Catania, Italija

Climb aboard and sail through seas where legend becomes reality. Float along the Cyclops Riviera, from Aci Castello to Acireale, in a sailing boat. Skirt the Islands of the Cyclops, the boulders hurled by Polyphemus at Odysseus as he fled. Pass the 11th-century Norman Castle, teetering atop a volcanic cliff like a stone sentinel. Slow down at the Caves of Ulysses, a refuge of deception and cunning. And as you go, raise a toast with an on-board tasting. Here, you don't simply hear the tales of Homer. You navigate through them.

• Islands of the Cyclops, also called Faraglioni
• 11th century Norman castle
• Caves of Ulysses
• Food tasting on board

• Experience Homeric mythology on a sail boat trip along the Cyclops Riviera, a coast sculpted by lava that runs from Aci Castello to Acireale. This is traditionally the setting for the clash between Ulysses and Polyphemous recounted by Homer.
• You'll sail among the mythological islands of the Cyclops, also known as Faraglioni, which according to legend were created by the boulders thrown by Polyphemus at Ulysses' fleeing ships.
• You'll pass by the 11th century Norman Castle that sits on a volcanic cliff overlooking the sea and is made of black lava rock, and then you'll step back in time to the Homeric legends at the Caves of Ulysses, where Ulysses hid after having blinded the Cyclops Polyphemus.
• On board, during the journey, you can sip a welcome drink and enjoy some local product.

• Menus may vary according to season to ensure the constant high quality of the dishes served.
• Before booking the excursion or once on board, contact the excursion office to check the availability of vegetarian or gluten-free dishes and to report any food intolerances.
• This is one of the most popular excursions so book early.
• During the tour, a local guide will provide you with assistance and information.
• Stops for swimming are planned during the tour.
• Bring only the essentials with you, not forgetting a backpack with beach towel, hat, sunscreen.

Taormina is not just there to be admired: you've got to experience it. And it is precisely while you wander through its historic center accompanied by a local guide that you'll begin to truly understand this. Walk through the Porta Catania and let yourself be swept away by its elegant alleyways, ancient palazzos and views of nature.The stroll will take you to the famous Greek Theater, the city's most iconic sight, with the sea in front of you and Etna behind you. Taormina, the pearl of Sicily, will win your heart with every step.

• Taormina's old town
• Porta Catania
• Palazzo Corvaja: external visit
• Greek Theater

• Taormina stands on the Mount Tauro plateau and is surrounded by lush vegetation.
• You can't come to Taormina and not visit the old town and its Greek Theater, and discover its many Greek, Roman and medieval remains.
• Our guide will take you for a walk from the ancient Porta Catania, the entrance to the old city, to Palazzo Corvaja, first built during the Arab period and later the seat of the Sicilian Parliament from 1411.
• The Greek Theater dates back to the 3rd century BC and still hosts theater performances today, thanks to its perfect acoustics and a picturesque position overlooking the sea, with a view of the Gulf of Schisò and Mount Etna. To build it, 100,000 cubic meters of rock were removed by hand at the time of Hiero II, the tyrant of Syracuse. The name of his wife, Philistis, is engraved on some of the steps. Many renovations and changes were made as early as the Roman era under Augustus. With its 100,000 spectators, the theater was the second largest in Sicily after the one in Syracuse.
• You'll cross the city again, through its alleys and narrow streets, before returning to the ship.

• Slight changes may be made to itineraries and the length of excursions in order to safeguard your health and comply with regulations and the safety protocol.

Start with a walking tour of Taormina: stroll along elegant alleyways, pause in front of Palazzo Corvaja and take a seat in the legendary Greek theater, where even the silence is full of character, and the view is part of the show. Now it's time to change it up: head back up the panoramic road towards Nicolosi, through vineyards and layers of lava, until you reach the Silvestri Craters. Here, Etna makes the rules, and she'll grant you a leisurely lunch on her slopes. End your day in Via Etnea, surrounded by Baroque architecture and the pulse of city life. From charm to an active volcano: Sicily doesn't do things by halves.

