The Cyclops Coast is the most interesting thing on the blogs. New Year's Sicily tours from Elena Volkova Island of the Cyclops Sicily

Tour cost: €180-250 Tour duration: 6-9 hours Languages: Russian, Italian

Repeatedly destroyed by lava flows from the Etna volcano and powerful earthquakes, and also repeatedly rebuilt, in the same place, the city of Catania, like a Phoenix bird, constantly reborn from the ashes. The latest events of the 17th century: the eruption of 1669 and the earthquake of 1693, played a major role in creating the appearance of the city that we see today. Seemingly used then construction material: lava, basalt and, for contrast, white limestone, were supposed to create a special graphic quality in the designs of the facades. But this harsh contrast is softened due to the special decorativeness of the original Catan baroque and due to the brightness of the surrounding colors of city life.

During our private tour we will walk along the main street of Etna, visiting Cathedral, restored in the 18th century according to the design of the talented Gian Battista Vaccarini, on the site where a cathedral previously existed, created in the 11th century at the behest of Roger of Normandy. Let's talk about one of the first Christian great martyrs, Saint Agathia, her holy relics are in the cathedral and many places in the city are associated with her memory. Let's admire it cathedral square with the original elephant fountain, and passing by another, this time, the snow-white Amenano fountain, we will take a walk through the historical market of Catania. Here, 400 years ago, the barracks of the soldiers of Charles V were located, and today the morning trade is in full swing with the rich gifts of the local land and sea. We will see others significant places historical center.

Then we will visit the famous coast of the Cyclops, where the events of the legend described by Homer in the Wanderings of Odysseus took place. Lunch in one of the small fishing villages, where in a typical tavern, a favorite local residents, let's try the best examples of Sicilian cuisine. After lunch, we will take a walk along the canyon (ticket paid separately), which was formed millions of years ago at the northeastern foot of Mount Etna. Excursion with a Russian guide in Rome. Today it is nature reserve, where, taking a walk through the park, along the bed of the Alcantara River, looking deep into the canyon from observation platforms, we are amazed at the unusual shapes of basalt rocks, created by nature with sophisticated imagination.

This excursion can be done in my own car, including transfer from/to your hotel/city of residence. The cost will depend on the location of the hotel/city.

The excursion can be carried out for tourists from Malta using a guide's car or rented transport.

Additional Information

Moscow - Catania

Evening arrival at Catania airport. We're moving to the city. Hotel accommodation. Dinner. Overnight.

03.01.20

Cyclops Coast (Aci Castello, Aci Trezza, Acireale) - Catania

Breakfast. Let's go to Cyclops Coast- the section of coast where the ancient Greeks first landed in Sicily. We will see most of the coast, strewn with boulders and small rock islands, called the “Islands of the Cyclops”. This name arose not by chance - we should thank the cyclops Polyphemus, who, according to Homer, lived Here more than 3 thousand years ago. Having gone blind Polyphemus began to throw pieces of rocks towards the sea, in the hope of destroying Odysseus's ship. This is how the Coast of the Cyclops appeared, crowned with a large stone throne, which is now a natural landmark in this part of Sicily. A resort, cozy Aci Trezza And Achi Castello, located on the seashore 11 km from Catania. Decorates the town of Normansk and its deputy ca 11th century, built into the rock and built on the ruins of a 7th century Byzantine fortress, which was captured by the Arabs in the 8th century- Now there is a city museum here. WITH upper terrace The castle offers a beautiful panorama of the surrounding area.Acireale - resort town lies at the foot of Mount Etna at an altitude of 150 meters above sea level - this place, formed by lava flows, is famous for its thermal springs. Local water is enriched with sulfur, bromine, iodine and mineral salts. From the time of Ancient Rome it is used to treat many diseases.Acireale is a very young city by Sicilian standards; until the 15th century it was a simple village called Aci Aquilia.The city is famous for its unique Sicilian Baroque architecture and its colorful carnival, one of the most popular in Italy. The carnival has been held annually at the end of January - beginning of February since 1594! Acireale is known as a city of arts - it is here that the oldest art school in Sicily, the Accademia dei Dafnici e degli Zelanti, is located.We will see the Basilica of San Sebastiano, one of the ten most beautiful Baroque churches on the island, and admire the frescoes of Pietro PaoloVasta. We return to Catania after lunch. City tour. Catania- a picturesque, noisy city, “the black daughter of Etna,” but also the brightest, sunniest and hottest city in Sicily. The city's modern economy is developing so rapidly that Catania is called the Milan of the South. Waiting for us wonderful Old city with the magnificent Cathedral Square with an unusual fountain in the form of a black elephant and the cathedral itself with exquisite decorationy. Business card Catania - fish market, surrounded by seafood restaurants. Free time. We return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

