1. Ref. the last "circular castle": it's the castle of Sant'Alessio Siculo and is located roughly 40km South of Messina
2. Ref. accommodation and cost: I was travelling alone and using booking, 1st/2nd week of December 2023, I spent something in the between 35 and 40 Euro for one overnight (b&b's)
3. About Catania: well, since two years ago I "emigrated" to the South and I'm presently living in Siracusa (Ortigia). From the railway station of Siracusa is then very easy to load the bike and, at no additional cost, start so far the trip from a more convenient point. In this case with a 10 Euro (approx) one way ticket I can go to Catania/Fiumefreddo/Letojanni/Taormina.
4. Ref. traffic: I'd say pretty scarce everywhere except urban/portual areas of Catania and Messina
5. Ref. "arrogant criminality": I know that it does exist ... but, perhaps because I'm travelling with a bicycle, I've no time nor perception that it actually exists