The Surrounding Area

To the north the volcano, to the south Catania: at 450 metres above sea level on the southern slopes of Etna, Mascalucia is 20 minutes from Fontanarossa airport and the city and a half-hour drive from the Sapienza Hut (1,910 ms), the highest point with road access on the south side of the mountain. Borgopetra is an ideal base for excursions. To Europe's highest active volcano with its beautiful and surprisingly varied countryside. To Catania, its Baroque churches, the fish market - a spectacle in itself - and its late-night restaurants and bars that make it one of liveliest cities in Italy. To the lovely Ionia coast with delightful fishing villages (Acicastello, Acitrezza and Acireale) nestling among the basalt lava rocks or the beaches of Fiumefreddo and Taormina (40 minutes by motorway).

To the south you will be enchanted by the changing landscape, the gleaming limestone of Syracuse, rich in history just 45 minutes from Catania, fabulous sights like the necropolis of Pantalica, Noto and Palazzolo Acreide, the splendid beaches of Vendicari or exquisite Marzamemi… Or stray inland to explore the age-old Ragusa countryside as far as Modica and Ibla. But BorgoPetra’s true mission is Etna. Convinced that ‘a muntagna - as the locals call it - is one of Europe’s natural wonders, we never tire of wandering its slopes in search of new trails, sights, shortcuts and curiosities to share with the tourists and travelers who choose to stay in our historic Sicilian country house.

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ph: A.Garozzo