Discovering the territory
Staying at Casale Romano Resort means immersing yourself in an authentic corner of Sicily, where every view tells a story and every excursion becomes an unforgettable experience.
Here is a list of the most important destinations accessible from Casale Romano Resort.
Gole dell'Alcantara
These gorges reach up to 25 metres in height and are as narrow as 2 metres and as wide as 4–5 metres in places. Contrary to popular belief, this natural canyon was not carved out by water over thousands of years.
The Alcantara river flows over lava stone, creating its characteristic riverbed. The most imposing and well-known gorge is located in Fondaco Motta, within the territory of Motta Camastra. It stretches over 6 km, with the first 3 km easily accessible.
What makes this gorge unique is the structure of its walls, formed by basaltic lava flows — low in silicon but rich in iron, magnesium and calcium — which, when rapidly cooled, produced pentagonal and hexagonal prismatic shapes, resembling the molecular structure of the materials that form it.
Vulcano Etna
Located on Sicily’s eastern coast, Mount Etna dominates the province of Catania and is crossed by the 15th eastern meridian, which is named after it. Covering 1,265 km² with a diameter of over 40 km, it is one of the largest active volcanoes in Europe.
It is a shield volcano with a stratovolcano structure, whose height changes over time due to continuous eruptions. In recent decades, it has reached several elevations: 3,274 m in 1900, 3,345 m in 1978, and according to 2018 measurements, its current altitude is 3,326 m.
Etna is a living symbol of Sicily: majestic, captivating, and constantly evolving. Open to visitors all year round, it offers breathtaking views and unique routes through craters, forests, and lava flows.
Taormina
Taormina is one of the most prominent international tourist centres in the Sicilian region, known for its natural scenery, beautiful coastline and historic landmarks. It was a key destination during the Grand Tour era.
Since the 19th century, it has been among Europe’s top travel destinations. In the 20th century, the town became a colony for expatriate artists, writers and intellectuals. Notably, Albert Stopford and D.H. Lawrence lived here. From April 1950 to September 1951, Truman Capote resided in the same villa, later writing about it in his essay “Fontana Vecchia.”
Tennessee Williams, Jean Cocteau and Jean Marais also visited. Charles Webster Leadbeater and Jiddu Krishnamurti lived here too, with Krishnamurti calling Taormina an ideal place to nurture his talents.
Catania
Catania, founded by the Greeks in 729 BC, boasts a rich heritage of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, Swabian, Angevin, Aragonese and Spanish influences — all visible in its remarkable monuments.
Today’s Catania, largely rebuilt in the 18th century after the 1693 earthquake, is a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque architecture and a recognised UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Catania is truly a city worth discovering!
Its large main square, Piazza del Duomo, features the iconic Elephant Fountain and the richly decorated Cathedral. In the square’s southwestern corner, the bustling fish market “La Pescheria” livens up the area on weekdays and is surrounded by restaurants serving fresh seafood.
Siracusa
Located on the southeastern coast of Sicily, Syracuse boasts a millennia-old history, founded around 734–733 BC by the Corinthians.
It was one of the largest cities of the classical age, rivaling Athens in wealth and influence. Plato visited three times, attempting to establish his ideal Republic.
Birthplace of artists and philosophers such as Archimedes, it was conquered by Rome in 212 BC. Cicero called it “the greatest and most beautiful of all Greek cities.”
In 2005, UNESCO declared Syracuse and the nearby Necropolis of Pantalica a World Heritage Site.
Noto
The undisputed capital of Sicilian Baroque, Noto is undoubtedly one of the top destinations to visit during a holiday in the Val di Noto, in southeastern Sicily.
Noto can be enjoyed all year round: in summer, it offers a perfect mix of culture and seaside relaxation along its stunning coastline, while in winter, it is ideal for a cultural tour of the Val di Noto towns combined with a food and wine experience, tasting the local dishes and wines of the region.
This architectural gem encapsulates all the distinctive elements of southeastern Sicily’s Baroque style.
In 2002, Noto was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Modica, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa, Scicli, Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania and Catania. The city is known as the “stone garden” thanks to its sumptuous palaces and monumental churches, all built using richly carved local golden stone.