Overall

Catania is a exciting and authentic Sicilian city. The main road is Via Etnea. This is a lively, pedestrian shopping street. Come on Saturday afernoons to get a real taste of the Sicilian lifestyle. For lunch, stop at Bar Savia (across from Villa Bellini) for excellent canoli and arancini (savory rice balls filled with meat, mozzarella and prosciutto, or pistacchio). Window shop in the numerous clothing shops. Stop in and browse at some of the larger department stores like the Rinascente and Coin. For an afternoon snack, try the excellent gelato at Scardacci Ice Bar (also in Via Etnea, close to Piazza Stesicoro). In the evening, stroll toward Piazza Duomo (aka the Elephant Square, thus named for the elephant statue and obelisk in the center of the square). I highly reccommend dinner at Ambasciata di Mare Restaurant. It is a bit pricey, but probably the best fish restaurant in Catania. Good hotels to stay at: Baia Verde in AciCastello or Excelsior Hotel on Corso Italia (the fanciest street in Catania, within walking distance of Via Etnea). Good Day Trips: Siracusa, Taormina, Etna, Enna, AciCastello

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6 June 2005 | A Yahoo! User

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