Excursions in Sicily
Taormina with Castelmola and its astonishing surroundings.
it was already inhabited by the Siculi and Sicani people since from XV.C. B.C.
then become "Ancient Greece" after have had different settlements until at Spanish period. We prefer to start whit sightseeing tour, to enjoy the picturesque Taormina water front; Isola Bella bay, we continued by visiting some unique panoramic views of Mt. Etna, Naxos and Italian Peninsula, afterwards we'll drive up-hill towards Castelmola Village, here also breathtaking scenes, in same time you can stroll around for the alleys of this quaint and idyllic center, on way back to Taormina we stop to visit Madonna della Rocca XVI.C. chapel sculpted in rock and more fabulous views right from the top of Taormina, afterwards you'll be left on your own at the pedestrian area to explore the historical center. I will give you some information of the most important site -The Greek-Roman amphitheater ;Palace Corvaja XIV.C.; St. Catherine of Alexandria Church XVI.C.; Roman Odeon; Square IX April;
Baroque Fountain whit Taormina mythological emblem,Centuripe.
Along the way you can admire a variety of narrow stairways adorned by flowers,
and fascinating corners that depicts part of Sicilian life style.
The Greek Syracuse & Ortigia Island plus local market;
I suggest starting at 08.00am. we drive towards Syracuse where we can be at 09.30am. to start
your visit from NEAPOLIS area of Syracuse that was founded by Greek Corinthians around 700BC. Syracuse was one of the most important colonies of " Magna Grecia ".
Cicerone had described it as ' ' the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all' '.
I suggest first to enjoy The Greek amphitheatre with the Ear of Dionysus and the small Roman Coliseum, L'ara di Ierone and Latomie, After we drive towards the Island of Ortigia locate in opposite zone of the Town, Ortigia is a charming and picturesque site, we begin a visit from the Local Market, where you still can see the oldest customs Arab-Sicilian, here it's possible to enjoy your lunch, in a nice way to meet our typical street food, with some charming and unusual atmosphere, where sellers scream and sing to sell their products ! well... with an appetite satisfied, you will follow the visit to meet other curiosities and historic sites like the Apollo Temple ruins, from where you stroll in the oldest alleys of this quaint centre . Once will reached Duomo square where it found the Cathedral that was in origin a majestic temple dedicated to the Greek Athena God, this temple was transformed to a Christian Basilica, today is a brilliant example of baroque architecture. In this square you can also visit a St. Lucia chapel which treasures a painting by the famous Caravaggio, which representing the dramatic burial moment of St.Lucia, she was beheaded in 304 after Christ, then visit at waterfront to see Arethusa fountain with Papyrus, afterwards will show you how the artisans produce handcrafted the paper from the Papyrus.
After all this we start to drive back to your stay.
The Southern Sicilian Baroque of Noto, Modica & Ragusa Ibla.
This tour is a full-immersion inside three Unesco Heritage Site in Sicily, where we will found the real Sicilian Baroque in the eastern Southern part of our Island among this wonderful charming Towns. We'll begin from the oldest centre of " Ragusa Ibla " where a wide scenery of Baroque architecture, one of the most fabulous site is the Square with The Cathedral of San Giorgio where still can admire the Catalan-Gothyic style portal, then on a narrow winding street you can enjoy many different palaces and churchs, included the ancient arch of Saint George nearby the garden, before leave this town we can also enjoy some typical cheese tasting (Caciocavallo the most famous), after this we drive to Modica, this ancient Baroque town famous in the world for it's special unique chocolate, absolutely you must enjoy an delicious chocolate tasting to Bonajuto Antique Chocolates.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdWIxqae3so , after this we will bring you to Apostles church, just in front the Pastry, without forget to show you the oldest Modica before traveling to Noto,The antique town was built in 1703, we go inside from the gate "Porta Reale" from there you go inside the main street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele along which we can admire numerous 18th century beautiful palaces of incredible architectural value.
We start with Palace Ducezio where you will enjoy the mirrors hall with huge paintings in 3D. then the restored big Cathedral and the Theatre,honestly many palaces and churchs awaiting for your visit in this town. the list can goes on we will see on time if continue!
The Agrigento Greek Temples Valley.
I suggest to start at 08am, during a leisurely transfer we will take care to show and described our fabulous landscape, with the various agricultural growing areas, (Almond, Olive, Grapes, Lemmon, Orange ect...! ) in the spring time it will be wonderful to see the trees in blossom. The Greek colony of Akragas was founded in 580BC. This domination lasted about 370 years, during which, Akragas acquired great power and glory. Pindar had described as " The most beautiful city of mortals". This area has bee listed as UNESCO HERITAGE. You we'll enjoy the extraordinary treasures are situated in this area; ConcordiaTemple is the best preserved of ancient times, although we don't know exactly to whom it was dedicated, we'll appreciate its full elegance. This Temple reached us in such a good condition because in the sixth century was transformed to a church, then follow to visit the Temple of Juno, Hercules, Castor,Pollux ( Agrigento Symble) Built in honor of the twin sons of Sparta and Jupiter this visit usually require 2 hours to enjoy a nice walk from the top to the bottom, after if you would like can enjoy also one of the most important Archeological museum in mediterranean area " Pietro Griffo ". On request we can suggest for your lunch, after this pleasure we start to drive back towards Taormina.
Catania and the unique Lavic-rock Baroque centre, Fish Market & Cyclops Coast in Acitrezza.
