I read many of the reviews on Trip Adviser before going to Sicily. If you plan to visit Catania and want to see Etna the Circumetnea Railway is a great way of doing it, as you get many excellent views of the volcano from the train and also get to see all the changes in flora and fauna that change with the altitude. It is also very inexpensive, costing no more than about 7 euros per person. The train takes you up to a maximum altitude of about 1000 metres. You can reach the Circumetnea station by taking the Metropolitana underground to Stazione Catania Borgo or by bus. We got off the train at Giarre where we were able to get a mainline train through to Catania Central. The ticket office was closed but the automatic ticket machine operates in four languages so it was not too difficult to purchase the tickets. Don't forget to validate the ticket at the nearby machine before boarding the train or you can be fined. Good luck!!!