SHORE EXCURSIONS

Delight in the medieval character of Taormina while strolling its atmospheric streets and admiring landmarks such the Greek theater from the 2nd century. After departing from the pier, you will have a short panoramic tour of Messina. Continuing along the coast to the south, you will approach Taormina, an ancient city that rises almost perpendicularly from the sea. It’s a beautiful setting with an alluring medieval character, as you will discover while navigating its narrow, cobbled streets. As French author Guy de Maupassant wrote of his stay in 1883, “Were a man to pass a single day in Sicily and ask, ‘What must one see?’ I would answer him without hesitation, Taormina.” Among the highlights are the Arabian-influenced Palazzo Corvaja and the ruins of a 2nd-century Greek theater. It sits on a seaside hilltop with a view of Mount Etna that is so inspiring that it can detract from the entertainers that still perform there in the summer. After visiting, you will enjoy free time to wander about the areas that interest you the most. You might take in the views from the fragrant public garden or shop along boutique-lined Corso Umberto. The most popular merchandise includes designer fashions, jewelry and colorful ceramic pine cones, a Sicilian symbol of hospitality.

Enjoy free time in medieval Taormina and then see the aftermath of Mount Etna’s eruptions by stopping at a hardened lava flow and sampling wines grown in volcanic soil. While exploring Taormina, you might visit the Arabian-influenced Palazzo Corvaja or the ruins of the 2nd-century Greek theatre. It sits on a seaside hilltop with an inspiring view of Mount Etna. Or you may prefer to shop for designer fashions and exquisite jewelry along boutique-lined Corso Umberto. Not far from town, you will pause at now-hardened river of lava from a 1992 eruption of Mount Etna. While lava can be devastating, on the positive side, it contains nutrients that enrich the soil and lend a distinct flavor to the grapes grown in it. During a wine tasting at a country estate, you will sample several Etna-certified Sicilian wines that may include a classic red made from local Nerello Mascalese grapes. As an accompaniment, local specialties will be served.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Spend free time exploring atmospheric Taormina and perhaps browsing its designer boutiques.
• Pause for photos of a now-hardened river of lava that came dangerously close to several villages.
• Sample distinctive wines produced from grapes grown in volcanic soil from Mt. Etna.

Your city drive takes you through the main squares and sites of Messina. Stop at Cristo Re Church’s viewpoint. Continue your sightseeing along the north coast, with views of Ganzirri Lakes, Messina Strait and Capo Peloro.

Before returning to your ship, you’ll stop at Cathedral Square with its astronomical clock tower and have a chance to visit the cathedral and the treasure rooms. Here you can see Golden Manta, of Our Lady of the Letter, among other other historical and artistic works.

OVERVIEW

Sample a thoughtful selection of wines at Cantine Gulino, a family-run estate that produces wines from grapes that were once nearly extinct. As an introduction to the wine-making, you will follow the guide through the vineyards where historical grape varieties such as Albanello and Moscato di Siracusa flourish. The latter is one of the oldest grape varieties found in Italy. You will also learn about Cantine Gulino’s wine production step by step and how the process has changed since 1793, when the family started making wine. Be sure to notice the ancient grape-pressing millstone that pre-dates the family’s wine endeavors. After the tour, you will enjoy a tasting of wines that will be chosen that day. They may include a Insolia, persistent taste with floral hint, a ruby-red blend made from Nero d’Avola grapes and a golden-yellow Moscato dessert wine. The wines will be paired with Sicilian delicacies.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour the winery Cantine Gulino, which the same family has owned since 1793.
• Walk through vineyards where grapes that were once nearly extinct now flourish.
• Sample some of most distinctive wines paired with Sicilian delicacies.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Start with a brief introductory drive through Messina on your way to enchanting Taormina, a town with medieval character and great charm. Its natural drama is enhanced by the bold backdrop of Mt. Etna. Your walking tour takes you down narrow lanes, passing the Palazzo Corvaia, en route to the impressive Greek Theater. Here you’ll have time to wander at Corso Umberto, with many narrow streets lined with shops. Headed for Mt. Etna, the scenic road winds around the mountain, passing picturesque towns. Continue to Cratere Silvestri, situated over 6,000 feet above sea level. From this vantage point you’ll have stunning views of the Gulf of Catania and surrounding areas. But of course, the major attraction is the crater and the remnants of the awe-inspiring streams of lava. Enjoy a lunch in a local restaurant.

