Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 8am-8pm)
Escape the madding crowd and enjoy the fine views of Mt Etna from these
lovely gardens along Via Etnea.
Roman Amphitheatre
The modest ruins of this Roman theatre, below street level in Piazza Stesicoro, are worth a
quick look.
AMPHITHEATRE
Festivals & Events
Festa di Sant'Agata
In Catania's biggest religious festival (3 to 5 February), one million Catanians follow the
Fercolo (a silver reliquary bust of Saint Agata) along the main street of the city accompan-
ied by spectacular fireworks.
RELIGIOUS
Carnevale di Acireale
(
www.carnevalediacireale.it
)
Nearby Acireale hosts Sicily's most flamboyant carnival for two
weeks in February (sometimes spilling over into late January or early March). Streets in
this baroque coastal resort come alive with gargantuan papier mâché puppets, flowery al-
legorical floats, confetti and fireworks.
CARNIVAL
Sleeping
Catania is served by a good range of reasonably priced accommodation, making it an ex-
cellent base for exploring the Ionian coast and Etna.
B&B Crociferi
B&B
€
( 095 715 22 66;
www.bbcrociferi.it
; Via Crociferi 81; d €75-85, tr €100-110, 4-bed apt €120; )
Affording easy access to Catania's animated nightlife, this B&B in a beautifully decorated
family home makes a wonderful base. Three spacious rooms (each with bathroom across
the hall) and two glorious upstairs apartments come with high ceilings, antique tiles, fres-
coes and artistic accoutrements from the owners' travels. Things fill up fast, so book
ahead. English, German and French spoken.
APARTMENT
€
Palazzu Stidda