• Scenic road to Nicolosi
• Silvestri Craters
• Snack/light lunch on our own
• Walking tour of Taormina
• Palazzo Corvaja
• Greek theatre
• Free time for shopping
• Catania: via Etnea

• We will set off from the port of Catania by coach on an exploring Sicily’s landscapes and nature. En route, we will have the opportunity to enjoy panoramic views as we wind our way up the mountain slopes to the village of Nicolosi, an important agricultural centre on Etna.
• We will wind our way up past vineyards and valleys of stratified lava until we reach the top of the Silvestri Craters, 2,000 metres high, in the tourist area of Rifugio Sapienza, where we can see the volcano in all its glory and terrifying beauty, gazing out as far as the Gulf of Catania.
• After the visit, we will enjoy our lunch in a restaurant on the slopes of Etna before resuming our journey
• Then our journey will continue to beautiful Taormina, nestled on a terrace overlooking the sea. Despite being a tourist hot-spot, Taormina still retains its Medieval charm.
• We will leave the coach in a car park and embark on a walking tour of the centre, which is brimming with monuments from different periods. First, we will admire Palazzo Corvaja from the outside, which dates back to the 15th century but has even more distant origins.
• Then we will visit the Greek theatre, the most important and well preserved ancient monument in Taormina, built on a wonderful vantage point and boasting exceptional acoustics.
• We will return to Catania and the port along Via Etnea, a road lined with stunning churches and imposing buildings in the Sicilian Baroque style.

In order to guarantee the health of our guests, in compliance with the regulations and the respect of the safety protocol, the itineraries and the duration of the excursions may be subject to changes, even if not substantial.

Slip on a sturdy pair of shoes and get ready to feast your eyes: Etna doesn't play around. With your local guide, you'll walk among smoking craters, deserts of ash and the Valle del Bove, the black caldera that bears testament to hundreds of layers of eruptions. Walk through mysterious caves, rope-like lava formations and thousand-year-old vegetation - it's almost like walking on the moon. Adrenaline, spectacular views and a snack fit for a true explorer: Here, every step is a mini masterpiece.

• Trekking on the Schiena dell’Asino trail
• Panorama on the Valle del Bove, where you can go back over all of the volcano’s major eruptions
• Grotta di Pitagora, to see the effects of climbing magma
• Energizing snack

• A local guidewill head up your small group of explorers on a trek to explore the history of Etna from its beginnings to the present day.
• What grows on the volcano? Your exceptional expert has chosen the Schiena dell’Asino to show you, pointing out its plants, typical of crumbly, volcanic soils: larches and Astragalus. Essential in preventing landslides.
• When you come to the top, you’ll find the Valle del Bove in front of you, an enormous black caldera, where you’ll learn to “read” the panorama through the eyes of the volcanologist: you’ll see the overlapping eruptions, the volcanic dikes, the “hornitos”, and the rope-like pahoehoe.
• With him, you’ll retrace the evolution of Etna from the first eruption in Serra Giannicola to the four summit craters that are active to this day, including the 1991–93 eruption, the longest of the last three centuries, at no fewer than 473 days!
• Moreover, in the Grotta di Pitagora, with its curious triangular opening, you’ll learn the difference between the walls formed from magma and the ones smoothed by water.
• And doesn’t adrenaline work up an appetite? We’ll take care of that, with a real sports snack.

• The program may vary according to the judgment of our expert based on the weather, the volcano, and the technical level of the participants.
• Wear appropriate hiking shoes and clothing for the trail.
• This is one of the most popular experiences so book early.
• Minimum age: 8 years.

An adventure in the heart of Catania where culture and fun come together. Mysterious clues, fascinating stories and lava stone monuments, young and old explorers alike can find the hidden treasure together … along with a cool Sicilian granita as a sweet final reward!

