The hotels and villas near Etna are situated mostly in five small towns and villages: Nicolosi, Linguaglossa, Randazzo, Zafferana and Santa Venerina. Many tourists, who come to enjoy Etna, rent dwellings there. The most popular variant there is Bed and Breakfast.
There are lots of places for staying at the foot of Etna in Nicolosi. This small town is interesting because of its location in the centre of the natural park of Etna. Sicilian coziness, the diversity of flora and the picturesque view of the volcano make Nicolosi very attractive for tourists. The price of a good room there is about 25-35 Euros per day.
There is a great choice of rather cheap and comfortable rooms with Sicilian charm. The furniture of local villas is of old Sicilian style: narrow beds with high backs, tiny tables, famous Sicilian coffee in a coffee-pot made of copper. Despite the fact that all these things are really old they are usually in a very good condition. Besides, all modern conveniences are included: conditioner, TV, central heating, modern bathroom.
In Linguaglossa there are not so many hotels and villas as in Nicolosi, and the prices are higher. High prices can be caused by the local peculiarities. There is one of the most famous wine-making regions near Linguaglossa. Valle Galfina is a villa in Linguaglossa, where you can spend comfortable holidays and taste “the wine of the volcano”. Valle Galfina is a restored old private residence in the centre of wine-making region. The apartments are the most expensive there. The price starts from 110 Euros per day. But rather cheap dwellings can also be found there. For example, a small house for 4 people can cost 300-500 Euros per week.
The dwellings in Randazzo, Zafferana and Santa Venerina are not so numerous as in Nicolosi and Linguaglossa. But they have their own advantages: the fascination of the Sicilian countryside, the view of the top of Etna, peaks covered with snow, hospitable hosts and the famous Sicilian breakfast, which makes each mouth watering. Special local events are also popular and attract lots of tourists. The holiday of wine is celebrated in May in Randazzo. The fair of delicatessen called Ottobrata is held in autumn in Zafferana. The holiday procession in honor of St. Venus is organized in August in Santa Venerina, because St Venus is a patroness of this place. The average cost of a room is about 30 Euros per day.
