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Excursion and Tour
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| SIRACUSA AND NOTO |
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Beyond the gorgeous Siracusa, we will also visit
the village of Noto, jewel of the Baroque
age.
The city, recently joined the UNESCO patrimonium,
represents the symbol of the wealth and the gorgeoussness
of the Baroque age in Sicily.
The city owes its change to a tragic event : the earthquake that in 1693 destroyed this zone, and forced the reconstruction of the area.
More Information about Siracusa and Noto »»
INFORMATION ABOUT SIRACUSE
Syracuse is positioned on the only natural port of the sicilian east side. A sea city that extend along the Ortigia island, Syracuse lays on an harmonious bay.
The name evokes a greek past, the tyrants and the rivality between Athens and Carthage. By walking on the streets, it seems that time stopped between Middle Age and Baroque.
An archaeological centre but even a modern one, the so-called “Neaú polis”, where you can find the theatre, the Ear of Dionysus, the greek theatre, and the Latomie of paradise, one of the most famous.
An archaeological centre and a commercial one as well
Syracuse has been founded during the VIII century by greek colonist from Corinto.
It was the most important greek city in Sicily.
Conquested by Romans in 212 bC, it was the capital of the sicilian province.
INFORMATION ABOUT NOTO
Noto is well known for its baroque structure in the whole world, homogeneous and unitary for the unity of place and time in which the new city was built after the earthquake. The first settlement dates back to the prehistoric age as many necropolis (on the Alveria hill) give evidence. A legend says that the city was ruled by the prince Ducrezio, who rised together with the Siculi people against the expansionistic politic of Syracuse.
During the Greek domination, in the II century b.C.
Noto had a flourishing productive period, while under the Romans the main efforts were meant to an energetic opposition against Verre depredations
By the Arabian conquest of the 866 Noto gained importance in Sicily and was appointed chief town of one of the districts in which the island was divided.
The development process continued during the XV and XVI century, until the earthquake of January 1693 which razed the city, that was rebuilt on another rise called the hill of the Meti.
It was rebuilt closer to the coast during the XVIII century, by many architects that made an urbanistic masterpiece in a great baroque style, of high quality and unique for extension and homogeneity.
In 1865 the city lost the chief town role and slowly also the role of leading role in politics and economy, but despite everything it was still an important centre for its architectural and artistic patrimony, even now we can enjoy its beauty after the ravages of time.
Every third Sunday of May, there is a manifestation: The "Baroque spring", full of concerts and events, handicraft exhibitions, parades of period carriages and wagon adorned with flowers that culminate in the "Infiorata di Via Nicolosi", wonderful carpet of flowers made by artists of the place showing every year different scenes and iconographic topics.
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| USEFUL INFORMATION |
A car will pick you up from your hotel.
A skilled escort will be at your disposal during the tour, making the tour both
extensive and easy.
During the lunch break you can taste some typical local dishes.
At the end of the tour you will be driven back to your hotel.
The itinerary may be changed without notice, due to traffic, overcrowding, temporary
closure of some places, atmospheric troubles, snow storms and other similar reasons.
A minimum number of two people is necessary. Otherwise, the price may vary. |
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| TARIFFS |
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| € 110,00 to persons/ 6 or more persons € 100,00 each |
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| For children from
0 to 12 years old , the price is 75,00 euros
each. |
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| Frequently Asked Questions? click here |
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| SPECIAL
PRICE FOR GREAT GOUPS |
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| WHAT SEE SIRACUSA |
The so called archaeological park
of Neapolis (from greek “new city”) with
an extent of 240000 square metres, hostes
the majority of classical monuments of Greek
and Roman Syracuse.
The Greek theatre, built for the King Ierone II during the V century A.D., it
Roman amphitheatre, built around the III century, is the third biggest one in
the world. Along the avenue which leads to the amphitheatre, there are some rocky
The Ara of Ierone II, is a great monument of the III century b.C. This ara (altar)
is the biggest one of the Greek world. It is supposed that it has been dedicated
The basilica of Saint Nicolò from Cordari is a small church of the XI
The Mugnai cot was a part of a buiding range, that is mills, realized in XVI
century to use the water of the Galermi canal, that supplied water to the whole
The Ninfeo cave is an artificial cave, with a ceiling for each vaulting. Inside
the caves, there is a rectangular bathtub that receive a branch of the ancient
The Latomie are rocky caves used by the Greeks to draw materials to build temples
and streets destinated to defend the city. It seems that from these places
around 4.700.000 meters square of rocks were extracted. Once they were used as
The Necropolis little caves was the location of a large Greek cemetary. Here
’s grave.
The Ear of Dyonisius is an artificial cave, trumpet-shape, digged in limestone,
with a strange shape, similar to an ear. The cave has exceptional acoustic properties,
sounds are amplified 16 times. For these acoustic peculiarities and its shape
is called Ear of Dyonisius . The legend says that the tyrant used it to
Visiting the catacombs of San Giovanni, the only ones open to the public, offers
a very interesting experience. This place is more recent, it dates back to 315-360
A.D.
