By Amy Pigeon
I have a penchant for finding the perfect hotel. Bet you haven’t seen that on a LinkedIn profile yet, have you? It’s a quest that involves hours, entire evenings even, scouring the internet (hotels.com has been my search engine of choice for over a decade, email me to ask why) as I scrutinize every listing as though I’m going all in with a life-making or breaking transaction. Comfort, accessibility to the town centro, contemporary flair, seaside charm, a reasonable price, and the primo view for content shots—check, check, check. It’s practically a sport, in which I am an Olympic athlete, trying to find the best possible value amongst all of these important factors. Obsessive? Guilty. But with my track record of jaw-dropping drone shots and smooth-as-burrata vacation vibes, it’s worth every bleary-eyed hour of scrolling.
On my recent adventure to Sicilia, Aci Trezza was not on my list as a must-see town; in fact, I didn’t even know it existed. I knew I wanted to fly into Catania since I had a few friends on the East side of my favourite Italian island – but other than that, I was open to staying anywhere within an hour of the airport that met my criteria for the perfect stay. I realized that I should probably visit Catania centro if I was going to be flying in there and had not yet seen Sicilia’s second largest city, but that there weren’t many, maybe even any, beautiful waterfront properties there, so my search diameter widened about 10 kms north and south of the city centre, ed ecco qua! I found Grand Hotel Faraglioni.
As perfectly lovely as the hotel photography appeared, and as impressive as the 4.4 Google rating was with over 500 reviews for a 4 star hotel, it was the view from the property that had me relinquishing all control to the “Reserve” button. My Deluxe Sea view room was booked, and the content creating addict was swelling within me. But there’s more to the history behind the incredible view of the faraglioni that I only discovered after booking the room. Unbeknownst to me, I would be embarking on a voyeuristic journey, staring in awe at the site of a famous Cyclops’ home.
Gather around, children, for a little story about the “faraglioni”.
Faraglioni dei Ciclopi: the stage of mythic tales of monsters, passion, lust, and Poseidon’s one-eyed son
The myth of Polyphemus, the one-eyed Cyclops from Homer’s Odyssey, is a tale of cunning and survival set against the rugged backdrop of ancient Sicily. Polyphemus, son of the sea god Poseidon, is depicted as a giant shepherd dwelling in a cave on an island, often believed to be near the Faraglioni dei Ciclopi—a chain of towering sea stacks off the coast of Aci Trezza, Sicily, and the view from my hotel room. These iconic basalt rocks, steeped in myth, are said to be remnants of Polyphemus’s wrath.
In Sicilian legend, the region around Aci Trezza is linked to an ancient story of unrequited love involving the nymph Galatea and a mortal shepherd named Acis…Moved by the tragedy, the gods transformed Acis into a river, immortalizing him in the landscape. The “Aci” prefix in nearby towns—pays homage to this tragic love story.
According to Homer’s epic, when Odysseus and his crew land on Polyphemus’ island, they are initially curious about the giant, seeking hospitality and provisions. However, Polyphemus proves to be no gracious host. Instead, he captures and devours several of Odysseus’ men in his cave, trapping the survivors. Odysseus, famed for his wit, devises an escape plan: getting Polyphemus drunk and blinding the Cyclops by driving a sharpened, fiery stake into his single eye while he sleeps. Odysseus and his crew manage to escape by clinging to the undersides of Polyphemus’s sheep.
In his fury, Polyphemus hurls massive stones at Odysseus’s ship as they flee, creating the Faraglioni dei Ciclopi, the great sea stacks that can still be seen off the coast of Aci Trezza. This mythic imagery of Polyphemus standing on the shore, casting rocks into the sea, is an indelible part of Sicilian folklore, and a story I found fascinating as a woman who took Greek Mythology as an elective course in University.
The town of Aci Trezza draws its name from a blend of myth and local history. In Sicilian legend, the region around Aci Trezza is linked to an ancient story of unrequited love involving the nymph Galatea and a mortal shepherd named Acis. When the Cyclops Polyphemus also fell for Galatea, his jealousy knew no bounds, leading him to kill Acis in a fit of rage. Moved by the tragedy, the gods transformed Acis into a river, immortalizing him in the landscape. The “Aci” prefix in nearby towns—including Aci Trezza, Aci Castello, and Aci Catena—pays homage to this tragic love story.
And so, you have the fascinating story behind my jaw-dropping view from Grand Hotel Faraglioni.
My Deluxe Sea View room was beyond expectations: spacious, inviting, and flooded with inordinate amounts of the sun’s warmth and glow. Two elegantly appointed balconies offered their own unique views. One overlooked the quaint fishing wharf, its colourful boats gently swaying with the tide, while the other opened to the faraglioni rising from the sea—a vision of ancient myth. The view was so spectacular with the help from floor to ceiling windows, that I could even see the Ionian sea from my bed, without having to stand up. Bellissima.
As the sun danced across the water like flecks of magic dissipating into the evening, the ancient stones, once cast in anger by Polyphemus, now stood calm and monumental in the fading light.
Exploring the hotel’s offerings, I found the Faraglioni Restaurant, which truly embodies the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. Each dish reinterpreted local ingredients with a refined touch in true Michelin-guide style, blending bold flavors with the freshness of the seaside village. Dining here felt like embarking on another journey—one that paid homage to Sicily’s coastal heritage. Even the Bar Itaca offered a peaceful retreat to unwind with a cocktail, with its sea views of our dear friend’s front yard, completing the experience. This combination of local cuisine, beautiful views, and impeccable service created an unrivaled helping of la dolce vita I had not yet experienced on this trip.
Venturing into Aci Trezza itself, I felt the village’s rhythm, slow and steeped in tradition. Just a short drive from the busy centro of Catania, Aci Trezza is a seaside treasure for those that crave the authenticity of coastal villages. Fishermen’s boats dot the harbour, while locals gather at trattorias to share laughter and plates of seafood. Bronzed bodies sprawl across the rocks on the shore, stretching across what I could imagine are only the most uncomfortable places to catch the last glimmers of daylight — but still, I have to hand it to the Italians, it is admirable how much they value the water and the sun, even if it requires climbing to unsavoury heights and discomforts. Between people watching those living la dolce far niente and soaking up the sounds of the lapping waves and the gentle pulse of the vibrant town, I was yet again, seduced by Sicilia’s charm.
On my final night at the hotel, as the sun danced across the water like flecks of magic dissipating into the evening, the ancient stones, once cast in anger by Polyphemus, now stood calm and monumental in the fading light. Hours passed as I sat on the balcony, gazing out at the faraglioni now bathed in moonlight, touched by the beauty of Sicily’s myths and the warmth of Aci Trezza. Should I ever return to Catania – this hotel will call me back.
Photography by Amy Pigeon and Grand Hotel Faraglioni
