Grande Albergo Maugeri. Excursions
We have prepared a series of short excursions for you to discover the enchanting beauty spots of our island.
On request it is possible to hire a private car and/or a mini bus, bus GT. Bus of 54 seats.
Taormina
Renowned and highly regarded tourist destination, Taormina is a stunningly picturesque town perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, with a spectacular view of Etna to the right.
Essential places to visit: Corvaia Palace, the Greco-romano theatre, the Duomo, Duca di S. Stefano Palace, the Roman Odeon.
Exploring the backstreets and alleyways which branch off the "Corso", the main street, discover the perfumes, smells and tastes and traditions of a town of unequalled beauty.
www.comune.taormina.me.it
Syracuse
Syracuse dates back to 730 BC, and was for centuries the bastion of the Greeks against the onslaught of the Carthaginians, the Etruscans and the Romans. It's an art capital which offers innumerable ideas on history, architecture and art.
Not to be missed is the excursion to the island of Ortigia, tiny island linked to the city by a bridge, and then the Duomo, the Greek Theatre, the Archaeological Park, the Catacombs, the Castle of Maniace and the Archaeological Museum.
www.comune.siracusa.it
Catania
Catania was founded in 729BC by the Greeks. From the Greek era remains the Ancient Theatre, dating back to the 5th Century. Then from the Roman period there are remains of the Amphitheatre and Roman Baths.
Around 1250, commissioned by Frederic ll, Ursino Castle was built.
Finally, the 18th century city, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693, there are fine examples of Baroque in Via Crociferi, Duomo Square, University Square and Via Etnea.
A short distance from the city there is the Cyclopes Riviera and The Nature reserve of the river Simeto.
www.comune.catania.it
Agrigento
The ancient city of Agrigento, capital of the eponymous Sicilian province is situated 230 metres above sea level. Defined by Pindaro as the "most beautiful city among mortals" it extends over an area of 245sqkm and was the city of Great Sicilian writer, Luigi Pirandello. A splendid sea separates it from Africa.
The Ancient "Akragas" was founded in 581BC and soon became one of the most important cities of Magna Grecia. In the following century magnificent temples were built. The Valley of Temples, situated to the south of the city, is one of the most evocative places of interest on the whole island and is one of the most important testimonies to the presence of the Ancient Greeks in Southern Italy.
www.comune.agrigento.it
Piazza Armerina
Nestling in the hillside in the province of Enna, Piazza Armerina is famous for its Mosaics found in the Villa Romana of Casale.
Of inestimable artistic and cultural value, they are a testament to the customs of the Roman era.
The Villa, built around the 3rd or 4th century AD was buried following a landslide in 1161.
The mosaics were brought to light again around 1950 and cover an area of over 3,500sqm.
www.comune.piazzaarmerina.en.it
www.piazzaarmerina.org
Caltagirone
Around 95 km from Catania and 608m above sea level, Caltagirone dominates the plains of Catania and Gela. The main tourist attraction of this city is the tiled stairway which links the higher and lower parts of the town. The stairway was built by Giuseppe Giacalone at the beginning of the 17th century and in 1954 every step was covered in ceramic tiles in a geometric design.
The art of ceramics has ancient origins, the first ovens date back to the Muslim period and the Normans and are witness to a craft which has continued throughout the following centuries. Land rich in clay, Caltagirine is world famous for its production of handmade pottery and ceramics, which still today employs hundreds of artisans.
www.comune.caltagirone.ct.it
Gole Dell'Alcantara
From high up on the slopes of Etna flows the river Alcantara. Thousands of years ago a heavy fall of lava covered the valley, smothering the river bed. On cooling, the incandescent magma formed high walls of geometrically perfect basaltic prisms.
During the course of thousands of years, the icy and impervious water of the river Alcantara eroded the lava creating a landscape similar to a canyon, and the result is the "Gole dell'Alcantara. The excursion to this place of extraordinary natural beauty takes about one and a half hours, and the route is arduous and complex, advisable only to expert excursionists who are good swimmers. From the very start of the excursion, in fact, one is immersed in the river up to the waist and some parts are only possible to reach by swimming.
www.golealcantara.it