04.01.20

Piazza Armerina - Villa del Casale - Caltagirone - Ragusa

Breakfast. Let's go to town Piazza Armerina. The town is located on the southern slope of Mount Ereya at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level. Mount Enna rises nearby. Medieval history Piazza Armerina is clearly visible in its buildings, erected in the Norman and Gothic styles. Among the most interesting sights is the massive Cathedral, built in the 17th and 18th centuries in the Baroque style. We will admire the Aragonese Castle with square towers, built at the end of the 14th century, and the Garibaldi Theater. The city boasts frescoes by Salvatore Martorana and Guglielmo Borremans. Every August, the colorful Palio dei Normanni is held in Piazza Armerina - a costume reenactment of the entry of the Norman ruler Roger I into the city. The city gained worldwide fame thanks to the discovery of an ancient Roman monument 3 km from it.Ville del Casale , erected at the beginning of the 4th century AD. on the foundations of an older building. Once upon a time villa had luxurious interior decoration. Today it is a monument ancient culture with the biggestperfectly preservedmosaic complex in the world, is protected as a World Heritage Site Cultural Heritage UNESCO. We will go to see the ruins of an ancient building with its works of art. After lunch transfer to Caltagirone. There are bright ceramics everywhere - shop windows, facades, balconies of houses. Ceramics have been produced here for a thousand years since the arrival of the Arabs. The 142-step staircase with colorful tiles with patterns of different motifs is also unforgettable. We'll take a ride around the city on a sightseeing train, get to know the sights and famous ceramics. Optional visit to the Museum of Ceramics. Transfer to Ragusa. Hotel accommodation.

05.01.20

Ragusa - Donnafugata Castle - Masseria (tasting)

ZbreakfastCity TourRagusa . The cities of Sicily are famous for their turbulent history and difficult character, but even against their background, Ragusa stands out. It’s not for nothing that the nickname “an island within an island” stuck to it.Zconstruction of neighborhoodscities after an earthquake in the 17th centuryretained stylistic integrity -luxurious Sicilian Baroque, which today has allowed the whole of Ragusa to be included in the list World Heritage UNESCO.INThe city has two Cathedral churches at once, which is generally a rarity.First -CathedralSaintGeorgiy impresses not only with his appearance,created by the famous architect Rosario Ghilardi,but also the richness of the interior decoration with many stained glass windows.Before the earthquake, this temple was the main one in Ragusa; it is designed in the Gothic style. Now only part of the wall remains from the 14th-century church, but the townspeople consider it a symbol of Ragusa. Cathedral of St. John the Baptist , patron of the city, built in the 18th century. This church is considered one of the largest in Sicily. I wonder whatanother beautiful oneChurch of Our Ladyin Ragusalocated at the very topfamouslong stairsfrom340 steps connecting the lower city with the upper one. This staircase itself is a local landmark; it is not so easy to overcome it on foot!RluxuriousRagusa parkfamous for its large and expressive palm avenueWith"sealYuBaroque": there are many massive columns and stone vases, and the benches are decorated with relief carvings. The Sicilians claim that peasant traditions in cooking have been most preserved preciselyin Ragusa. There is abundance herelocalhomecheeses, famouscaciocavallo from cow's milkand delicious tangerine pies. Let's meet the owners of the localworkshop for the production of the famous “Sicilian carts” and visit their production.Donnafugata - fairytale castle, located 20 km from Ragusa in the middle of a fantastic landscape surrounded by thickets of carob trees. The castle consists of 144 luxuriously furnished rooms. More than 700 years ago, a tower was built on this site, then a simple castle, and each subsequent owner left traces of his influence on the majestic building. This castle has a couple of heartbreaking love stories in store,which you will learn about.One of the owners, bThe rich Baron Corrado Arezzo was very inventive and lovedoriginalentertain guests. WITHtestimonythat can still be seen today in the castle with its stone labyrinth in the spacious park,in the pavilion in the garden.Then weLet's visit local farmers at a private masseria and their cheese production, we will taste local products and wine. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

