Today I would like to recall my last year's trip around Sicily. In fact that was a wonderful time. It cannot be said that there were no negative impressions, but only good ones. As you know, life is an alternation of stripes, black and white.
Our arrival in Catania began with a black stripe. I would like to share a little negative experience that will benefit someone who decides to visit Catania. The fact is that the owners of hotels and apartments in this beautiful city have a rather specific policy.
We booked apartments with spectacular interiors in the very center of the city. However, an unpleasant surprise awaited us. It turned out that when booking through the application we did not see a warning that the owner only accepts guests until 18 hours. Strange, but the host accepts money for accommodation around the clock.
The city met us with heavy rain. From the parking lot we got on foot and of course got wet through. We spent about two hours trying to get through to the support service and to a host named Marco. The support service operator stated that the owner of the apartment will not be able to accept us due to our late arrival. Moreover, Marco refused to return our money. The operator also said that nothing could help us. Then we decided to work on Marco in a non-standard way.
Each apartment owner has a pain point. What do you think this is? These are the neighbors!
I knocked on the next door. A lovely woman opened. I politely asked her to call Marco and tell her that two tourists are staying overnight at the landing near the closed door.
Funny, the reaction came instantly. Marco proposed a deal: we leave the stairwell and get out, and Marco returns the money to us in full.
Now we decided not to risk it and booked a hotel that welcomes guests around the clock. However, there were some surprises here. Through the application, the hotel was bidding at 35 euros. When booking, the price increased to 50. As a result, in the morning I paid 68!
Well, it's time to move from the black bar to the black baroque that Catania is famous for.
The whole history of the city is associated with the eruptions of the volcano Etna. Historians report that the city was buried seven times under a layer of lava and ash. And every time the city needed to be reborn. These processes greatly influenced the appearance of Catania. The city was often rebuilt and updated its appearance.
The elephant on Cathedral Square, as you know, is the main symbol of the city. As I understand, an elephant appeared during the reconstruction of the city after a series of earthquakes of the late 17th century.
I often saw this square in TV shows and other videos. However, I must say the area made a completely different impression on me.
One of my greatest impressions is the fish market. There is real life, there are real emotions. Very picturesque place!
After the market I wanted to visit a seafood restaurant. But we felt time pressure. And besides, we traveled under the guise of budget tourists.
Of course, it is impossible not to say something about the magnificent views of Mount Etna. Especially good views from the roofs of cathedrals
The final chord was a walk through the streets of the city
Goodbye Catania. Forward to Etna