Ortygia island
The Maestranze street is one of the main and oldest streets in Ortygia.
At its sides noble baroque buildings, the most important are: Interlandi
Pizzuti Palace, Impallizzeri Palace, Bonanno palace, Romeo Bufardeci Palace,
’Immacolata.
The Arethusa source is a spring of freshwater that arise from a cave next to
Maniace castle is a fortress made of sandstone, built in the first half of the
The Apollo temple built by Greek colonizers during the VI century is probably
The Duomo square - with its irregualar shape, is surrounded by some beautiful
baroque palaces, the Beneventano del Bosco Palace, the Senate Palace and the
The Cathedral - built in the lowest part of Ortygia, the dome of Syracuse rises
on the debris of an ancient doric temple dedicated to Athenes, built in the V
The sanctuary of the Madonna of Tears is a cone shaped structure that dominates
the city with its height of 74 meters. A sign of deep religious faith, built
to remember the miracle of 1953: the Madonna plaster statue cried.
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| WHAT SEE NOTO |
Noto is famous in the world for its extraordinary
baroque style, absolutely homogeneous,
and also unique as a result of the growth
of the city. The reconstruction of the
city was made during the XVIII century,
and by the work of many architects, who
were able to restore this urban baroque
masterpiece.
Vittorio Emanuele avenue. With its 3
churches, is the main avenue in the city.
Royal door (Porta Reale), is a monumental
entrance of the city in Triumph Arch form,
erected in the XIX cntury.
Immaculated Place (piazza Immacolata),
is capped by simple baroque facades,
from San Francesco dell’Immacolata,
preceded by a massive step that opens at
the top of a terrace delimited by the monastery
and at its center there is the Statue of
the Virgin. On the left of the church,
the SS. Salvatore monastery with its elegant
towers with curved facades, and spectacular
landscape.
Municipio Place, is the most majestic
of the 3, delimited on its left by the
motion facades of the Palazzo Ducezio,
and on its right by the sinuous step of
the Cathedral.
The Cathedral. The big facade, with
2 bell-towers, from the second floor is
possible to see the plan of the rest of
the dome, unfortunately destroyed. Only
recently, the re-opening of the Cathedral
gave back to the city and to the whole
world, in all its brightness, one of the
symbolic buildings of Noto and of the Baroque
style.
The Palazzo Vescovile (XIX century)
and the Palazzo Lanolina of Sant’Alfio,
have simple lines and seem to counterweigh
the brashness of the other buildings.
Nicolaci street is lightly in accedente,
it ends at the top with the church of Montervergini,
with its beautiful concave facade framed
between 2 bell-towers. Baroque buildings
flank the 2 sides of the street.
Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata, with
exorbitant balconies, is the highest building
of Noto, with its 100 rooms; it was
a Prince of Nicolaci’s property.
San Domenico churh is shaped of massive
line, underlined by huge columns. In front
of this church, one can find the wonderful
Villetta d’Ercole, with the homonimous
fountain of the 17th century at its center,
and also the Vittorio Emanuele III theatre.
Cavour avenue, noble passage, is surrounded
by interesting edifices, like the Astuto
building, and the Trigona Cannicarao building.
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| CORRELATED EXCURSIONS |
Here follow some tours we suggest you. |
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•Tour of Siracusa |
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| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) »» |
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1. How long does the escursion last?
The excursion will start at 09:00 and it will finish around 18:00.
2. How far is Noto from Siracusa? And how long does it take?
The distance is around 40 km, on provincial streets. It takes around 30 minutes.
3. In which type of vehicle will the excursion be led?
By jeeps with 6/8 seats or minibus with 8 seats. All vehicles are comfortable and air-conditioned.
4. Do we visit on foot or by car?
We will arrive by car, but the places will be visited on foot for a better appreciation of their beauty. You will not walk too much, in fact the longest walk takes 15 minutes.
5. Is it possible to decide wether doing the excursion on foot or by car?
It is possible only if you book an individual tour (the price varies).
6. Will you pick us up at the hotel or another place if requested?
Yes, but if you are in a place outside of Catania, you must pay an additional price.
7. In which language will the tour be?
There will always be a driver/escort speaking fluent English. Other languages must be requested.
8. Do I need to wear any specific clothing?
We suggest you wear comfortable shoes (for trekking) and clothes. We also suggest you wear different sorts of clothing together because of the temperature changes. It is important to wear a coat during winter and to bring a light jacket during summer.
9. Will we have lunch? And is the lunch price included?
A lunch break will take place to taste the food specialities. The lunch is not included in the price.
10. Archaelogical ticket entrances are included in the price?
No, they aren’t included in the price.
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