Etna and Taormina tour
Etna; or Mongibello or â Muntagna, Latin: Aetna) is an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily,
Italy, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, between the cities of Messina and Catania.
It lies above the convergent plate margin between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
Currently 3,329 m (10,922 ft) high, though this varies with summit eruptions.
It is the highest peak in Italy south of the Alps.
Etna covers an area of 1,190 km2 (459 sq mi) with a basal circumference of 140 km.
This makes it by far the largest of the three active volcanoes in Italy,
being about two and a half times the height of the next largest
Only Mount Teide in Tenerife (owned by Spain) surpasses it in the whole of the European–North-African region.
In Greek Mythology, the deadly monster Typhon was trapped under this mountain by Zeus,
the god of the sky and thunder and king of gods,
and the forges of Hephaestus were said to also be located underneath it.
Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is in an almost constant state of activity.
The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south.
Due to its history of recent activity and nearby population,
Mount Etna has been designated a Decade Volcano by the United Nations.
In June 2013,
it was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Taormina:
Then continuing to Taormina, which is a hill-village with a glossy sheen of glamour.
As well as the famed Greek-Roman Theatre (Admission Fee: not included), there are several minor sites to be discovered around Taormina.
The attractive principal thoroughfare,
Corso Umberto is pedestrian and ideal for strolling and window-shopping Taormina has a huge range of bars, cafes and restaurants where you can while away pleasant hours while admiring the views.
Taormina has two important gates: Porta Messina (Messina Gate) & Porta Catania (Catania Gate).
Between the two gates there is an important street under the name of CORSO UMBERTO STREET.
This Street is the core of the town rich of bar, shops, pottery and more.
Waling in this street indulge you in the Taormina atmosphere.
The two gates are far away each other less than one mile (approx. 700 meters).
USUALLY the driver escort dropp people off in one gate,
and meet them again in the opposite one giving you the chance to be by yourself.
Meeting point locations will be handled on the spot in accordance with your driver escort.
whom of course, before dropping you off,
will give you the most important tips in therms of restaurants, shops and some hystorical informations of the area.
Etna and Taormina tour : estimated time 7/8 hours