• Culture and games in an all-in-one adventure
• Discover Catania in a fun, interactive way
• Celebrate with an authentic Sicilian granita

The adventure begins as soon as you dock: an enthusiastic welcome from your guide and a talk will get you ready for the challenge.
After a short panoramic tour by bus to admire Catania, younger participants can start straightway to discover the first clues of the treasure hunt at the Proserpina Fountain From here the adventure beings with fun facts, small mysteries and missions to solve together.

You'll reach the beating heart of the city, Cathedral Square In front of the famous lava stone elephant fountain - the mysterious, intriguing symbol of the city - your guide will recount stories and legends to make the experience even more captivating.
As you discover each clue, you'll walk past Baroque splendors and see dazzling views, to reach a secret place where the hidden treasure is waiting.

And afterwards? Celebrate with a traditional refreshing granita, the perfect reward for our young explorers.
Then it's back to port, with an experience created to discover Catania while you have fun, sharing smiles and making memories with your family, that will stay close to you all.

The most exciting way to visit Etna? In a 4x4! Among lava formations and the little villages of Milo and Fornazzo built on the slopes of the volcano, you'll also travel on a Forestry Corps dirt road. Stop off to taste almond paste and Zibibbo wine, then set off for the Sartorius Mountains for a hike in nature. Come back down with a story that makes the journey worthwhile.

• Milo, a village in the Etna National Park
• Fornazzo, voted the Ideal Italian Village in 1992
• Forestry Corps dirt road
• Sartorius Mountains
• Tasting of almond paste and zibibbo wine

• 4x4 trip to Milo, a village in the Etna National Park, with our guide. We are 750 meters above sea level: from here you can admire the whole landscape from Catania to Taormina. And as you're in a 4x4, you can climb even higher towards Fornazzo, a hamlet of Milo, voted the Ideal Italian Village.
• Close to the district of Santa Venerina, you'll be bounced around a little on a dirt road created by the Forestry Corps. The district is surrounded by lava rocks.
• You'll stop at a refuge for a sweet break with almond paste, a local delicacy, and a glass of zibibbo, the Sicilian fortified wine.
• The off-road trip then continues towards the Sartorius Mountains. These are spent craters formed during the lava flow of 1865. Here you'll go hiking along an Etna National Park nature trail. You'll see woods of “Betula aetnensis”, an endemic Etna birch, and the so-called “volcanic bombs”, drops of solidified lava that look like black asteroids. At the end, you'll be able to brag to all your friends that you can list all the plant species in the area.

• We recommend that you wear warm clothing and closed shoes suitable for the itinerary.
• With a certified English-speaking guide.
• Minimum age: 8 years.
• This is one of the most popular excursions so book early.

Set off immediately to explore Taormina: stroll through its medieval center, among elegant buildings and narrow streets that suddenly open up. Stop off outside Palazzo Corvaja, then step into the legendary Greek theater, nestled between the sea and the mountains. Enjoy some free time shopping and snacking, then change cities and pace. Explore Catania with a sightseeing tour, taking in the Fontana di Proserpina, Via Etnea and Piazza Stesicoro. End your trip with a stroll through the historic center, between the Cathedral of Sant'Agata and the Elephant Fountain. Two cities, a single sense of wonder.

• Taormina
• Walk through the centre
• Palazzo Corvaja and the Greek theatre
• Free time for shopping and a snack/light lunch
• Catania: sightseeing tour
• Walk through the city centre
• Elephant Fountain

