Sailing overnight from Capri, we passed the active island volcano Stromboli at dawn, then passed through the Straight of Messina before anchoring at Naxos, Sicily for our tour of Taormina. Ancient sites in Taormina include a large theater built by the Greeks with later major changes by the Romans and a small Roman Odeon.
En route to Sicily, we saw the almost continuous eruption of Stromboli
En route to Sicily, we saw the almost continuous eruption of Stromboli
Approaching the Strait of Messina, known from legend as the passage between Scylla and Charybdis
Approaching the Strait of Messina, known from legend as the passage between Scylla and Charybdis
Porta Messina - The landmark gateway to Taormina
Porta Messina - The landmark gateway to Taormina
This emblem, called a trinacria, is common in Sicily. It symbolizes the triangular shape of the island of Sicily, and a version of it is on the flag of Sicily.
This emblem, called a trinacria, is common in Sicily. It symbolizes the triangular shape of the island of Sicily, and a version of it is on the flag of Sicily.
A view toward the center of Taormina (right center) and Naxos (left, along the coastline). The mountain in the haze in the upper center is Mount Etna, one of the highest active volcanoes in Europe.
A view toward the center of Taormina (right center) and Naxos (left, along the coastline). The mountain in the haze in the upper center is Mount Etna, one of the highest active volcanoes in Europe.
Castello Saraceno, on the highest point at the upper right, overlooks Taormina.
Castello Saraceno, on the highest point at the upper right, overlooks Taormina.
Our first stop in Taormina was the Roman theater.
Our first stop in Taormina was the Roman theater.
Entrance to the Roman theater
Entrance to the Roman theater
The Roman theater in Taormina - Mount Etna in the upper-right background
The Roman theater in Taormina - Mount Etna in the upper-right background
John MacWhirter
Mount Etna from the Greek Theatre, Taormina, Sicily 1890
oil on canvas
121.5 x 190.7 cm stretcher; 166.5 x 235.8 x 11 cm frame
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Gift of D P McEwan 1891
John MacWhirter
Mount Etna from the Greek Theatre, Taormina, Sicily 1890
oil on canvas
121.5 x 190.7 cm stretcher; 166.5 x 235.8 x 11 cm frame
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Gift of D P McEwan 1891
The Roman theater in Taormina
The Roman theater in Taormina
A view north from near the top of the Roman theater
A view north from near the top of the Roman theater
Leaving the theater and heading toward the center of town
Leaving the theater and heading toward the center of town
A recently discovered small Roman theater in the center of the city
A recently discovered small Roman theater in the center of the city
Small Roman theater
Small Roman theater
A medieval palace, now a visitor center
A medieval palace, now a visitor center
Corso Umberto, the main street in Taormina
Corso Umberto, the main street in Taormina
Le Bougainville anchored at Naxos
Le Bougainville anchored at Naxos
Church of San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph) in Taormina
Church of San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph) in Taormina
Church of San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph) in Taormina
Church of San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph) in Taormina
Church of Saint Augustine (Sant' Agostino)
Church of Saint Augustine (Sant' Agostino)
The Porta di Mezzo in Taormina - This is as far as we walked toward the west in the city.
The Porta di Mezzo in Taormina - This is as far as we walked toward the west in the city.
The narrowest street in Taormina
The narrowest street in Taormina
The narrowest street in Taormina
The narrowest street in Taormina
The narrowest street in Taormina
The narrowest street in Taormina
A market in Taormina
A market in Taormina
Off of the main street, it was much more quiet. We are heading toward the gardens.
Off of the main street, it was much more quiet. We are heading toward the gardens.
Le Bougainville anchored at Naxos
Le Bougainville anchored at Naxos
Inside the gardens
Inside the gardens
We purchased an excellent cannoli at this bakery.
We purchased an excellent cannoli at this bakery.
On our short bus ride back to the ship, our driver stopped for us to view and photograph Isola Bella, a once private island that is now a nature preserve owned by the Region of Sicily.
On our short bus ride back to the ship, our driver stopped for us to view and photograph Isola Bella, a once private island that is now a nature preserve owned by the Region of Sicily.
In the port at Naxos, the tender is transferring passengers returning from Taormina to Le Bougainville.
In the port at Naxos, the tender is transferring passengers returning from Taormina to Le Bougainville.
A night photograph of Naxos
A night photograph of Naxos
A night photograph of Naxos. The blue light is from the 'Blue Eye' bar on the ship. More on that later!
A night photograph of Naxos. The blue light is from the 'Blue Eye' bar on the ship. More on that later!
