Day trip from Catania to Syracuse

When I was planning my trip to Sicily in November 2023, Syracuse was in the list of must-visit places. 

One of the reasons was because the movie, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny had featured Greek mathematician and psychist Archimedes (287 B.C. - 212 B.C) who was born in Syracuse. The inventions of Archimedes, some of which are still used today has caused him to be regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians of all time. 

On that morning, I headed to the ticket office in Catania to purchase a return ticket to Syracuse. The ticket office is located on the ground floor of this building: 

The ticket office is the blue coloured lot on the right.

Buses to Syracuse leaves around the clock. The journey takes about 1.5 hours (one way).

I bought a ticket for the 9:45am bus that leaves from Catania to Syracuse, and a return ticket (on the same day) for the bus that leaves Syracuse at 4:00pm to Catania. The return ticket costs Euro 9.60.

After purchasing the tickets, I headed to Terminal Bus Citta di Catania which is located about 50 metres from the ticket office:

If you're unsure which berth the bus to Syracuse departs from, ask the Security Office at the entrance of the station. 

The bus from Catania to Syracuse looks like this:

This is the bus station in Syracuse where the bus drops off passengers:

It actually looks more like a bus stop than a bus station. 

When I got off the bus, I made sure I could find my way back to the station in time to catch the 4:00pm bus back to Catania. 

On this day trip, I didn't make a plan to visit every "must-see" in Syracuse. I just wanted to walk around and see what's in Syracuse. After all, it was a day trip and there is only so much one can do in a day trip.

I whipped out my mobile phone, activated Google Maps and navigated myself to Ponte Umbertino which separates Syracuse from the island of Ortigia.

On my way to Ponte Umbertino, I stopped at a cafe to have a traditional Sicilian dessert which I found too sweet for my liking: 

Cassata Siciliana

This is the view from Ponte Umbertino which separates Syracuse from the island of Ortigia:

After crossing Ponte Umbertino, I continued walking and came across this lovely fountain depicting the myth of Diana, Arethusa and Alphaeus:

Soon, I arrived at the Syracuse Cathedral which is one of the city's star attraction:

Syracuse Cathedral

There was an entrance fee to enter the cathedral, so I decided to skip it. After all, I have already visited so many beautiful and magnificent churches in Sicily. Not visiting this one ain't gonna make a difference.

By the time I took all the photos I wanted of the Syracuse Cathedral, it was already past lunchtime. So I started looking for a place to eat.

A fellow traveler whom I had met in Catania had recommended a reasonably priced restaurant in Syracuse. 

When I located the restaurant, it was full of people. I went up to the staff and enquired if there are tables available. The lady at the counter quickly set up a table for me, and I happily ordered my food.

I ordered this traditional Sicilian eggplant dish (which was bloody delicious!) and a glass of red wine:

Caponata

After lunch I walked along the corniche to look at ships:

It was a windy day and the waves were choppy. I was imagining how the seafarers and navigators in ancient times steered their boats and ships in such a condition and without modern equipment. 

Soon it was time to head back to the bus station to take the bus back to Catania.

All in all, it was an interesting day-trip to Syracuse. Although I didn't visit many of the top spots in Syracuse such as the museums, and I barely scratched the surface of exploring Syracuse thoroughly, I am glad to have the opportunity to visit the beautiful city.

English language Mass at the Church of St Benedict in Catania

(Information correct as at November 2023)

Visitors in Catania who wish to attend English language Mass would naturally go to the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Agatha. 

However, there are no English language Mass celebrated there. Furthermore, the website is in Italian and the Mass times are not updated in the website.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of St Agatha is located at Piazza del Duomo in Catania.

When I went to the cathedral to see if they had English language Mass, I was pleasantly surprised to see a notice on the bulletin board that English language Mass is celebrated at the Church of Saint Benedict which is located 350m away from the cathedral. 

English language Mass is celebrated at the Church of St Benedict on Sundays and Solemnities at 11:00am.

I quickly used Google Maps and navigated myself to the church.

Along the way, I saw information on the history and significance of the church. Here, read the information before I show you to the interiors of the church:

When I found the church and entered it, I could only gap in amazement at the interiors, particularly the ceiling:

The sentence in the information board outside the Church of St Benedict, describing it as "Among the most important churches of the Sicilian baroque and among the most beautiful in Europe" is true indeed.

Since I was the first person who arrived for Mass, the person-in-charge invited me to become lector for the First Reading. I was delighted at the opportunity and agreed immediately. It was the Feast of Christ the King.

Here are more pics of the church:

So if you wish to attend English language Mass in Catania, make your way to the Church of St Benedict. English language Mass is celebrated there on Sundays and Solemnities at 11:00am.

Malta to Sicily with Virtu Ferries

During my trip to the Mediterranean in November, I visited Malta, the island of Sicily (in Italy) and Tunis (capital of Tunisia).

From Malta, I travelled to Sicily on Virtu Ferries.

Since it was the low season, there was only one ferry which departs Valletta (in Malta) at 5:00am, and arrives at Pozzallo (in Sicily) at 6:45am. 

I was glad that Virtu Ferries also provides a coach transfer from Pozzallo to Catania (capital of Sicily). The journey was approximately 1 hour 45 minutes and saves passengers the hassle of having to look for transport from Pozzallo to Catania.

This is the route from Malta to Catania:

I took the ferry from Virtu Ferries Passenger Terminal in Malta to Pozzallo, and then onwards to Catania by coach. 

The day before my ferry was scheduled to depart from Valletta, I received an SMS saying that the departure time has been brought forward to 4:00am (original time was 5:00am) due to bad weather. And the coach from Pozzallo to Catania will arrive at 8:45am.

Since foot passengers are required to be at the passenger terminal 1 hour before the ferry departs, I didn't want to be late and left my hostel in Valletta early around 2:15am. I booked a Bolt and reached Virtue Ferries Passenger Terminal around 2.30am.

This is the passenger terminal:

I was around 30 minutes early and there was no one else around at that time:

It is always good to be early when catching planes, buses and ferries.

When the gates opened at 3:00am, I showed my boarding pass and passport to the personnel and proceeded to board the vessel named Saint John Paul II:

Virtu Ferries must have strong connections with the Vatican. Both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have made visits on board the ferries.

Saint John Paul II vessel has 3 levels, as shown in the Evacuation Plan:

It was free seating so I found a seat towards the back where there was a power point to charge my devices:

The vessel doesn't look like a typical ferry at all, but more like a cruise ship (although I haven't been on one myself)

There're slot machines for passengers who need to while away time on the high seas:

It was around 4:00am and in the low season (read: not many passengers), therefore the slot machines were not switched on.

Passengers who don't play slot machines may window shop: 

There is a section upstairs for First Class Passengers. However the area was not accessible at that time:

Just like airlines, Virtu Ferries has its own in-house magazine too:

It can get choppy on the high seas and Virtu Ferries have prepared vomit bags:

If you decide to travel from Malta to Sicily, do consider taking the ferry. It is convenient, safe and comfortable.