From Volcano to Sea: Private Tour of Etna and Taormina Boat Tour with Tastings

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Porta Messina, Corso Umberto 1, 98039, Taormina, Sicily Italy

Your private English speaking local guide will meet you at your accommodation or port in Taormina or nearby towns (Giardini Naxos, Letojanni or other in Taormina area), and you will start your ascent to Etna - the highest active volcano in Europe. While you admire beautiful views of Sicilian countryside full of lemons and oranges plantations, olives and almond groves, passing by authentic Etna villages with ancient houses and churches built of lava stones, your knowledgeable and friendly guide will tell you how Etna created, about history of eruptions, culture, myths and folklore of "Mamma Etna", like Sicilians call it, and Sicily itself. The first stop will be in Zafferana Etnea - a charming village on Etna slope famous with its outstanding honey. Here, you will visit an ancient family run honey farm and taste organic food produced by the farm - honey, olive oil, olives, jams, Etna DOC wines, and Sicilian liquors. Then continue to ascend and visit a natural phenomenon - Etna lava cave where, according to the Ancient Greek legend Ulysses was confined by Polypheme, after which you will reach the plateau Rifugio Sapienza at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. Here you can feel the exceptional atmosphere of Etna volcano, admire the lunar landscapes, see the famous Silvestri Craters, refresh yourself in some bar or restaurant, and visit small shops where you can buy souvenirs made of lava. Optionally, you can ascent with cable car and jeep with the authorized Alpine Guide until 3000mt for additional fee (65 Euro). Then descend by car to the Ionian Sea, where your private boat is wainting for you, and have 1,5-hour private boat tour of Taormina coastline. While your captain navigating carefully and safely, you will see Mt.Etna and Taormina - the Pearl of the Mediterranean from the best perspective - from the sea! During the private boat tour you will explore colorful Grotta Azzura and Grotta del Giorno, fabulous Isola Bella, rocky Capo Taormina, charming Bay of Mazzaro, beautiful Gulf of Giardini Naxos and Bay of Mermaids. Refresh yourself swimming in crystal waters of the Ionian Sea, and then enjoy traditional Sicilian lunch with wines served on board. Taste organic locally produced food - cheeses, salami, prosciutto, typical Sicilian relish caponata, olives, vegetables, extra-virgin olive oil and home-made bread with excellent Sicilian red and white wines. After the tour, your guide will drop you off at your accommodation or port.

Duration: 6 hours