06.01.20

Modica - Scicli

Overnight. Let's go to Modica- to one of the most vibrant and original cities of Sicily, listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Modica is a baroque city, a city of 100 churches, 100 bells and 1000 stairs. The unique non-industrial production of chocolate according to the ancient Aztec recipe gives Modica the right to be called the chocolate capital of Italy along with Turin and Perugia. And the chocolate in Modica is amazing! We will definitely visit the Cathedral of San Giovanni Evangelista, partially standing in 1693 and restored several times. This is the highest temple in Sicily, from here you continue down the numerous steps and ancient streets of Modica Alta, passing numerous palaces and churches along the way. The typical Sicilian dishes are very tasty here. arangini and focacia or scaccia in a local way. Here we will feel the atmosphere of real Sicily and take extraordinary photos. Famous in Modica and Guerrieri Bridge, which is the tallest in Europe - 538 meters high and 134 meters long, it connects two neighborhoods located on different hills. After lunch we go to a neighboring town Scicli. The city, together with seven other cities of the Val di Noto region, is included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, and was built in the “Sicilian Baroque” style, which gave Scicli its current elegant appearance. In the Church of St. Ignatius, a particularly revered icon of the Madonna dei Milizi-the patroness of the city, in whose honor a colorful religious festival is held in May in memory of the miraculous appearance of the Virgin Mary riding a white horse with a saber in her hand. Scicli often becomes a film set for various films: for example, a director recently worked here Marco Bellocchio, who filmed The Wedding Planner. Scicli is also famous for the fact that in its vicinity there are many greenhouses in which they grow all year round“primisi” - fresh fruit, as well as a traditional delicious delicacy filled with ricotta - "Turk's Head". We return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight.

07.01.20

Mardzameni - Tasting at the winery - Siracusa

Breakfast. We're going for a walk by the sea in a picturesque fishing village village Mardzameni, famous for its golden beaches and the Paquino tomatoes, which are grown in this area and are very popular! There is a tuna processing plant here, the technology of which is still used today. In August, a film festival is held in Mardzameni, which has been held here annually since 2000. In 1993, the film “South” directed by Gabriele Salvatore was filmed here. Then we go to the winery on tasting of the famous wines of Sicily made from the Nero d'Avola variety. After a festive Christmas lunch waiting for us Syracuse. City Tour. The most beautiful and prosperous city of the island, where various architectural styles and the influences combine very harmoniously. History of the city, founded in the 8th century. BC, full of drama, tragedy and intrigue. The medieval center is on the island Ortygia, in the distance modern center. In the Neapolis Archaeological Park you can see some interesting Greek and Roman ruins. Accommodation at a hotel in the vicinity of Catania. Dinner. Overnight.

08.01

Catania Airport - Moscow

Breakfast. Transfer to Catania airport. Flight to Moscow.

Sicily is the warmest corner of Italy. Moreover, this is the most big Island Mediterranean Sea, which boasts a pleasant mild climate, a fascinating history and, of course, a huge amount of interesting places. Starting from the coast of the Cyclops and ending with Mount Etna, a tourist will have to spend a lot of time to see everything. That is why various types of excursions are so popular here - for a certain amount of money you can not only get acquainted with Sicily, but also hear many fascinating stories and legends.

Excursions in Sicily

To begin with, those interested should decide which excursion interests them more - group or individual (up to 4-5 people). The first option usually costs less, but when ordering individual excursion the tourist can choose which route the trip will take and which places will be focused on. The customer will also have the right to choose a time that is convenient for him.

Excursions in Sicily

Booking an excursion today is very easy, you just need to know how to use the Internet. There are many organizations and travel agencies that deal with this matter. The price directly depends on the route, the number of tourists and additional services, for example, choice Vehicle, even renting a helicopter. The cheapest and, accordingly, the most short excursions cost from 30 euros*, the average cost is between 100-350 euros*. Of course, in special cases the price tag can cross the 1000 € line.

Excursion tour program in Sicily

On the island, tourists are offered to visit many interesting places. The most popular offers are listed below.

