Aci Castello

Tours

Kick back on a fun boat trip up the coast from Catania. Enjoy an aperitif and some prosecco on board and let a guide fill you in on the history and culture of the local area. Board your vessel at the Blu Marina pier in Catania and set sail on a cruise rich in history and mythology. Sail past attractions like Ognina, and Ulysses Caves. Approach Aci Castello and hear stories of its majestic castle of Byzantine origin, built on a cliff that rises proudly towards the sea. Arrive in Aci Trezza and learn all about the geological formation of the stacks and the legends that surround them from your guide. Explore the vivid seabed by guided snorkeling or stay on the waves with a stand up paddleboard and paddle. Enjoy a dedicated moment to take a group photo, which can then be downloaded by QR Code. Be served a typical Sicilian aperitif accompanied by prosecco as you immerse yourself in this experience. We have 2 boats available: the Emmanuel sailing ship and the Piper vessel. Depending on the number of participants, your group will be divided into one of the two boats, so you have more space to enjoy the tour and relax.

Board the bus in Catania and enjoy views from the top level. As you ride, learn about the area's history, architecture, and culture from the multilingual commentary. After exploring the historic center of Catania, continue along the Catanese coast. Pass through the Riviera dei Ciclopi to reach the village of Acicastello. Admire the iconic Norman castle from the bus or hop off to explore the village on your own. Return to the bus to continue your tour to the famous faraglioni (rock formations) in the village of Acitrezza. Spend as much time as you wish in each of the towns, exploring on your own, stopping for a gelato or coffee, or visiting the sites, before returning to Catania.

The multilingual commentary (6 languages) on board will illustrate the Baroque city's history, architecture, and culture. You will travel the coast, passing through the famous Riviera dei Ciclopi and the village of Acicastello with its iconic Norman castle, and the famous faraglioni in the village of Acitrezza. Tickets are valid on the date booked. Pick-ups and drop-offs at all stops along the way (it is recommended to speak to the driver to request the stop). Vehicles approved for disabled with a wheelchair.

Sail along the route of Ulysses and discover the beauty of the Sicilian coast on this relaxing sailing tour from Catania of 3-4 hours. Get the chance to see Catania's varied marine life, including dolphins, snorkeling or even learn the fundamentals of sailing. Don't miss the opportunity to see Catania from the sea and visit one of the most captivating landscapes of the Sicilian coast as you cruise through the Ulysses' Grotte and the Castle of Aci Castello. During your tour, skip on your choice of alcoholic beverage, including the traditional Italian Aperol Spritz, and munch on an array of delicious traditional snacks and appetizers.

Discover the Etna Coast and reach the Ulysses Caves on this sunset boat trip. Marvel at incredible views with a glass of prosecco in your hand. Make a swimming stop along the way, then tuck into some snacks afterwards. Choose between a private or non-private tour. Begin by meeting at the Catania Nautical Club, inside the Catania harbor. Meet your skipper and listen to a quick safety briefing. Hop on board and set sail, beginning your adventure. Be amazed at the setting sun and the colors in the sky. Relax and enjoy the moment while sipping on some prosecco. Once you arrive at the Caves of Ulysses, make a swimming stop. Jump into the crystal clear waters for a swim, or stay onboard watching the sun go down. Afterwards, tuck into some locally prepared appetizers.

Discover the Etna Coast and reach the Cyclops Island by yacht! We meet at the Club Nautico Catania, inside the port of Catania. You will join the group with one of our passionate skippers: Ivan, Benjamin, Gianluca and Petri. After the registration procedure and safety information we begin the adventure on our fabulous sailing boats from 43 to 49 feet. This is a Full Day (6hours) sailing experience where we will offer you Prosecco, Aperitif and Pasta Lunch. Participants will have the opportunity to swim in front of the Caves of Ulysses, the Medieval Castle of Acicastello, and the Faraglioni of the Isole Ciclopi Nature Reserve. You will discover the beautiful coastline of Catania and relax in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere always assisted by our helpful staff: don't hesitate to ask them to steer the boat, help with the sail and stop for a spontaneous dive into the deep blue. Everyone on the boat should cooperate in the sailing adventure so that you can learn to 'go with the wind'. The Cyclops' lost treasure could be hiding behind a new emotion or a new friendship made on a boat

Departure from the port of Catania (in the historic center). Brief briefing on the navigation we will undertake and start of departure maneuvers. The sails will be hoisted, and we will begin sailing along the coast, stopping several times to explore and dive into the sea. You will enjoy typical Sicilian dishes and appetizers with sparkling wine. (Fruit, gourmet sandwiches, spritz, savory snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages.) During the drop-off, if you wish, you can safely maneuver the sailboat under the skipper's instructions.

