EXCURSIONS FULL DAY 8 HOURS (From Messina)

Taormina and Mt Etna
Full day from the ports of Giardini Naxos, Messina or Catania
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver. Your first visit will be of the beautiful town of Taormina, including the picturesque ruins of the Greek Theatre, which have inspired many writers, artists and musicians. From the theatre you can admire magnificent panoramic views over the Straits of Messina, the Ionian Sea and Mt Etna. After free time for shopping and exploring, you will drive up the slopes of Europe’s largest active volcano, through vineyards and villages, to a height of 6,000ft over sea level, where you can explore some extinct craters and lava flows. Return to your ship in the afternoon.

Mt Etna to the top
Full day from the ports of Giardini Naxos, Messina or Catania
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver. You will then enjoy a comfortable drive up the slopes of Europe’s largest active volcano, through vineyards and villages, to a height of 6,000ft over sea level. From this point you will proceed by cable-car or jeep to the highest possible point on one of the active craters, continuing on foot over the lava streams to observe the latest volcanic phenomena, accompanied by a mountain guide. Return to your ship in the afternoon.

Taormina and the Alcantara Gorge
Full day from the ports of Giardini Naxos, Messina or Catania, optional lunch euro 35,oo
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver. The first part of the day will be dedicated to Taormina, including the picturesque ruins of the Greek Theatre, which have inspired many writers, artists and musicians. From the theatre you can admire magnificent panoramic views over the Straits of Messina, the Ionian Sea and Mt Etna. After free time for shopping and exploring, you will proceed to a local farm for a lunch consisting of delicious Sicilian dishes, prepared exclusively with local produce, and local wine. After lunch, a short drive will bring you to the famed Alcantara Gorge, a nature reserve at the point along the course of the River Alcantara where it was crossed by an ancient lava stream, creating impressive basaltic formations. Return to your ship in the afternoon.

Savoca and Mt Etna
Full day from the ports of Giardini Naxos, Messina or Catania
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before driving to the lovely little hilltop village of Savoca, where Francis Ford Coppola filmed ‘The Godfather’ in 1972, and still quite unspoilt. Take a stroll along the blissfully peaceful street as far as the church of Santa Lucia, where the Godfather’s son Michael marries Appolonia in the movie, and relax in the tiny square. Afterwards enjoy a comfortable drive up the slopes of Mt Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, through vineyards and villages, to a height of 6,000ft over sea level. Free time for exploring the extinct craters and lava flows and to have a snack, before returning to your ship in the afternoon.

Messina and Milazzo
Full day from the port of Messina, optional lunch euro 35,oo per person
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before proceeding along the panoramic north coast of the island as far as the fascinating old town of Milazzo, with its remarkable Citadel, where you will visit the castle, built by the Arabs in the 10th century on the site of the Greek acropolis, and some of the old churches. A beautiful drive along the peninsular called Capo Milazzo follows, as far as the tiny church suspended over the coast, said to mark the spot where St Anthony found refuge after a shipwreck in January 1221. After a delicious Sicilian lunch featuring the locally-caught seafood, return to Messina to visit the cathedral square. The cathedral, one of the grandest Norman churches in Sicily, was totally destroyed several times in the course of its history, by earthquakes as in 1908, or by fire, as when it was hit by a fire-bomb during World War II, but it has patiently and lovingly been reconstructed every time. By the church is the lovely 16th-century Fountain of Orion, built by a student of Michelangelo, and the Clock Tower, which chimes at noon. Return to your ship.

 

Please note:
The proposed itineraries are only examples of possible tours. For different pick up / drop off locations or customized itineraries we invite our clients to contact one of our tour coordinators to help them design their own tour.