Excursion & Tour Descriptions with
Prices - 2009
These excursions and day tours last from 4 hours
(half-day) to 8 hours (full-day) unless otherwise indicated. Prices
follow the descriptions, indicating what is and isn't included in the price
of your tour/excursion. Where they may apply, certain extra charges (such
as wine tastings or lunches) are mentioned in each tour's narrative description.
All of these services include a driver-guide who will meet you at your port-of-call
or hotel. Prices are expressed in euros. The major ports of eastern
Sicily are Messina, Catania and Giardini Naxos (Taormina's port). The
principal port for western Sicily is Palermo, though
a few cruise ships call at Trapani. (Longer tours of Sicily are described on another page.)
Eastern Sicily (from Messina,
Giardini Naxos or Catania)
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 Europeís 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 Summit
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 above 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 35 euros
per person)
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 unspoiled. Take
a stroll along the blissfully peaceful street as far as the church of Santa
Lucia, where The Godfather's son, Michael Corleone, 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.
Syracuse (Siracusa)
Full day from the ports
of Giardini Naxos or Catania
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before departing
for Syracuse, founded by Corinthian settlers in 733 BC, and which became
one of the most powerful cities of Magna Graecia, with an enormous population.
It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival, you will visit the Archaeological
Park, with the 1st century AD Roman Amphitheatre, the enormous Altar of
Hieron II, built about 240 BC for the annual sacrifices to Zeus of 450 bulls,
the Greek Theatre, inaugurated by Aeschylus in 476 bc, and the stone quarry
known as the Latomy of Paradise, famous for its luxuriant vegetation and
the strange man-made cave called the Ear of Dionysius. Continue over to
the island of Ortygia, where you will find the medieval city and the splendid
cathedral, originally the 5th-century bc temple of Athena. Free time for
lunch, before returning to your ship.
Messina and Milazzo
Full day from the port of
Messina (optional lunch 35 euros 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.
Messina and Cefalù (9 hour excursion)
Full
day from the port of Messina (optional lunch 35 euros per person)
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before proceeding
along the panoramic north coast of the island as far as Cefal, a beautiful
old fishing town with a stunning cathedral, built by King Roger II in 1132.
Inside the cathedral you will admire the exquisite mosaics, the oldest and
best-preserved in Sicily, made by craftsmen brought from Constantinople
by Roger himself. Free time to explore the tiny cobbled streets for shopping,
or to visit the medieval laundry, or the Mandralisca Museum, the private
collection of an aristocrat, with a famous portrait by Antonello da Messina
of an Unknown Man, perhaps a sailor. Painted perhaps in 1470, the manís
gaze is unforgettable. Lunch will include typical Sicilian fare, and locally-caught
seafood. After lunch, return to Messina and drive through the centre to
see the cathedral square, with the lovely church, the Clock Tower, and the
Fountain of Orion, before returning to your ship. Please note that this
is a nine-hour excursion.
Savoca and Forza d'Agrò
Half day from
the ports of Giardini Naxos, Messina or Catania
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before proceeding
to the two little hilltop towns, where Francis Ford Coppola filmed many
parts of the Godfather movies. Savoca and Forza d'Agrò, with
their quiet streets and peaceful atmosphere, are surrounded by beautiful
mountainous scenery, and have several fascinating old churches. Free time
for photos before returning to your ship.
Taormina and Castelmola
Half day from the ports
of Giardini Naxos, Messina or Catania
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver before proceeding
to the lovely hilltop town of Castelmola, recently voted one of Italy's
most beautiful villages. After exploring the little streets and tasting
the delicious local almond wine, you will continue to Taormina, where you
will visit 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, return to your ship.
Alcantara Gorge and Winery
Half day from the
ports of Giardini Naxos, Messina or Catania (wine tasting 15 euros per person)
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver before proceeding
through spectacular scenery to the nature reserve situated at the point
along the course of the River Alcantara where it was crossed by an ancient
lava stream, creating impressive basaltic formations. After free time for
shopping at the farm shop, for local preserves, liqueurs, olive oil or honey,
continue to a vineyard and winery high on the slopes of Mt Etna for wine
tasting. Later, return to your ship, driving through ancient lava flows
and thick forest.
Catania, the Fish Market and the Cyclops Riviera
Half
day from the ports of Giardini Naxos or Catania
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before proceeding
to the magnificent Baroque central square of Catania, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Symbol of the city is the lava-stone fountain surmounted by an elephant
with an obelisk on its back, known as ëLiotruí, and thought
to protect the city from disasters. In front of the fountain is the cathedral
dedicated to St Agatha, the patron saint, who was martyred at the age of
13 in 251 AD. In the interior is the tomb of the composer Vincenzo Bellini.
On the other side of the square is the famous Pescheria, the noisy, colourful
fish market, held every morning except Sunday. A short drive along the coast
will bring you to the Cyclops Riviera, lava rocks said to have been thrown
by the blinded Cyclops Polyphemus at Ulysses, in front of the charming fishing
villages of Acicastello and Acitrezza. Time for photos before returning
to your ship.
