DOLLAR Car Rental at Catania Airport

At Catania Airport, the Dollar car rental office is within the terminals' arrival area along with a range of other rental car companies, offering affordable car rental to those who wish to explore Sicily by car. The Dollar team is available during the hours of 8.00 am and midnight, every day of the week, and can be contacted on tel +39 095 341 595.

Cefalù in the north-west of Sicily is about two hours distance from Catania via the A19 motorway. It's not only a great place to come for a day beside the sea or relaxing on the beaches of Caldura, to the east of town, or Maljk Beach in Cefalù itself. The town is well-known for its wonderful blend of Byzantine, Arab and Norman architecture.

Cefalù's formidable Norman cathedral was built during the reign of King Roger II. It is regarded as one of Sicily's most important Norman structures, and contains a fine Byzantine mosaic. Cefalù's Duomo is the main church of the town, and its construction was begun in the early 12th century. One of only two known portraits of Roger II (born in 1095, died in 1154) can be seen in one of the mosaics in the Church of the Martorana at Palermo. Cefalù's main church stands at the Piazza del Duomo, and is one of several monuments to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list that names Arab-Norman structures.

Also worth seeing on a stroll through the town, and hard to miss, is the Bastione Capo Marchiafava at the seafront at 13 Piazza Francesco Crispi, and the Museo Madralisca, which displays many archaeological finds and antiques from the town and immediate surroundings. There is also a picture gallery with a painting called “Portrait of a Man” by Antonello da Messina, and an extensive library, and many other object that once belonged to the Mandralisca family, after whom the museum is named. Located in the Via Madralisca at number 13, the museum often holds special events and exhibitions (www.fondazionemandralisca.it/).

Another historic city well worth seeing during a stay in Sicily is the town of Enna, about one hour and 10 minutes (or 91 km) distance from Catania by car via the A19. The construction of Enna's cathedral was started in 1307 on the orders of Queen Eleanor of Anjou. Its interiors are magnificent, with three naves and lovely wooden choirs on either side of the triumphal arch. Enna is perhaps best known for the Madonna della Visitazione procession which takes place every year at the start of July.

A statue of the Madonna, normally kept inside the Cathedral of Enna, is carried on the shoulders of more than 100 people through the historic center of the town. Celebrations begin with a gun salute at about 7.00 am; when the Hermitage of Montesalvo is reached, the Madonna statue is joined by two other statues, one of Saint Zachary, the other of Saint Elizabeth. The celebrations end with huge fireworks.