Day By Day

ITINERARY:
Etna Volcano & Taormina (Maximum 8 hours)
Today you are greeted at Taormina-Giardini Naxos port and drive to Etna Natural Park-South Side (Rifugio Sapienza)  a beautiful Volcano rich in sounds, perfumes, and colors.
On arrival, those interested in experiencing the Etna craters will have the option to purchase cable car tickets on the spot (weather and volcanic conditions permitting) to experience the lava fields and incredible landscape view from Europe’s highest and most active volcano on their own. Reaching Etna Refuge at 1900 mts we will have time for trekking or optional ascent to the area of the main craters with authorized alpine guides. Optional light lunch at local winery-farmhouse (rate and conditions are available on request and subject to availability). Afterward, we drive along the coast to Taormina, the world famous resort town of Sicily, known for its views and atmosphere. This is one of the most visited spots with the Greek Amphitheater, whose construction was cut out of the hillside by the Greeks, remodeled by the Romans and, fragmented by the Arabs. On arrival time to rest or independent visit to the amazing Greek-Theatre (admission fee: charge). This afternoon back to Taormina-Giardini Naxos port.

Cruise Schedule:
We will customize this excursion based on your Cruise Schedule. 

ETNA EXCURSION DETAILS
How to Ascent to the TOP: a climb up the volcano can be approached from the south or the north, both routes offering different views and contrasting qualities. 

IMPORTANT: On arrival to Etna South Side-Rifugio Sapienza you will find some gift-shop and a bar. You can explore the area on your own or rest or you can catch on the cable car to ascent to the top. More information as below specified. READ also with CARE our information regarding equipments ... are really useful.

Ascent From Rifugio Sapienza (Etna south) - approx 1.900 m.
There are various ways of approaching the southern slopes of the volcano, which is the bleaker side, where concentrations of black lava form a lunar-like landscape. All along the edge runs a ring of little towns, where dark lava stone has been largely used to pave streets, to ornament the doorways and windows of the houses, to fashion awesome black masks with exaggerated menace and to articulate the lines of the churches.
On arrival to Rifugio Sapienza at approx 1900 m, we will find the Funivia dell'Etna-Etna cable car ride. The transport service of the cableway is functional year round, offering you the breathtaking sensation of Mt. Etna, the tallest volcano in Europe. The cable-car begins at 1900 m above sea level on Mt. Etna, then arrives at Montagnola, which is 2500 m to a position from which it is possible to access to the crater excursions. From here, the guided excursions by WD-coach/jeep commence, going to the crater summits of the volcano from March until November, while acting as skier transport for the remaining months of the year, snow permitting!

(Details) - The Cableway Station has a cable-car which leaves from the height of 1910 m. above sea level.
We have two different way to enjoy this excursion:

-Cable-Car only-max duration 2 hours from Rifugio Sapienza area (1900 m) travel up to 2500 m. On arrival you can rest or walk around on your own.
In this case the round trip cable-car ticket costs eur 27,00 per person.
- Etna package-max duration 3 hours (included of round trip Etna cable-car, WD4x4-coach/jeep, Etna Alpine Guide) from Rifugio Sapienza area (1900 m) travel up with cable-car to 2500 m. From here you will meet the Etna Alpine Guide and the WD4x4 to reach 2920m and enjoy also a guided walking around.
In this case the Etna package costs eur 51,00 per person.

Understand: The mountain has an amazing volcanic landscape, with solidifed "rivers" of lava. It is used for skiing in winter, so be prepared for the cold at this altitude, even in summer. Even in good weather in summer, sometimes the top of the mountain is covered in cloud, especially during the afternoon, obscuring the wonderful views. We recommend to visit the Etna Volcano during the morning.

 

Equipment: Whether aiming for high or low altitudes, it is important to remember that termperatures can plummet even here in Sicily. It is therefore advisable to carry a thick sweater, a wind-cheater and appropriate footwear (preferably hiking boots suitable for walking through snow higher up). Those arriving without suitable attire can, however, hire jackets and boots locally (subject to availability). It is also advisable to have sun glasses and sun screen to hand for the sunlight can be dazzling when reflected off the snow and the ultra-violet can be deceptively powerful in the clear mountain air.

 

HighLights

Etna Volcano: the beatiful volcano
Taormina: the resort town of Sicily with an amazing Greek Theatre

 

Details

IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
We customized this excursion using a Driver-Guide (or Driver Escort). A Driver Guide is a chauffeurs (or driver) specialized to drive you around our amazing island. He is able to provide basic historical information, he can show you the main highlights ... he is knowledgeable and he has an umbrella of information.  Our Driver Guide will take care to give adequate time at all stops and to accommodate special requests when possible, he will
assure that your experience in Sicily will be both memorable and enjoyable.

The Driver Guide is not a Licensed Tourist Guide (Licensed Tourist Guide: are the only professionals -- with a Regional license -- permitted to conduct visits and tours in all sites and museums within a city) and he cannot escort you inside the monuments because this is not allowed by Italian Rules. In case you need a Licensed Tourist Guide you must pay a surcharge and we will arrange for Licensed Guide to meet you directly on the spot.

LICENSED TOURIST GUIDE (Service is available on request)
This excursion doesn't include Licensed Tourist Guide.
We are able to book this service on request, subject to availability.

