While Catania is a gritty city, grayed not only by the volcanic ash that sometimes wafts over the city but also by the black volcanic building stones, the city becomes more interesting the more time one spends there. The World War II Museum, documenting the Allied landing in 1943, is worth a visit. The daily morning fish, meat, and produce market is colorful, full of aromas, and lively. The last evening we had a farewell dinner in a neighborhood with many small restaurants. I wish we could have spent more time wandering through these streets and thus have gotten to know Catania better.

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