Sicily | Eastern Sicily Eastern Sicily Catania – Messina – Enna – Ragusa – Syracuse One of the first Mediterranean Catania is the dynamic and fashionable second city of Sicily. The city boasts one of the greatest holiday destinations, Sicily is Roman ruins - the Amphitheatre in Piazza the most richly endowed island Steseicoro - and has the fabulous baroque Piazza del Duomo and the Cathedral of Santa in the Mediterranean, steeped Agatha where the composer Bellini is buried. in history and legend and The coastline between Catania and Taormina has many fishing villages like Acireale with in every respect an island excellent restaurants serving a variety of of contrasts. sea food. 1 2 3 4 UNESCO World Best Beaches Mpanatigghi di Modica Arancini Heritage sites Six Sicilian beaches have been Typical cakes from the Ragusa These fried and breadcrumb- awarded blue flag status for their province, traditionally made during coated rice balls are either filled The baroque cathedral in Noto; water being among Europe’s Easter, are filled with Modica with meat, tomato sauce or Villa Romana del Casale; the towns cleanest. They are: Porto Paolo chocolate and fine mince meat! For mozzarella, and are the Sicilian of Caltagirone, Militello in Val di (Menfi); Pozzallo (Ragusa); Ispica chocaholics, a visit to the ‘Antica snack of choice. Try one - you Catania, Catania, Modica, Palazzolo (Ragusa); Fiumefreddo-Cottone Dolceria Bonaiuto’ cake shop in won’t be disappointed. Acreide, Ragusa and Scicli; the Aeolian (Catania); Spiaggia Bianca (Lipari); Modica is a must. Islands; Syracuse; Mount Etna, and Marina di Ragusa (Ragusa). the Cathedral churches of Cefalù and Monreale. 58 | Sunvil 020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk Main image: Ragusa Ibla Sicily | Eastern Sicily Mount Etna Wherever you are, Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano at 3,320m, towers above. The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes and the broad plane of Catania to the south. UNA Palace Hotel, Catania UNA Hotel Palace is housed within an Accommodation: 94 air-conditioned elegant turn-of-the-century building rooms including classic rooms, in the heart of Catania along Via executive rooms and superior rooms. Etnea, the city’s main shopping street. • Airport: 6km Catania Traffic is restricted in this area but • 4-star hotel guests arriving by car can park in the • Bed & Breakfast street behind the hotel. This modern • City centre location hotel has a stunning rooftop terrace, • Complimentary WiFi American bar and restaurant serving • Restaurant traditional Sicilian cuisine. It cannot be beaten for its central location Guide price from £880 per person* which gives easy access to the major sites, museums, and historic of the city. Superior Room Commenda di San Calogero, Brucoli San Calogero is a former feudal estate Accommodation: 12 air-conditioned on the extreme outskirts of the Iblean rooms including standard rooms, plateau, looking out towards Mount superior rooms and junior suites. Etna and between Catania and • Airport: 30.9km Catania Syracuse. The surrounding landscape • Country estate is one of undulating valleys with dry • Bed & Breakfast stone walls with the San Calogero • Complimentary WiFi River running through it. The owners, • Restaurant who occupy the east wing of the • Rural location property, invite guests to take a tour • Swimming pool of the grounds to discover its many • Spa hidden treasures. Guide price from £809 per person* Agriturismo Fondo Cipollate, Mitogio-Castiglione di Sicilia Surrounded by the scent of the Accommodation: 10 air-conditioned orange groves and the gentle rooms including 3 double and 7 twin landscape of this rural property, bedrooms. Gabriella and Francesco know exactly • Airports: 66km Catania how to make their guests feel at • Agriturismo home. The house stands among • Bed & Breakfast the hills of the Alcantara valley, • Complimentary WiFi overlooking the Ionian Sea. The sense • Hillside location of the past remains, thanks to the • Swimming pool sensitive refurbishment and tasteful furnishings: every corner seems to Guide price from £809 per person* speak of the old rural life of Sicily in days-gone-by. * Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Catania (other airports on request) and private transfers (Catania) or car hire. Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties. 020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk Sicily | 59 Sicily | Eastern Sicily The North Coast Visit one of the many splendid beaches, inlets and resorts on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast such as Capo d’Orlando, Tindari and Milazzo - a charming town known mainly for its port and main link to the Aeolian Islands. Tenuta San Michele, Santa Venerina Standard Room Since 1850, the Tenuta San Michele Accommodation: 15 units has been devoted to the cultivation including standard rooms and of vines and the production of the 1-bedroom apartments. famous Etna wine, thanks to its • Airport: 43km Catania favourable position on the slopes of • Agriturismo Mount Etna (500m above sea level), • Bed & Breakfast which rises to the south east of the • Complimentary WiFi property. Today, the Scammacca • Restaurant family, dedicate themselves to all • Rural location the activities associated with the • Swimming pool production of wine and, for more • Wine Estate than 10 years, have opened the doors of the Tenuta San Michele Guide price from £603 per person* to rural tourism. Villa Sonia Hotel, Castelmola This charming family-run hotel Accommodation: 44 air-conditioning is located at the entrance to the rooms including classic rooms, superior delightful mountain top village of rooms, deluxe rooms and suites. Castelmola. The village offers a good • Airport: 73km Catania selection of bars and restaurants and • 4-star hotel the Hotel Villa Sonia is just a short, • Bed & Breakfast uphill, stroll from the main street • Complimentary WiFi where guests will delight at the Superior Room • Hilltop location spectacular views towards Mount • Restaurant Etna and Taormina. • Swimming pool The hotel rooms are nicely decorated in a typical Sicilian style, with many Guide price from £825 per person* antique furnishings and all with modern facilities. Antica Tindari, Patti The Antica Tindari is a family-run Accommodation: 7 air-conditioned property surrounded by a vineyard rooms including standard rooms, and situated in the rolling hills of triple rooms and family rooms. Tindari. The property has four rooms • Airport: 166km Catania which are romantic and charming, • Agriturismo with full terraces from which you • Bed & Breakfast can enjoy the stunning scenery. • Complimentary WiFi Guests will delight in tasting the • Restaurant Standard Room locally produced wines and enjoy • Rural location a host of healthy dishes, featuring • Swimming pool locally grown, organic products. • Wine Estate The property’s vineyard and winery overlook the Gulf of Patti and the Guide price from £627 per person* Aeolian Islands beyond. * Guide prices based on 2-sharing a leading room type (7 nights), flights from London Gatwick to Catania (other airports on request) and car hire (Patti or Santa Venerina) or private transfers (Castelmola). Note: We cannot guarantee that any of our featured properties are suitable for all levels of disability so please ask if you have specific issues. Please visit our website for further information on these and other featured properties. 60 | Sunvil 020 8758 4722 www.sunvil.co.uk Sicily | Eastern Sicily Taormina Perched on a series of high terraces overhung with semi-tropical gardens and surveying a breathtakingly beautiful coastline, Taormina has an elegance and style created by a rich history in which the Greeks, Romans and Spaniards all had a hand. Grand Hotel Miramare, Taormina This centrally located hotel has a Accommodation: 68 air-conditioned beautiful panorama of the Bay of rooms including standard rooms, Mazzaro and Isola Bella. Set in its classic rooms, superior rooms, junior own extensive terraced gardens, it suites and a suite. is one of the few hotels in Taormina • Airport: 68km Catania that provides ample parking (40 • 4-star hotel spaces) for guests. The interiors are • Bed & Breakfast traditionally decorated with spacious • Complimentary WiFi public rooms and a large, open-air, • Hillside town location panoramic terrace with views over • Restaurant the swimming pool and the eastern • Swimming pool coastline of Sicily. The historical centre of Taormina is within easy Guide price from £916 per person* walking distance (10-minutes) of the hotel. The Ashbee, Taormina The Ashbee was originally built as Accommodation: 24 air-conditioned a private villa in 1908 from designs rooms including classic rooms, superior by architect Robert Charles Ashbee, rooms, deluxe rooms and suites. famed as an early member of the Arts • Airport: 68km Catania and Craft movement. Today it has • 5-star deluxe hotel been transformed into a luxury hotel • Bed & Breakfast offering all the comforts required • Complimentary WiFi for a relaxing stay. Each of the 25 • Hilltop town location guest rooms are spacious and have • Restaurant been individually decorated to a • Swimming pool high standard, with many featuring antique furniture. The beautiful, Guide price from £1,304 per person* landscaped gardens include many exotic plants and fruit trees. Terra Rossa Apartments, Taormina Studio A collection of nine small cottages Accommodation: 30 units with ceiling situated on the slopes below fans including studios and two- Taormina and above the beach bedroom apartments. resort of Mazzarò. Splendid views • Airport: 68km Catania from the gardens towards the sea • Apartments and Isola Bella can be enjoyed from • Hillside location the swimming pool and sun terrace. • Self Catering Each cottage consists of three self- • Swimming pool contained units, being two studio • WiFi (payable locally) apartments on the ground floor and one 2-bedroom apartment located Guide price from £537 per person* on the first floor.