One of the highlights of my recent visit to Sicily have been the botanical gardens in Catania and Taormina. The later is now a public garden and park.
The Catania Botanical Garden is one of the oldest in Italy and belongs to a large network of gardens throughout Italy, most of them run by universities.
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Visitors can enter the main entrance from 9 am to 6 pm. (Mo - Fri, 9-13 on Saturdays, closed on Sundays) on Via Etnea. Entering the garden gives a beautiful view through an alley over to the University building. The first surprise for me was that no admission was charged. The garden belongs to and is used as a teaching facility for the "Dipartimento di Botanica" of the University of Catania.
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Established in 1858 it has a remarkable collection of cacti from all over the world, and they are all catalogued in a very professional way. Some are growing in the soil in open-air beds, while others are in huge glass houses. There are also over 100 specimens of palms growing in the gardens, taken from their overseas natural habitats.
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All in all, it is a wonderful little oasis of tropical plants and trees, peaceful and the quintessential cool place in town to relax on hot days. A perfect stop for nature lovers in Catania!
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Public Gardens of Taormina
An hour north of Catania lies Taormina and on one of the most panoramic places in town, the villa and the gardens are a real green lung. It is populated by lush vegetation of palm trees, and a variety of other tall trees, cacti, and a large quantity of flowers, which in summer, make this place especially delightful. From here you also have a breathtaking view of the azure-color Ionian Sea and of Mount Etna.
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The villa was originally inhabited by Lady Florence Trevelyan, a Scottish noblewoman who left her country after having a relationship with the heir to the English throne, Edward VII. Arriving in Taormina in 1884, Lady Trevelyan married Mayor Prof. Salvatore Cacciola.
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The garden became the property of the municipality starting in 1922, and inside, even today, you can admire particular constructions commissioned by Lady Trevelyan for ornamental purposes, called "Victorian follies".
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The gardens are a worthwhile alternative to the often crowded central streets of Taormina during the tourist season. Their pathways are immersed among magnolias, hibiscus, and meticulously maintained bougainvillea shrubs.
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Open from 09:00 to midnight in summer, and from 09:00 to 20:00 in winter. Free admission! If you are an early bird, come right at 9 am to have the large garden and the many benches to yourself.
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And if you like to play tennis: there are three courts nearby. Playing tennis, surrounded by exotic palm trees, and colorful flowers and bougainvilleas, is possible from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Don't miss out on this lovely space!
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