Cattolica - a gem of an Italian town
16 of 16 Ciao Users found the following review helpful
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Advantages Sun, sea, sand, food and love!
Disadvantages None for me
This review is going to be very passionate as I have been to Cattolica many times and I am also part Italian and my love for this small town will always stay with me.
I first visited Cattolica when I was 14 (many moons ago) and it made a very big impression on me. I didn't have much confidence as a schoolgirl, but my friend and I were paid alot of attention, and we had the time of our lives (as much as you can in the company of parents!). We were allowed to go to nightclubs occasionally as they are so safe and friendly. But the biggest attraction for me is the food. This area (Emiligia Romagna) is the is the home of pizza, pasta and ice-cream and they do all 3 perfectly. If I could find a diet that consisted of these 3 things, I would be so happy! Another speciality here is the Piadina - like a tortilla usually filled with ham and cheese.Cattolica is a very pretty seaside town with a marina. It has a wonderful beach which consistently gets awarded for its cleanliness (blue flag I think). It is much smaller than Rimini, but much more stylish in my opinion. Its not perfect, because it is a tourist destination. You will find just as many Italians there, as you will Germans and other scandinavian nationalities. The Italians take their annual holiday in August, and Cattolica is very popular with them. I take this as a good sign, as you know you are going to go somewhere with some level of authenticity. There are hundreds of hotels and apartments and sadly they do cater to some British tastes in the cafes....serving fry-ups and chips and even some German food. Whenever I go on holiday I want to live and eat locally. "When in Rome" as they say! Ignoring the tourist traps you can find some fantastic little restaurants with live music and the friendliest people you will ever meet. My favourite restaurant is called Bella Italia and my mouth just salivates thinking of the pizza they serve in there - thin, thin, thin with exquisite toppings. They have fab live music, and its always packed. One year they twisted my arm into singing with the band. It was the most nervewracking experience of my life and I have the photos to prove it! I am no singer, but I can hold an ok tune.
The nightlife is fantastic. The evenings revolve around the main square - Primo Piazza Maggio, with its fountains and pretty gardens. Everyone dresses up in their finery and walk up and down the streets (passiagiata), people watching and shopping. I like to sit at a bar near the square, watching the world go by until the early hours. The last time I visited was in 1997 with my Mother. It was a girly holiday and I haven't been back since. I lost my Mother to cancer 4 years ago, and I cannot bring myself to go back, but I cherish the memories of this town. We used to love going "bopping" in the discos, shopping for the latest fashions and eating mounds of parma ham and melon at lunchtime, followed by ice-cream from the gelaterias. Cattolica has some great boutiques. It is the home of AlbertaFerretti, and yes I have one item from her shop - which cost my Mum an arm and a leg, but I will keep it forever!
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torr 25/05/2005 00:54
traveller55 23/05/2005 16:36
so...you know quite a lot about Cattolica....I used to have here my holidays with my family many years ago but, unfortunately, not any more now...
KarenUK 27/04/2005 15:57
COOOEEE 10/03/2005 16:01
Sounds like you have some wonderful memories. Look forward to seeing some photos added once you are able too( when 1000 community points are reached). Fionaxx
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I'm from Cattolica and I liked very much your op. :)