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Italy : Catania - October 2008 Country Code: Dial ++39 for Italy
October brings the first snowfall
to Mount Etna, Europe’s largest
active volcano. It forms a
dramatic backdrop to Catania,
perched at its foot. Downtown
shops display irresistible
autumn/winter collections, while
luscious seasonal fruits are now
in store, with mouth-watering
grapes, persimmons and prickly
pears taking pride of place.
Ellen Grady whets our appetite
Getting around
Fontanarossa Airport
Bus: The Alibus shuttle service runs between the airport and the central train station. It’s a 15-minute journey, with buses running from 5am to midnight. Other services are available to all major Sicilian destinations, including Taormina and Palermo. The bus journey into Catania costs €2.
Taxi: Taxis are also available and the journey into Catania shouldn’t cost more than €30. All major car-hire companies are represented at the airport.
Tourist information: The main tourist information office is at 10 Via Cimarosa (tel. 095 730 6211, www.turismo.catania.it)
THE CENTRE
Streets, piazzas and churches of black
lava-stone form the old centre of
Catania, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, with its baroque cathedral
dedicated to St Agatha, and the
picturesque fish market close by.
Check out the shop windows along Via
Etnea, for clothes, shoes and jewellery.
Sleep soundly – Try the understated
luxury of the Una Hotel Palace. It’s right on the main
street and has a fabulous restaurant.
Culture vultures – The Museo
Diocesano (Piazza Duomo) is Catania’s
finest museum. It houses a superb
collection of paintings, statues and
silverware from the city’s churches. The
museum is dedicated to the deeply-felt
cult of St Agatha, patron saint of bellfounders,
jewellers and wet nurses.
Shop til you drop – Gioielleria
Fecarotta (172 Via Etnea) specialises in
jewels made with locally found amber.
MOUNT ETNA
Snow-capped Etna is breathing fire,
winter-sports enthusiasts are oiling
their skis, while the forests and lava
formations are at their best for crisp
autumn rambles.
Culture vultures – The Ottobrata
festival (zafferana-etnea.it), a celebration of local wine, wild fungi,
honey, chestnuts and apples, is in full
swing at lovely Zafferana, on the slopes
of the volcano. Come Sundays and join
bee keepers, stonemasons, carpenters
and vintners in a ‘show-and-tell’
involving the whole village.
Must eat – Take a leisurely lunch break
at the renowned Parco dei Principi
(1 Via delle Ginestre, tel. 095 708 2335),
a charming old villa just outside the
village. Don’t miss the spaghetti with
lemon, followed by Enza’s soft almond
ice cream with hot chocolate sauce.
TAORMINA
This hilltop town, with its medieval
streets, Roman ruins, open-air cafés,
enticing shops and breathtaking
views, never fails to impress.
Must drink – The Shaker Bar (Piazza
Vittorio Emanuele) was a favourite
with Tennessee Williams
and Truman Capote.
Great for peoplewatching
with a latte
macchiato (milk
with a dash of coffee).
Shop til you drop – Feast your eyes
on the incredible window displays along
Corso Umberto, the main street, and
pick up eye-popping underwear, shoes
and handbags. Julia Roberts and Jodie
Foster are regular patrons.
LICATA
Bus or train your way down to this
quiet harbour on the south coast of
Sicily, for smashing sunsets, secluded
beaches and excellent food. But don’t
tell anyone, it’s a Sicilian secret!
Sleep soundly – Set in an old house in
the fishermen’s quarter, Dimora San
Girolamo has lovely rooms
overlooking the harbour and does
scrumptious Sicilian breakfasts.
Culture vultures – There’s a medieval
castle, Castel Sant’Angelo, on the top
of the hill, and a superb museum at
nearby Gela, Museo Archeologico
Regionale (2 Corso Vittorio Emanuele).
Must eat – Chef Pino, one of Italy’s
most promising young cooks, serves up
innovative seafood dishes at La Madia
(22 Corso Capriata, tel. 0922 771443),
where even the bread is home made.
Compiled by Ellen Grady
Previous issues for Catania
Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please confirm event/venue details in advance.
