The charm of Mount Etna, UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2003, enchants numerous tourists both in summer, when it is possible to visit active craters and to walk in the Parco dell’Etna’s woods and orchards, and in winter, when you can ski and practice several winter sports. Near the Rifugio Sapienza (2000 mt.) you can explore dormant volcanos and have a hot meal in front of a wonderful landscape. Alternatively, you can choose the option “Etna Alta Quota”. In this second case, with extra costs to be paid locally, thanks to the telecabine service offered by the Etna cableway, you will reach up to 2504 meters and then, with special 4×4 off-road vehicles, you will reach the Torre del Filosofo, at an altitude of 2900 meters above sea level. From here you can admire the imposing central crater, the South-East crater and the historical lava flows that characterize the Etna landscape, in a scenario suspended over the sea.
After leaving the Rifugio Sapienza, the tour will continue to Zafferana Etnea, the city of honey. Here you will have the opportunity to taste typical local products such as oil, olives, tomatoes and wine, as well as discovering the secrets of honey processing. In the village square on the slopes of Etna, before returning to Syracuse, you will discover some of the typical culinary specialties of the area.
Next stop is the shining Taormina. The city is located upon a promontory from where you will enjoy amazing panoramic views of Calabria and Mount Etna. Along the medieval alleys of Taormina, every corner smells of Sicily; you can eat traditional food, drink fresh-squeezed juice of local citrus, buy typical souvenirs and admire the beauty of the sea. The most important archeological site in Taormina is certainly the Greek Theatre, not only for its historical-architectural value but also for its scenographic position. Near the Greek Theatre, the Villa Comunale deserves to be visited; inspired by English gardens, here you can find several exotic plants and from its terrace, you will enjoy a breathtaking view over the sea