• We will leave the port by coach and head to beautiful Taormina, located in a spectacular position overlooking the sea. Despite being a tourist hot-spot, this town still retains its Medieval charm.
• When we reach our destination, we will enjoy a pleasant walk through the centre along the Medieval streets overlooked by elegant buildings that make way to reveal breathtaking views.
• We will admire the famous Palazzo Corvaja, a stunning stately villa dating back to the 15th century but with more distant origins, in the square that was once the ancient forum and before that the Greek agora.
• Then we will visit the Greek theatre, the most important and well preserved ancient monument in Taormina, built on a wonderful vantage point and boasting exceptional acoustics, so much so that it is still used for concerts and shows.
• After the visit, we will have some free time to do some shopping in the pedestrianised area and enjoy a snack of our choice.
• Our journey will continue with a sightseeing tour of Catania, a wonderful Baroque city that owes its current architectural splendour to its reconstruction after the earthquake in 1693.
• We will admire the beautiful Fountain of Proserpine a monumental group of sculptures embellished with water features. Then we will travel along Via Etnea, a road lined with splendid churches and imposing Sicilian Baroque buildings, and pass through Piazza Stesicoro, the square that is dominated by the 19th century monument dedicated to Vincenzo Bellini, a composer from Catania.
• When we reach Piazza del Duomo, we will leave the coach and enjoy a guided walking tour of the centre, entering the oldest part of the city, which is home to Catania Cathedral, built in the Middle Ages and enhanced over the centuries until it received its 18th-century features, and Elephant Fountain: the animal that symbolises the city dominates on top of a white tabernacle and supports an obelisk on its back.
• Then we will return to the coach which will take us back to the ship docked in the port.

A scenic coach journey takes you to right to the heart of Catania, at the foot of Mount Etna, where history, scents and sounds mingle with each other. Wander through Piazza Stesicoro and past the imposing Roman amphitheater and the Cathedral of St. Agatha, one of the city's iconic sights. Immersed in its Baroque views and Sicilian atmosphere, snap a picture in front of the stunning Porta Uzeda.And before you leave? Treat yourself to a local classic: granita and brioche. Because Catania must be seen, experienced...and tasted.

• Catania city center with food tasting
• Piazza Stesicoro, Bellini monument and Roman amphitheater
• Villa Bellini
• Cathedral of Sant'Agata, Bellini's tomb
• Porta Uzeda

• The panoramic bus route takes you right into the center of Catania where you can use all your senses as you explore the ancient Sicilian port city at the foot of Mount Etna. Start with your sense of smell: Notice the scent of citrus groves in the air?
• First stop is Piazza Stesicoro and an encounter with music: you're standing in front of the monument to Vincenzo Bellini, the local composer. Pay your respects by humming the famous Casta Diva aria if you like.
• Gaze at the Roman amphitheater where the arena is only slightly smaller than that of the Colosseum. Proceed on foot to the Cathedral of Sant’Agata, built on the Terme Achilliane where the city's patron saint was martyred. The late 1700s church in Sicilian Baroque style houses the tomb of Bellini, the sarcophagus of Constance of Aragon and a Renaissance sculpture of the Virgin.
• Take a selfie in front of the Baroque Porta Uzeda, there is no better setting. Finally, taste: don't leave the city center without trying the classic granita with brioche.

• Wear suitable clothing for the places of worship you will be visiting.
• The “Adagio Tour” was born from the collaboration between Costa Crociere Foundation and AISM, with the aim of offering land experiences at a “slower” pace and itineraries with fewer architectural barriers, designed for people with accessibility needs.
• The “Adagio Tour” version of this excursion is available on all ships.
• The places available for the "Adagio Tour" version are limited.
• If you use a wheelchair, the reservation of the "Adagio Tour" must necessarily be made through your cruise representative or through the contact channels of the Customer Center.
• When there are religious festivals, the visit to the cathedral will be limited to the outside. The Basilica of La Collegiata will be visited instead.
• On 9/1/2023 instead of the granita, an arancino will be offered.

Explore the iconic coastline to the north of Catania, where the myth of Acis, killed by Polyphemus for love, is interwoven with the lava flows of Mount Etna. Set off from Aci Castello, dominated by the stone Norman Castle and the Mother Church of the area, suspended above the sea. Look out over the Cyclops Riviera and admire the sea stacks - according to legend, these are the boulders hurled at Ulysses. Then continue towards Acireale, through citrus groves, Sicilian Baroque buildings and Neo-Gothic influences. Follow the coast - the myths will do the rest.