From the ancient port of Aci Trezza in Sicily Included in the price: 1) Guide on board for historical narration of the storic Ciclops coast and Aci Trezza 2) Swimming with tourist guide in Ulysses' s Caves 3) On the boat you eat a classic small hot Sicilian lunch with fresh organic wine from Agrigento 1.Island of Lachea Aci Trezza The island Lachea, not large, is the largest of the outcrops that make up the archipelago of the Cyclops, just off Aci Trezza, in Sicily. It is part of the Integral Natural Reserve Isola Lachea and Faraglioni dei Ciclopi, the protected area established by the Sicilian Region in 1998. The island, like the others of the archipelago, is of subvolcanic origin, formed by the intrusion of magma in the pre-existing rocks of the seabed. In 1869 a prehistoric diorite axe was found, while in 1919 two cave tombs were identified, carved into the rock by the hand of man. Of the late Roman period are the objects found inside one of the two large circular holes (about one meter deep) on the island: pots, amphorae, loom weights, bone needles, fragments of a bone comb and a small lamp. The naturalistic museum houses a rich collection of fauna and flora. 2. The Faraglioni It is thought that their origin is associated with the wrath of the cyclops Polyphemus who, blinded by Ulysses, would have thrown the rocks into the sea against the Greek hero to prevent him from fleeing. A story that has certainly fueled legend about the Cyclops Islands, also told in the ninth book of the Odyssey. Fantasy aside, these are wonderful works of nature, sculpted for thousands of years by wind and rain, which fall within a protected marine area, composed of Lachea Island, stacks and four other rocks arranged in an arch. Their origin – in addition to the legend of Polyphemus – can be traced back to the first of the four phases of the evolution of the volcano Etna, an intense volcanic activity that began about half a million years ago.  3. Norman Castle Aci Castello The castle of Aci is located in Aci Castello in the province of Catania. The fortification of uncertain origin, was the fulcrum of the development of the territory of the Aci in the Middle Ages. During the Sicilian Vespers, it was subjected to the lordship of Roger of Lauria, then in the Aragonese era it was of John of Sicily and finally of the Alagona being besieged several times. It is currently home to a civic museum. The basaltic promontory where the castle stands, consists of underwater lava flows (pillow) that have a radiometric age of about 500,000 years from the present. The basaltic cliff is surrounded by a lava flow of prehistoric times that in the historiography of the nineteenth century had been wrongly attributed to the eruption of 1169 4. Ulysses' Caves in Ognina 5. Sicilian food and wine tasting

Travel aboard a comfortable 13-meter boat to discover nearly 20 kilometers of volcanic coastline between the La Timpa Nature Reserve and the Marine Protected Area of the Isola dei Ciclopi on this tour from Aci Castello. Sip drinks and light snacks along the way. Board the motorboat in Aci Castello and ply the water with ease in the company of a marine biologist and underwater environmental guide. Glide on the splendid lava seabed of the Isola dei Ciclopi (Aci Castello), a protected marine area. Discover underwater basalt pillars, lava ropes, pillows of lava and life, and colorful marine plants that will provide the backdrop for an unforgettable snorkeling excursion. Explore ancient lava flows, stretches of white sand, underwater canyons and volcanic faults. Have a good chance of encountering groupers, breams, octopuses and sea sponges. Return to the starting point at the end of the tour.

1.Lachea Island - Aci Trezza The Lachea island, not large in size, is the largest of the outcrops that make up the Cyclops archipelago, just a little further off the coast of Aci Trezza, in Sicily. It is part of the nature reserve integral Lachea Island and Cyclops stacks, the protected area established by the Sicilian Region in 1998. The island, like the others of the archipelago, is of subvolcanic origin, formed for the intrusion of magma into the pre-existing rocks of the seabed. 2. The Faraglioni Consider that their origin is associated with the wrath of the Cyclops Polyphemus who, blinded by Ulysses, would have thrown the rocks into the sea at him the Greek hero to prevent him from escaping. A story that has certainly fueled legend about the Cyclops Islands, told also in the ninth book of the Odyssey. Fantasy aside, these are wonderful works of nature, carved over thousands of years by wind and rain, which fall within a protected marine area, composed of the Lachea Island 3. Norman Castle - Aci Castello The castle of Aci is located in Aci Castello in the province of Catania. The fortification of uncertain origin was the fulcrum of the development of territory of the Aci in the Middle Ages. During the Sicilian Vespers, it was subjected to the lordship of Ruggero di Lauria, therefore in the period Aragonese it belonged to Giovanni di Sicilia and finally to the Alagona being besieged several times. It is currently home to a museum civic. The basaltic promontory where the castle stands is constituted from underwater lava flows (pillows) that have an age radiometric about 500,000 years from the present. 4. Caves of Ulysses - Catania A bath in the history of supposedly legendary events occurred between the 13th and 12th centuries BC. 5. House of the Prince - Aci Catello It was February 1749 when Prince Don Luigi Riggio Don Stefano's successor has a palace built in Acitrezza majestic for his residence. The palace was built facing the sea, close to the beach, imposing, grandiose, with eleven windows in row on the facade and on the sea side, equipped with an embankment bastioned against the cannons of the Turkish ships, which they infested often the seas of eastern Sicily. DURATION 2 HOURS: Adults €60.00 DURATION 2 HOURS: Children up to 12 years €29.00 MAX 8 PEOPLE – MIN 2 PEOPLE DEPARTURE: May - June - July - August - September START ONLY TIME: 6.30pm EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK - ON RESERVATION Departure from the centenary port of Aci Trezza with 5 stops with a stop for swimming. INCLUDED IN THE PRICE: 1. Skipper and guide in Italian and English 2. Civil liability insurance 3. Evening aperitif with local wines and street food from centuries-old Sicilian culture with a view of Etna at sunset.