Catania is an amazing city situated along the Jonian coast of Sicily under the magnificent Mt. Etna, a devastating volcanic eruption in 1669 destroyed part of the city and 1693 a catastrophic earthquake completed it. Although this bad event, the inhabitants were ready to rebuild Catania, this time in Baroque style to instruct the architect G.B. Vaccarini. Here can visit the Duomo Square and its Cathedral, where can enjoy also the Symbol of this town an Elephant carved in lava rock very close also the huge Typical FISH MARKET,Sunday closed. after the Roman amphitheatre and in sightseeing views Ursino Castle, Bellini Theatre, Via Crociferi or the way of the convents as it is better know. After, we drive to the nearby village of Acicastello to enjoy gorgeous see landscape with its castle built by the Normans on top of the dark basalt rock in the second half of the XI century. Acicastello a terraced slope of Volcanic origin, from here we'll continue to the village of Acitrezza to see the scenic three rocks of the Cyclops Coast... were Mt. Etna generate first eruption 600.000 years ago.
After St. Maria la Scala a fishing village with a view of the Park "La Timpa".
Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina & It's Roman Mosaic
The ancient tower town of Enna & Piazza Armerina with it's Roman Mosaic in Villa del Casale. We'll drive you to this charming tour in the diversity of the landscapes of central Sicily to reach Enna. The peculiar situation of Enna is described by several authors, and is indeed one of the most remarkable in Sicily. Enna is surrounded by precipitous cliffs almost wholly inaccessible except a very few spots which are easily to defender. Having a fine plain or table land of about 5 km in circumference on the summit, it forms one of the most remarkable natural fortresses in the world. The most important monuments of Enna is (Lombardy Castle), perhaps the most important example of military architecture in Sicily. It was built by Sicanians, rebuilt by Frederick II of Sicily and restructured under Frederick II of Aragon. The castle, which bears this name because of the garrison of Lombard troops that defended it in Norman times, has an irregular layout which once comprised 20 towers: of the six remaining. The Torre Pisana is the best preserved one.The castle was divided into three different spaces separated by walls: the first courtyard is home to a renowned outdoor lyric theater in which high quality shows are performed; the second one house is a large green park. In the third courtyard it is possible to see the vestiges of royal apartments, a bishop's chapel, medieval prisons and the Pisan Tower, After noon we should enjoy a really step back to the Roman era. Piazza Armerina stands at 721mt. to the Erei Mountains,in center of Sicily, this name derives from the latin "Audience" (Market Square). In 1862, " Armerina" (Castle of arms) was added to thhe village grew around it, then unfortunately damaged and perhaps destroyed during the domination of the Vandals and the Visigoths after it was in use, at least in part, during Byzantine and Arab periods. The site was abandoned in the XII C. when a landslide has covered all the villa.
Sicilian ceramics in Caltagirone and Piazza Armerina with The Roman Mosaic in Villa del Casale.
Today we are going to visit two sites that will show you part of the art and history of this island, certainly the cradle of many civilizations in the Mediterranean. We start with the best Ceramics in Sicily in Caltagirone become to this charming tour and start with the best Ceramics in Sicily in e name for the fortified centre built by the Normans in the XIth. then become famous in the world for the imposing roman villa, " Villa del Casale" and it's impressive luxurious mosaic very well preserved, one of the most largest in the world, today is one of the 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy. This villa was construct in the first quarter of the IV.AD. How long the villa kept this role isn't known, maybe less than 150 years. The complex remained inhabited and tCaltagirone become very famous in the world for the staircase built with handmade pottery,unique. The Ceramics has ancient origins: the first ovens date back to the Normans and Muslims and witness to an activity that has never been extinguished over the centuries. Over time, the Sicilian artisans well know adapt a bit the technique decorative giving evidence of great originality, retaining however the Moorish motifs and traditional colors. Before start a vist we can enjoy on request a Typical Lunch here; afterwards... The old town extends along two main arteries: Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via Roma, gives as nice view of some baroque Palaces, Towers and Churchs The history bring us to our days, precious works of art from Byzantyne era, Norman and late Baroque: Cathedral of San Giuliano, Basilica of St. James, Senatorial Palace. The impressive staircase: one hundred forty-two steps that connect the upper town to lower town. The staircase was built by Joseph Giacalone at the beginning of '600, and in 1954 the risers of each step were coated with ceramic tiles, in a riot of geometric, anthropomorphic and phytomorphic. Also the Public Gardens are maybe one of the most elegant in Italy, built in 800 by Giovanni Battista Filippo Basile ( a master of Sicilian Liberty). In Piazza Municipio find the church of Santa Maria del Monte, build in 1100 and redesigned by Francesco Battaglia in the XVIIIC. has a basilica plan and houses inside interesting works of the XIIIC. of Byzantine Empire. After this we drive to stepping back to the roman era. Piazza Armerina stands at 721mt. to the Erei Mountains, this name derives from the latin "Audience" ( Market Square ). In 1862, " Armerina" (Castle of arms) was added to the name for the fortified centre built by the Normans in the XI century. Piazza Armerina is world famous for the imposing roman villa, " Villa del Casale" and it's impressive archeological of the period around the fourth century A.D. This is a luxurious roman villa with very well preserved mosaic floors of exceptional size and artistic beauty.
This site was recently included as a UNESCO W.H.S.
Roberto Mirabile. Servizio Taxi Taormina. - - P.IVA 03014780831 - - C.F.MRBRRTL042D