Taormina
We arrived in Taormina just in time for lunch and a pizza making demonstration with two brothers and of course our guide Alfio. Of course after making the pizza, we really enjoyed eating them. They were delicious. They would be of course; we are in Sicily!
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After our pizza demonstration and lunch, a local guide gave us a guided tour of Taormina. The main street (Corso Umberto) has many unique shops and dozens of alleys angling off to the side.
You cannot escape the sweet goodies in Sicily. Did you know that Taormina is Sicily's most famous resort town? |
We continued with our local guide to the Greek Theater. Its setting is amazing with Mt. Etna in the background. It was originally constructed in the 3rd century BC; however, in the 2nd century BC it was rebuilt under Roman rule with the characteristics of a Roman theater. It is still used today for theatrical performances and concerts.
Did you know this theater is the second largest of its kind in Sicily after that of Siracusa? |
Buon giorno! Our destination today is Siracusa. But first we are taking a tour of Mt. Etna. Its elevation is 10,990 feet. As we drove up the mountain, we saw signs of recent eruptions and old signs of destruction such as the house buried in lava. There are two kinds of lava. Aa (pronounced "ah ah") is rough and chunky and reddish brown in color due to oxidation. The other type of lava is pahoehoe (pronounced "paw hoey hoey") and it is darker and smoother.
Did you know that Mt. Etna is Europe's largest and most active volcano? |
We continued on from Mt. Etna and stopped at a local farm to learn about life in rural Sicily and had a great lunch. As with all meals in Sicily, the food was great and the quantity was almost unlimited.
After our great lunch, we continued on to our day's destination, Siracusa. |