EJ · Syracuse and Ortygia Island Tour

Meeting at your hotel with your English speaking guide and getting on board your comfortable minibus or motorcoach driving to Syracuse. This will be the longest drive of the tour, but it will be worth it because you will visit one of the most beautiful towns in Sicily. You will be driven through the motorway to the Archaeological area, the highlights of which are: the Roman amphitheater, constructed  in the second century A.D. during Roman Imperial age was partly carved out from the rock. In the center of the area is a rectangular space which was used for the scenic machinery; the Greek theatre, whose cavea is one of the largest ever built by the ancient Greeks: carved out of solid rock and excellently preserved, it has 67 rows, divided into nine sections with eight aisles. The edifice, still used today, was modified by the Romans, who adapted it to their different kind of spectacles, including also circus games; the rope makers’ grotto, the Dionysus’ ear, artificial cave, hand carved down to 200 feet deep, resembling an earlobe, used as a prison during the war against Athens.
Then by minivan or motorcoach you will be driven to Ortygia parking area. Leave the minivan and start your pleasant walk through Ortygia, the old Syracuse.
It is the islet on which the original city was founded: Pancali Square, the ruins of the Apollo’s temple dating to the first quarter of the 6th century BC; Corso Matteotti, the main and most elegant shopping area, Archimede Square with the fountain of Artemis; the Cathedral, that was originally the temple of Athena and then converted into a Christian church in the 7th century. Free time for lunch in Ortygia. After lunch, drive back to Taormina.