Mount Etna, Randazzo and Alcantara Gorges Day Trip from Taormina

Combine free time in the foothills of Mount Etna with a visit to Alcantara Gorges and the medieval town of Randazzo! After leaving Taormina, explore the rock pools of beautiful Alcantara Gorges (own expense), and then visit Basilica di Santa Maria in Randazzo. In the afternoon, succumb to the allure of Mount Etna and explore the hiking trails around the volcano’s northern refuge at leisure. Upgrade to visit Mount Etna’s summit and take a walking tour of the craters at the top.

Hop aboard your air-conditioned coach in central Taormina and travel to the nearby Alcantara Gorges, a series of deep incisions in the cliffs around the Alcantara River. Ancient volcanic eruptions created the gorges and now the area is peppered with deep canyons, caves and rock pools that beg to be explored.

After paying your entrance fee, head into the parkland and enjoy a short walk through the gorges with your guide, admiring the waterfalls and crystal-clear rock pools that abound. Return to your coach and relax on your journey to Randazzo, just outside Parco della Etna –a scenic national park.

Basilica di Santa Maria – Randazzo cathedral – is the town’s medieval masterpiece, so step inside and discover its beauty with your guide. Admire the columns that were built from local black lava stone and see a collection of 18th-century paintings. If you visit on a Sunday, your guide will also allow you some free time to browse the Sunday market at leisure.

Return to your coach and travel through Parco della Etna, into the foothills of Mount Etna, the smouldering volcano that’s lauded as Europe’s most active. Travel to the north refuge point, at an altitude of 6,234 feet (1,900 meters), and then leave your coach to explore the area independently.

If you are hungry, enjoy a bite to eat and drink in the refuge’s cafe (own expense), and be sure to ask your guide for hiking trail recommendations. The volcano’s rugged terrain matches the drama of its views, so sturdy walking shoes are just as necessary as your camera.

Upgrade to skip the free time and head straight to the top, instead. Ride by cable car to a height of 8,202 feet (2,500 meters), and then travel the remaining distance by 4x4 jeep, stopping at a dizzying 9,843 feet (3,000 meters). Follow your guide around the summit’s craters and peer into the hornitos (small openings that release lava) while learning about volcanic activity.

Board your coach at the pre-arranged time, and then travel back to the start point in Taormina.

• Transport by air-conditioned coach
• Tour escort/host
• Professional guide (if Mount Etna’s summit upgrade is selected)
  

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
  
• Gratuities (optional)
• Food and drinks
• Entrance fee to Alcanrata Gorges