The Journey Inland with our Car with Driver: Among Ceramics and Mosaics
The sun is not yet high when our Mercedes stops in front of the hotel in the heart of Catania. The city is just waking up, and the air still has that fresh morning scent of citrus and ancient stone.
Today is a special day: Ciro and Annamaria, our tireless explorers, are ready for a dive into Sicilian art and history.
"Ready for a new adventure?" asks our driver with a knowing smile, opening the door.
"Absolutely yes," replies Ciro, getting into the car with the enthusiasm of someone who knows that something unique awaits him. "We read that Caltagirone is the kingdom of ceramics. I want to see those famous colorful staircases!"
"And I have a secret passion for mosaics," confesses Annamaria. "Since I saw a photo of the Villa Romana del Casale, I can't think of anything else."
"Then you're on the right track," says the driver, gently starting the engine. "Today we're taking you to the colors of Caltagirone and the wonder of Piazza Armerina."
The journey inland with our Car with Driver
We leave the Ionian coast behind and head inland. The road glides along smoothly, crossing rolling hills, golden fields of wheat, and vineyards. The landscapes change rapidly and tell of a different Sicily, more rural, authentic, where time seems to slow down.
"It's incredible how just an hour's drive is enough to go from the sea to the truest countryside," observes Annamaria, with her gaze fixed out the window.
"And being able to do it without worries is the best thing," adds Ciro. "We look, we listen, we let ourselves be carried away. You think about everything else."
The comfort of the car with driver is felt: leather seats, air conditioning perfectly adjusted, zero stress. No maps, no worries about the road. Just the freedom to experience every stop.
Caltagirone: the city of ceramics
The arrival in Caltagirone is a continuous surprise. The city, perched on a hill, shines under the morning sun with the reflections of its famous colored ceramics. The atmosphere is relaxed, almost suspended. The driver leaves us directly in the center, a few steps from the absolute protagonist of the place: the Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte.
"Here it is!" exclaims Ciro, enchanted. "Every step is a work of art."
The staircase, with its 142 steps, is decorated with hand-painted majolica tiles that tell centuries of Sicilian history. Each tread is different, a perfect mix of Arab, Norman, Spanish, and Baroque styles. Climbing is an almost meditative experience.
"Look at these ceramics," says Annamaria, caressing the tiles. "They seem alive. It's as if they were talking."
"Here every ceramist is an artist," explains the driver, who accompanies us for some distance. "The workshops in the center still produce everything by hand. Every piece tells a story."
We stroll through the streets of the center, stopping to browse among the artisan workshops. The colors of the ceramics invade the windows: plates, vases, Moor's heads, decorative panels. Ciro gets lost in a long conversation with an artisan who explains the ancient enameling techniques, while Annamaria is tempted by a small purchase: a pair of tiles with floral decorations to take home as a souvenir.
The belvedere and the cathedral
We continue to the Belvedere of San Francesco, from which there is a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside. The panorama is a mosaic of fields, roofs, and distant hills.
"Caltagirone from above looks like a painting," comments Ciro, taking photos non-stop.
Shortly after, we also visit the Cathedral of San Giuliano, a magnificent example of Sicilian Baroque, with its imposing dome and richly decorated interior.
"This city is a treasure," sighs Annamaria. "And it doesn't have the crowds of the most famous destinations. It's authentic, alive."
Towards Piazza Armerina
After a lunch break in a trattoria where we taste maccheroni with black Nebrodi pork sauce, we set off again towards Piazza Armerina, immersed in the woods of the Erean mountains. The road is panoramic and quiet, and allows us to relax and recharge our batteries for the second stage.
During the journey, our driver tells us local stories, historical anecdotes, and curiosities about the places we pass through.
"We accompany you to the places," he says, "but also to the stories that make them unique. This is what makes the difference."
The Villa Romana del Casale: a dive into Imperial Rome
Arriving in Piazza Armerina, we immediately head towards the famous Villa Romana del Casale, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our driver accompanies us to the entrance and suggests the best itinerary to enjoy all the archaeological wonders without making unnecessary detours.
"Take all the time you need," he says. "I'll wait for you here, there's no hurry."
Inside, we find ourselves in front of something extraordinary: 3,500 square meters of perfectly preserved mosaics, which decorate floors and walls with scenes of daily life, mythology, hunting, and sports.
"Look at these figures," says Annamaria, moved. "They seem to move."
"And these athletes, with their costumes... they are very ancient and yet so modern," adds Ciro, pointing to the famous mosaic of the "girls in bikinis".
Each room is a surprise: the corridor of the Great Hunt, the triclinium room, the central peristyle. Roman art here reaches an impressive level of detail.
"And to think that this was just a holiday villa," jokes Ciro.
"If only we could also spend our holidays in a place like this," laughs Annamaria.
The return: end-of-day reflections
With our eyes still full of images, we return to the car. The driver welcomes us with a smile and two bottles of fresh water, a small gesture that makes us feel pampered.
The return to Catania is silent. Tired, but happy, we let ourselves be lulled by the comfort of the journey. Sitting comfortably, we watch the sunset that colors the sky above the hills.
"I don't know how we would have done it without you," says Annamaria.
"It would have been tiring, messy," adds Ciro. "Instead it was a perfect day. Everything in its place."
The value of a carefree journey
Even today, Sicily Car Service has made the difference. It is not just a means of getting around. It is a travel companion, a facilitator of experiences. It is the freedom to discover without rushing, to explore without worrying about logistics. It is the possibility of experiencing Sicily with depth, comfort, and attention.
Caltagirone and Piazza Armerina have given us a journey through time: from ancient art to the hands of contemporary artisans, from Roman stories to the tales of the locals. And thanks to our chauffeur service, all this was possible with lightness, serenity, and the authentic pleasure of discovery.
Discover the Sicily of hidden treasures, art cities, and stories to tell. Do it without stress, with those who really know the island.
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