Independent Hotels Riposto

In August 2013 we stayed three nights at l Mastrazzi, courtesy of Stefania. She runs this small B & B, which looks onto the marina, which is just across the road. Our bedroom suite gave onto the small, private, outside seating area where you could take breakfast. Upper rooms have balconies I think. Rooms are clean, tidy and with modern en-suite shower rooms. The ever helpful Stefania arranged our trip up Etna. Riposto is also the starting point for the little train that runs around the volcano, from which you get some stunning views. It stops at Randazzo [make sure you walk all the way to the main church, where there are nice cafes & ice creams]. A few hours later you take the train to Catania where you have to get the metro to "F.P."- the main railway station- [not the port], and then the main train back to Giarre. From here it is an easy down hill walk back to the B & B. Riposto is quite a good resort and has some nice, fairly classy, restaurants as well as the usual bars, pizza takeaways etc. During our time there Riposto evenings were particularly busy. We highly recommend I Mastrazzi for all ages, with or without kids.

Amazing agriturismo surrounded by lemon trees and facing the Etna. Split into 2 sections, hence you need a car ( 1km) to go to the restaurant or to the superb pool. Some rooms are in the same building as the restaurant though. The people there are very friendly and helpful . We spent 4 wonderful days as it is very easy to go to the Etna, Taormina, Acireale, Catania...from there. YOu needn't look for another restaurant for dinner as the restaurant is really good and not very expensive. Breakfast is perfect, rooms were very clean. Children and adults alike loved the place.