Arriving at Catalina Airport
After traveling from Milan to Catalina, I arrived at my final stop. Catalina airport which was named to honor the opera composer Vincenzo Bellini who was born in Catania. It’s the busiest airport in Sicily and the fifth busiest in Italy. There’s been a lot of expansion to the airport since the early 2000s. In order to cope with the increasing passengers, a new terminal, equipped with 22 gates and 6 loading bridges, opened on May 8th, 2007 replacing the old facilities. The airport also contains V.I.P. lounges, snacks, Wi-Fi, Flight monitors, Newspapers, Magazines, TV, Conference rooms, Internet terminals, Printers, Copiers, and Telephones. With all the expansions and plans to keep expanding, this is a unique airport that you won’t be able to find in the states. Next stop, Ortigia which is about 38 miles from Catalina airport. I got through customs, hit the ATM to take out Euros, and head out to find a taxi. After a few tries I flagged one down made my way to Ortigia to try and find my AirBnb.
Hitting Town in Ortigia
When I arrived in Ortigia I had slight issues trying to find my AirBnb. My taxi dropped me off in the middle of the island leaving me to find my own way around the island. Frankly, I didn’t mind too much, as I was looking forward to exploring the marvelous Island, but first I had to find my Airbnb so I could drop my luggage off before exploring the city. Trying to get ahold of my hosts was slightly interesting, considering they don’t understand English to well and I somewhat know Italian, but not nearly enough. Thankfully I hear an old couple running towards me, screaming my name with their Sicilian accents and they escort me to my AirBnB. Well, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be, but I was just glad to settle in after a few hours of traveling.
Exploring the Island
Once I settled in, I began to explore what Ortigia has to offer. First thing that was on my mind was finding a nice sit down pizzeria to have a few glasses of wine and try pizza in Sicily for the first time. I made my way to Schiticchio Pizzeria, which consists of a strong family type atomposhere and awesome customer service. I was going through the menu and I couldn't resist getting the basic, margherita pizza and to pair it with the house bottle of red wine. When in Rome right? Or Sicily, close enough.
Next on the Agenda, Enjoy the Sicilian Sunshine
I joined some friends, who just happened to be in Sicily as well, and headed to one of the islands many sundecks. We made our way to Le Terrazze di Nettuno Restaurant | Solarium to enjoy a bottle of rosé, lay in the sun, and take a dip in the crystal clear Mediterranean. Taking a Jump in the refreshing water compliments the sun perfectly, with not a cloud in the sky it’s almost heavenly. I can promise you that laying on a sunbed with any drink of your choice, any worry on your mind will be washed away. how can you disagree with that? After a while of laying in the hot sun, we head to a public beach to snorkel and meet up with a some of the locals. Exploring the public beaches, swimming in the rocky clear sea, and trying to conversate with the locals is when it hits you how good it feels to get away and experience a new culture.
Ora Di Cena (Supper Time)
First things first is dinner, my favorite meal of the day. We tour around and ponder which restaurant to go to. Our first spot was a small pub style bar where we all ordered corona’s and a shot. Oddly they serve Corona with salted rims and a lemon, which is a nice change of pace compared to just a lime and giving it more of a margarita type taste with the bottles salted rim. After having a couple drinks it’s time to pick out which restaurant we want to eat at. We roamed around all of the different menus posted on windows and all the vast outdoor seating areas is another thing I found so authentic. We finally picked a nice spot right next to the water and to start a few bottles of red wine. Having the experience to sit outside, the beautiful warm air, the waves of the mediterranean echoing and eating some of the freshest food in the world is second to none. Nothing like a dinner with a view is what I always like to say, but if the foods bad the view can be ruined, nobody wants to eat bad fish while looking at the ocean. In this little town full of locals, that won’t be an issue they’ve been doing it longer than we have and they never disappoint. The dough is made fresh daily for pizza, pasta, or if you find yourself down the harbor you’ll find a unique burrito shop and local farmer markets. The variety of places to eat and purchase local food is an awesome experience, whether it’s seafood, pasta, lasagna, appetizers, or even fresh Octopus if that’s your thing, and the options keep on going.
A Night Out on the Harbor
After somehow managing to not fall asleep after all that food, we make our way to the harbor that is welcomed by a strip of pool bars and full of the local Sicilians. The first stop, Zefiro Solarium & Lounge Bar located right on the Mediterranean, with a bar, and pool lounge. As we travel the strip yachts on yachts are anchored, dreaming that one day it’ll be you on that yacht like Mr. Belford.
The nightlife scene is filled with different bars, locals partying outdoors, and a great scenery. Everyone is about as embracing each other, the music and beers. Until it’s time for some end of the night munchies, another one of my favorite parts. We stopped at a local panini shop open all night. Well, I had to do it, I had to get what all the locals get. The horse meat sandwich. In Sicily, horse is a normal entrée or snack. I know, I know eating horse, many readers may not agree with that, but damn is it good. Think of it like a mix between venison and beef.
Between Ortigia’s scenery, nightlife, and historic monuments. Unfortunately at the moment, we will have to wait till this pandemic ends to visit Sicily again. Stay inside and help us travelers out so we can enjoy the finer things in life like beaches and sitting down at resturants.
