Posted by selfcateringsicily in: Uncategorized

Catania, Sicily
On the east coast of Sicily, Catania was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1693, and Mount Etna still looms above this interesting city, which many overlook in favour of Palermo, Sicily’s capital in the northwest. Now you can get there on Air Malta flights from Southend, which began last month, opening up the city to the east of England (British Airways and Easyjet fly from Gatwick). Expect a slice of Sicilian life that is not overrun with tourists. Baroque piazzas abound, including Piazza del Duomo, on which stands a monument of an elephant made out of lava (the city’s symbol). There’s also a Roman amphitheatre, a bustling fish market and many ancient churches to explore. The Museo Storico dello Sbarco in Sicilia 1943 is a small museum that tells the story of the Allied invasion of Sicily. Time your visit to coincide with a performance at the glitteringly ornate Teatro Massimo Bellini (teatromassimobellini.it), named after Vincenzo Bellini, who was born in Catania in 1801. Take a Circumetnea train round Mount Etna for a great day trip (circumetnea.it).

Source: Tom Chesshyre