Day 1 in Taormina
Welcome to Taormina! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and
immigration. Should you opt to purchase
a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit
immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check
in and do not give in to jet lag! There
is so much for you to see and do.
The town
of Taormina lies on the east coast of Sicily and offers mesmerizing views of
the Mediterranean Sea and Mt. Etna volcano. Once you arrive, we recommend you
get acquainted with the historic town by walking the winding cobblestone
streets, hidden alleys and stairs. Corso Umberto is the main street that connects the Old town from Porta Messina to Porta Catania. The entire
street with its squares and terraces, shops, open-air cafes, and lanes leading
from it, seems made just for sauntering and shopping to savor the views of Mt.
Etna and the sea.
Stop at
the bustling square, the Piazza
IX Aprile, right in front of San Giuseppe, the piazza`s beautiful tiled floor,
combined with the dramatic rising rocks behind the church and the epic sea view
on the other side gives this square a unique charm. Vendors, cafes and tourist
are all around the square and if you`re lucky, you may get to see a wedding
taking place. Grab some lunch here and take some time to admire the Chiesa di San Giuseppe, the
historic baroque church overlooking the square. The beauty of this church is
something you will never forget!
Corso
Umberto ends at the 1400 city gate, Porta Catania, emblazoned with the Aragon coat-of-arms. Near
it stands the three-storied Palazzo
Duca di Santo Stéfano, built at the same time as Porta Catania.
It is easy to recognize because of its Gothic windows, fish-tail crenellations,
and detailed stonework along the top. Concerts are held in the Great Hall, and
two rooms display works by the sculptor Giuseppe Mazzullo (1913-88).
End your
afternoon at Taormina`s most famous landmark, the Greek Theater. The theater was originally built in the 3rd-century
BC under Hiero II of Syracuse. But under Roman rule in the 2nd-century
BC, it was completely rebuilt with all the characteristics of a Roman theater.
The perfectly semicircular cavea rises in stepped seating to an upper diameter
of 358 ft, the stage stands above the level of the orchestra, and the beautifully
decorated stage loft is so high that its sides adjoin the top rows of seats to
create an enclosed space. A fortuitous gap in the wall of the loft frames Taormina`s
most celebrated view of the surrounding area as far as Mount Etna, one that has been
immortalized in paintings and photographs as one of Italy`s most iconic. We
recommend you stay to watch the sunset from behind the stage which boasts the
natural scenery of Mount Etna and the bay of Naxos - absolutely beautiful!
For dinner, enjoy some authentic Sicilian cuisine at a
relaxing café or restaurant along the Corso Umberto I promenade. There are so
many yummy places to choose from, it will be hard to pick.
Day 2 in Taormina
Wake up early and start your day with a stroll through the Garden of Villa Comunale. This
irregularly shaped park is home to buildings similar to the style on Isola
Bella, the quirky structures are a highlight of the garden, as well as the
amazing views the garden offers.
Then
take a visit to Chiesa Madonna
della Rocca. Go to the Via Circonvallazione, which runs parallel to Corso
Umberto, and a stepped road leads from here up to the Modonna della Rocca, a chapel
whose ceiling is the rough rock from which it was carved. The route continues
up to Castellod di Taormina,
1,305 ft above sea-level on Monte Tauro. This castle with its tower
stands on the site of the ancient Acropolis, and the view from here is stunning.
From the Madonna della Rocca church continue to the picturesque mountain village of Castelmola. The village is
about 3 miles from the center of town and accessible by bus link. Here you`ll
discover the ruins of another medieval castle, narrow streets, as well as some
more spectacular views. Don`t forget to taste the almond wine, a specialty of
the village.
Head back down into Taormina city
center for a lunch break before taking a cable car to get to Isola Bella (Beautiful Island),
a much faster way than suffering through the traffic down the meandering
mountain road. The small rock-bound island is a nature preserve, almost
connected to the mainland by a sandy beach. You can cross to walk the paths
around its perimeter and enjoy the views from its terraces. All along the shore
below Taormina are coves and beaches for swimming, which you can reach by
paths. Just north of Mazzaro are more beaches at Spisone, Mazzeo, and Letojanni.
Finish
your day in Giardini-Naxos
for a waterfront stroll. This area offers great entertainment and most bars and
clubs here stay open way past midnight, at least in the summer. This is a
fantastic spot to watch the sun go down over Mount Etna.
After a
busy day of sightseeing head back to your hotel and a restful night sleep.
Day 3 in Taormina
On your last day in Taormina, we
highly recommend going on an excursion to Etna, it`s an
unforgettable trip to Europe`s highest and most active volcano. Here visitors
can sample delicious Etna wines accompanied by the best local produce while
enjoying true Sicilian hospitality.
Alternatively, if you`re a beach lover
and may want to go back to spend more time in Isola Bella. If you like snorkeling,
you can go to Azzurra Grotta
d`Isola Bella. We recommend a boat trip to visit the surroundings of the island
including the caves such as Grotto Amoretta (Lovers Cave) .
Finish your day at the opera,
this is a must do experience at Cine Teatro San Giorgio while
in Taormina. You can enjoy a refreshment on the
panoramic balcony with amazing views over Taormina and the Ionian Sea before
the show. Then embark on an extraordinary journey with the most famous
arias and duets from the greatest Italian operas. You will be fascinated with
music from operas such as Le Nozze di Figaro by
W.A.Mozart, La Traviata by G.Verdi, Madame
Butterfly, Tosca, La Bohème by
G.Puccini and Elisir d’Amore by G.Donizetti,
interpreted by professional singers who have performed in the most important
Italian and international theaters, performed with piano accompaniment.
Additional Days in Taormina
Should you be able to spend additional days in Taormina we recommend you visit the Gole dell`Alcantara, a dramatic gorge with incredible rock shapes. The Alcántara River flows along the northern side of Mount Etna, and several thousand years ago, a lava flow from an eruption blocked the river. The water caused the lava to cool much faster than usual, so it crystallized into a column formation. Over time, the river eroded the columns, regaining a channel through and wearing them into the dramatic shapes you see today. The gorge is now part of the Gole Alcantara Botanical and Geological Park, where you can descend to the river level by a lift, walk the trails, and in the summer, wade across the river.
Your Last Day In Taormina
Depart your hotel for the airport for your return home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer, if so a representative will meet you at the hotel, in time to take you to the airport for your flight out.