Famous all over the world for being the highest and most active volcano in Europe, Etna, thanks to its wonderful and uncontaminated nature, has become part of the prestigious UNESCO World’s Heritage List since 21 June 2013, that is the list of assets considered World Heritage Site.

An ancient and very active volcano, in its history it has given rise to many famous eruptions. One of the most famous eruptions occurred in historical times is that of 1669, which reaches Catania, surrounding the Ursino Castle. One of the most violent eruptions in historical times was that of 1928, which began on November 2 of that year and ended after 18 days with the almost total destruction of the city of Mascali, in the province of Catania.

In more recent times, the eruptions of 1997 certainly deserve mention, that of 1998 which caused various damage to Biancavilla and caused copious ash spills that poured into the municipalities of Nicolosi and Zafferana Etnea. The recent eruption of December 2018 caused serious damage to Zafferana Etnea and in some hamlets of Acese.

But Etna is not only eruptions, fortunately, but also a splendid landscape and a practically unique environment, rich in biodiversity in flora and fauna, long protected thanks to the establishment of the Etna Park. A visit to Eastern Sicily cannot possibly be separated from a visit to Etna or the Etna villages. Thanks to its geographical position, Etna majestically dominates Eastern Sicily, being a few tens of kilometers from Catania, known precisely as the “Etna capital”.

On Etna it is possible to carry out a great variety of activities and excursions and there are numerous attractions to visit.

Etna Park: the first Sicilian park to be established, with its 59,000 hectares it includes most of the volcano. The Etna park is full of woods, paths, views and truly breathtaking landscapes. The park is divided into various areas, from the most external to the most internal and protected, and it is splendid to visit at any time of the year.

Etna cable car: located near the famous Rifugio Sapienza, the Etna cable car allows you to reach an altitude of 2500 meters in just 15 minutes. From here it is possible to continue on foot with the help of local guides to discover the wildest areas of the volcano.

Volcanological Museum of Etna: located in Nicolosi, just 400 meters from our structure, this interesting museum offers very rich contents concerning the eruptions of Etna from antiquity to the present day. The museum area is divided into two distinct sections and hosts a rich photographic documentation, where the various phases of the eruptive activity are described in detail, an area where projections are made, a splendid scale model of the territory of the volcano, as well as to numerous samples of lava products such as crystals and volcanic rocks.

Silvestri craters: located in the territory of the Municipality of Nicolosi, they are located about 18 kilometers from our structure. These are two huge craters formed following the eruption of 1892. Today the craters are a splendid attraction and it is possible to walk around their edge and admire the barren and wild nature consisting mostly of lava stone with a characteristic black color interrupted by occasionally from a sparse vegetation. From the craters you can also enjoy a truly spectacular view of the sea overlooking the Gulf of Catania.

The following attractions are also present in the Etna area:

“Donkey’s Back” trail
Sapienza Refuge
Etna refuge 2500 meters
EtnAvventura Adventure Park
Valle del Bove
Butterfly House
Etnaland Water Park
Summit Craters
Cave of the Frost
The “Montagnola”

Also known as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean”, set on a splendid promontory overlooking the sea, Taormina is located in an enchanting position and in an area rich in scenic beauty as well as history, culture and archeology. It is no coincidence that it is certainly the most famous tourist resort in Sicily and one of the main in Italy. A place therefore full of charm and beauty, which over the centuries has attracted many visitors, including illustrious poets, writers and philosophers who have repeatedly celebrated its beauty.

The city develops on the ridge of the Peloritani Mountains, in the province of Messina, and enjoys a splendid view of Mount Etna, which is located in a southerly direction, and the Ionian Sea. Thanks to the mild and temperate climate of Sicily it is possible to appreciate it at any time of the year. The area has been home to human settlements since ancient times, as evidenced by the numerous vestiges of the Greco-Roman era such as the famous Ancient Theater. The city is also home to splendid beaches, much appreciated by tourists from all over the world, and in the famous Corso Umberto, the real living room of the city, there are numerous shops, as well as many places where you can taste the typical dishes of the Sicilian tradition and of all the world.

Among the main attractions we can mention:

Corso Umberto I: the main street of Taormina and the city’s living room: bordered to the north by Porta Messina and to the south by Porta Catania. It is a narrow and very characteristic street, bordered by numerous buildings of different architectural styles and overlooked by churches and squares. In addition to being a famous shopping street, since it hosts many shops, Corso Umberto is also home to many restaurants, souvenir shops, shops and cafes.

The Ancient Theater: dating back to the III century BC. C. is still perfectly preserved today, so much so that every year it hosts a rich concert season and events. Its location on a promontory offers a truly spectacular and unique view in the world.

Villa Comunale: originally born as a private park, it is composed of a series of splendid English-style gardens and hosts a great variety of plants and flowers from all over the Mediterranean as well as numerous small buildings and a characteristic building called “The Beehives” ( the hive). Its numerous paths lead through the lush gardens making this villa a true oasis of peace and relaxation.

