure and fresh air and will enjoy the enchanting views that open up in all directions: from Mount Etna to the Nebrodi Mountains, from the plain of Catania to the Ionian Sea up until Syracuse. Nature seems to have indulged herself in the creation of the most diverse elements around Aidone: bountiful forests, very green hills, golden valleys, fertile plains and waterways give this landscape unique colours and smells. This small village of ancient origins lies within one of the most fascinating cultural and nature districts in central Sicily. In its territory well-preserved old manor farms can be found, as well as the significant archaeological site of the Morgantina and a few medieval jewels: on a hillock over a stream lies the elegant Chiesetta di S. Marco, dating back to 1140, and on a giant rock, the Castle of Pietratagliata or Gresti. The castle is perched on a rock spur overhanging the Gresti stream valley. In extreme isolation, these ruins fit in beautifully with the surrounding environment enabling history and environment to unite in perfect marriage, a really unique one in the whole of Sicily. The etymology of the term Aidone goes back to the word Ayn-dun that in the Arab language means “superior waters spring.” Aidone was very much loved by the Arabs for its abundance of water that still characterises it today, but only with the Normans did the village acquire a certain independent territorial dignity by becoming a Lombard town that was strategically and politically important. Dating back to the Norman period are the Churches of Santa Maria la Cava or del Piano as well as the Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate. A few traces in the ruins from the “Castellaccio” belong to the Aragonese period that is located in one of the highest points of the village. One of the most interesting archaeological sites in the country region of Sicily is situated in the Enna province and is undoubtely the ancient Greek city of Morgantina. The city extends over a modest plain surrounded by soft hills. At the centre of the plateau is the agora which is dominated by the above “Hill of the Cittadella,” the centre of the Acropolis. Before being colonised by the Greeks, the site was home to prehistoric settlements from the Castellucian Period or the Sicilian the Bronze Age. On the Acropolis are the most ancient remains of the town. At the foot of the hill of the Acropolis is the residential area where exemplary luxurious mosaic-floored and frescoed houses have been discovered. The archaeological finds discovered in the Morgantina area date from  the Iron Age to the first century BC and are kept in the very small but extremely interesting Aidone’s Regional Archaeological Museum. The museum also displays the famous Ellenistic period silverware from the third century BC that has been returned to Sicily after being displayed for a number of years at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Distance from Catania Km. 53 | h. 01:00 | SS

Militello in Val di Catania

Situated between the Val di Noto, a few hills watching over the perfumed orange groves in the plain of Catania and the valley of the river Lèmbasi, Militello is a town of history and art, but also of oranges and traditional must and prickly pear cakes. Together with Caltagirone, Catania, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa, Modica and Scicli, Militello is one of the eight “comuni” (“municipalities”) which was declared a “World Heritage Site” by the UNESCO, hence included in its World Heritage List with the aim of protecting the “Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto.” Its place-name derives from the Latin “Militum Tellus,” that is “land of soldiers.” Indeed, according to tradition the town was founded by the Roman consul Marcellus during the siege of Syracuse in 214 BC. It was very likely a Byzantine rural home as this is evidenced by remains of religion-inspired frescoes discovered in several caves. The place was later occupied by the Arabs, and during the feudal period it was under the control of the Marquis of Barresi and Branciforte. Rich in churches, palazzi, and abundant buildings that display baroque decorations on their corbels, balconies and tympanums, their facades and gates, this artistic and cultural heritage of medieval and baroque origins makes Militello one fascinating stop over for the ones embarked on a Sicilian Baroque itinenary. On via Matrice, over an elevated platform with a molten rock staircase is La Chiesa Madre. Dedicated to Saint Nicholas and Saint Salvator, the church was rebuilt after the earthquake in 1693. It displays a beautiful twentieth century dome, while stuccoes (“fine plasters”) and valuable paintings from the eighteenth century, as well as a baroque wooden crucifix can be found inside the church. Nearby is the Museum of San Nicolò, which holds precious works of art and sacred objects from the sixteenth century. In Piazza Municipio is the large complex of the Church of San Benedetto built in 1623 by the architect from Catania Valeriano De Franchis. Inside the church is a beautiful wooden choir displaying scenes from Saint Benedict’s life and a painting by Giovanni Battista Baldanza junior. Annexed to the church, the Benedictine Monastery, now seat of the town hall, was completed in 1649. A few other churches in Militello deserve attention: the Oratorio di Santa Maria della Catena, with its coffer ceiling and baroque stuccoes with gold inlay from the late seventeenth century;  the Church of Sant'Antonio di Padova; the Church of San Francesco d'Assisi, housing paintings by Filippo Paladini; the late gothic style Church of Santa Maria la Vetere, and the 1722 Church of Santa Maria della Valle, with an independent and solid bell tower and a painting attributed to Andrea Della Robbia. Other examples are the church of Santa Maria la Stella with its facade full of intagli (“carvings”) from the 1700s, the Oratorio dell’Angelo, with its stunning 1785 maiolica pavement from Caltagirone, the aristocratic Palazzo Baldanza, Palazzo Baldanza-Denaro, Palazzo Majorana, Palazzo Reforgiato, Palazzo Rametta Reburdone. Traditional gastronomy from Militello is mainly based on confectionery. Almonds and mulled wine are the main ingredients of all sorts of cakes, hence their scrumptious Mediterranean taste. Militello is also well-known for its prickly pear mustard.

Distance from Catania Km. 20 | h. 00:00 | SS

Santa Maria la Scala

At the foot of the “Timpa Nature Reserve” in the territory of Acireale, along the Ionian coast, lies the seaside fishing village of  Santa Maria La Scala. The village gathers around an attractive little harbour, called “Scalo Grande,” edged on the south side by an old yet functioning Water Mill. Like in the past, the mill is still powered today by the water of the Miuccio spring coming from the Timpa region. On the north side of the village is a wonder of nature which is reachable by sea: the “Grotta delle Colombe,” a natural but unfortunately weather-beaten molten rock grotto. The exisiting church was built after the 1963 earthquake. Inside the church are beautiful paintings by Giacinto Platania and Michele Vecchio. Strolling along the seafront on the pier of this small village, you are likely to meet old and experienced fishermen - their faces marked by the sea - busy with their usual daily activity: the mending of their fishing nets. The ones who wish to can reach Santa Maria La Scala through a narrow seventeenth-century road called “Le Chiazzette:” an interesting nature trail amidst the quiet atmosphere of the Timpa Nature Reserve. Santa Maria La Scala is also a popular seaside resort thanks to its natural cliffs of molten rocks that have been gradually polished by the waves. The village is as well a preferred and customary location for both Sicilians and tourists who wish to eat fresh fish or savour a delicious almond granita (“slush”).