Messina and the Peloritan Mountains
Half day
from the port of Messina
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver. Proceed to the
Peloritan Mountains which rise behind the city, to the panoramic summit
of Colle San Rizzo, for breathtaking views over the Straits of Messina and
the Aeolian Islands. Return to Messina to visit the interesting museum (closed
Wed), with its collection of works of art retrieved from the rubble after
the disastrous 1908 earthquake. Among the masterpieces are paintings by
Antonello da Messina and Caravaggio. Reach the cathedral square to see the
beautiful church, the fountain of Orion, and the magnificent mechanical
clock, which chimes at noon, heralding a series of scenes with figures relating
historical episodes and religious recurrences, before returning to your
ship.
Messina and Tindari
Half day from the port of
Messina
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before driving
through the city centre to see the lovely cathedral, the Fountain of Orion,
and the famous Clock Tower, with its mechanical clock which chimes at noon,
and continuing along the north coast to Tindari, a tiny village surrounded
by breathtaking views. Visit the Archaeological Park with the ruins of ancient
Tyndaris, founded in the 4th century bc, with its theatre which is still
used in summer, and the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna, the modern church
built in 1978 to house a much-venerated ancient wooden statue of the Madonna
with Child Jesus, said to be miraculous. Free time for photos before returning
to your ship.
Messina and winery
Half day from the port of
Giardini Naxos or Messina (Wine tasting 15 euros per person)
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before driving
through the city centre to see the lovely cathedral, the Fountain of Orion,
and the famous Clock Tower, with its mechanical clock which chimes at noon,
when gilded figures emerge to relate episodes of local history and religious
events. Continue to a vineyard on the Peloritani mountains, where you will
hear about the unique and prestigious red wines produced only in this small
area of Sicily, and where you will have the opportunity of sampling the
production, and visiting the ancient wine cellar. Time for photos before
returning to your ship.
Western Sicily (from Palermo or
Trapani)
Palermo and Cefalù
Full day from port
of Palermo, including lunch
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before a panoramic
drive around the city to see some of the greatest highlights, then proceed
along the panoramic road along the north coast to the charming fishing town
of Cefal, dominated by a great rock. Visit the stunning cathedral built
by King Roger II in 1132, with its exquisite mosaics, the oldest and the
best-preserved in Sicily, made by craftsmen from Constantinople. Close by
is the Mandralisca Museum, with the famous portrait of an Unknown Man, painted
by Antonello da Messina in 1470, and the medieval laundry. Free time for
exploring and shopping before lunch in a local restaurant, featuring typical
Sicilian fare and locally-caught seafood. After lunch, return to your ship.
Corleone and winery
Full day from port of Palermo,
including light lunch
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before driving
to the picturesque little town of Corleone, unfortunately notorious because
of its connections with some of the Mafia bosses of the past. Free time
for shopping and exploring, before proceeding to a famous winery, for tasting
the production and a snack lunch. Later return to your ship.
Palermo and Monreale
Half day from port of Palermo
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before proceeding
to Palermoís magnificent cathedral, with tombs of many of the kings
and queens of Sicily. Continue to Palazzo dei Normanni, the royal palace,
to see the exquisite Palatine Chapel with its golden mosaics, built for
Roger II of Sicily in 1132. Next, you will drive to Monreale, on a hill
behind Palermo, to visit the cathedral, one of the most splendid churches
in the world, and the most important Norman building in Sicily. The interior
glows with mosaics recounting the whole Bible, completed for William II
in 1182 using 2,200kg of pure gold. The peaceful cloister next door, has
arches supported by 228 marble columns with finely-carved capitals. Time
for shopping before returning to the ship.
Monreale and the Capuchin Catacombs
Half day
from port of Palermo
On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before proceeding
to the Capuchin Monastery to visit the famous, gruesome Catacombs, with
thousands of mummified corpses hanging from the walls in the dimly-lit passages.
The Capuchin monks were specialised in this activity, which was much requested
by families when their relatives died. Later continue to Monreale, on a
hill behind Palermo, to visit the cathedral, one of the most splendid churches
in the world, and the most important Norman building in Sicily. The interior
glows with mosaics recounting the whole Bible, completed for William II
in 1182 using 2,200kg of pure gold. The peaceful cloister next door has
arches supported by 228 marble columns with finely-carved capitals. Time
for shopping before returning to your ship.
Prices based on Full or Half Day
Please note that certain tours, as indicated in the descriptions
above, may incur additional charges for options such as lunches. Prices
shown do not include entrance fees at museums or various historical
and archeological sites. There is an additional fee if you desire the services
of an authorised local guide during your visit. Half-day tours and
excursions depart in the morning, not the afternoon, and last four (4) hours.
Full day tours depart in the morning and last eight (8) hours unless
otherwise indicated (some last nine hours). Tolls, parking and the services
of the driver-guide are included in the prices indicated; tipping is welcome.
All prices are expressed in euros (€).
FULL
DAY (up to 8 hrs, entrance fees
for sites not included), authorised local guide €60 per vehicle
| Number of Participants |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
| Price per Participant (€) |
220 |
150 |
110 |
100 |
85 |
73 |
72 |
58 |
49 |
HALF
DAY (up to 4 hrs in morning, entrance
fees for sites not included), authorised local guide €40 per vehicle
| Number of Participants |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
| Price per Participant (€) |
195 |
130 |
98 |
85 |
71 |
62 |
56 |
45 |
37 |
Contact us, describing your itinerary and
requirements (including the number of passengers, etc.) to begin planning your excursion or day tour!
