Canalicchio

Canalicchio is a fraction of Tremestieri Etneo commune in the district of Catania.
The town is neighbouring to the center of Catania, with San Gregorio di Catania, Sant'Agata li Battiati and Gravina di Catania.
It is about 6 Km far from Tremestieri Etneo commune and it is 70 meters above the sea level on the lower point and 220 meters on the higher one.
It has the peculiarity to not belong entirely to its commune. Part of Canalicchio belongs to the commune of Catani where it, together with Barriera del Bosco quarter, forms the IV municipality wich is characterized by the University Citadel which occupies the west side of the territory.

Catania

The second city of Sicily, on Etna feet and on Jonio shores, in a relevant turistical position, it is possible to alternate relaxing days on the beach to binding excursions on the Europe highest active volcano, which reaches 3.340 meters, with panoramic landscapes and extremes ambients. It's not to forget the Baroque charm of the city center, declared "Human patrimony" by Unesco.
Founded by Greeks in 730 b.C. Catania had always an important role in Sicily history, with the foundation of the first University the Siculorum Gymnasium.
After a huge earthquake in 1963 the city was rebuilt, assuming a typical and elegant baroque look, rich of churcehes and nobles palaces.
An elegance represented by Piazza Duomo - the heart of Catania - with the famous "Statua dell'Elefante", the symbol of Catania, recently restored: an elegant marble base, a Romanic age lavic stone elephant, which hold an Egyptian obelisk.
The square is domined by the plastic and scenografic cathedral face, built in the XI century, but rebuilt in the XIII century with its cylindrical towers, with the Civic museum inside of them.
As we said before Catania is the right gate to access to Etna, kept safe by the natural park: an active volcanic ambient unique in Europe, spectral and fascinating like few, wich makes the whole trip worth.

Mount Etna

Mount Etna (Mungibeddu or simply "a Muntagna" in sicilian dialeet) is an active volcano which is located on the east coast of Sicily, between Catania and Messina. It is the Europe highest active volcano and one of the major in the world.
Its heoght varies on each eruption but it is high about 3340 meter above the sea level. It's diameter is about 45Km.
Time ago it was also known as Mongibello.
Etna is a constant aim of touristic tours which are interested to the volcano and to its manifestations expecially because it is one of the few active volcanos in the world easily reachable thanks to the support of many communication ways. There are specialized guides and off-road vehiclesthat can reach the summit craters in total security
The surroundings have features that make the land optimal for agricolture, thanks to the characteristics of volcano detrites
The built-up area reaches the 900 meters above the sea level, ehile the woodlands reach about the 1500 meters.
Wide parts of its slopes are within the natural park which it's turistic spots for the nature lovers or for some relax.

Rifugio Sapienza

It should have been a volountary military barrack for national security but its building stopped with the beginning of WWII.
At the end of fascist era every building built in that timelapse by fascist inspiration had been handed to who could had the title or the capacity to obtain food results from them. A nice chance for the italian Alpine Club that obtained the first concession of the base of that building.

Taken by an affirmed enterpreneur Gioacchino Russo the hotel Rifugio Sapienza is now able to give hospitality to 55 people in 24 modern style rooms with shower,TV and view on the northern Sicily and Calabria.(http://www.rifugiosapienza.com/)

Messina

Messina is a modern city, elegant and clean, with a pleasing "Grid" urban-structure, characterized by low building, to resist better to earthquakes. The monumental center of the city, not much far from the docks, is the scenografic Duomo square: Though the complete rebuilding of the past century, the chatedral has kept its old medieval look, with its mighty and interesting bell-tower.The bell-tower is characterized by a curious astronomic clock, with suggestive compositions and moving figures at 12:00 everey days.
Between the other monuments, is not to loose the San Paolino Church, miracously safe and the Nettuno fountain on the shoreside, which sculptures gives a damaticity not so easy to find. From Messina it is possible to make tripos on the panoramic Peloritani mountains which reache the 1.374 meters of height with the Montagna Grande.

Palermo

In a splendid natural position, where pratically is never winter, in the center of a coreographic gulf, Palermo is one of the main touristic location in Sicily, rich of history, so much that it can be considered as "Artistic city", all to be seen.
Founded by phoenicians in the VIII century b.C., Palermo had always an important commercial role for its strategic position in the center of Mediterranean sea. Its Norman era, where the city was the capital, it grew with monuments, that still nowadays are in the center of the city. Starting by the large Cathedral, that alone is worth all the trip, which story is the same of the entire city.: a primitive Bizantine Chirch has been transformed in a mosque by Arabians and then church again at the end of XII century under William the II.

On the later centuries towers had been added, the southern porch and at last the dome, for a building with no equals, in an incredible and armonic variety of architectonic styles.
It's interesting the Royal palace, or Norman palace, built on the rests of the Punic-Romanic city, thich keeps the exceptional Palatina Chapel (XII century), the mayor Norman building of the entire Sicily. We can also tell about the Archeologic Museum, one oh the bigger in Italy. And, of course, it should be relaxing visit Palermo surroundings, with its shores.

Taormina

One of the touristic capitals of Sicily, leant on an enchanting natural position on the east coast of the island, woth ancient monuments. Taormina does not really need an introduction: a refined touristic resort, known in the whole world, with a big relaxation structure - even to maximum levels - ehere you can enjoy a vacation in one of the beautiful angles of the Mediterranean sea. Postcards-like landscapes are visible looking the many ancient monuments that make Taormina a real Artistic City. Beginning by its symbol: the Greek theatre, or "Teatro Antico", the second one for dimension in the island, with a diameter of 110 meters, in a spectacular panoramic position. It has Ellenic origins (II Century b.C. )it had been restored in Roman age, to reach our era in a good state, in fact it is used for shows and manifestations like "Taormina Arte".

Walking into the suggestive streets of mediaeval pleasent style of the storic center, it is possible to visit the other monuments: the Corvaia Palace; The Odeon, a little Roman age theatre; S. Nicol� Cathedral, which belongs to XIII century, rich of masterpieces, with its embattled face, that makes it look more like a fortress than a church, and much more.
From Taormina center you can access to the wonderful shores on the Jonic sea, protected by the coast which falls down forming an articulated promontory, in a romantic beaty angles: Isola Bella, Capo S. Andrea, Mazzar�, Baia delle Sirene, where you can enjoy ideal relaxing days. With the choice to visit the many sea caves and to make trups in the surroundings: The Saracen Castle, on the ancient acropolis; the wild valley of Alcatara River and, obviously, the Etna Regional park.