ADMISSION FEE:
The price of this excursion does not include the Admission Fees, which are usually around Euros 8,00 per person payable directly on the spot. If you are over 65 or under 18 years old and you have EU or Commonwealth Passport,  the admission fees are free of charge for you showing your document (or copy of your document) on the spot.

GRATUITIES (We Suggest): 
- The suggested amount for the Driver Guide have to be an average between EURO 30,00 to EURO 50,00 (for a full day excursion) per day based on the efficiency and service you receive.
-Gratuities to restaurants are never included in the bill.  The restaurant cover charge is not a tip.  If paying with credit cards in Italy & Sicily, please be so kind as to pay your tip separately in cash to the waiter.  This should be 10% of the total bill.
-The use of public toilets requires a payment to the attendant of EURO 0,30 cents. Public toilet charge EURO 0,50 cents.

DISABLED TRAVELERS:
Please advise us in advance if you will arrive in Sicily with a folding wheelchair or with a cane. This is because we need to verify if our excursion fit you needs.

WHAT TO PACK?
The most important ingredient to a successful excursion is exploration.  Please pack comfortable walking shoes. Sicily has a lot of steps and archaeological sites, so please pack accordingly.  For city walking, wear comfortable shoes or athletic shoes. 

CLOTHING:
Whole essays can be written about the Italians' relationships with clothes. Some observations:
1. Sometimes clothing rules are written. To visit a church or religious site you will need to cover yourself up; no bare backs, chests, shoulders and sometimes no bare knees. Sometimes museums and other attractions can also be strict; no bathing suits, for example. If you want to visit a church or religious site it's a good idea to carry a shawl or something with you so you can cover up. Even where there are no written rules, please use good judgement and respect the customs of the area....you're not at home and a little more "prudent" behavior is always appreciated by locals.
2. Italians are very conformist about clothing; everyone wears the same fashions, from teenagers to grannies, which can be shocking at times. And it's normal to be glared at if you are not wearing the latest customised jeans or super hip boots.
3. It's important not to judge people by their choice of clothing. Styles do not necessarily carry the same connotations in Italy that they would in other countries. A woman in fishnets, stilettos and miniskirt with caked-on makeup at eight in the morning is probably just going to work in a bank. Almost all youths lounge about in skin-tight t-shirts with their rear-ends squishing out of jeans.

ADVICE FOR WOMEN:
"Sexual harassment" is not regarded in the same way in Sicily-Italy as in other countries. The general atmosphere is pretty unreconstructed, and women should be prepared for attention :-). However, the tone of this "attention" is generally less aggressive than you may be used to. Men will call out compliments such as "bona" (beautiful in Sicilian language) instead of muttering crude suggestions. And culturally, these comments are not seen as insults; if you respond angrily or insultingly everyone will be very surprised. Whereas women of other nationalities may be used to telling strangers (in no uncertain terms) to shut up and go away, in Sicily the norm is to ignore the attention. In any case, responding in English or in imperfect Italian will only encourage more attention. It's best to do as the Sicilian-Italian women do, and sail past with your head held high. If you avoid eye contact and don't respond, you are extremely unlikely to be pursued or hassled further.

SMOKING:
Since January 2005, smoking has been banned in all enclosed public places that do not offer sealed off rooms equipped with smoke extractors. The controversial new law covers i.e. bars, restaurants, offices, public buildings, public transports and cinemas. Smokers face fines is up to EURO 275, whilst businesses could be hit for EURO 2.000.

CURRENCY:
-The EURO is the currency accepted in Italy. The preferred method of payment is the EURO or a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). 
-Traveler’s checks are not welcomed by local merchants.
-Check with your bank to determine whether or not your ATM card will work overseas and find out what is the maximum amount of cash is that can be dispensed on a daily basis. (Note:  The maximum amount available for withdrawl in Europe is usually less for “foreign” ATM cards.  If you try to withdraw an amount and have problems, try again selecting a smaller amount to withdraw).
-If you do not have a cash card, you can go to the currency desk and they will exchange your currency into EURO.  The other option is to go to your local bank BEFORE leaving your country and obtain EURO.  Please do this well in advance of your trip as some local banks might need to order EURO from their main branch.

GENERAL SAFETY:
Sicily is a pretty safe island. You should take obvious precautions, as in any city around the world, such as keeping any bags and possessions under your control and being alert for bag-snatchers and pickpockets in crowded places.

Sicilian Dialect:
Sicilian (u sicilianu, Italian: lingua siciliana, also known as Siculu) is a Romance language. Its dialects comprise the Italiano Meridionale-estremo language group, which are spoken on the island of Sicily and its satellite islands; Some assert that Sicilian represents the oldest Romance language derived from Vulgar Latin (Privitera, 2004), but this is not a widely-held view amongst linguists. For instance, Cipolla describes such a view as radical.
It is currently spoken by the majority of the inhabitants of Sicily and by immigrant populations around the world. The latter are to be found in the countries which attracted large numbers of Sicilian immigrants during the course of the past century or so, especially the United States, Canada, Australia and Argentina. In the past two or three decades, large numbers of Sicilians were also attracted to the industrial zones of northern Italy and indeed the rest of the European Union, especially Germany. Sicilian is not recognized as an official language anywhere in the world, even within Italy. There is currently no central body, in Sicily or elsewhere, that regulates the language in any way. The autonomous regional parliament of Sicily has legislated to encourage the teaching of Sicilian at all schools, but inroads into the education system have been slow.

 

What's Included

Departure - Prices