Cyclops Coast Sicily

The Sicilian coast of the Cyclops is the coast Ionian Sea, namely one of the beaches of the city of Catania. The ancient Greeks first landed here a long time ago. According to the legend about Odysseus, the Cyclops Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon, lived here. He wanted to eat Odysseus's crew, but, having failed, the enraged giant began to throw pieces of rock at the sailing ships. Therefore, now the waters of the coast are strewn with large stones. It has now been proven that these stones appeared as a result of the work of the Etna volcano, which is located near Catania. Thanks to beautiful views And clean water this place attracts tourists and residents of Sicily who want to relax. On one of the black rocks you can see the ruins of a castle built in the 11th century. The tower of this fortress has been preserved, which you can climb to admire the beautiful views.

Excursion to the Cyclops Coast

A tour of Catania will allow you to explore the city, explore its history and learn about the architecture and attractions. You can also visit the unusually clean coastline. A group excursion covering the city of Catania and the Cyclopean coast costs approximately 200 euros, an individual excursion will cost approximately 400 euros.*

Excursion to Trapani and Erice

Trapani is small administrative center province of the same name, located on the coast. The city is somewhat popular among tourists due to its proximity to attractive places, for example, the city of Erice or Mount Etna. It is also worth paying attention to the beaches of Trapani: clean and well-groomed, they are perfect for families with children. By the way, you can often hear the old name “Drepanon”, which translates as “sickle”. The fact is that the city lies on a crescent-shaped peninsula formed at the junction of the Mediterranean and Tyrrhenian seas. In addition to the beaches, Trapani is distinguished by its own architecture and attractions. These include the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Tower of Ligny, the Church of Purgatorio and many others.

Excursion to Trapani and Erice

Erice – mysterious city province of Trapani, located on a mountain whose height reaches 750 meters above sea level. It is famous for its preserved old architecture and beautiful narrow streets. Built back in the Middle Ages, the city is great place for history buffs. Visitors to Erice are advised to pay attention to the Castle of Venus. Built on the site of a Roman temple to the goddess of fertility, it provides an opportunity to enjoy beautiful scenery on high altitude. According to legend, Erice was founded by Eryx, son of Venus. The name of the city comes from this name.

Note! Since Trapani has its own airport, it is easy to get there by plane. Typically, guides take tourists along the main streets of cities; sometimes part of the tour includes a walk along the beach or Mount Etna. Individual excursions to these cities with Russian guides cost on average 200-400 euros, depending on the choice of travel agency; group excursions are cheaper. Tour duration is 5-10 hours.

Sightseeing tour of Taormina

The ancient city of Taormina is located on the slope of Mount Tauro, in eastern Sicily. The height at which the settlement was built is 206 meters. Like other cities on the island, Taormina survived many wars and was captured more than once. Starting its existence back in 356 BC. e., the city has preserved many ancient buildings. An example is the Greek theater built on a rock. Designed for 10 thousand people, it is capable of impressing any tourist. In addition, there are churches such as the Church of St. Pancras, St. Augustine, St. Nicholas Cathedral and many others. All attractions are perfectly combined with beautiful mountain landscapes and nature. Those who want to swim can go to well-equipped beaches.

You can book an excursion from 30 euros, the price can increase to several hundred for the most interesting offers. At the same time, vacationers will see the Greek Theater, walk the streets of Taormina and see interesting historical buildings, and will also be able to look at Mount Etna.

Excursion to the wineries of Mount Etna with tasting

When it comes to Sicily, the Etna volcano constantly comes to mind, because it is one of the main prides of the island. It is not surprising that this particular place is very popular among tourists. There are many vineyards located here due to the favorable growing environment. Wineries are happy to invite everyone to walk through the vineyards and wine tasting. In some cases, you can also watch the process of making a wonderful drink. The price for such a pleasure differs from each winery, on average - from a hundred or two euros.

Volcano Etna

Russian guides in Sicily

A Russian person can easily find an excursion. There will be no problems such as a language barrier, since Russian speaking guides in Sicily - a completely common occurrence. Almost all of the tours described above are provided for people who speak this language. You can contact guides online on websites that provide excursion services.

Useful tips on how to choose an interesting excursion in Sicily

It is imperative to book a tour in advance, preferably before leaving for Italy (if vacationers live in another country), especially when it comes to an individual excursion. And also transfer money into euros to pay when shopping and with guides.

