On the southern slope of Etna is Nicolosi, historically, “the gateway to Etna”, the highest volcano in Europe. A splendid place for vacations, due to its mild climate and being a healthy area. Its central position between the sea and the mountain means that the other important tourist destinations of eastern Sicily can be easily reached.
Nicolosi is also the terminus for those who wish to go up to the summit area of the volcano, or stop at the square of Rifugio Sapienza which has ski slopes and ski-lifts for Alpine and Nordic skiing.
This area is inside the “Parco dell’Etna”, from 700 metres from the town to the top of the central crater of Etna (a naturalistic site which, with the help of UNESCO, is becoming a world heritage site) and offers the tourist a unique landscape with its luxuriant vegetation, colours varying from the black of the lava flows to the intense green of the woods or the golden yellow of the broom plants.
The hotel is the departure point for:
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- Summit area of crater – 2,900 metres
- Speleology in volcanic caves
- Aeroplane trips over the volcano
- Horse-riding on the paths of Etna’s natural park
- With mules in the public forestry areas
- In 4-wheel drive jeeps on the southern or northern slopes of Etna’s natural park
- Trekking on the southern or northern slopes of Etna’s natural park
- To the lava flows of 1983-85, 2001, 2002
- To the Silvestri Craters, Bottoniera, Torre del Filosofo
- To overlook the Bove Valley
- Calvario Park
- In 4-wheel drive jeeps to the Nebrodi Park
- To the rivers around the Volcano (Gole dell’Alcantara Gorge, Simeto)
- The paths of water sources
- The ancient forests
- The Ciclopi (Cyclops) Riviera by boat
- Gastronomic-Wine: “the wine route”, “shepherd tradition”, “mushroom and chestnut season”.
- The Sanctuaries
- The churches
- Baroque
- Archaeology
- The Museum
- The ‘Verdiani’ Green places
- The botanic gardens
- The Wine-making Cellars
- The craftsmanship: pottery, baskets, lava stone
- The Riviera
- The myths of the Sea
- The Cyclops Riviera
- Taormina
- Tindari
- Piazza Armerina
- Caltagirone
- Syracuse
- Pantalica
- Noto
- Ragusa
- Downhill skiing, 20km of ski slopes, with chair-lifts and cabin ski-lift. A height of 2,500m can be reached, both beginners and experts coming down safely whilst admiring the panorama of the sea.
- For those who wish to admire the wonder of the panorama, alpine skiing or cross-country skiing can be practised.
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