Corvaja Palace: built starting from an ancient military tower from the Arab era, the building was expanded several times in subsequent eras until it assumed its current form. For a long time the residence of the noble Corvaja family, today the palace presents a fascinating synthesis of architectural styles ranging from Arab to Gothic and Norman. Today it houses public offices and above all an interesting museum focused on Sicilian folk arts and traditions.

Piazza del Duomo and Cathedral of San Nicola: the dome and the cathedral are located in the center of the city, on the famous Corso Umberto. The Cathedral, built in 1400, has a very simple architecture and an austere stone facade, with a Latin cross interior consisting of three naves and three apses. The interior houses pink marble columns surmounted by capitals and numerous works. At the center of Piazza Duomo is the famous fountain with the symbol of the city: a crowned centaur.

Palazzo dei Duchi di Santo Stefano: an ancient palace dating back to 1300, it is considered one of the masterpieces of Sicilian Gothic, with a rich influence of Arab and Norman elements. Today it houses numerous works of art by Sicilian artists.

Isola Bella: this small islet, rich in lush vegetation and attached to the mainland by a thin strip of land, has become one of the most famous and representative images of Taormina. It is located in the sea area of ​​the city within a cove of the coast. Since 1998 it has become a nature reserve and has been declared an asset of significant historical and artistic interest.

Piazza IX Aprile: together with Piazza Duomo it is certainly the most famous of Taormina, especially as it looks like a real terrace overlooking the sea from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the entire coast, starting from Etna that stands majestically at south. The baroque church of San Giuseppe, dating back to the 17th century, overlooks the square. It too overlooks Corso Umberto and is certainly the center of Taormina’s social life.

Known as the capital of Etna, Catania is a city with a thousand-year history, whose construction dates back to the period of Greek domination in Sicily. Unfortunately, few traces remain of the Greek-Roman period, but fortunately clearly visible, such as the Roman Theater, located in the historic center, now part of the Greek-Roman Archaeological Park of Catania, which is still partially underground.
In addition to the incomparable panorama of Etna, the city of Catania, also due to the numerous destructions suffered over the centuries by the eruptions, presents itself with splendid architecture in which Sicilian Baroque dominates. From Piazza del Duomo, where the symbol of the city stands out: the stone elephant (called “u Liotru”), to the Cathedral of Sant’Agata up to Villa Bellini, passing through the famous Via Etnea, everywhere dominates the lava stone with its characteristic black colour.
The city of Catania is therefore very rich in attractions and places of interest.

Among the main attractions of Catania we can mention:

Via Etnea: the main street, dedicated to his majesty, Etna, and for centuries the “living room” of the city, starts from Piazza Duomo. It is undoubtedly the important and characteristic street of Catania, very wide, majestic and entirely paved in lava stone. Via Etnea is bordered by splendid palaces and numerous churches. Piazza Stesicoro, Villa Bellini, and numerous shops, bars, pastry shops and restaurants also overlook Via Etnea.

The Cathedral of Sant’Agata: built over the ancient Roman baths, it was built in the exact place where the patron saint of Catania suffered her martyrdom in 251 AD. The church has an architecture with three naves and inside is very similar to the Pantheon. In addition to housing the relics of the Saint, the Cathedral houses several tombs of the royal family of Aragon and the tomb of Vincenzo Bellini, a native of Catania and one of the most famous composer of the 19th century, who died at the young age of 34.

Piazza del Duomo: the nerve center of the city, the square is surrounded by splendid Baroque style buildings which are Porta Uzeda, the Cathedral, the Church of the Badia di Sant’Agata and the Town Hall. In the center of the square we find the symbolic icon of the city: the famous stone elephant called “U Liotru”.

Palazzo degli Elefanti: famous building overlooking Piazza Duomo, where the stone elephant (called “Liotru”) symbol of the city is located, Palazzo degli Elefanti houses the offices of the Municipality of Catania. It is a valuable construction resulting from an admirable architectural synthesis between the Baroque and the Neoclassical.

Piazza dell’University: one of the most beautiful pizza in the city, overlooked by two magnificent buildings which are Palazzo dell’University and Palazzo di San Giuliano, is located at the southern end of Via Etnea.

Massimo Bellini Theater: considered one of the most beautiful theaters in Italy, and considered one of the best in the world in terms of acoustics, it is located in the square of the same name. It was designed by the architect Andea Scala in a neo-Renaissance style and can accommodate up to 1200 people. It is named after the famous composer of the same name Vincenzo Bellini.

Church of San Nicolò: together with the related monastery, it is part of one of the largest ecclesiastical areas in Europe. The adjacent monastery now houses the Faculty of Letters of the University of Catania. It is possible to admire the interior where there is a sundial from 1841 and the large dome from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the city.

Roman Theater: part of the Greek-Roman archaeological complex of Catania, the theater is located in the city center, a short distance from Piazza del Duomo. Today it is still partially buried, as due to the eruptions and destruction suffered by the city over the centuries, the ancient acropolis was dominated by more recent buildings and Baroque style, but the ancient theater is still well visible.

