Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MAP
GOOGLE MAP
The modest ruins of this Roman theatre, below street level in Piazza Stesicoro, are worth a
quick look.
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
( 095 715 22 66;
www.bbcrociferi.it
;
Via Crociferi 81; d €75-85, tr €100-110, 4-bed apt €120; )
Afford-
ing easy access to Catania's animated nightlife, this B&B in a beautifully decorated fam-
ily 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, frescoes
and artistic accoutrements from the owners' travels. Things fill up fast, so book ahead.
English, German and French spoken.
B&B
€
Palazzu Stidda
( 095 34 88 26;
www.palazzu-stidda.com
; Vicolo della Lanterna 5; d €70-100, q €120-140; )
These three
delightful apartments in a
palazzo
on a peaceful dead-end alley perfectly blend comfort
with whimsy; all are decorated with the owners' artwork, handmade furniture, family
APARTMENT
€
