Aci Castello is the first center of the Riviera of the Cyclops, so named for the rocks emerging from the sea and they seem thrown by a giant, legend has it that he wasblinded Polyphemus against Ulysses to throw them on the run. Legend has it that he was blinded Polyphemus to hurl these rocks that were driven into the sea, against Ulysses on the run. The origin of this legend has traced the ways in which Homer defines , virgin and wild land inhabited by Cyclops, Lestrigoni; these verses in facthave led to the identification of the island Lachea and stacks, which are located close to the coast, with boulders that Polyphemus, blinded and furious, threw Ulysses and his team.The village is very close to , only 9 km away and is easily accessible by bus, so if you stay in the capital do not miss a visit to the picturesque Aci Castello here and spend a beautiful day in nature, on lava beach or on wooden jetties that are mounted during the summer.

The visitor Aci Castello is a small seaside resort, lying at the foot of an ancient Norman castle. The sea is not the first attraction of Aci Castello, think that this landscape constituted by the castle and the sea coast, dotted with lemon trees, agaves and palm trees, it is one of the corners of Sicily more portraits by artists and therefore more famous abroad. For us , these areas are familiar to the setting that Giovanni Verga here gave his famous Malavoglias, particularly in neighboring Acitrezza.In the town of Aci Castello is a special protected area consists of islands and rocks of volcanic origin which are located a short distance from the coast are the Rocks of the Cyclops, fragments up to 70 m high made of basalt prisms. The protected area is larger than 600 hectares and is famous by the name of the Cyclops coast which also includes the village of Acitrezza.

Acitrezza

Acitrezza located close to Aci Castello, is the country in which Giovanni Verga set his famous novel of Malavoglias (1881) and in which, in 1948, was filmed The Earth Trembles by Luchino Visconti and Antonio Pietrangeli. This film is considered a masterpiece of Italian neorealism and was built using the locals as actors. Many older peoplestill talk about it willingly.

The largest of the rocks of the coast, once known as Lachea island, ended up being private property, but fortunately was donated to the University of Catania who installed amonitoring station for physical studies of marine biology. The rocks and the whole aera protected are in fact a small archipelago, with its animal and plant species, the seabed, at one time are especially rich in fish are still inhabited by sea bass, grouper, snapper, sole and tuna but interesting for biologists is mostly submerged vegetation, a microcosm of many species, with real meadows of Poseidonia.

Taormina

Taormina is a charming and elegant town that still retains much of its historic character. The center is enriched with squares and buildings dating from the fifteenth and the nineteenth century. For its size the theater of Taormina is the second largest in Sicily after the one in Syracuse and today is home to many cultural events, including the famous Taormina Film Festival, concerts of internationally renowned and dance performances that attract visitors from all over the world.

Since the period of the 'Grand Tour' aristocrats and celebrities spent their days among its squares and streets: Oscar Wilde, Nicholas I of Russia, Johann Wolfgangvon Goethe, Nietzsche (who here wrote his Also sprach Zarathustra), Richard Wagner, DH Lawrence, Wilhelm von Gloeden.

The Cathedral of Taormina, dedicated to St. Nicholas, located along the main street, Corso Umberto I, was built back in the fifteenth century on the foundations of a previous medieval church and admire especially for monolithic columns of pink marble. To the side, between the Via Umberto and Via Bagnoli Croce, we find the splendid Villa Comunale Park's Duke of Cesaro, whose gardens were specially set up by Lady Florence Trevelyan, Scottish, at the end of the nineteenth century. For one of the best views of the city are recommended instead the neighbors Public Gardens.

To achieve the most popular beaches, such as those Lido Mazzaro (among the best equipped in the entire region, with bars, restaurants and hotels) it is necessary to moveto the south of the city through a cable car running every 15 minutes. Over the promontory of Capo Sant' Andrea, we find the beautiful bays and the tiny Isola Bella, a small island also known as the Pearl of the Ionian Sea, now the WWF reserve.

Syracuse & Ortigia

Today, Syracuse is the fourth largest city in Sicily by population, and in 2005 along with the Necropolis of Syracuse is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, alreadydefined by Cicero as "the largest and most beautiful of all the Greek cities," is a unique place, not to be missed.

There are many beauties of Syracuse. In the district of Ortigia, the historical heart of the city, there are the impressive ruins of the Temple of Apollo and Artemis, the oldest Doric temple in Sicily, dating from the late seventh BC. Along the Via XX Settembre to Porta Marina, built by an arch surmounted by a niche in Catalan style. From the garden of the Foro Italico instead you reach the Fountain of Arethusa, an ancient source of fresh water coming from a cave that leads down to the sea. Besides the Cathedral, there is the Archbishop's Palace, Palazzo del Bosco Benevento, Senate Palace and Palazzo Bellomo typical examples of Sicilian Baroque that will only leave youopen-mouthed. The district includes the monumental Neapolis Archaeological Park with the Greek Theatre, the greatest legacy of antiquity, to visit.

