TAORMINA, CATANIA, ETNA.
TAORMINA
Taormina is one of the most attractive tourist centers in Sicily. Even today it is possible to recognize the traits of the different dominations that have been submitted to the city over the millennia. The Greeks built a beautiful theater rebuilt in Roman times. Today the Taormina Greek-Roman Theater is the most important Sicilian theatre after Syracuse, you can admire the picturesque view of the bay of Giardini Naxos and on the other side the magnificent Mount Etna. Today, the Greek-Roman Theatre hosts: The Taormina Film Fest and The Taormina Art, a music event, theater and dance where artists from all over the world perform. The famous Palazzo Corvaja of Taormina is where the Sicilian Parliament assembled in 1401 in the presence of Queen Bianca of Navarra. There are a lot of fashionable shops in main street Corso Umberto I, separated by two arches, Porta Messina and Porta Catania in front of the XIII century Cathedral. The most beautiful and characteristic places of Taormina are in the narrow streets off Corso Umberto. A lovely, green park, created by Florence Trevelyan, offers tourists shade during the hot summer months. Florence Trevelyan planted rare precious plants and built a picturesque cottage on "Isola Bella", a small island that has been nature reserve since 1998. Castelmola, a small village, is the strategic location to have the best view of the landscape and of the Taormina sea. The territory of Taormina is crossed by the river that flows along the Alcantara Gorges, canyons 25 m. high. The Alcantara Gorge is a natural canyon 300,000 years ago, one of the most touristic places in Sicily.
ETNA
Mount Etna reaches 3,340 m above sea level, it is the highest active volcano in Europe. Formed over millennia, Mount Etna, commonly known as "Mungibeddu - the good volcano", extends from Catania to Messina. It is characterized by the plume of smoke formed from the ashes that come from the volcano, Mount Etna has sometimes Strombolian activity that generates a natural, breathtaking view visited by many tourists from all over the world. The surrounding lava land is very fertile. Today, lush vegetation, protected by the Etna Park Reservation, gives rise to both agricultural and food products that are highly classified such as PDO and PGI (pistachio from Bronte) both wines with the DOC and DOCG status (Nero d'Avola wine).Etna is one of the favorite destinations for all sportsmen: skiing, cross country skiing, alpine skiing and snowboarding while enjoying the unique view of the sea from the mountain, cyclists on the Tour of Italy and, finally, the runners compete over 3,000 m in altitude during the Etna Marathon. The Circumetnea train is one of the most characteristic forms of public transport to explore the landscape of the volcano; it crosses the mountains from one side to another one.
CATANIA
The baroque city of Catania was built near the Mount Etna volcano in 729 BC by the Greek Chalcis. The city has been rebuilt several times due to earthquakes and eruptions that have taken place throughout history. "U Liotru", local term to indicate the statue of the elephant, is the symbol of the city is located in the center of Piazza Duomo. This Cathedral, dedicated to St. Agatha, patron saint of the city, was originally erected at the end of XI century thanks to the commitment of Count Ruggero, it was almost completely destroyed by the 1693 earthquake, rebuilt in Baroque style by the architect Vaccarini. Heading south from Piazza Duomo, you can admire the Amenano fountain leading to Ursino Castle, built by Frederick II of Swabia, now a Museum. The historic center of Catania is mainly characterized by the following architecture: the Convent of the Benedictines and the eighteenth-century church, which together form the ecclesiastical complex of St. Nicholas Arena, the Roman Theatre, the Odeon and the Amphitheatre dating back to the first centuries after Christ and representative of the Roman domination; Teatro Massimo Vincenzo Bellini opened in 1890 with Norma by Vincenzo Bellini. The city of Catania is also known abroad for its nightlife with entertainment and places to eat and drink in the characteristic historical center.