Villa in Contrada Santa Caterina

The cluster is in the Alcantara valley with the Peloritani and Nebrodi farther north and the volcanic mass of Etna within the wider skyline of this part of eastern Sicily. The Alcantara river runs through the area, and the Gole dell’Alcantara are within the local landscape near Motta Camastra. This is the Etna regional park area on the upper side of the valley, with volcanic slopes, lava terrain and river-cut gorges shaping the surroundings. The nearest major centre is Taormina on the coast, with full services and major historic monuments, and Giardini Naxos is the nearest larger coastal service town. The area is known for the Alcantara gorge, for villages on the valley sides, and for being one of the inland approaches to Etna.