A marvelous position and unique natural beauties have earned this city the nickname of Pearl of the Ionian Sea, making it the most famous and important holiday resort in the whole of Sicily. Taormina welcomes you at any time of the year with its Mediterranean climate, the historic center full of monuments and the spectacular Hellenistic theater that offers a spectacular panorama of the turquoise sea and a view that stretches as far as the coasts of Calabria, the city of Syracuse and on the summit of Etna.
A natural balcony above Taormina, Castelmola is the vertigo of vision: entering its field of vision, in a riot of prickly pears, the majestic Etna with the towns clinging to its slopes, the Ionian coast, the Gulf of Giardini-Naxos, the Capo di Sant'Alessio, the Strait of Messina and the Calabrian coasts. One would no longer want to come down from this sunny belvedere: a watchful eye on the sea, one's back to the mountain, one's heart inside a ruined castle. Beyond the ancient shadow of the almond trees, the entrance to the village, perched on top of infinite hairpin bends. With its narrow streets that intersect and meet in the main square, it immediately reveals the medieval settlement. The remaining time on the Tour will be used for travel to and from the attractions.
Two of us travelled with Manuel out of Catania up to Castlemola and Taormina. Both were stunning places and Manuel was a terrific guide. Very happy we went early in the day as we avoided the cruise crowds in both locations. We wanted to see Giardini Naxos on the way back and Manuel was happy to accommodate that. Great trip well worth the money.
Castelmola was fascinating. Roads were a little rough for our needs, Manuel adjusted the tour to give us the best possible presentation. Taormina was as hoped with the lovely Greek theater.
It was a beautiful day and area. Our driver Gabriele was great and interesting. Just be aware the roads are very twisty so take Dramamine before if needed.
Wonderful tour! Best part was Gabriele. He showed us all the sites, taught us much, and was a pleasure. We loved this day.
This tour was amazing. Our tour guide took us all over the Castelmola and Taormina area. He showed us incredible views and unexpected places. He did all of this while customizing the tour to our requests. He even fit in a bonus town and Isolabella.
Manual is a conscious driver with a thorough understanding of the complex mountainous roadways to Taormina and Castelmola. Both villages are beautiful towns are perched hanging off cliffs and a mountain landscape. The roads are narrow, the views are spectacular requiring walking cobblestone and paved pathways and steps. All worth the climb! We greatly appreciate Manual’s organization of convenient meeting points along the way as we navigated the beautiful streets and plazas of both villages.
Manuel was great! The tour was more of an enhanced transfer, partly because Taormina is so busy that parking the car to show us around was a challenge so we were given free time. Manuel did take us to Castelmola and showed us some of his favorite spots (including a fun bar!) and of course the Castle itself. He recommended we save money and eat in Naxos after Taormina and we did go to a spot he recommended and that was awesome. Would definitely do again, but reach out to Manuel for more details up front!
It was our first private tour with Viator, we didn’t know what to expect. Manuel did show up on time. Manuel was pilot, flexible, and been very helpful. He even took us to a local Resturant with reservation. Overall we are happy with Manuel.
The views were amazing! Enjoyed walking through the seaside towns. Manuel was a very good driver and host.
Castelmola is a charming medieval village located a few kilometers from Taormina, on the hill overlooking the city. Personally, I find Castelmola a charming and charming place that deserves a visit during a trip to Taormina. Castelmola's most notable feature is its spectacular panoramic view. From the top of the hill, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Taormina, Etna and the surrounding sea. It is an incredible experience to see the city below with its narrow streets and roofs of houses, while the majestic volcano Etna stands out on the horizon. The village itself is charming, with its cobbled streets, old stone buildings and picturesque corners to explore. There are some old churches that are worth visiting, such as the Mother Church, which dates back to the 12th century, and the Church of San Biagio, which offers interesting frescoes and works of art. Along the narrow streets there are also some characteristic shops and restaurants where you can taste the traditional Sicilian cuisine. Taormina is a place that left me with mixed feelings. While it undeniably boasts stunning views and a rich historical heritage, I found it to be quite touristy and crowded, especially during the peak season. The town itself is beautiful, with its charming streets, shops, and restaurants. Manuel was really excellent, he was able to provide us with information about the place, the cities. He also recommended us excellent restaurants to eat at. He has been very kind to both me and my husband, and is always available. Incredible experience
Hermosos los dos pueblitos. El conductor muy amable y servicial. Estuvo siempre al pendiente de nosotros. Graxias
It was a fantastic day, we wanted to visit Taormina for a long time and the combination with Castelmola was a great choice, as it is only 15 minutes from Taormina is worth visiting, it is a small folk village and reached the top of the castle after many steps you have a unique view... From the sea to the castle, perfect program for a day to discover Sicily, thank you very much again for your friendliness and precision in every detail, see you next!
Manuel accompanied us to Taormina and Castelmola where we walked to the center, saw the Duomi and tasted excellent typical products, the view of snowy Etna and the sea from Castelmola is fantastic, the only flaw the road is not comfortable, too many curves but Manuel had the foresight to drive slowly. Thank you!!
I booked the tour of Taormina and Castelmola and could not choose a better way to spend the last day visiting Sicily. Nice and comfortable car, punctual and very kind driver, highly recommend
An incredible experience , a beautiful tour , breathtaking scenery , highly recommend , an unforgettable experience
I spent a fabulous day with my brother to discover these two beautiful Sicilian places. Our guide was nice and courteous, tomorrow we go to Syracuse and I always notice with them, thanks!!
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