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My Top Catania Travel Tips

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Catania was founded in the 8th century BC by Chalcidian Greeks settlers from nearby Naxos (modern day Giardini Naxos) and was given the Greek name Katánē. During the 14th century AD and into the Renaissance period, Catania was one of Italy's most important cultural, artistic and political centres. It was the site of Sicily's first university founded in 1434 and has been the native or adopted home of some of Italy's most famous artists and writers, including the composer Vincenzo Bellini and the writer Giovanni Verga. The city has weathered multiple geological catastrophes. As Sicily's second largest city Catania has had its fair share of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and although it is rich in monuments dating back to Greek and Roman times the city seen today was built mostly after a massive earthquake in 1693 which hit south eastern Sicily destroying 70 towns and cities killing up to 60,000 people. The rebuilding, then a territory part of the Crown of Aragon and r
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Mount Etna with Etna People

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An offer to go to Etna is always one I cannot refuse ... From our Sicilian home in Giardini Naxos in less than an hour we can reach the lower craters of the volcano by car and it is a car ride that was always enjoyed by our dog Daisy before she crossed rainbow bridge and one that is now enjoyed by our new rescue puppy Duke. Both dogs love the lower slopes of the volcano, the volcanic terrain and the pine forests which create a wonderful dog walk full of four legged adventures.  When my brother decided that he wanted to come home with me this summer he said that he had always wanted to “get up close and personal with Etna” and with his love of geology and volcanology I knew that it would be best to book an organised tour with a qualified Etna guide to do a moderately easy trek on higher terrain with an expert. A perfect excuse to dust off my trekking shoes that I always keep in my Sicilian wardrobe.  The most requested excursions in Sicily are to Mount Etna and there are many ways that
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