Gain a historical insight into the town of Noto, which was almost entirely rebuilt in a late Baroque style following a devastating earthquake in 1693. Seven other towns in eastern Sicily were also reconstructed, and UNESCO has recognized them collectively as a World Heritage site for their architecture. They feature distinctive innovations in town planning and urban building, as you will discover while walking through Noto, the most visited of the towns. The honey-hued limestone used in many of its buildings seems to radiate in the sunlight, giving the entire city a soothing glow. Architectural highlights include the church of San Domenico, especially its decorative façade, interior frescoes and complex wrought-iron work. The cathedral is also well worth noting, as it has been brought back to its former glory after its cupola collapsed in a 1996 earthquake. During free time, you might browse the shops on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the main avenue.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy an enlightening walking tour of Noto, a town noted for its late Baroque architecture.
• Notice the innovative town planning that contributed to Noto being named a World Heritage site.
• Behold Baroque-style gems such as the church of San Domenico and Noto’s cathedral.
• Spend free time browsing the boutiques along the main avenue.

Spend a full and delightful day exploring two medieval villages on craggy hills overlooking the sea, each setting with its own personality.

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a scenic drive south to Taormina, an ancient city that rises almost perpendicularly from the sea. It’s a beautiful setting with an alluring medieval character, as you will discover while strolling its narrow, cobblestone streets.

Among the highlights are the Arabian-influenced Palazzo Corvaja and the ruins of a 2nd-century Greek theater. It sits on a seaside hilltop with a view of Mount Etna that is so inspiring that it can detract from the entertainers that still perform there in the summer.

After visiting, you will enjoy free time to explore on your own, taking in the views from the fragrant public garden or shopping along boutique-lined Corso Umberto. The most popular merchandise includes designer fashions, jewelry and colorful ceramic pine cones, a Sicilian symbol of hospitality.

A bit farther inland and above Taormina, you will find the village of Castelmola, which arguably boasts even better views. Although first fortified in the 9th century, Castelmola was repeatedly attacked and the ruins of the castle that remain are from the 16th century.

Like Taormina, Castelmola is wonderfully atmospheric with cobblestone streets and lovely squares flanked by small shops. Still, it’s the breathtaking views that will linger long in your memory. Before returning to the pier, you will enjoy a traditional Sicilian lunch and perhaps a glass of almond-flavored wine, the local specialty.

Explore Ragusa and Modica, two ancient towns that became World Heritage sites for their Baroque architecture. A massive earthquake in 1693 affected both towns, including the way the rebuilt sections were subsequently laid out. While walking through the atmospheric Old Town of Ragusa, you will see treasures such as the Latin cross-shaped Cathedral of St. George. A rocky crest links this old section to the more modern part of Ragusa. Similarly, Modica features two distinct areas: a lower town and an upper town perched above the confluence of two rivers. Following a traditional Sicilian lunch in Modica, you will see the gloriously ornate St. Peter’s Church atop a monumental Baroque staircase. Modica is also well-known for its chocolate, which is typically made from an Aztec recipe that conquistadors introduced to Spain. The recipe made its way to Modica when Spain ruled Sicily. While sampling the chocolate, you will notice that its texture is grainy rather than creamy.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Discover how Ragusa and Modica were rebuilt in a Baroque style following a 1693 earthquake.
• Recognize the innovative urban planning that earned the towns World Heritage site designations.
• See churches that reflect the Baroque style that was prominent in Sicily in the 18th century.
• Sample chocolate made from an Aztec recipe that Spain introduced when it ruled Sicily.

