Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AROUND CEFALÙ
TOP OF CHAPTER
Termini Imerese
The Romans discovered the therapeutic value of Termini Imerese's mineral-laden waters
way back in 252 BC, and the town has been a popular thermal spa centre ever since. These
days, all the spa action occurs at the
Grand Hotel delle Terme
(
091 811 35 57;
www.grandhoteldelleterme.it
;
Piazza delle Terme 2; per person with breakfast €85-120, with half board €120-130;
)
, a large Liberty-style building dating from 1890. Built on the site of the original
Roman baths, the hotel's natural steam baths and bathing pools are popular with Italians
seeking treatment for conditions such as obesity, rheumatism, psoriasis and bronchial prob-
lems. The complex also includes a 'beauty farm' offering cosmetic and relaxation treat-
ments.
From the Grand Hotel delle Terme, in the lower town, you can walk to the upper town to
visit a clutch of churches, including the 17th-century
cathedral
and
Chiesa di Santa Maria della
Misericordia
(Church of Our Lady of Mercy) and the 14th-century
Chiesa di Santa Caterina
(Church of Saint Catherine), which has lovely 15th-century frescoes by local artists Nicolo
and Giacomo Graffeo illustrating the life of the saint. Unfortunately, the coast surrounding
the town is blighted with an ugly commercial port.
Trains travel regularly from Termini Imerese to Cefalù (€3.45, 30 minutes, 10 daily) and
Palermo (€3.45, 25 to 45 minutes, every 20 minutes).
AST
( 840 000323;
www.aziendasicilianatrasporti.it
)
also operates buses to/from Palermo (€3.90, one hour, three
daily). The train station is southeast of the town centre along the coast; all buses arrive and
depart just in front of the train station.
