Rail Journeys in the province of Catania

Giarre to Taormina

Rather than take the bus, we'd usually walk from Torre Archirafi to Giarre railway station. Check the map first, though. Giarre station is on the outskirts of Giarre, and if you walk there via Riposto you'll end up doubling back on yourself and adding 20 minutes to the walk. The trip to Taormina-Giardini is one we've made often. Taormina has been a famously popular resort since Lord Byron stayed there and has many attractions indeed, but Giardini has a wonderful sandy beach and it's well worth spending a day there.



During our visit in June 2005 we visited Taormina twice by train from Giarre as the film festival was on. They had the world premiere of Batman Begins and the town was really buzzing. We met Malcolm McDowell, one of my favourite actors (mainly through the films he made with Lindsay Anderson), who was there to collect an award. I made a short film at the time which you can see below.

Around Mount Etna

On the outskirts of Riposto (on the Torre Archirafi side) you can catch the Ferrovia Circumetnea train around mount Etna. There are many stops on the way to Catania, and we usually get off at historic Randazzo, on the northern foot of Etna, to have lunch and explore. We'd then take a late afternoon train back to Riposto and walk back to our apartment in Torre Archirafi, maybe having dinner in a fish restaurant or collecting a pizza en route.

Out and About from Torre Archirafi

Carruba

Carruba, a small town at the foot of mount Etna (municipality of Giarre), is less than 3km to the southwest of Torre Archirafi. It's a pleasant walk down Strada Provinciale 173 as you are soon surrounded by lemon groves and there is very little traffic on the road. At the junction you turn left for Carruba along the SPi-II.

Riposto

Genie and I love to walk along the promenade (Lungomare Pantano) from Torre Archirafi to Riposto, although you can also take the inland route down Strada Provinciale 173 and then right onto the SPi-II. Apart from the splendid marina, Riposto has some great markets (fish, meat, fruit and veg). There are also some specialist shops that have been really handy when I've wanted, for instance, a lead to connect my camera to the apartment's TV, DV tapes or batteries. It goes without saying that there are some very good restaurants here, especially if you like fish.

Our favourite place to shop is the pasticceria opposite the park, which makes the best Amaretti biscuits Genie and I ever tasted. We usually bring as many home as possible.

Torre Archirafi (II)

L'Ancora Restaurant

L'Ancora restaurant is one of the seafood restaurants in Torre Archirafi that I mentioned in the previous post. It's a friendly, family-run affair with two kitchens, one of which is strictly Pizza. We sometimes like to get a pizza takeaway in the evening and to eat it on the balcony of our apartment, watching the bats. My favourite is their Americano pizza, which is basically the pizza of your choice topped with chips (French fries)!


Fresh fish on display at L'Ancora restaurant.

One evening in June 2005 I was allowed into the pizza kitchen in order to make this short video. I think it gives a good impression of the place and I love to hear the soundtrack again with all that lovely clipped Italian being spoken.

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Torre Archirafi

Torre Archirafi

My partner and I are lucky to have friends living in the Province of Catania in Sicily. When we visit we often rent their holiday apartment in Torre Archirafi – a home from home.


View Torre Archirafi, Province of Catania in a larger map

Torre Archirafi is a quiet fishing village which we have found to be a good base for exploring the Catania region. Acireale, Giarre, Riposto and Taormina are all easily reached by local bus and train, although we usually choose to walk along the promenade (Lungomare Pantano) to Riposto and Giarre. We'd take the train from Giarre when visiting Taormina.



We tend to alternate our days of exploring the region with stay-at-home days. Torre Archirafi is great for lazy days such as these. We'd normally shop for fresh bread, cheese, tomatoes, marinated olives, and then breakfast on the balcony to catch the morning rays. Once we'd had enough of the sun we'd read under the shade of the trees in the garden, or I'd busy myself with a video camera waiting for something to happen – like the lizards coming out to play.



At some stage we'd go for a walk around the village and maybe stop in at the butchers, buy fresh veg and fruit from the greengrocers or from the van that comes around at certain times of the day, or we'd plan to eat out later at one of the fish restaurants, and instead of shopping have a drink or two and snack on orancinas at the bar on Via Marina.

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Torre Archirafi (II) – L'Ancora Restaurant