Messina Private Mount Etna and Taormina Excursion

Description

• Roundtrip private transportation from your Messina Cruise pier!
  
• Air-conditioned and fully licensed private transportation!
  
• English speaking private certified driver/guide!
  
• Sightseeing of Giarre and Zafferana!
  
• 1-hour stop at Mount Etna - Silvestri Crater!
  
• Visit the Greek Theatre and Palazzo Corvaja!
  
• Free time in Taormina!
  
• Escape the cruise ship shore excursion crowds and enjoy unique sights of Sicily and surrounding area!
  

Treat yourself to this private yet affordable, VIP shore excursion! Travel back in time to see the ancient and still active Mount Etna volcano and the historic sites of Taormina!

Your English-speaking driver will meet you at your cruise port in Messina to begin your personalized experience. It will just be you and up to 7 of your friends or family on this fun adventure. Climb into a luxury vehicle and drive up the coast through the town of Giarre - known for its unfinished medieval buildings - and the village of Zafferana, a summer resort with spectacular views of landscapes toward the mountain, as well as the sea.

You will want to have your camera on hand during the entire experience, but especially when you stop at the Cratere Silvestri on Mount Etna, created by the major eruption of Mount Etna in 1892. The surreal landscape here will make you think you are either on Mars or the moon. Mount Etna is the tallest active volcano in Europe, and it is extremely active. In Roman mythology, it was believed to be the realm of Vulcan, the god of fire. The most recent eruption occurred in March 2017. As a benefit of the volcanic soil, agriculture in the area is abundant, and there are vineyards and orchards along the lower slopes of the mountain.

After your stop at Mount Etna, it is off to Taormina (a.k.a. the "Mediterranean Pearl"), one of the most well-known resorts of picturesque Sicily. You will enjoy the climate here regardless of when you visit. See the ancient Greek Theater where some say it is difficult to choose between watching the event or the panoramic, unspoiled landscape - you can see the peak of Mount Etna and across the Naxos Bay. Entrance fee to the ruins is not included, please consider an additional 10 Euro per person.

While in Taormina, you will also visit the Palazzo Corvaja, a medieval mansion that was owned by the Corvaja family for over four centuries until 1945. The stunning courtyard walls are decorated with reliefs that depict The Creation, and the Arabic influence is readily apparent in the arched windows and doorways. Since 2009, this stunning palace has been the home of the office of tourism and is also used as an exhibition center. You will have some free time to have lunch or explore on your own and buy some souvenirs. 

At the end of the day, your driver will return you to your Messina cruise port. What an incredible VIP experience you will have had!

What is included?

• Roundtrip private transportation from your Messina Cruise pier
  
• Air-conditioned and fully licensed private transportation
• English speaking private certified driver/guide
  
• Sightseeing of Giarre and Zafferana
• Photo stop at Mount Etna crater
• Visit the Greek Theatre and Palazzo Corvaja
• Free time in Taormina

Excursion Notes

• Excursion prices shown are quoted in US dollars.
• Entrance fee to the Greek Theater is NOT included, please consider 10 Euros per person. This fee may vary slightly.
• As you may be visiting a religious or memorial site, shoulders and knees must be covered on men and women.
• We suggest you have cash (Euros) on hand for refreshments, excursion staff gratuities, shopping, etc.
• Sensible, rubber-soled walking shoes are highly recommended along with sun protection.
• Please pay attention to restrictions and requirements for this excursion, no refund will be granted if requirements are not met.

Where we meet

For this Messina excursion, you will meet your local excursion staff just outside your Messica cruise port. All necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.

Excursion Restrictions

• This excursion is not wheelchair accessible.
• Guests must be able to step in and out of the transportation.
• Guests must be able to walk on paved, gravel and cobblestone surfaces, some on inclines.
• There are steps required to enter several of the sites as well as steep curbs in some areas.
• This Messina Private Mount Etna and Taormina Excursion may involve risks. We suggest you check with your elected person of choice to see if these possible risks might affect you.

Excursion FAQ

Cancellation

• Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location (we will verify with the tour operator).
• Your ship skips/misses the port.
• Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator from running the excursion.
• A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the excursion operator or guest may send doctor's note). This applies to individuals only and not the remainder of the group.
  
• Cancellations/deposit refund requests that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund.
• Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.