Are you still looking for options for your holiday? It's not too late, because down south the sea will be calling for at least a few more months. This time we decided to introduce you to Catania, a town on the east coast of Sicily. Yes, down there, where the cuisine transcends all boundaries. This is also guaranteed by our journalist Tilen, who described his tastings of Sicilian delicacies in one of the previous issues of the online magazine Globetrotter. You are kindly invited to read the article Wandering around Sicily with the addition of traditional cuisine.
Catania is an Italian city on the east coast of Sicily by the Ionian Sea. It is one of the largest cities in Italy. The city is known for its history of earthquakes, including the catastrophic earthquake of 1169 and the following one in 1693, as well as several volcanic eruptions of Mount Etna. Catania has a bit of everything - mountains and sea, folk traditions and fantastic food.
The city has two Roman amphitheatres. The first was "converted" from a Greek theatre and could seat around 6000 spectators. It is located near the square of San Francesco d'Assisi and was built in the second century. The Odeum, which is nearby, is smaller and could accommodate about 1,300 spectators.
Also worth a visit is Ursino Castle, which was a coastal fortress before the volcano erupted. It was built in the 13th century and is now a museum. If you are interested in churches, the Cattedrale di Sant'Agata in Duomo Square with its baroque façade and unusual grey and white colour scheme will take your breath away and is built of volcanic stone.
Of course, you won't miss Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. A bus runs there from the main station every day, and up to 2500 metres above sea level you can then take the gondola, and then you can walk to the crater or take the bus again.
Our volunteer Mateja also visited Sicily and wrote an interesting travelogue that might give you a few more ideas for exploring the island. She'll also tell you a little bit about the mafia there. Don't worry, you're safe. Locals do not like to talk about the mafia with foreigners, because they consider it as a kind of private tradition that does not concern others. Alenka also gives a few practical travel tips and reminds us not to forget about siesta, resting during the worst afternoon heat, when everything closes and goes quiet. At that time, it is recommended that we also go for a rest under a tree or to a beautiful beach. Take a road trip through Sicily all the way to the other side of the island, where you'll find the little-known seaside town of Trapani. It is said to be the most romantic city in the entire Mediterranean. Why don't you go see for yourselves? And good luck!
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