AROUND US

Etna volcano and Valle del Bove (20 min by car): Europe’s greatest natural wonder is a living, sacred mountain of legend and myth. Consider a jeep excursion to the upper regions, which are covered with snow for four months of the year. Dress warmly in summer too; it’s always cool at the top.

Catania city center (15 min by car): the old town centre is relatively small. In the city of Catania, there is very much to see and to do: museums, Baroque buildings, theaters, and gardens. Catania is a vibrant city, interesting, fascinating (even and especially at night).

Villages of Mount Etna, and Volcanology Museum (20 min by car): Nicolosi is one of the most famous village at the foot of the Monti Rossi (two beautiful craters of Etna, which today are rich in vegetation) where there are two museums: the Museum of Volcanology and the Museum of the farmer: the first collects the lava material, photos and illustrations on the eruptions of Etna and the vulcanological activities; the second is home to a beautiful reconstruction of the humble lives led by the Sicilian peasants until not too long ago.

Acitrezza, Aci Castello and the Riviera of the Cyclops (30 min by car): Some year ago there were just fishing villages, today it is a summer resort destination. There are some equipped beaches, restaurants and bars. The coast owes its name to a Homeric legend, according to which the towering black rocks that rise from the sea – really big chunks of solidified lava – were thrown from the blinded Cyclops, Polyphemus, in a desperate attempt to hit Ulysses on his escape.

Parco Fluviale dell’Alcàntara (50 min by car): where you will discover the most beautiful lava canyons in the world with high basaltic walls (about 50 meters of height), crossed by the river Alcantara.

Etna Avventura Serra La Nave (35 min by car): It has a series of trails in the trees, placed at different heights from the ground and differentiated by increasing difficulty and physical effort. The courses consist of a series of platforms interspersed with Tibetan bridges Chinese bridges, vines, walkways of various kinds and Tyrolean traverses; this enables everyone, young and old, to test their courage and their skills in complete safety.

Parco Avventura Etna – Milo (40 min by car): The Etna adventure Park is situated into the Parco Scarbaglio of Milo. Acrobatics paths for children and adults, bar, picnic area with barbecues. Hiking and canyoning.

Piazza Armerina: (1 h and 15 by car): The Roman villa, Villa Romana del Casale, is one of the island’s must-see attractions. The 4th-century Roman villa features one of the largest and best-preserved collections of ancient mosaics in the world. Each of the main rooms in the villa has a mosaic floor decorated in a specific theme, including a hedonistic mosaic in the main bedroom. The mosaic depicting the Olympic games is the most famous as it features the first image of women wearing what are known today as bikinis.

Syracuse (50 min by car): was once considered the most important city of the ancient Western world. The 2,700-year-old city is mentioned in the Bible, in the writings of Cicero and in the myths and legends of many civilizations. The oldest part of Syracuse is the island of Ortigia and is filled with historic temples, churches and important archeological sites, including a necropolis that dates back from 1270 B.C. Theatrical productions are still staged at the 5th-centry Greek Theatre, which boasts one of the largest seating areas ever built by the ancient Greeks.

Taormina (45 min by car): Perched on a cliff near Mount Etna on the island’s eastern shoreline, Taormina has long been a popular place to visit in Sicily. Well-heeled travelers have been including the resort town on their itineraries since the 19th century. There are scenic beaches near the city to enjoy too, and as they’re only accessible by an aerial tramway, traveling to them is half the fun. The Teatro Greco is Taormina’s most popular attraction. While the architecture of the amphitheater is Roman, its layout indicates that it was built upon an older Greek theater. Although the original seats have been replaced, much of the 2nd-century theater remains intact.

Acireale and fishing villages (20 min by car): Acireale is a baroque city, with many of its greatest treasures of the 17th century. On the side of the coast there are several picturesque fishing villages with natural landscapes incredibly beautiful.

Etnaland (20 min by car): the biggest Amusement Park in South Italy. Theme park, water park and dinosaur park all rolled into one. It has a suspended cableway, laser shows and rides such as the crocodile rapids. Lots to see and do, and there are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat. It is the largest water park of Southern Italy.

Sicilia Outlet Village (50 min by car): is a large outlet shopping. it is specialized in the retail sale of products of famous brands, unsold, or come out of the most recent catalog of the manufacturer. The manufacturers create stores in order to work off the production of past seasons, or the leaders of second grade, which are sold at half the price than that stated on the label.

Many Commercial centers: There are several commercial centers around OttoMood like Ikea, Decathlon, Commercial Center Le Ginestre, Commercial Center Le Zagare, Commercial Center I Portali Centro Sicilia Commercial Center.