Eastern Sicily - Etna, Ionian Coast and Val di Noto by MotorhomeEtna, Ionian Coast and Val di Noto by Motorhome

Catania is a black city: built from lava, with Etna at the end of every street. The fish market behind Piazza del Duomo is the city's spectacle in the morning, the lava elephant in the square its symbol. The motorhome pitches are located on the coast north of the city, with a bus to the center; the airport and rental depots are on the south side. A good place to do some grocery shopping and set up the motorhome.

Taormina clings to a mountain above the sea, with a Greek theater that has Etna as its backdrop and a main street full of terraces. You don't go up with the motorhome: the motorhome pitches are located below in Giardini-Naxos, and the cable car or bus takes you to the center in fifteen minutes. Isola Bella, the small island on Mazzarò beach, is most beautiful early in the morning; Castelmola above Taormina has the view.

Rifugio Sapienza is located on the southern flank of Etna, at 1,900 meters between black lava fields and old craters. The cable car takes you to 2,500 meters, and off-road vehicles with a guide continue to the summit craters, as far as the volcano allows. The road up from Nicolosi is wide and good; at the top there is a large parking lot where overnight stays are permitted, but bring warm clothing, as it freezes here at night even in summer. The starry sky is the reward.

Siracusa was once larger than Athens, and the island of Ortigia is still the most beautiful city center on the island: a cathedral built around a Greek temple, the Fountain of Arethusa with papyrus in the water, and a market where fishmongers sing. The archaeological park on the mainland has a Greek theater and the Ear of Dionysius, a cave with improbable acoustics. The motorhome pitches are located on the outskirts of the city, within cycling distance of Ortigia.

Marzamemi is a charming fishing village that surprises you with its sandstone Piazza Regina Margherita and the historic Tonnara di Marzamemi, an old tuna fishery. Right next to the village lies the Riserva di Vendicari, a vast coastal marsh where you can spot flamingos. You'll also discover another old tonnara and walk to beaches like the tranquil Calamosche. Along the waterfront, you'll find cozy terraces where a festive buzz emerges in the evenings.

Modica surprises as a baroque city in a deep ravine, where you discover ancient chocolate traditions. At the top of a 250-step staircase, the Duomo di San Giorgio is enthroned. Down in the city, chocolatiers like Bonajuto still process cocoa cold, in the Aztec way. The Duomo di San Pietro, with its ornate facade, is central to the lower part of the city. From the Belvedere Pizzo, you can enjoy an atmospheric view over the two parts of Modica, especially in the evening light.

Ragusa Ibla is the old town on a rock, rebuilt in Baroque style after the 1693 earthquake and connected to the upper town by stairs. The Duomo di San Giorgio stands askew on a sloping square, the garden of the Giardino Ibleo hangs above the valley, and in the alleys, you'll find one of Italy's best restaurants. You park your motorhome in the upper town; to Ibla, you walk down the stairs or take the bus. Choose a campsite on the coast near Marina di Ragusa if you prefer to sleep by the sea.

Catania is a black city: built from lava, with Etna at the end of every street. The fish market behind Piazza del Duomo is the city's spectacle in the morning, the lava elephant in the square its symbol. The motorhome pitches are located on the coast north of the city, with a bus to the center; the airport and rental depots are on the south side. A good place to do some grocery shopping and set up the motorhome.