Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Lace up your walking shoes and grab your guide book. Adventurous travelers who enjoy discovering on their own will relish the opportunity to explore historic Taormina on their own.

Your half-day adventure begins when you depart Messina aboard a comfortable motorcoach for a picturesque, 60-minute journey along Sicily's mountainous east coast. Taormina is a pedestrian-only city, so you'll disembark in a parking lot and take an elevator up to the city gates.

Overlooking the Bay of Naxos from its perch on a rocky promontory 700 feet above sea level, it's easy to see why Taormina has been popular since Roman times! Desired for its strategic position, the town was founded in the 4th century B.C. and was prosperous under Greek – followed by Roman – rule, but after being conquered by the Normans in 1087, it slowly fell into obscurity. Through the centuries, however, the perfect climate and picturesque surroundings beckoned people to its tip-top locale, and it wasn't long before Taormina became the summer destination of royalty and aristocrats. Nicknamed the Pearl of the Mediterranean, Taormina perfectly balances the poetic beauty of yesteryear with an affluent resort ambiance.

An integral part of the "Grand Tour" is a look at how Taormina has charmed many an artist and writer, including Goethe, who wrote of the town's allure in Italian Journey, and D.H. Lawrence, who wrote Lady Chatterley's Lover while residing here.

Remnants of Taormina's Greek and Roman origins are found throughout the charming medieval quarter. The Teatro Greco, or Greek Theater, was built in the 3rd century B.C. and used to perform works by early playwrights. Its small footprint was enlarged by the Romans to accommodate their own spectacles. The theater is set against the wondrous backdrop of Mount Etna.

For a more modern view, stroll the fashionable Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and the bustling main street of Corso Umberto, lined with flower-trimmed villas, boutiques and cafes. This is the perfect area to enjoy a frothy cappuccino and a slice of Sicilian pizza and to people watch. Keep an eye out for the BamBat, a specialty café purported to sell the best granita, a semi-frozen dessert, in Sicily.

At the western end of this street, you'll find Piazza del Duomo, anchored by a baroque fountain, with ornate statues of the mythological centaur. The 3rd-century cathedral, with a Renaissance doorway and beautiful Gothic interior highlighted by a rose window, is a can't-miss photo opportunity. Other churches of note are found on the Piazza IX Aprile (Square of the 9th of April), noted for its black and white paver tiles, where you'll find the Church of St. Joseph and the Church of St. Augustine.

After seeing all the highlights, spend a few minutes shopping for ceramic souvenirs, then meet your motorcoach at the designated time and travel back to port.