When people ask where most American expats live in Sicily, many will point to Palermo or the tourist towns. However, the underdog city of Catania has a significant, if less conspicuous, international community, partly thanks to the nearby NATO base. Sprawling along the Ionian coast at the foot of Mount Etna, this vital port city is considered by many Sicilians to be the island's true engine. Living in Catania means experiencing a thoroughly authentic Italian way of life.

Imagine a city that lives in the shadow of a volcano, both literally and figuratively. The presence of Mount Etna has shaped everything here, from the ground up. The grand baroque buildings are constructed from dark volcanic stone, giving the city a dramatic look you won't find elsewhere.