Weekend Trip in Sicily!

Arrival, Airbnb Experience and Food Recommendation

Friday early afternoon started our trip flying from Malta to Catania. Arriving at around 3pm, we had to walk for fifteen minutes to pick-up the rented car, in heavy rain non-stop. Sorting up the suitcases in the car, and drove off about an hour drive to the apartment rented from Airbnb located in Acireale.

Our Arrival in Catania. #rain #theta360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA

Family in the car. 🙂 #theta360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA

Upon our arrival we settled into the massive rooms of this big apartment. It has such nice views of the sea and the street from the frontal balconies and gardens with the Etna at long distance from the back terrace.

Later that evening we wanted to eat something traditional of the country. Since we are in Sicily, pizza has to be on the Menu… We went out for dinner at ‘Il Tocco’. A restaurant with such nice views of a full moon reflecting on the sea and distant views of the streetlights of the town at night, which it specializes on the pizza. We all ordered different pizzas so we could taste the difference between them. We shared a slice from each other’s. The pizzas were very delicious and tasty with a crunchy end. Apart from the nice romantic views and delicious foods it has a good service. I would highly recommend this restaurant if you are in the area of Catania. (Note that the restaurant is in a narrow street that can’t be found easily, it is exactly on the other side of the petrol station of that road).

 

Tourist for the day

Following the next day, sunrise from our balcony woke us up for another full day of adventure. After having our breakfast, we headed our way to visit Mount Etna. Driving up the curvy road we arrived in the small village Crateri Silvestri on Mount Etna. Parked our car and decided to walk around, it was very chill breeze. Hiking around this small village it has stunning panoramic views of Catania. The weather changed a lot while we spent some time there from sun to mist weather.

Etna #theta360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA

For the first time I had the opportunity to see and touch the Lava. It has rough texture and it seems like a rock but very lightweight.

Overall it is a nice place and I recommend it to tourists, as it is easy to reach. In my opinion, this place it was an experience for a one time visit. The reason behind this is because it was a bit crowded and full of tourists with coaches. As some of you might know me by now, I love visiting new places with such culture and nice views, and I believe the world is full of this, but I am more into local places rather than touristic, if you got what I meant. 😉

After visiting Etna we drive to other beautiful places. We drove by Castiglione Di Sicilia and Mitogio. Here we stopped only few minutes to take some photos of the scenery.

 

Later in the afternoon, we went to another touristic place, Gole Alcantara. It is such a nice place built from nature. For visiting here, one has to use a long staircase that cost €1.50 per person or the lift for €5 per person. It is worth a viewing as it is spectacular. The water is cold but it is worth to dive in a hot day. Always be cautious for the venture. Take a towel with you so when you will get back to the edge you will get dry with it.

Gole Alcantara #theta360 – Spherical Image – RICOH THETA

As long as it is a nice historical place over the centuries, worth a viewing, and it is affordable as a price, I still was questioned why from such a natural beautiful landscape, and you have to buy a ticket to see God’s creation. We are in a world of trying to make something artificial instead of enjoying freely the world made by God.

 

 

Last day and thoughts on Catania

Sunday, our last day in Catania, Taormina is in our list. A popular destination that it has a its own cultural and a tourism town. Arriving to this town, noticing that it is a busy place as it took us around half an hour to find a proper parking.

We visited two parts of Taormina, near the sandy beach, where we had a cocktail and relaxed with the sea views and the hills of the town around it. Afterwards we headed to the hilltop town where we walked around the centre, where there are many souvenir shops and restaurants. I recommend this place to tourists that like historic and touristic places.

 

An ice cream has to be tasted while we are there. ☺

Another destination was on the list to end our weekend trip in Sicily. Bellini Gardens is a must to visit if you are in the vicinity of Catania. It is a massive garden that one can enjoy picnics, read a book and relax. One particular thing that attracted me the most in this garden is that near the fountain there is planted flowers with the form of the date of the day. This date they change it daily. There is also a working clock with green grass.

Concluding this adventure, Catania is a city that is builds on an old style. I noticed that this city location has similarities of the settings of the drama series ‘Narcos’. It made me feel that I am living in an old different cultured town. This trip is a different journey from the previous ones that I had talked about in other posts. I had similar like this one before long time ago when I was younger / teenager. This weekend trip was more a family touristic weekend for me that gave me the opportunity to see touristic places with a difference.

Have you ever visited such places like these? What do you think about it? What about God’s creation being used as a business? Let me know by leaving a comment below. 😉