Great Spa and Bar

Inside the Aga hotel, is the Profumia Daily Spa, (095-7265696). (It's just a little past the Catania market, pass Piazza Europa--right near Mini-Club. It is definitely one of the best spas in Sicily (and it's right past the Catania market, so you can pick up some fresh strawberries before or after your treatment). It's open from 10-9, and we highly suggest the couple's massage. Located in its own room, you (and a friend, spouse, etc) will sit on a heated waterbed massage table. They have maternity massages available as well as hot stone. Also, they have various facials. Massages are 50 euro for an hour. You might cry when it's over, so for an additional 20 euro, you can use the steam room, sauna, jacuzzi, lounge chairs, and rain showers. You will feel so relaxed that you won't even mind when the scooters, buses, and Fiats cutting you off on your ride home.

When you are done, head to the bar inside the hotel or try Cafe Paris next door (Viale Ruggero di Lauria, 25). They have amazing granitas which are back in season. These granitas are almost as amazing as the massage.Food writer Jeffrey Steingarten says that "the desired texture seems to vary from city to city" on the island; on the west coast and in Palermo, it is at its chunkiest, and in the east it is nearly as smooth as sorbet. We suggest either mixing strawberry (fragola) with lemon (limone) or almond (mondorla) with Pistaccio (Pistaccio).

Fresh Pasta in Catania

Okay, so we usually spend 2-3 hours every single day making fresh pasta from scratch. But, on those rare days when we don't have time to make our own daily dough, we like to buy fresh pasta from Raviol D'Oro. Located across from the train station, there's a small store front where you'll find a local Sicilian woman and her son working almost every day making fresh pasta. Get it? They make it; you cook it. So simple. They may close during riposo, so go morning or late afternoon. Of course, you can head to the market when you are done to get some fresh veggies and fruit. Pour yourself a glass of vino, invite friends over, and let them think you've been preparing for days. Shhh...we won't tell....

Raviol D'Oro (sign is white and says in red writing Pasta Fresca)
Via VI Aprile 63/69
095-531-888

Yoghi & Booboo

We love Italian food! Sometimes, however, we crave a little something different. Like sushi. Or Tex-Mex. Or big salads. You can get German wurstel or a huge shank of pork. Grilled lamb chops. Noodles. And Tandoori Chicken and Creme Brulee. There's pasta too. And pizza, of course. So, head to Yoghi & Boo Boo. Via S. Filomena, 55. Their number is 095-32-14-30. Call ahead because they fill up, especially on the weekend.

Framer

Part of living in Italy is finding art that you want to display. We have found art in many places. We like the old Catania prints which a man sells on Via Etnea on your way to the big clothes/fruit market in Catania. He is not there everyday. The prints cost 5 euro, but when you frame them they look pricey. We also like Elias Nakouzky who sells his art in Taormina from April-October. Our favorite poster store in Caltagirone closed down, but we will let you know if it reopens. We have also purchased tiles that we like of trees, lemons, and other Sicilian symbols. Of course, we also like hanging up photographs of our families. Now, with all this art, you need a framer.

We highly recommend Salvatore Finocchiaro. He does wonderful mating and has stunning frames. While the prices are in euro, they are still less expensive than most nice framing shops in the States. We trust him so much that we almost always go with his recommendations and ideas. Of course, this is Sicily, so there's always a small chance that the framing can take a little longer than you thought it would. Be patient; it is worth it. And always call ahead 339-889-5211. You may have to double park outside of the shop, but you usually can find a blue parking spot. He also owns a beautiful art studio which he designed himself. It is filled with important Italian and Sicilian artists. Be sure to ask him about it; he speaks fairly good English.

Corso Savia #139 Acireale