TAORMINA & CATANIA - Full Day excursion
Duration: Approx. 7 hours - AM departure
You will meet our Tour Guide
and by deluxe Coach will be taken along the eastern Coast of Sicily to
the beautiful Taormina, situated on a rocky plateau of the steep
Monte Tauro, which dominates the Ionian coast, with Etna rising
majestically in the background.
Downtown Taormina represents a variety of historical periods, from early
Greek and Roman settlements, to Byzantine and Medieval remains, up to
15th-century Catalan buildings and 17th-century Baroque churches.
You can stroll main street -- Corso Umberto -- with its art and
designer shops, Baroque churches and Palazzos -- and get a
glimpse of the breathtaking Greek theatre (Ticket not included) facing
the sea. Your guide will make suggestions where you can have an
excellent meal.
On the way backwe will see
Catania and his Monuments and Churches.The cathedral overlooking the
square may be magnificent, but it is not photographed as much as ‘U
Liotru’, a slightly incongruous statue of an elephant carrying an
obelisk, which stands at the piazza's center. The monument was
constructed in 1735 by the sculptor Giovanni Battista Vaccarini, using
black volcanic basalt for the elephant, and marble for the obelisk. Many
think the origins of the city’s emblem lie in the 3 foot high
Mediterranean pygmy elephant that used to inhabit Sicily in prehistoric
times. Piazza Duomo is about a mile north of the cruise dock.
Mt. Etna & Taormina - Full day
excursion
Duration: Approximately 7 hours - AM departure
Catania is built on the foot slopes of towering Mount Etna, one of the
most active volcanoes in the world. Ship excursions typically involve
taking a 30 mile winding bus ride to Rifugio Sapienza, on the northern
side of the peak. Various expeditions are available from the refuge,
including a hike around the impressive Silvestri craters.
The beautiful town of Taormina, perched high above the Mediterranean
sea, is located equidistant from Catania and Messina, and is a popular
excursion from both. Stroll along picturesque Corso Umberto, enjoy a
coffee in bustling Piazza IX Aprile, marvel at the spectacular Greek
amphitheater (Entrance ticket not included). In the afternoo we will
have time to discover Taormina. It is situated on a rocky plateau of the
steep Monte Tauro, which dominates the Ionian coast, with Etna
rising majestically in the background. Downtown Taormina represents a
variety of historical periods, from early
Greek and Roman settlements, to Byzantine and Medieval remains, up to
15th-century Catalan buildings and 17th-century Baroque churches. You
can stroll main street -- Corso Umberto -- with its art and
designer shops, Baroque churches and Palazzos -- and get a
glimpse of the breathtaking Greek theatre (Ticket not included) facing
the sea.