ACICASTELLO, Sicily — The beach hideaway of La Scivola provides revelers with a hangout day and night.
On weekend days, sun worshippers crowd onto the wooden platform, constructed on and around lava rocks that jut from the Ionian Sea, claiming a tiny piece of real estate on rented foam mattresses to work on their tans.
“I’m here because Taormina is far away today,” Giacomo Rizzo, 33, joked as he referred to one of Sicily’s hottest beach towns and tourist attractions. “But this is nice. This is good.”
By day, La Scivola (pronounced Sheevola and meaning slide) is one of Acicastello’s top lidos, or beachfront hangouts.
For a 5 euro entrance fee, sunbathers get a foam mattress and pillow on which to lounge. Steps lead swimmers from the platform to crystal clear waters amid the now-hardened lava from the ever-looming Mount Etna in the backdrop.
The famed Norman castle, for which this enclave is named, provides for panoramic backdrop. It was built of black lava stone, and served as a fortress since Roman times and is full of history.
In 1169 there, a disastrous eruption of Mount Etna reached the village of Aci, but only partially damaged the castle. Visitors can see the castle’s tower and part of the central building.
Those seeking a bit more activity can rent a 1-person kayak for 6 euros an hour, or a two-person kayak for 9 euros. Paddle boats are available for 10 euros per hour.
Four nights a week, La Scivola’s wooden platform is converted from a sun worshipper’s haven to a disco, with dancing out in the open and under the fake palm fronds, to lounging in the sleek couches under a canvas canopy. The disco goes strong Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m. to about 2:30 a.m.
Drinks range from water and soda to Italian espresso and a wide variety of beers and alcoholic cocktails. Prices average the same as the food dishes.
See previous After Hours reviews here.
La Scivola
Hours: Disco open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.-2:30 a.m.
Prices: Menu and beer prices range from 4 euros to 7 euros.
Cover charge: Not a restaurant, but for 4-7 euros snack foods like pizza, fruit plattesr and pasta dishes are available.
Specialty: Beach by day, disco by night.
Dress: Casual — next to nothing preferable during the sun worshipping hours.
Cover charge: 5 euros.
Clientele: Mostly Italians having a great time — and most not afraid to bare a lot of skin.
Location: Lungomare Scardamiano — Acicastello.
Phone: 39-342-552-521
Web site:www.lascivola.it
