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Italy : Catania - May 2009

Country Code: Dial for Italy

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 (, www.turismo.catania.it)

THE CENTRE

This is the perfect time of year to explore the elegant 18th-century streets and squares of Catania’s city centre. The cathedral, with its striking lines and black and white colour scheme, is dedicated to St Agatha. Facing the cathedral is the black lava stone Fountain of the Elephant, called Liotru by the locals, while close by is the noisy and colourful fish market.

Culture vultures – A handsome baroque palace houses the museum of contemporary art, Palazzo Valle (122 Via Vittorio Emanuele).

Must eat – For delectable seafood of all kinds, served either cooked or raw, head to Ambasciata del Mare (6 Piazza Duomo, tel. ), currently the best restaurant in town.

Shop til you drop – Via Etnea, Catania’s high street, leads north from the cathedral and is lined with a series of enticing shops. Try Coin (112 Via Etnea), which stocks the latest spring styles in clothes, shoes and jewellery.

MOUNT ETNA

At 3,350m, Mount Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe. It’s been erupting for more than a year now, while the villages on its slopes are erupting with celebrations for muchloved local saints.

Culture vultures – Join the fun at the village of Trecastagni’s annual feast celebrating the saints Alfio, Filadelfo and Cirino, culminating on 10 May with parades, fireworks, Sicilian carts, a horse race and a huge garlic market.

Must drink – Trecastagni’s Bar Sport (46 Piazza Marconi) is renowned for its galvanizing espresso and the best arancini (fried rice balls) in Sicily.

TAORMINA

Looking for paradise? You’ll find it in this lovely little hilltop town, with its captivating main street and flowery balconies. It’s at its best in May.

Sleep soundly – Taormina’s most romantic retreat is Hotel Villa Riis (13 Via Pietro Rizzo, , hotelvillariis.com, doubles from €150). Oozing with 19th-century charm, it has a fitness centre, tennis court and pool, with lovely views.

Culture vultures – The Greek theatre (Via del Teatro) is famous the world over for the panorama over its ancient stones to the Straits of Messina and snow-capped Mount Etna, first described by 18th-century travellers. Take a bus to nearby Calatabiano for the annual spree dedicated to San Filippo, whose statue is raced up and down the mountain and through the village streets on 21 May.

Must eat – The sunny terrace at Pizzeria Villa Zuccaro (5 Piazza Carmine, ) is the perfect place for lunch. Relax with a glass of wine, while savouring Sicilian cheeses accompanied by local jam or honey, salads or mouth-watering pizza.

SYRACUSE

A short bus or train ride from Catania takes you to the fascinating old town of Syracuse. The city’s medieval centre is located on the little island of Ortygia, joined to the mainland by three bridges. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Greek and Roman ruins.

Sleep soundly – Friendly, family run and central, Hotel Cavalieri (42 Via Malta, , hotelcavalieri siracusa.it, doubles from €95) has a range of special offers if you want to stay for the duration of the classical drama festival.

Culture vultures – Don’t miss a Greek tragedy at the ancient theatre in the Neapolis Archaeological Park (Viale Paradiso). Medea by Euripides and Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles are both on the programme at this year’s classical drama festival, which takes place from 9 May to 21 June.

Must eat – Ortygia is home to one of Sicily’s finest restaurants, Don Camillo (96 Via Maestranza, ), where chef Giovanni prepares zuppa di mucco (whitebait soup) to die for.

Must drink – Sip your latte and contemplate the dazzling baroque cathedral at Caffé del Duomo (Piazza Duomo), nestled in the picture-book setting of old Ortygia.

Compiled by Ellen Grady