Duration : 8 Hours
Starting From:You’ll see such a variety of things on our private excursion to Catania, the Riviera dei Ciclopi & Castelmola from Catania! This tour gives you the natural beauty of the coastline, the grandeur of Catania, and the panoramas from Castelmola.
Features of this day trip to Catania, the Riviera dei Ciclopi &
Castelmola from Catania:
The medieval hamlet of Castelmola is one of the prettiest villages in Italy.
The focal point of the village is Piazza di Sant’Antonio, a panoramic terrace overlooking the sea, giving the viewer incredible views of the bay of Naxos, Mt. Etna and Catania. Be sure to try some of the almond wine in Antico Caffè San Giorgio, a mix of white wine, herbs and citrus, invented by the owner to welcome guests after their long and tiring trek up the hill of Mola.
Not much is left of the thousand-year-old castle of Mola (from which the town gets its name), even though it was an important and strategic fortress about 750 years ago. If you want a little exercise and breathtaking views, climb on up!
For something you don’t see every day, visit Bar Turrisi. Adorned with phallic objects it is sure to give you a smile. You have been warned!
The village of Aci Castello marks the beginning of the Riviera dei Ciclopi, a beautiful stretch of coastline wrapped in myth and legend. According to Homer’s Odyssey, the Cyclops hurled giant rocks at Ulysses and his men as they fled from the island. The Cyclops, however, had been blinded by Ulysses, so his aim wasn’t the greatest. The rocks missed Ulysses and his crew, landing in the sea just off the coast of Aci Trezza, and remain today as the unusual faraglioni sea stacks.
After passing the ancient village of Aci Castello, now a popular destination for swimming, sunning and snorkeling, we’ll reach Aci Trezza, a fishing village that was the setting of Giovanni Verga's 1881 novel I Malavoglia.
From beaches, mountains and the shimmering sea to art, architecture,
folk tradition and fantastic food it seems there’s nothing the island of Sicily
doesn’t offer. And if there’s one city that captures it all, it’s Catania.
As is so typical in this part of Sicily, Catania has fallen under the rule of just about every sort imaginable over the millennia. Founded by the Greeks in 729 BC, Catania flourished thanks to trade for several centuries. Under Rome, things really took off, with lots of building going on, in their typical fashion. It lost importance under Byzantine and Arab rule, came to prominence again under Norman rule, only to be rocked by earthquakes, plague, and volcanic eruptions in more recent centuries.
Thankfully, the House of Aragon established a university in Catania in the 15th Century, which put Catania on the upswing once more. Not even destruction by flowing lava has been able to keep Catania down: the volcanic material was in turn used to rebuild, giving Catania its nickname of “The Black City”.
The modern city delights its visitors with beautiful churches and squares. You will visit Piazza del Duomo with the splendid Cathedral of Saint Agata, the city's patron saint, a masterpiece of Baroque and Norman architecture that incorporates ancient columns taken from the Roman amphitheater. The ruins of the giant amphitheater, second only in size to the Colosseum, will fascinate lovers of ancient history and architecture, as well Castello Ursino.
And no visit to Catania would be complete without a visit to the fish market, with its colorful atmosphere, particular fragrances, and shouting fishmongers.
Included:
Not included:
*What to expect from your driver on a private day trip or shore excursion:
Our
drivers will share with you the facts and history of the places and
monuments you will be seeing from inside the vehicle. Note that drivers
in Italy are not permitted to share information once you have exited the
vehicle, nor can they accompany you on foot. You will have the
opportunity to stop in each area listed on the itinerary to explore on
your own. We can arrange a private guide for you if you wish to be
accompanied inside churches, archeological sites, and other points of
interest (additional expense; refer to the Optional Items section, if
present, or contact us for details).
Is this tour private?
Yes, the excursion is for your group only.
Is the driver also a guide?
Kindly note that our drivers are NOT licensed guides. Our drivers will share with you the facts and history of the places and monuments you will be seeing from inside the vehicle. Drivers in Italy are not permitted to share information once you have exited the vehicle, nor can they accompany you on foot. You will have the opportunity to stop in each area listed on the itinerary to explore on your own. We can arrange a private guide for you if you wish to be accompanied inside churches, archeological sites, and other points of interest.
Does this tour include lunch and admission fees to sites?
No. Lunch, admission fees, and gratuities are not included in the rate.
Do you guarantee the return to the ship on time?
In over 35 years of business, we have never caused a client to miss the boat. We have organized all itineraries to guarantee your return to the ship on time.
There will be a full charge made to your credit card for no-shows and
bookings canceled with less than 72 hours notice, including the cost of
any pre-purchased tickets. Pre-purchased tickets are not refundable
under any circumstances.
Please keep us apprised of any problems
or changes during your travels (flight delays and changes, missed
connections, port changes, etc.) and we will do our best to adapt. If
you are on a cruise ship and it does not come into port, your service
will be annulled and no penalty will apply (with the exception of
skip-the-line tickets; you will owe us for any entrance fees we have
pre-paid on your behalf, regardless of circumstances.)
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