Dominated by Mount Etna, Europe’s biggest — and still highly active — volcano, this area is also home to one of Sicily’s most vibrant cities, and to a spectacular coastline of fractured rocks, the Costa dei Ciclopi, or Cyclops coast. Exploring Etna is a must — especially on a jeep trip accompanied by a knowledgeable guide — and especially if it is in an active phase! Catania may not look very enticing as you drive in, but it has a compact and distinctive historic centre, of black lava and creamy white limestone, and some great street markets, as well as good seasons of opera and ballet and a vibrant night scene.
