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Excursion and Tour
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| ETNA
AND TAORMINA TOUR |
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Over the wonders of the biggest active volcano
of Europe, you will visit the so-called city “Perla
del mare Ionio”.
A travel through the time,
passing from the Arabian Taormina to the baroque
one, to end with the middle-age part.
The Antic
theatre, the Odeon, and the Roman Naumachie, the
Cathedral, tipical shops and straights streets
are some of the wonderfulnesses of Taormina.
More Information about Etna e Taormina »»
ABOUT ETNA
3346 meters high, with a base diameter of over 40 km, a perimeter of more than 200 km, a surface area of 1600 square kms Etna represents the highest active volcano in Europe and it is one of the most important in the world.
To the east it faces the Ionian sea, while its north face is delimited by the Alcantra river. This process created amazing strait gorges, the so called “Gole dell’Alcantra”. During intense periods of eruptive activity, the lava would ooze from hundreds of craters located on the sides of the volcano. The craters are gathered into 260 eruptive systems.
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.
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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 persone € 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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| ETNA |
Lava casting of 2002. We will arrive to the
point where the lava stopped. During that
eruption, lava reached a 1.125 ms altitude
above sea level.
The Monti Rossi craters. They gave life to the 1669 eruption, considered the
most disastrous and spectacular of all times. Many places and quarters of the
west side of Catania were destroyed. Lava was thrown into the sea as far as 2000
ms.
The silvestri craters. These craters are from 1892, and are the most visited
inactive craters of Etna. From there we can see the whole Catania landscape and
even farther.
Lava casting of 1991-1993: you can admire the lava river from the point where
it stopped during the 1991-1993 eruption, that is just a few metres from the
houses..
Lava casting of 1792: This eruption spread fear in the villages of Etna, as lava
devoured the rich soils of wrecking woods, orchards and pastures.
The Bove valley is a wide part of the south-eastern volcanic area and it’s
nothing compared to the geological history of the volcano. The landscape is amazing;
from the top of the valley you can see the coast of Catania, Taormina and Reggio
Calabria.
We will also visit the lava flow tunnel, formed during the 1792 eruption.
A two-storey house, submerged by the lava, during the 1983 casting, is an obligatory
destination for every tourist who goes to Etna.
Etna woods, full of oak chestnuts, and many types of plants and trees that give
the volcano its different colors during the different seasons.
A stop at Zafferana Etnea, the honey town, where you can taste the precious bee’s
nectar. You can also admire the local handcrafts and the typical lava souvenirs
The Norman Castle of Acicastello represents an historical evidence. Built in
1076, entirely made of lava, on a spur of crystallized magma.
The Lachea island and Faraglioni of Acitrezza are products of the first volcanic
activities that subsequently generated Etna.
The symbol of the village are the famous faraglioni, huge black lava rocks.
Mythology says that Polifemo trown them against Ulysse’s ship. This legend
gives the name to the Riviera of the Cyclops, which we will visit as well
In the many typical Sicilian restaurants you can taste the specialities
of this unique region.
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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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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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