Catania- Katane was founded around 729 B.C. by settlers from Naxos. In 476 B.C. she was conquered by Syracuse and her inhabitants were exiled for 15 years. Catania became very influential during the Roman period (263 B.C.). Subsequentially occupied by the Barbarians and later the Arabs, she experienced a rebirth in 1071 after the Norman conquest. The eruption of Etna in 1669 followed by the earthquake of 1693 destroyed most of the city. Catania was eventually rebuilt and became the provincial capital in the 19th century. Today, Catania is the second largest city in all of Sicily.

Acireale - Well known in Roman times for its hot sulfur springs, Acireale, was destroyed many times by Etna’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.  Resettled in the 14^th century and once again in the 16^th, following a devastating earthquake.  Today Acireale is a lovely example of Sicilian Baroque architecture.