Touring Sicily With Car Hire

T here are many good              is situated on the east coast of   reasons for hiring a car in     the island, between Messina and    Sicily. Beautiful scenery       Siracusa, at the foot of the       is just one of them. Travelling       active Mount Etna Volcano.         around Sicily with a rental car                                          allows you to see all of the          A walking tour is a good way to    beautiful places that the             see what the city has to offer.    island’s public transport service     Many of the city’s palaces and     doesn’t reach. Secret coves and       streets were built during the      pretty time forgotten villages        eighteenth century, but were       are just some of the interesting      rebuilt on several occasions due   discoveries awaiting your             to volcanic by Mount Etna and      arrival.                              Mount Vesuvius. Places of                                                historical interest include:       Catania-Fontanarossa Airport          Catania Duomo, a Baroque-style     Mini-Guide:                           cathedral, which houses the                                              remains of Saint Agata, the        Catania-Fontanarossa Airport is       patron saint of Catania. The       Sicily’s busiest Airports and is      saint is remembered in February    served by a number of                 each year, during the city’s       international airlines including:     Festival of Sant’Agata. The        British Airways, Lufthansa,           Piazza Duomo is located nearby     Alitalia and Windjet. The airport     and is home to the famous          is located 20 minutes to the          elephant fountain -the city’s      south of the city of Catania.         distinctive symbol. The lava-clad                                        elephant statue dates back to      Things To See/Do in Catania           Roman times, but was rebuilt in                                          the eighteenth century.            Catania is the second largest                                            city on the island of Sicily and      Bellini Gardens are the perfect    place to unwind in the city. The      throughout the city include:       gardens spread over an area of        aranci di riso, (meat and rice     70,000sqm and encompass pretty        balls, served with mushrooms and   avenues, squares, bridges and         nuts), crespelle, (ricotta and     ornate bridges and statues.           anchovy fritters) and Scacciate                                          pies. Quality, high-end            The surrounding countryside           restaurants in the city include:   offers a number of interesting        Trattoria del Cavaliere and        historical attractions waiting to     Osteria I Tre Bicchieri, situated  be explored by hire car. Piazza       on the Via S. Guiseppe al Duomo.   Armeria-an ancient Roman Villa                                           located a short drive outside of      Catania has a buzzing nightlife,   Catania is one site worth             which centres on Sclainata         exploring.                            Alessi, Via Crociferi and the                                            Piazza Bellini. It is here that    Eating Out/Nightlife/Accomodation     the city’s young people meet up    in Catania:                           to chat before heading out to the                                        city’s lively bars and             Catania has given birth to some       nightclubs. Meanwhile, low-key     of Sicily’s most famous dishes.       after-dark entertainment can be    Pasta alla Norma, which is            found at Corso Italia, which is a  usually served as a starter, was      home to a host of laid-back wine   named after local Catania             bars.                              composer Vincenzo Bellini’s opera                                        ‘Norma’ and consists of pasta,        Catania offers a range of          fried aubergine, basil, ricotta       accommodation to suit every type   cheese and tomato sauce. Cheap        of budget and lifestyle            local delicacies, which are           requirement. Arrigo Farmhouse,     available at a low cost from          situated close to Mount Etna       delicatessens and cafés               offers comfortable budget          lodgings to spend thrifty guests.     opposite Catania beach boasts      Meanwhile, the impressive Romano      deluxe accommodation, if money is  Palace Luxury Hotel, located          no object.                         About the Author Fiona writes for Argus Car Hire and Car Hire Italy Published At: www.Isnare.com