Giardini Naxos, Taormina and Castelmola Half-Day Tour from Catania
Catania, Italy
Trip Type: Half-day Tours
Duration: 5 hours
See the coast where Greeks first landed in Sicily, and admire the medieval architecture of Taormina whose palaces and monuments witnessed a long and meaningful history. Enjoy the panoramas which overlook the Ionian sea and on Nebrodi mountains from the high Castelmola, a natural balcony on Taormina. See traditional products of the artisanal shops and the elegance of the boutiques which make Taormina a little jewelry box.
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See the coast where Greeks first landed in Sicily, and admire the medieval architecture of Taormina whose palaces and monuments witnessed a long and meaningful history. Enjoy the panoramas which overlook the Ionian sea and on Nebrodi mountains from the high Castelmola, a natural balcony on Taormina. See traditional products of the artisanal shops and the elegance of the boutiques which make Taormina a little jewelry box.
The first stop of this excursion will be the fishing town of Giardini Naxos, the first Greek colony in Sicily, founded in 734 BC. Drive along the seafront and enjoy the beautiful Naxos bay. Stop at the wonderful 'Isola Bella,' a wildlife reserve considered the 'pearl of the Ionian sea' for its natural beauty, where it will be possible to bathe in its marvelous crystal clear waters.
From Isola Bella you will go to Castelmola where you will walk along the characteristic streets of the town. Stop to see the ruins of the imposing Norman walls and the main square (Duomo) with the Mother Church, rebuilt between 1934 and 1935 on the existing cathedral and dedicated to St. Nicholas of Bari.
The last part of the excursion will be dedicated to visiting the picturesque town of Taormina. Walk along the main road of this town, Corso Umberto, with the Messina Gate below and the Catania Gate on the mountain side. Admire the most important monuments: Palazzo Corvaja (The Corvaja Palace), Museum of Arts and Folk Traditions, the Teatro Antico (Old Theatre), Piazza IX Aprile, the Torre dell’orologio (Clock Tower), the Cattedrale Fortezza (Fortress Cathedral), the Badia Vecchia (Old Abbey), and the Palazzo Duca di Santo Stefano (The Duke of Saint Stephen Palace), and much more. It will also be possible to go shopping in the exclusive shops.
From Isola Bella you will go to Castelmola where you will walk along the characteristic streets of the town. Stop to see the ruins of the imposing Norman walls and the main square (Duomo) with the Mother Church, rebuilt between 1934 and 1935 on the existing cathedral and dedicated to St. Nicholas of Bari.
The last part of the excursion will be dedicated to visiting the picturesque town of Taormina. Walk along the main road of this town, Corso Umberto, with the Messina Gate below and the Catania Gate on the mountain side. Admire the most important monuments: Palazzo Corvaja (The Corvaja Palace), Museum of Arts and Folk Traditions, the Teatro Antico (Old Theatre), Piazza IX Aprile, the Torre dell’orologio (Clock Tower), the Cattedrale Fortezza (Fortress Cathedral), the Badia Vecchia (Old Abbey), and the Palazzo Duca di Santo Stefano (The Duke of Saint Stephen Palace), and much more. It will also be possible to go shopping in the exclusive shops.
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