What a wonderful quiet private hideaway literally on the sea's edge. Really well located - an easy bus ride into town (once you work out the buses!) and an 8 minute walk from a big supermarket that stocks everything you could possibly need - it also has a fresh cheese, meat and pastries counter. It's wines were good too. There is an excellent pizzeria plus patisserie with gorgeous cakes and ice cream and great pizzas overlooking Ognina harbour called i Dolce Nonna Vincenza.
Luisa was literally the best host ever. She had organized the charming Salvo to pick us up from the airport (@£20) and we booked him to take us back as it made the travelling so much easier. She was there to greet us when we arrived and showed us around. She'd suggested a place to rent bikes from - Zerenove on Via Opificio in Catania who I would definitely recommend. The chaps who run it were fantastic and the rates very reasonable. Luisa answered all my daft questions super quickly and was so kind, funny and thoughtful.
We took the bikes on the train to Syracuse (very beautiful) but also headed out on other roads up the coast. We headed towards Etna on one day but got caught in a huge thunderstorm and downpour - very exciting! Strangely I felt more safe cycling in the middle of Catania then at home in England - nobody hooted or yelled or made sexist remarks. Drivers just gave way to bikes and each other in a sort of slow dance. Not what I was expecting. We also took the train to Taormina which was amazingly beautiful. I'd recommend spending time in Catania itself - the architecture is stunning and it has some serious shopping - or just sit in a cafe watching the world go by as we did.
Weather-wise it was mixed - hot to begin with then cooler and then warm. The sea turned rough so my idea of swimming every morning from the apartment sadly only lasted a few days. The days we did swim were wonderful. My husband had brought his fishing rod but that too didn't get much use because of the choppy waters. And it wasn't quite calm enough to use our snorkel and masks either. In hot weather this place would be paradise :)
Luisa's apartment was spotlessly clean and well equipped and the private terrace and pretty garden was much appreciated. So lovely to sit out with a glass or two of wine and look at the stars or to watch all the boats coming in and out of the harbour. The kingsize bed was really comfy and the shower really hot. I would definitely recommend this as place to stay if you want to explore Sicily but to have all amenities to hand - and if you want to be somewhere private and quiet. Luisa will ensure you are well looked after and have a great stay.
A small note: The only sad thing about Sicily was the litter - that was unexpected and I hope action is taken to clean things up. It's certainly not great for tourism though it's an issue across the Mediterranean and in the UK too.