Circumetnea Railway in Sicily

This railway line is a nice 110 km circuit which rotates round the volcano, connecting the city of Catania with . It surely represents one of the best ways to admire the majestic shape of the volcano and the beautiful landscapes surrounding it. The railway is a historic line in function ever since 1898, which is about to undergo a project of modernisation and extension, with the construction of additional stations and the requalification of the original one-rail line, used for diesel trains, into a two-rails line (as it was done with the underground in Catania, managed by the same railway company).Departure in Catania is from the station of Catania Borgo, served by urban buses and the underground, but it can be easily reached on foot from the central street “via Etnea”, which is on the right side coming from the port.Due to the tortuous morphology of the itinerary, the complete journey takes 3h 10’, during which you can admire lunar landscapes made of lava rocks, orange plantations, olive trees and fig Opuntia. A string of villages can be met along the itinerary, with the possibility to drop on and off at any time. The railway was once used by farmers to reach to the fields, and today the request stop is still available on board. Each stop can be the starting point for interesting excursions, like the trail departing from the station of Passo Zingaro and winding through pistachio cultivations.

The landscape is rugged and wild, made up of lava fields dating back to various ages, and just after the station of Bronte a spectacular group of lava flows opens to the view. The railway reaches the highest point on the plateau, from where you can enjoy a fantastic view of the craters lying on the summit. In you will change train, and from this moment on the landscape becomes sweeter, with vineyards and orange plantations, with the first villas of the valley in sight. The journey terminates in Riposto, back to the sea. If you want to return to Catania you should get off in , just before the final stop, from where you can take one of the trains along the railway line -Catania.

The choice of the itinerary Catania-Riposto is only an example, whereas passengers can choose to get on and off at any of the stations spread along the line. The railway company also manages the underground service in Catania, although at the moment only a 4 km leg is active, operating on working days from 07:05 am to 20:40 pm every 15′. Six additional bus lines are available, connecting numerous towns and villages around Catania: -Paternò- Catania; Navetta Etnapless; Piano Tavola-; Randazzo-Bronte-Catania; Randazzo- Castiglione-Catania; Lineri-Catania. During summer two more bus lines are added, one connecting Adrano, Paternò and with Plaja di Catania, and the other Randazzo, and Piedimonte with Riposto.

Mount Etna

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In this part of Sicily the volcano represents a constant presence. It is the highest active volcano in Europe, and is characterised by a huge cone which stands out from the valley, up to 3323 m. On top of it stands the terminal cone, but there are numerous secondary craters emerging from the other sides.

The natural landscape here is wonderful and rich: the flourishing vegetation grows until 2000 m, with wide cultivations of oranges, vineyards and fruit trees until 1300 m, then pines, oaks, chestnut-trees and birch-trees. Over 2000 m can be found junipers, soapworts and numerous endemic species like the violet of the Etna. From 2500 m on the vegetation becomes more scattered, with only few species surviving in this lunar landscape.

To have a full view of the volcano you may get on board of the Circumetnea Railway, which in roughly 3 hours circumnavigates the volcano crossing villages and lava fields. Or, if a closer encounter with the mountain is what you look for, then you must head out to the north and southeast slopes. The southern side of the mountain is served by frequent bus rides which connect Catania with the villages lying on the volcano slopes. Alternatively you may rent a car or join a tour starting from Catania or Taormina.

To get to the top you must drive for 10 km through rough roads mostly covered with lava. The roads are safe, but you must never exceed the safety limit. Because of the frequent eruptions of the volcano, tourist facilities such as ski slopes, cableways and huts are never placed in a steady place, but can be removed or changed in position at anytime, according to the entity of the damages caused by the last eruption. Excursions on the volcano may also be cancelled due to bad weather conditions (rain, fog). There is not a suggested time or season to do excursions, which are, especially in the northeast side, very variable according to snowfall. At the beginning of the good season some shorter trips are organised to reach medium heights.

Only when roads are completely free of snow it is possible to reach 3000 m. The best period to make excursions is full summer. Dawn is best recommended, when the sky is clearer. Temperatures can reach minimum values at all heights, therefore it is recommendable to bring a pull, a sweater and a jacket with you, and to wear suitable shoes. If you don’t have the proper clothing with you, you may rent hiking shoes and jackets at starting points of the excursions. Moreover, remember to bring with you a pair of sunglasses, because exposure to the sun light is intense.

The most spectacular and charming side is the north side, to be accessed via Linguaglossa. After Piano Provenzana it is recommendable to leave your car and join an organised jeep tour (a bit expensive). On the south side the most beautiful village and a very appreciated mountain destination is , surrounded by vineyards and orange groves. It can be easily reached from Catania in one hour bus.

Nicolosi lies on the path left by the lava field which generated after the eruption of 2002. An important ski destination, it is served by buses starting from the main train station of Catania. There is a bus ride leaving every morning at 8.15 and arriving until the mountain hut Sapienza, which marks the end of the practible road (return journey at 16.30 pm from the Sapienza hut). The hut was saved from the violent eruption of 2001 thanks to a series of channels built to contain and to divert the lava flow. From the mountain starts a steep and strenuous 4 hours trail which leads to the top. Alternatively you may proceed by jeep with a guided tour, or make use of the cableway. By 2001 it is not permitted to approach the main crater. From the top you will enjoy one of the most spectacular landscapes of Sicily.