When I was planning this trip my choice was Albania and surrounding countries and Don’s choice was Sicily as it was close and easy to travel to from Albania. We have been to Italy before for two months travelling from North to South but never to the islands so here we go.
The only direct flight was from Tirana to Catania on the south of the island. It was a late flight with Ryanair so we didn’t arrive until 1am. I had booked a taxi so was happy to see him holding a sign when we came out of Immigration. It was pouring rain and the taxi driver couldn’t find the address as it was down a small alley way which was pedestrian only. He was kind enough to bring out the umbrella as we walked to the Airbnb to discover we could not open the lockbox even with his help. I called the owner who luckily lived upstairs, down he came in his Pjs and we finally got in!
We stayed in a local neighbourhood on a plaza which was quiet in the day but not so quiet at night…
At around 9pm the Italians come out for dinner and the square starts to come alive with people, music and fireworks! They don’t go home until after 1am, but we admire their lifestyle.
Our apartment was on the first floor of this building and was well equipped and very comfortable…
Then began the Saga of the Italian washer!
Since we had been travelling over two weeks with only a carry on and half of our clothes packed for warm weather which we didn’t experience we were so happy to get clean clothes! However even with the help of Google Translate and Chat GPT we spent two hours the next morning trying to figure out how to get it to work, finally success…but then we couldn’t get it to open! We tried again, gave up, text the owner who said he would come after he got off work so we left to explore the city.
At 6pm he came and he was just as clueless as us, he called someone for instructions, no help, he unplugged it not working. He didn’t speak any English but spoke Spanish, so with my limited Spanish we tried again. Then I saw a blinking smiley face which was weird so I pressed the button and the door opened! It was the Child Lock! He high fived me, said Grazie ten times and left. Clean clothes at last and another travel experience for the books!
Both of us really enjoyed our stop in Catania which is an ancient port city on Sicily’s east coast. It sits at the foot of Mt.Etna which is an active volcano. It is a very lively city full of people and things to do and see. Our accommodation was close to the centre so we could walk everywhere.
The centre of the city is Piazza del Dumo which features the grand Catania Cathedral named after St. Agatha.
Her story goes something like this…
She came from a wealthy, noble family and consecrated her life to God at a young age. However the Roman governor desired her beauty and wealth and forced her to marry him. She refused and he put her in prison and subjected her to severe torture, including cutting off her breast. She was thrown back in her cell and received a vision from St. Peter who healed her. She eventually passed away on February 5, 251AD and since then her feast day is celebrated with grand processions in Catania and the baking of traditional breast shaped pastry.
In the museum next door we saw the cart that her bust is carried in on that day through the streets of Catania…
We also visited the Roman baths under the Cathedral which date back to the 4th century …
The water is still running…
We also went to the top to get a better view of the city…
In the centre of the main piazza there is the elephant statute, a symbol of the city…
It symbolizes the city’s resilience over natural disasters, triumph over paganism and protection against the eruptions of Mt. Etna.
So we took a tour to see Mt. Etna which towers over the city…
There was already snow on the mountain…
As we drove up the mountain we passed many vineyards as they produce a lot of wine in this region…
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Also lots of lava fields from previous eruptions.
We were a small group of 8 with our guide Paola. Before we started there was a place to buy food so since we hadn’t breakfast we stared with arancini which is a typical Sicilian street food. It is basically a risotto ball, fried with risotto, cheese and other fillings. It is delicious and I hope to try a few different flavors while we are here.
I am bundled up to start the trek up the volcano…
Up we go and as usual Don is chatting to the guide!
It started out as a misty morning on the volcano…
We hiked to the first crater that was created when the volcano explodes and sends debris across the field creating huge holes…
Our guide told us that Etna is always releasing gases so is not too dangerous as it doesn’t build up to a huge release when it erupts. It then gives time for people in its’ path to leave. The last eruption was in 2021.
We look happy here but as we continued to climb I really felt the burn. I think it was because I had been sick in Albania and didn’t have my usual energy.
We then put on our helmets and went down to the caves created by lava tubes…
Down we go…
We met a group of cave divers who were using ropes to go down even further…
Next stop was a lookout over one of the lava fields, couldn’t see a thing when we got there but the clouds lifted for a better view…
On the way down we stopped for some tasting of the wine, olive oils and honey they produce on the slopes of the volcano…
Often filled with graffiti…
We stopped here at this guy’s stand where he was making freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. His wife spoke a little English so we were joking around with them. Before we left he gave me a fresh pomegranate…
Don enjoying his juice!
So many places to eat and drink, though service is not always the greatest, we left more than one place as we were being ignored.
They have a large fish and vegetable market six days a week…
So many choices and so fresh everyday…
We enjoyed some fish in a cone…
My first Aperol Spritz…
Mussels…
Bruschetta
Since Don is a lover of black licorice, the Italian is the best…
This was a great stop and a good introduction to Sicily.
Love the umbrellas in the markets!
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