Taormina and Mt Etna Full day from the ports of Giardini Naxos, Messina or Catania On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver. Your first visit will be of the beautiful town of Taormina, including the picturesque ruins of the Greek Theatre, which have inspired many writers, artists and musicians. From the theatre you can admire magnificent panoramic views over the Straits of Messina, the Ionian Sea and Mt Etna. After free time for shopping and exploring, you will drive up the slopes of Europe’s largest active volcano, through vineyards and villages, to a height of 6,000ft over sea level, where you can explore some extinct craters and lava flows. Return to your ship in the afternoon.

Mt Etna to the top Full day from the ports of Giardini Naxos, Messina or Catania(excursion with cable-car not included) On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver. You will then enjoy a comfortable drive up the slopes of Europe’s largest active volcano, through vineyards and villages, to a height of 6,000ft over sea level. From this point you will proceed by cable-car and 4 wheel drive minibuses to the highest possible point on one of the active craters, continuing on foot over the lava streams to observe the latest volcanic phenomena, accompanied by a mountain guide. Return to your ship in the afternoon.

Taormina and the Alcantara Gorge Full day from the ports of Giardini Naxos, Messina or Catania, optional lunch euro 35,oop.p. On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver. The first part of the day will be dedicated to Taormina, including the picturesque ruins of the Greek Theatre, which have inspired many writers, artists and musicians. From the theatre you can admire magnificent panoramic views over the Straits of Messina, the Ionian Sea and Mt Etna. After free time for shopping and exploring, you will proceed to a local farm for a lunch consisting of delicious Sicilian dishes, prepared exclusively with local produce, and local wine. After lunch, a short drive will bring you to the famed Alcantara Gorge, a nature reserve at the point along the course of the River Alcantara where it was crossed by an ancient lava stream, creating impressive basaltic formations. Return to your ship in the afternoon.

Savoca and Mt Etna Full day from the ports of Giardini Naxos, Messina or Catania On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before driving to the lovely little hilltop village of Savoca, where Francis Ford Coppola filmed ‘The Godfather’ in 1972, and still quite unspoilt. Take a stroll along the blissfully peaceful street as far as the church of Santa Lucia, where the Godfather’s son Michael marries Appolonia in the movie, and relax in the tiny square. Afterwards enjoy a comfortable drive up the slopes of Mt Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano, through vineyards and villages, to a height of 6,000ft over sea level. Free time for exploring the extinct craters and lava flows and to have a snack, before returning to your ship in the afternoon.

Syracuse Full day from the ports of Giardini Naxos or Catania – Optional lunch euro 35,oo p.p. On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before departing for Syracuse, founded by Corinthian settlers in 733 bc, and which became one of the most powerful cities of Magna Graecia, with an enormous population. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival, you will visit the Archaeological Park, with the 1^st century AD Roman Amphitheatre, the enormous Altar of Hieron II, built about 240 bc for the annual sacrifices to Zeus of 450 bulls, the Greek Theatre, inaugurated by Aeschylus in 476 bc, and the stone quarry known as the Latomy of Paradise, famous for its luxuriant vegetation and the strange man-made cave called the Ear of Dionysius. Continue over to the island of Ortygia, where you will find the medieval city and the splendid cathedral, originally the 5^th-century bc temple of Athena. Free time for lunch, before returning to your ship.

Messina and Milazzo Full day from the port of Messina, optional lunch euro 35,oo per person On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before proceeding along the panoramic north coast of the island as far as the fascinating old town of Milazzo, with its remarkable Citadel, where you will visit the castle, built by the Arabs in the 10^th century on the site of the Greek acropolis, and some of the old churches. A beautiful drive along the peninsular called Capo Milazzo follows, as far as the tiny church suspended over the coast, said to mark the spot where St Anthony found refuge after a shipwreck in January 1221. After a delicious Sicilian lunch featuring the locally-caught seafood, return to Messina to visit the cathedral square. The cathedral, one of the grandest Norman churches in Sicily, was totally destroyed several times in the course of its history, by earthquakes as in 1908, or by fire, as when it was hit by a fire-bomb during World War II, but it has patiently and lovingly been reconstructed every time. By the church is the lovely 16^th-century Fountain of Orion, built by a student of Michelangelo, and the Clock Tower, which chimes at noon. Return to your ship.

Messina and Cefalù (ONLY FOR 9 HOURS EXCURSION) Full day from the port of Messina, optional lunch euro 35,oo per person On disembarking, you will be greeted by your driver, before proceeding along the panoramic north coast of the island as far as Cefalù, a beautiful old fishing town with a stunning cathedral, built by King Roger II in 1132. Inside the cathedral you will admire the exquisite mosaics, the oldest and best-preserved in Sicily, made by craftsmen brought from Constantinople by Roger himself. Free time to explore the tiny cobbled streets for shopping, or to visit the medieval laundry, or the Mandralisca Museum, the private collection of an aristocrat, with a famous portrait by Antonello da Messina of an Unknown Man, perhaps a sailor. Painted perhaps in 1470, the man’s gaze is unforgettable. Lunch will include typical Sicilian fare, and locally-caught seafood. After lunch, return to Messina and drive through the centre to see the cathedral square, with the lovely church, the Clock Tower, and the Fountain of Orion, before returning to your ship. -Full day is up to 8 hours (Cefalu’ 9/10 hours). -Service by driverguide or driver AND guide, fuel, tolls, parkings included. -Supplement for authorized guide full day euro 70,oo per vehicle. -Entrance fees to museums and monuments are NOT included in the price.

 Driver/guide cannot not enter museums and archeological areas (due to government restrictions).  For a nominal fee, we can include the services of an authorized “red-badge” guide that will enter all monuments with you as your guide. 

Pricing includes taxes where stated. In Canada, GST/HST included. Country taxes that must be paid locally are not included.  Prices listed were correct at time of publication.  Prices can change to reflect exchange rate changes. Custom World Vacations reserves the right to amend prices at any time without prior notice.  All vacations are subject to availability.