Holidays in Sicily will bring unforgettable feelings, and a large number of Russian-language tours will help you learn many legends and stories. Beautiful beaches, ancient cities and Europe's tallest active volcano will attract everyone's attention.

*Prices shown are current as of September 2018.

Walking through evening Sicily inspired a lot of things, and Syracuse gave my heart something to do - AH! I just want to walk around and enjoy doing nothing. There is a wonderful expression Dolce fare niente - sweet carefree time

Sicily is incomparable at any time of the year.

Go there for new emotions!

Well then, let's fly!

This is perhaps one of the wonderful feelings - the awareness of involvement in each other. And it’s just as good when those random fellow travelers leave, completely dissolving.
Walking through evening Sicily inspired a lot of things, and Syracuse gave my heart something to do - AH! I just want to walk around and enjoy doing nothing. There is a wonderful expression Dolce fare niente - sweet carefree time
Sicily is incomparable at any time of the year.
Go there for new emotions!
Well then, let's fly!

Sicily.
An island embraced by the sun.
If you look at the faces of tourists at Catania Airport, they look like children Christmas tree- in anticipation of something magical, joyful, long-awaited. Having read about the solar triangle, the traveler knows for sure that there is mafia, sea and lemons.

The history of Sicily goes back to mythology. Right here, inside active volcano The inventor god Hephaestus lives and works on Etna. From here Prometheus stole fire and gave it to people...

On east coast In Sicily, in the town of Achi Costello, Odysseus outwitted the evil Cyclops, depriving him of his only eye.

It is known how fertile this country is, which was called the granary of Italy, and how violently its history proceeded: all the peoples, one after another, conquered Sicily and owned it - so great was their desire to possess it, forcing so many people to fight and die for it, like a passionately desired beauty.

Syracuse is a small and charming town. He became famous no less than major cities; the tyrants who reigned there were as famous as Nero, and among its inhabitants was the great ancient Greek scientist Archimedes.

The city produces wine, sung by poets, and dominates the bay into which the small Anapo River flows, and on the banks of this river papyrus grows - the keeper of the secrets of human thought. Within the walls of Syracuse lies one of the most beautiful Venuses in the world. Syracuse was founded in 734 BC and is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The real attraction of Syracuse is its Neapolis Archaeological Park, where you can scream to your heart's content in the "Ear of Dionysus" (The Ear of Dionysus Cave - a grotto 23 meters high and 65 meters deep - was named by Caravaggio in honor of the tyrant Dionysius, who was rumored to have used the ideal acoustics of the quarry to eavesdrop on the conversations of his captives).

Run around the caves around the Greek Theater, built in the 5th century BC, enlarged later during the time of Aeschylus. Next to the theater stands the mysterious Latomia del Paradiso, a deep, vertical limestone quarry from which stones were extracted for construction. ancient city. Filled with intricate catacombs, it was also a prison for 7,000 survivors of the war between Syracuse and Athens in 413 BC.

The design of the Greek theater is much more complex than it seems at first glance. The cavea (spectator seating) is over 138 meters wide, with 67 tiers divided into 10 vertical sectors ("wedges"). Each sector was adjacent to a staircase, and the sectors themselves were designated by letters of the ancient Greek alphabet. Diasoma divided the auditorium into two parts: like in modern theaters, the amphitheater is separated from the stalls. The space of the stage was noticeably increased during the Roman period. On both sides of the stage stood two huge stone columns - now only the remains of their foundations remain.

True, there is another version, according to which the head belongs to one of the many ancient Goddesses, and the snakes around the head are nothing more than wisdom. On modern souvenirs depicting Trinacria, you can see that ears of wheat are drawn on the head of the gorgon instead of snakes. This drawing appeared in the era of the Roman Empire, it “tells” us that at that time Sicily was a prosperous “granary” of the empire. And as an option, it is possible to come across a triskelion with wings attached to a woman’s head. This is already a symbol of the eternal passage of time on earth. The Sicilian Parliament approved the trinacria as part of the coat of arms and flag of Sicily.

This is just some kind of magic pot.... I promised to report back - not to get tired, I suggest you turn the page. After all, there is still Modica, Catania, Ragusa, Taormina, a market, sweets ahead, and there is no way without the mafia in Sicily.