This was our first stop in Italy and the experience could not have made us feel more welcomed. My husband and I were guests in this lovely family home. Vito, the father, picked us up from the airport and toured us around the sites of Catania on the way to the house. There we were greeted by his wife Andreina and the cutest/sweetest dog, Guia (a small Sicilian breed, Cirneco dell'Etna) and later that evening we met their son Alessandro.

The home is impeccably decorated by Andreina with wonderful artworks and memorabilia from travels. The breakfast in the morning is fabulous featuring fresh fruit, locally-made preserves, a fabulous rustic, hearty bread made by their son, and a deliciously refreshing lemon granita. Also, if you're very nice to Vito he will probably make you the traditional Sicilian hot chocolate - thick, very dark and hardly sweet:)

We only spent two nights there and wished we had planned more time in Catania. Vito graciously drove us to the train station when we left and helped us navigate buying our tickets to Palermo.

Their home is perfectly located near Bellini Park and the welcoming aspect of staying with this warm, wonderful family made our introduction to Sicily, and our stay in Catania, a very memorable experience.