Parco dell'Etna Hotel Tips by hquittner

Hotel Primavera Dell'Etna: The Nearest Hotel to Mt. Etna

Since we have had excellent experiences with Logis de France and its evolved Logis d'Italia members in the past we decided to use this hotel for our NE Sicily base (at that time it was the only Sicilian member of the association).The 54 rm hotel survives on summer vacationers and some skiers. All come by car except for some small bicycle etc groups.The most intimidating thing is getting there although it is direct (the only road). We arrived initially and 3x more with only one "misoriented" turn when we came back via SS114 from AciReale.The road away is easy since it is always downhill to S, Venerena and A18--and you are on the road to Etna when you go there

Unique Qualities: The hotel is 1.5 km beyond Zafferana E. on the road to the Refugio. It is tiered into the slopes that lead onward and upward and is at 750m alt. The rooms are large and well-equipped.There is a play area and tennis, but you will not have time for that. The view out is toward the visible Cyclops Coast.We were there out of season and there were only about 10 guests hence the price, and the great attention. We did not go into town but I understand that from there you can walk into the lower part of the Valle del Bove.The restaurant is quite competent(described alone).There is a large parking lot.It is a fine place to return to after a long day of sightseeing for a relaxing meal.

Address: Zafferana Etnea, via Cassone 86; 95019 CT

Directions: 30 km from Airport via A18 to Giarre exit;thence toward S. Venerena and ZE and Refugio Sapienza (Mt.Etna Rd)(occasional signs to hotel and others)

Other Contact: www.logis.it

Phone: (095) 708 23 48

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.hotel-primavera.it

Refugio Sapienza??: Overnight on Mt. Etna??

We did not stay at the hostel or even go inside, At the time I did not realise that nobody had ever written anything on Etna for VT.The food emporium in the lower level did not seduce us either. I think this is for real but I cannot certify it. It certainly is not fancy. Would you invest in a McDonald's or a Days' Inn on a lava bed? The area is designated a National Park but the Italian definition must be quite different from the American one I am familiar with. (Primitve enterprise without Mafia exploitation).

Unique Qualities: There are none. The views of course are all over the place. This is literally the end of the road.

Theme: Hostel