Amphitheater: part of the archaeological complex from the Greek-Roman era, the amphitheater is located at the very central Piazza Stesicoro, which overlooks Via Etnea. Behind the amphitheater you can see the facade of the Capuchin Church and on the opposite side you can see a monument dedicated to the illustrious composer Vincenzo Bellini.

Pescheria: one of the liveliest and most typical places in popular Catania. The Catania fish market is certainly one of the liveliest and richest in all of Sicily. It is held every day in the area of ​​the “Archi della Marina” which is located a short distance from Piazza Duomo and can be reached by crossing Porta Uzeda. Definitely a place not to be missed.

Via dei Crociferi: one of the most characteristic streets of the city, which crosses and cuts perpendicularly the equally famous Via di San Giuliano, called in dialect “a cchianata di San Giuliano” (the Salita di San Giuliano, which is precisely a uphill road), the via dei Crociferi extends from the Faculty of Law, at Villa Cerami, to the Church of San Francesco d’Assisi. The street is bordered by numerous churches and buildings in the Baroque style. From Via dei Crociferi you can visit, in addition to the aforementioned Church of San Francesco d’Assisi, the Church of San Benedetto, the Church of San Giuliano and the Church of San Nicolò all’Arena, as well as the famous Benedictine Monastery.

Villa Bellini: considered the “green lung” of the city, Villa Bellini is the largest park in Catania. Located close to Via Etnea, it is a truly enchanting park consisting of splendid green spaces rich in typical Mediterranean flora. Interesting is the Botanical clock, which welcomes visitors as they enter, in which the date is formed with flowers and is updated every morning with the current date. Adjacent to the Villa Bellini is the Botanical Garden of Catania, full of plants and flowers from all over the world.

Ursino Castle: the famous Castle stands on the Piazza Federico II di Svevia and its construction was commissioned by the famous Emperor. Built with a square plan architecture, like many other fortresses of the time, it consists of 4 corner towers and a large internal courtyard. Originally it was located directly on the sea, but after the eruption of 1669 the lava, which actually surrounded the castle, moved the coast line away by more than 300 meters, thus “distancing it” from the sea. Inside is the Civic Museum of the same name, where numerous and valuable local artifacts and works of art are exhibited.

Landing Museum: located on Piazzale Rocco Chinnici, overlooking Viale Africa, a short distance from the historic center and the Central Station, the Landing Museum is an interesting reconstruction of the war events that in July 1943 led the Allies to disembark in Sicily. The Museum presents a very faithful reconstruction of the events thanks to numerous documentaries and audiovisuals, as well as hosting numerous exhibits such as uniforms, weapons and ammunition of both belligerents.

An ancient city with a thousand-year history, Syracuse has been famous since ancient times due to its strategic position that allows it to dominate the entire coast of Eastern Sicily. Thanks to its history and its rich past: the city today can boast a very rich and well-preserved artistic and cultural heritage, which make it one of the most famous and sought-after tourist destinations in Sicily, so much so that it is included in the UNESCO list where they are registered. the sites and places considered World Heritage Sites. In the city of Syracuse, in addition to the countless architectural vestiges and witnesses of the Greek-Roman period, the architecture in Sicilian Baroque style dominates. Also famous is the island of Ortigia, a small island connected to the mainland by two bridges and a real historic center of the city. Ortigia is the oldest part of the city and also the richest from a historical and architectural point of view.

Among the main places of interest in Syracuse and Ortigia we can mention:

Fonte Aretusa: it is a source of fresh water, a few meters from the sea, which is home to lush vegetation full of verdant papyrus plants, and over the centuries it has become one of the symbols of Ortigia and Syracuse.

Latomia and Orecchi di Dionisio: the latomie were ancient stone quarries also used as prisons. In Syracuse there are several, but the most famous are certainly the one called “del Paradiso” and the Ear of Dionysus, a cavity with a particular shape, similar to an ear, inside which there is an echo effect that greatly amplifies the sounds.

Greek Theater: dating back to the 5th century BC, it is one of the oldest theaters in Sicily, and still hosts a rich concert season and numerous cultural and musical events. It is located in the center of the Archaeological Park of Neapolis and is one of the most visited attractions in the city.

Syracuse Cathedral: located on the square of the same name in the highest part of the island of Ortigia, the Cathedral of Syracuse was born in ancient times as a Greek temple, dedicated to the Goddess Minerva, and later in the Christian era it was rebuilt as a religious building and during the ‘700 takes on its current form, born from a fusion of Baroque and Rococò elements.

Maniace Castle: built on the southern end of the island of Ortigia, the castle of Maniace dates back to 1200 and was built for military purposes, with the aim of creating an impregnable fortress.

Church of San Giovanni alle Catacombe: it is one of the oldest churches in the city and has a practically unique peculiarity since it does not have a roof. This feature, together with its particular location within the city in the area of ​​the catacombs, make it a place with a truly unique charm.