Claudia’s apartment is authentic, industrial in decor and although quite dark, is restful and cool, (air -con), much needed in late June. It has a wooden panelled ceiling, small kitchen( no sink, so we enjoyed cooking alfresco), small bathroom (small but adequate shower), mezzanine bedroom, lounge area and dining table. It is situated in a beautiful walled garden area, with orange trees, cacti and a great swimming pool, surrounded by roads and central to Mascalucia, but hidden from the outside world. It provided a welcome retreat after busy days exploring various Sicilian towns/ beaches.
Rudy was a joy to be with too.
We hired a car but be prepared for some questionable road manners, lack of indication, erratic parking and driving in city areas and the ubiquitous motorcycles and mopeds: we advise you definitely take out out full cover car insurance against every possibility.
Places we visited: Taormina is a must- we took a while to find it as the car park access is beneath the town and accessed via lifts but once there, we enjoyed delicious sea bass, Sicilian style; Mount Etna by car- what an incredible drive of contrasts( black rock- like lava, lined the roads, like another planet, appearing barren and unforgiving then areas of lava, alive with pink clumps of flowers, and perfumed yellow, flowering on large shrubs, lush forests of trees); For bird lovers, we enjoyed filming Swifts, flying over the pool, dipping for a drink as they fly.
All in all, a fascinating experience, guided when requested, by Claudia, along with Roberto her husband.