From Taormina to Siracusa – The Cyclops Riviera

Today departure for Syracuse to visit to the Archaeological Park (Admission fee: not included) highlights of which are the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Paradise Quarry. The resulting park contains some of the most extraordinary monuments that classical antiquity has left us and, given their degree of interest and importance, has few equals elsewhere in Italy. Even a quick stay in Syracuse must include a visit to this archaeological site. Then stroll through the streets of Ortygia Island, the heart of the city center, to visit the Dome. This delightful pedestrian square is home to the wonderful Cathedral built on the site of an ancient Temple of Athena as can clearly be seen from the original Doric columns that were incorporated into the building’s main structure. Also on this square is the beautifully symmetrical Baroque Palazzo Beneventano and the church of Santa Lucia, the town’s patron saint. Later to the colorful daily Street Market, which sells a fantastic array of fruit, vegetables, fish and meat.

Time at leisure for your independent lunch.

This afternoon we drive back to Taormina along the charming Sicily’s Cyclops Riviera, a legendary coast north of Catania, linked to Polyphemus, the giant. Cyclops Riviera (Riviera dei Ciclopi) is a 12-kilometer long stretch of the coast located north of the beautiful city of Catania that goes from Acireale to Aci Castello. This wonderful coastline was named after some legends about the huge rocks sprouting from the sea, (some of them even up to 70 meters high). In fact, there are different legends about these boulders all involving Cyclops Polyphemus, the giant son of Poseidon and one of the Cyclopes. According to a legend, Polyphemus threw these boulders in the sea to express his rage against Ulysses, whose story has been told by Homer’s Odyssey. Another legend tells that both a shepherd called Aci and Polyphemus were in love with Galatea, a nymph of the sea. Blinded by jealousy, Polyphemus killed Aci throwing a boulder on him. Galatea prayed the gods to give her beloved Aci back, so the Gods turned Aci into a river, which flows into the sea through the small beach where Aci and Galatea used to meet. Today, most of the towns that lie on this coast (Acireale, Aci Castello, Aci Trezza, and others) owe their names to Aci.

The coast and the nearby boulders are part of a protected area featuring great varieties of flora and fauna, beautiful sea floor and lush underwater vegetation.

Later we drive back to Taormina.

HIGHLIGHTS:

– the Greek Theatre

– the Roman Amphitheatre

– the Paradise Quarry

– Ortygia Island

– Cyclops Riviera

WHAT’S INCLUDED

-Vehicle with air conditioning;

-English speaking Driver Escort;

-Visit as per itinerary;

-Credit Card fees;

-Legal Invoice;

-VAT.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

-Admission fees;

-Gratuities;

-Licensed Tourist Guide;

-Beverage and meal.

Based on this tour we do recommend to hire the local guide at:

-Syracuse, to visit the Archaeological Park

You will find this extra service on the boking procedure and feel free to add or skip at your convenience..