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Excursion and Tour
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| TAORMINA
AND CATANIA TOUR |
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A travel through the time, passing from the Arabian Taormina to the baroque part, to end with the middle-age part. The Antic theatre, the Odeon, and the Roman Naumachie, the Cathedral, tipical shops and narrow streets are some of the jewels of Taormina. The promenade in Catania, rich of baroque churches and buildings, is waiting for you. The Cathedral, the Ursino Castle, the Massimo theatre, the Roman theatre, the Crociferi street, the elefant place, and a lot more.
More Information about Taormina e Catania »»
INFORMATION ABOUT TAORMINA
It lays down on a rocky plateau, 200 metres of altitude.
Its position is amazing, between the sea and the mountain.
It was a travel destination since the 18th century, because of its warm temperature, the beautiful landscape and peacefulness. Taormina is famous all over the world.
Some Greek refugees from Naxos,in 358 b.C., gave the city the name of Tauromenion.
The Greeks built the acropolis and the temple on the top of the hill.
The ancient Theatre belongs to this period, the symbol of the city is from the III century b.C and a wonderful landscape makes everything idilliac.
INFORMATION ABOUT CATANIA
Catania (around 35000 habitants), the capital of the province, is the second main city for importance and size.
By the name of Katane, it was one of the first greek colony, founded in the VIII century b.C.
Conquisted by the Romans in 263 b.C, the architectural debris of the augustus period proves the flourishing thing.
After the byzantine dominion it passed to the arabian one in the IX century and then to the norman one.
The Aragoneses founded the first University of the island.
The spanish dominion brought a deep economic crisis, the situation went worse by the earthquake of 1693 that provoked the total distruction of the city and the death of many habitants.
The buildings survived were just the abside of the cathedral (which survived to the earthquake of 1169, the Ursino castle and few houses.
The earthquake was followed by a crusade to rebuild, that wasn’t interrupted even after the Italy union.
The 19th century is a flourish cultural period for Catane, by the mundane,literary, musica and theatre point of view.
The town has a 18th century style, because it has been rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693.
After the rebuilding the street were wide and regular with big squares and beautiful noble palaces of a late baroque style.
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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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| € 95,00 to
person / 6 or more person € 85,00 each |
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| For children from
0 to 12 years old , the price is 65,00 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 TAORMINA |
The ancient theatre which
at the beginning was Greek (hellenistic period)
has been transformed and enlarged during
the Roman period.
The Greek theatre obeys to the classic designs, with a semi-circular
space for the musicians, the choir and dancers. The Romans removed the first
line of steps to transform the orchestra in arena, and added a hallway
for the entrance of gladiators and ferocious beasts. From the cavea we can sea
the stunning Etna landscape.
Umberto I Avenue is pleasant
for walking, a bit uphill, very quiet,
full of restaurants, cafès and fashionable
shops. Sideways tiny streets where you
can feel the fragrances of bread and almonds.
Communal villa gardens. A large range of flowers and plants
are grown in this park, which once was private and where the owners built exotic
buildings.
The Duomo square. At the middle of the square a baroque fountain
made of Taormina rocks, with a circular base, opens to east. On it the emblem
of the city, a centauro, designed in a female version, which has instead
of four feet, two arms holding a ball and a wand, symbols of the power.
Fortezza cathedral, the name given to the cathedral dome, built
around 400 on the wrecks of a middle age small church dedicated to Saint
Nicola of Bari.
The gothic architecture of the old abbey belongs to the 4th
century. It is supposed that the name of the building is Old Abbey, because in
the past it was an abbey.
Corvaja palace. The name comes from the Corvajas, one
of the most patrician and old families in Taormina, who owned it from 1538 to
1945. It has a combined arabian, gothic and norman style, as a result of many
transformations brought by the various rules.
S. Stefano dukedome. Built at the end of 1300 and at the begining
of 1400, it was an included part of the second surrounding wall of the city.
It’s a masterpiece of the sicilian gothic art, but part of the arabian-norman
experience.
The clock tower is the entrance to that part of the city used
as a 4th century suburb.
San Giuseppe church, built during the second part of the 17th
century, is the only baroque church of Taormina.
Santa Caterina church , built during 1600 on a place that was once a
little Roman theatre, the Odeon. On the portal, made of pink marble, there is
an architrave reproducing a triangle gable of a Greek temple.
Piazza IX Aprile. It is
the elegant parlour of Taormina, full of
bars and with “the most charming
landscape of the world”.
The Odeon. It is smaller
than the ancient Theatre. It is thought
that Odeon was a place for plays and musicals
reserved for very important persons.
The Naumachie are the most important Roman monuments of
the island. |
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| WHAT SEE CATANIA |
The Dome square built after the earthquake
of 1693 is the point where the main streets
of the city converge. In the middle we
will find the elephant fountain, the emblem
of the town.
The Cathedral of Catania, dedicated to S. Agata, built by Normans between 1070
and 1093. Inside it there is the grave of the famous Catanese musician “Vincenzo
Bellini”.
In both sides of Crociferi street there are wonderful baroque churches and noble
buildings of the 18th century. The name of the streets comes from the church
of S.Camillo of Crociferi priests. The San Giuliano street; San Benedetto
church; San Francesco d’Assisi.
The Roman temple and the amphitheatre are important roman ruins that now lay
between modern buildings. For the construction of both buildings lava rocks were
employed.
The Porta Uzeda, named after the Vicere’s
name, was built in 1500. During 1696 it
became the official entrance of the city.
The Ursino Castle of the Middle Age, built
in XIII century on the coast. In 1669 an
eruption modified the topography where
the castle rose. Today it is 1 km from
the coast.
The Collegiata basilica in 1393 received
the title of Regia Cappella and in 1446
became a college.
The Massimo Bellini theatre inagurated
in 1890 by showing the “Norma”,
Bellini’s opera.
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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 Taormina from Catania? And how long does it take?
The distance is around 50 km, on motorway. It takes around 1 hour.
The “Gole dell’Alcantara” is 25 km far away from Taormina, it takes 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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