Be amazed by the wonders of nature!
Thanks to its strategic location, the Hotel Mediterraneo in Catania is the ideal starting point to visit the natural reserves of the province of Catania, characterized by a unique flora and fauna.
Simeto
The area of Simeto includes the Oasis, the Forre Laviche and Pietralunga section.
The Simeto Oasis was established to stem the urban building work and to let migratory birds to winter and recover the original plant population. The mouth of the Simeto is ideal for migratory birds and the migratory species that move along the north and south of Europe, while in the landscape interspersed with sand dunes is growing plants which provide shelter to thousands of birds.
The reserve "Simeto’s Forre Laviche" includes the upper course of the river Simeto, which features a diverse set of landscapes of great natural beauty and rich biodiversity.
The Pietralunga’s section of Simeto river is characterized by river islands, large natural river beds, numerous handles, secondary branches and temporary marshes.
Reserve Fiumefreddo
Fiumefreddo is just a couple of miles long and comes from water springs bubbling from the underground, the coldness of the waters of this course is due to the melting of the snows of Etna and this peculiarity allows life to plants typically Nordic as well as the papyrus.
The Timpa of Acireale
The Timpa is located at the foot of Acireale, a long lava ridge for almost 7 km down to the seashore.
Birds of prey nest in the reserve and a dense vegetation grows lush thanks to the springs that flow in the Ionian Sea.
Complex Immacolatelle and Micio Conti Nature Reserve
The Complex Immacolatelle and Micio Conti was established to preserve and protect the cave complex by lava colonized by colonies of bats and is particularly important because it is one of the last wooded areas located at low altitude on Etna, disappeared due to urbanization of the southern slope of the volcano.
The San Pietro’s forest
The peculiarity of the San Pietro’s Forest is in the presence of ancient giants corks, oak, holm oaks and pine trees.
Along the river that feeds the reserve there are poplars and willows, ideal haven for herons, egrets and kingfishers, while inside the reserve by a specialized center in the recovery of sea turtles.
The Santa Maria la Stella’s wood
The Santa Maria la Stella’s wood has an exceptional natural importance because is the last of the Etna’s foothills to have a significant extension and environmental continuity.