• Aci Castello and the Cyclops stacks​
• Acireale and the Sicilian Baroque

• Discover the Ionian coast north of Catania, between Aci Castello and Acireale dedicated to the legend of Aci the shepherd, killed by Polyphemus over a disputed love. Prepare to see a coast defined by the lava flows from Mount Etna**.
• The first stop is Aci Castello, which takes its name from the Norman castle built with lava rock and overlooking the sea. The dark volcanic rock runs all the way to the Mother Church**.
• Enjoy the glimpse of the Cyclops Riviera and imagine Polyphemus hurling huge boulders at the fleeing Ulysses, as recounted in the Odyssey. This is according to legend, the origin of the stacks.
• The tour continues in Acireale, where lava from Mount Etna has become fertile soil for citrus trees. If you like art, you'll find many examples of Sicilian Baroque and the Neo-Gothic style in the old town.

• Slight changes may be made to itineraries and the length of excursions in order to safeguard your health and comply with regulations and the safety protocol.

Step onto the island of Ortigia, the oldest part of Syracuse, and follow your guide along Corso Matteotti, the shopping street, to the Fountain of Diana, which dates back to 1907, and the Baroque and Rococo facade of the Cathedral. Stop off at the Fountain of Aretusa: Here, the love of Alpheus crosses the sea to reach the nymph who had rejected him. Then it's time for a change of century as you admire the noble palaces, where Renaissance, Gothic, Baroque and Liberty styles mingle, symbolizing the successive dominations of this part. Finish up with an aperitif. A journey through the centuries and through art, ending with a taste of the sea.

• Corso Matteotti, the shopping street
• Fountain of Diana of 1907
• Cathedral of the Natività di Maria Santissima: external visit
• Fountain of Aretusa
• Stately palaces of Syracusan noble families
• Seafront aperitif

• “U’ Scogghiu” (or "the rock" in the local dialect) is what the inhabitants of Syracuse call the island of Ortigia.
• With the guide, you will cross Corso Matteotti, the shopping street, and see the most significant monuments, including the 1907 Fountain of Diana and the Baroque and Rococo façade of the Cathedral.
• The Fountain of Arethusa symbolizes the link between the Siceliotes, the inhabitants of the Greek colonies in Sicily, and the motherland. According to legend, Alpheus in the form of an underground river reached Sicily from the Peloponnese. He did this for love of the nymph Arethusa, who had initially rejected him. Spoiler alert: the story has a happy ending.
• We move on in time to admire the noble palaces built during the period of Spanish domination for the Castilian and Aragonese families. Here the Renaissance architecture blends with Aragonese, Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau styles.
• As promised, you’ll end with a sea‑flavored aperitif featuring octopus, swordfish, and a fish arancino, paired with a glass of Prosecco. Not bad, right?

• Menus may vary according to season to ensure the constant high quality of the dishes served.
• This is one of the most popular excursions so book early.

Set off from the village of Nicolosi a climb up through vineyards and lava valleys to an almost lunar landscape. Explore the Monti Silvestri, walk along the dormant craters and experience the thrill of being on top of one of the world's most active volcanoes.A stroll through the streets of Catania also awaits, boasting history and breathtaking views.

• Etna
• Panoramic tour of Catania

• Known simply as “a muntagna” (the mountain) by locals, *Etna is the highest active terrestrial volcano" on the Eurasian plate. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Starting from the village of Nicolosi, you'll climb to the summit through vineyards and valleys of stratified lava. Eventually you'll find yourself in a lunar landscape**.
• Around 2,000 meters up you'll reach the Silvestri Mountains, two spent craters. The lower crater is easily accessible and you can even walk inside it.
• The tour ends with a sightseeing visit to the old town of Catania, along via Etnea, the main road.

• The tour may be canceled in bad weather.