Small Group Tour to Etna and Taormina from Catania

Small Group Tour
Depart 8:30AM/Return 5:30PM

Today pick-up at Catania hotel and departure to Etna Volcano (South side) with ascent up to the Sapienza Refuge (1.986 mt), where we will explore the last eruptions and the old Silvestri Craters. The guide will give you all the information you need about the history and the territory of the Volcano.

From Rifugio Sapienza you can choose one of the following options:

• Do some trekking in one of the nature paths of “Parco dell’Etna”, up to 2000 m.
• Buy the Etna high altitude option: from Rifugio Sapienza you will take the cable car and reach, in 15 minutes, 2504 meters. From here you will continue with special 4×4 minibuses and reach, in 20 minutes, 2900 meters (Torre del Filosofo). You will find your self in front of a scenery streching right down to the sea. Here it will be possible to admire the great central crater, the South-East crater and the historical lava flows that characterize the landscape of Etna. With the alpinist guides you will visit the places where the life of the volcano flourishes, in full safety. You will return to Rifugio Sapienza by minibus and cable car.
  (Ascent to the top is optional and subject to weather and volcanic conditions permitting. Ascent fees are not included).

The excursion will continue with the visit of a lava cave with helmets and torches (kit included) and then to Zafferana, where we will visit a farmhouse for a delicious tasting of typical biological products such as honey, wine, oil, etc. After the tasting, we will move to the picturesque town of Taormina, but first we will stop at the wonderful “Isola Bella”, a Wildlife Reserve considered the “pearl of the Ionian sea”  for  its natural beauty, connected to the mainland by a thin strip of sand. From here it is possible to admire the bay, and the promontories of Capo S. Andrea, that hosts the renowned Grotta Azzurra (The Blue Cave), and of Capo Taormina. It is possible to bathe in these marvellous crystal clear waters. Free time for lunch (not included). In Taormina we will walk along the main road of this town, Corso Umberto, with the Messina Gate below and the Catania Gate on the mountain side, and you will have the chance to admire the most important monuments: Palazzo Corvaja (The Corvaja Palace) (Museum of Arts and Folk Traditions*), the Teatro Antico* (The Old Theatre), Piazza IX Aprile, the Torre dell’orologio (The Clock Tower), the Cattedrale Fortezza (The Fortress Cathedral), the Badia Vecchia (The 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 among the shops selling handicrafts. Later back to the hotel.

OPTIONAL ASCENT TO THE TOP:
– up to 2.500 meters: from Rifugio Sapienza you can catch the cable car ride and reach the Montagnola, where you can enjoy the landscape or relax at the bar.
– up to 2.920 meters: from the Montagnola (at 2.500 meters) you can jump on board on the UNI-MOG (mini-coach WD4X4) to reach 2.800 meters. Hiking to reach 2.920 meters.

This option is not included and do need to pay an ascent fee (to be paid directly on the spot).

*OPTIONAL VISIT IN TAORMINA:
The visit of the Greek Theatre and of the Museum of Arts and Folk Traditions is not included.
-Greek Theatre entrance fee: Euro 8,00 per person to be paid directly on the spot.
-Museum of Arts and Folk Traditions entrance fee: Euro 2,60 per person to be paid directly on the spot.

TOUR DETAILS & BOOKING INFORMATION

IMPORTANT:
This tour is guaranteed with minimum 2 people and will be operated with maximum 8 people per each vehicle. Number of vehicles per each day is subject to availability.

PICK-UP DETAILS:
Please be ready from 8:15am at your Hotel Lobby. Pick-up may be around 8:30am.

LANGUAGE:
This is a multilanguage tour (Italian/English/French/Spanish/German).

ASCENT FEES:
The price of this excursion does not include the Ascent Fees. Optional independent ascent to the top (weather and volcanic conditions permitting) with cable car and jeep.

DRESS CODE:
-from January to May & from October to December: pack winter coat and dress sturdy shoes or hiking boots;
-from June to September: pack a waterproof shell and dress in layers. Dress comfortable shoes or sneakers; do not forget you sun screen, sun glasses and sun hat.
We recommend to check weather conditions and to be prepared for higher altitudes of Etna. The tour runs rain or shine.

AS REGARDS THE VISIT TO TAORMINA, IT IS A WALKING TOUR:
Taormina is a hill-village with a glossy sheen of glamour. Taormina has two important gates: Porta Messina (Messina Gate) & Porta Catania (Catania Gate). Between the two gates there is an important street under the name of CORSO UMBERTO STREET. The two gates are far away each other less than one mile (approx. 700 meters). Corso Umberto is pedestrian and ideal for strolling and window-shopping. Walking in this street, that is the core of the town rich of bar, shops, pottery and more, indulge you in the Taormina atmosphere. A drink at the tables of Caffè Wunderbar (or similar) in Piazza IX Aprile may set you back a few euros, but you’ll be basking where Tennessee Williams and Elizabeth Taylor basked before you. Given its compact size, Taormina has a huge range of bars, cafes and restaurants where you can while away pleasant hours while admiring the views. Picturesque lanes above and below the Corso are interesting to explore, while, if you are interested in archaeological sites, we suggest you to visit the famed Greek-Roman Theatre.

OPERATED BY:
This tour will be operated by a local supplier (all details after Confirmation).
The supplier reserves the right to cancel trips under exceptional circumstances or for insufficient number of participants even after Confirmation. In such cases passengers will be promptly informed and offered an alternative tour and if the tour is a lower or higher cash value passengers will be take care to pay difference or will receive a refund. If passengers will refuse the alternative tour, the full amount paid will be refunded.

TOUR CODE: TRIBEETTAO