Catania - meet me at etna

Catania is a major transport hub, university center and economic hub in the area and is known for its active nightlife and vibrant culture. Catania is also known for its architecture which is mostly Baroque and urban style due to the major devastation that it faced in the earthquake of 1693. It attracts thousands of tourists from around Italy as well as other countries through the world. Piazza Del Duomo is the main square in Catania and the center point for all activities. The square has a giant elephant statue which has become the symbol of the city in the last few decades. The Piazza is a great place to just sit and relax and watch the people passing by. Via Etnea is the main shopping destination and is lined with shops selling numerous types of local as well as branded merchandise. The street also has lots of churches as well as imposing buildings, some of which are architectural wonders. Locals like to stroll around the street at a leisurely pace in the evenings and so it is a good place for people watching. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, Mount Etna resides in the area of Catania! As the biggest volcano in Europe, it is definitely a must visit. There are several guided and organized tours that take tourists to the volcano and the views offered from the top of the mountain are spectacular.

Palazzolo - the ancient city of the gods

Set in the splendid scenery of the Iblei mountains, the picturesque village of Palazzolo Acreide shows itself as a treasure chest to be discovered that is characterized by the singularity of its urban structure, full of testimonies from different eras. The Ancient City lies on the hill above the modern town, the approach to it being defended by quarries, in which tombs of ancient periods have been discovered. The auditorium of a small theatre is well-preserved, though nothing of the stage remains. Nearby are the ruins of other buildings, which bear, without justification, the names Naumachia, Odeum (perhaps a bath establishment) and Palace of Hiero. The town was largely destroyed by the earthquake of 1693, and most of the buildings date from the 18th century. Inserted in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Palazzolo is an ideal destination for trips out of town or for those who want to visit a place suspended in time, away from mass tourism. Palazzolo is also known to be festive as many baroque festivals are celebrated each year: the San Paolo at the end of June and those of San Sebastiano and San Michele in August and late September. Your trip to Palazzolo will surely be rooted in ancient history and a great time!

Modica - the chocolate capital of sicily

Modica is one of the most interesting towns in Sicily. Included into a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with 7 other towns of the Val di Noto area, Modica has a rich historical and cultural heritage and is home to several fine examples of the Sicilian Baroque architecture. It is a community that flourished for centuries in what was once the capital of an ancient and powerful county whose territory, in the Middle Ages, extended to the gates of Palermo. Modica is also famous for its delicious locally produced chocolate, the Cioccolato di Modica. Made with a very old recipe, the Aztecs can be accredited for the delicious recipe. If you are wondering what the Aztecs have to do with Sicily, think about the Spanish conquistadors in South America and you will see that the same Spanish have dominated this island for a couple of centuries. The aroma is the one of the roasted cocoa beans, with a slight trace of astringency. It is traditionally flavored with cinnamon or vanilla. However, you can just as easily find chocolate with chili, carob, coffee, and citrus fruits. Because of its unique composition, it can actually be eaten as it is or dissolved in water as a drink! A trip to Modica will certainly leave you starstruck and full of cioccolato!