Delve into the fascinating history of eastern Sicily by browsing the Neapolis archaeological park in Siracusa and the old town of Ortygia. The Roman amphitheater in the park was buried for centuries until excavated in the 1800s. Although the amphitheater is certainly the centerpiece of the park, there will be plenty more to explore there, including the largest altar from antiquity, an impressive Greek theater and a series of caverns that once served as a prison. The Ear of Dionysus cavern features extraordinary acoustics that greatly amplify even the slightest sound. You will discover even more about the local history after crossing the bridge to the island of Ortygia. The Temple of Apollo there dates to the 6th century BC, and its imposing size is evident despite being in ruins. You will also see a wealth of more recent architectural gems, including 15th-century palaces and a Baroque-style cathedral built over the remains of a Doric temple.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Meander through the extraordinary ruins of an archaeological park in Siracusa.
• See the oldest Doric temple in Western Europe on the island of Ortygia.
• Gain a historical understanding of eastern Sicily through architecture that spans the centuries.

Nowhere does the antiquity and scenic splendor of Sicily come to life as in Taormina, whose spectacular location overlooks the Ionian Sea and has attracted visitors for more than 20 centuries. Here, bougainvillea is splashed about as if by a painter’s brush and dusty olive groves shimmer in the midday sun. Enjoy an orientation drive of Messina before arriving in Taormina, where you’ll start your walking tour. You’ll walk through the town to the impressive Greek Theater while your guide points out many other interesting sites. Enjoy some free time to wander the shops around Corso Umberto.

Continue towards the slopes of Mt. Etna along the scenic winding road to visit a local vineyard. Here, you’ll visit the wine cellars in the company of an expert and best of all, enjoy an assortment of local specialties and of course the local wines.

Enjoy free time in medieval Taormina, and then see the aftermath of Mount Etna’s eruptions by stopping at a hardened lava flow and sampling wines grown in volcanic soil.

After departing from the pier, you will drive through the center of Messina, which will offer a brief but enlightening introduction to this historical city on the northernmost point of Sicily’s Ionian coast. To the south lies the medieval village of Taormina, where you will enjoy free time to explore its narrow, cobblestone streets.

History buffs might visit the Arabian-influenced Palazzo Corvaja or the ruins of the 2nd-century Greek theater. It sits on a seaside hilltop with a view of Mount Etna that is so inspiring that it can detract from the entertainers that still perform there. Or you may prefer to shop for designer fashions and exquisite jewelry along boutique-lined Corso Umberto.

Rejoining your coach, you’ll travel into the countryside and before long, come upon a hardened wall of lava, the result of Mount Etna’s violent eruption in 1992. The lava came dangerously close to several villages, as you will see when pausing for photos.

While lava can be devastating, on the positive side, it contains nutrients that enrich the soil and lend a distinct flavor to the grapes grown in it, as you will discover at an estate wine tasting. You will sample several Etna-certified Sicilian wines that may include a classic red made from local nerello mascalese grapes. Then after browsing the gift shop, you will return to the pier.

After a short sightseeing tour of Messina’s Piazza Duomo, you’ll continue to Savoca, a village where scenic beauty and historical,artistic heritage make it one of the most attractive, although less-known places in the area. At the entrance to the village you’ll make a short stop at ‘Bar Vitelli’, which houses a collection of local artisans’ tools and photographs taken when Francis Ford Coppola shot some scenes for the movie 'The Godfather'. You’ll visit the Cappuccini Church and see 37 mummified bodies of friars and noble people who lived there in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Then start a slow walk along the village’s main street which climbs up the hill, featuring several churches dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Along your walk you’ll also see ruins of a Norman castle and magnificent views. Continue to Forza d’Agro, a charming little village overlooking the Arab-Norman Castle of Capo Sant'Alessio and the coastline towards Messina. In 1990, Al Pacino and Sophia Coppola came here when they filmed some scenes for the movie 'The Godfather III'. From the main square, you’ll walk up a lane that leads to the Gothic-Catalan portal in front of the Church of San Agostino and you’ll also see the Baroque Mother Church before driving back to the pier.