Spring in Sicily, which sounds like a dream, became a happy reality for me. I was invited last week and was able to experience the largest island in the Mediterranean and its various attractions and sights. This time, my journey began at Stuttgart Airport, where the Alitalia subsidiary “AirOne” called for an “introductory flight” to Catania.
Getting to Catania
For many holidaymakers, it is becoming increasingly important to find a cheap direct flight so that they can save money on their vacation (and perhaps stay a day longer) and reach their vacation destination in a short time. AirOne offers direct flights from 49.00 EUR (one way) at flyairone.com, so you can experience Sicily at a very reasonable price. There are direct flights to Catania from Berlin, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart and Munich, for example.
After a brief welcome at the airport, the quiet 2.5-hour flight took off on time and landed in Italy in the early afternoon. One of the absolute attractions was already visible on the approach, Mount Etna – the snow-covered volcano in Sicily and my destination for the next day. Fascinating to see the snow and the places of the former hot lava where there is still no snow on it.
Catania airport & transfer
The process at the airport went very quickly, as did the 20-minute transfer to a hotel with a view of the Mediterranean in Catania, which was to be the starting point for the next few days and a little free time before exploring Catania was on the agenda. Just sit on the balcony for a few minutes, feel the sun on your face and enjoy spring.
Of course, I couldn’t stay on the balcony for long, so I decided to take a walk along the promenade, admire the first lava cliffs and soak up the pleasant temperatures. If the days stay this warm, it will be a fantastic stay.
City tour in Catania
The city of 300,000 inhabitants and thus the second largest city in Sicily (after Palermo) has a long history and was already mentioned in the 8th century BC and the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What you can see on every street corner in the city are the historic, well-preserved buildings. Many of the buildings were constructed in the 17th century, after the volcanic eruption of 1669 and the great earthquake of 1693, and today characterize large parts of the cityscape.
Cathedral of Catania
During my visit to Catania, I found the Cathedral of Catania, the Duomo and the Cathedral Square particularly worth seeing. But if you’re wondering why I mentioned elephants, this certainly has nothing to do with a circus or zoo in the city, but with part of the city’s coat of arms. The elephant is immortalized everywhere in the city, including in the elephant fountain, the symbol of the city of Catania.
Large, wide squares, narrow alleyways and stairways, as well as many old houses, catch your eye as you drift through the city. Everything is spacious, but remains charming.
Dinner at Palazzo Asmundo
What better way to end the evening and the first impression of Sicily than with a lovely dinner above the rooftops of Catania. With the sun already setting, the provincial capital appears in a whole new color. A simple restaurant would have been almost inappropriate and less luxurious and glamorous, so why not dine in a special palazzo?
The Palazzo Asmundo Catania is just a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral and has been completely rebuilt in recent years and is also offered as a small boutique hotel with 5 rooms and suites.
The impression you get when entering the historic building is just “wow” – a friendly owner and great views. The interior of the Palazzo is already more comparable to a museum and immediately offers a homely and pleasant atmosphere. Not only can you have a good dinner here, but you can certainly stay here for a few days.
However, the first conversations in the evening are already about the next day – Mount Etna and the small but special town of Taormina. More on this shortly… and for now, “Arrivederci Sicilia”.
