Ogni anno migliaia di persone viaggiano in Sicilia per poter fare esperienza dell’Etna, il meraviglioso vulcano attivo più alto d’Europa, Sua Maeastà come noi siciliani amiamo chiamarla. L’Etna è un vulcano affascinante che infatti non smette di affascinare neanche gli stessi locali che dovrebbero essere abituati alla sua vista ma che invece ne rimangono incantanti come se fosse sempre la prima volta.

Ci sono molti modi per godere della possente bellezza naturale dell’Etna.

Il vulcano più grande e attivo d’Europa può essere apprezzato a piedi, in auto, in aereo, o semplicemente ammirato da una terrazza in lontananza ed un cocktail in mano.
Tuttavia chi ha avuto la possibilità di avvicinarsi all’Etna dall’alto in elicottero, una volta ripreso dallo stato di incredulità, vi preparerà a rimanere a bocca aperta.

Se ne avete la possibilità, ecco come prenotare il vostro tour privato in elicottero sull’Etna, e i 5 motivi per cui vedere l’Etna dall’alto è un’occasione da non perdere!

Tour dell’Etna in elicottero: consigli pratici

Noi di Sicily Lifestyle sappiamo come offrirvi la migliore esperienza possibile della Sicilia. Vogliamo che siate testimoni di tutta la magia che quest’isola ha da offrire e vi aiutiamo a creare ricordi preziosi che rimarranno impressi per sempre.

Un tour in elicottero è davvero un modo speciale per vedere la bellezza unica e varia della nostra isola e per voi possiamo organizzare questa esperienza unica ed esclusiva.

I prezzi partono da €880 per un giro di 30 minuti che possiamo rendere ancora più speciale combinandolo, per esempio, con un volo su Taormina, a partire da €1175 per un volo di 40 minuti.

Il tour è completamente personalizzabile. Se volete completare questa attività unica con una cena speciale o un aperitivo, oppure con la visita ad un’altra destinazione in Sicilia o una escursione con guide locali e specializzate, possiamo farlo.
Qualunque sia la vostra richiesta, esattamene come per le esperienze che proponiamo,  anche i nostri tour in elicottero sono pensati per essere speciali ed unici.

Il comfort e il lusso sono garantiti. Contattateci per un preventivo e il nostro team sarà più che felice di aiutarvi.

Etna dall'alto

Cinque motivi per cui dovreste sperimentare l’Etna in elicottero

Quando si parla di destinazioni per viaggi in elicottero, quello sull’Etna è uno dei più impressionanti. Sicuramente la bellezza e l’imponenza dell’Etna contribuiscono a rendere la Sicilia una delle migliori destinazioni di viaggio al mondo, come confermato dalla rivista Forbes.

Se state pensando di prenotare un tour in elicottero sull’Etna, e avete bisogno di essere ulteriormente convinti, ecco i nostri cinque motivi principali per cui dovreste considerare di prenotarlo!

Sentirsi liberi come degli uccelli

Vedere l’Etna in elicottero è un’esperienza davvero unica. Quando vi staccherete dal suolo solido e inizierete a liberarvi, sentirete qualcosa cambiare dentro di voi.

Lasciate a terra il controllo e le preoccupazioni quotidiane, l’adrenalina entra in gioco e siete nelle mani di un pilota affidabile.

Coloro che hanno sperimentato il viaggio in elicottero vi racconteranno il senso unico di libertà che offre.

Un viaggio a stretto contatto con l’ambiente circostante e per dirla con le parole del pilota francese Philippe Perrin: “È solo quando stai volando sopra di essa che ti rendi conto di quanto sia incredibile la Terra”.

Siamo testimoni della vita umana

Ma c’è qualcosa di particolarmente speciale nel salire su un vulcano attivo. Mentre si guida tra i vicini villaggi ricoperti di cenere, è spettacolare vedere come la vita umana sia stabilita sulle pendici dell’Etna. Strade, case, alberghi e negozi sono stati tutti incorporati nel terreno friabile.

Tutti i siciliani, e in particolare quelli dell’est dell’isola, vivono all’ombra dell’Etna, ma mentre sarete in volo, avrete la possibilità di vedere quanto vicino osino andare alcuni.
Il buon senso di questi residenti è talvolta messo in discussione da coloro che non possono immaginare di vivere la propria vita quotidiana sotto una vera minaccia naturale.

Dopo tutto, tra gennaio-luglio 2021, l’Etna ha già eruttato 42 volte.

Tuttavia, la portata della minaccia è ampiamente fraintesa, e gli abitanti delle città etnee sono ben consapevoli di vivere in un terreno ricco, fertile e protetto dai pericoli.

Osservare la vita umana dall’alto delle pendici vi lascia a riflettere su questo stile di vita fuori dall’ordinario, e sul senso di lontananza con cui i residenti dell’Etna scelgono di trascorrere le loro giornate.

Scoprire i colori spettacolari dell’Etna

Volando sopra i crateri, osserverete il vulcano con una prospettiva che manca a coloro che scoprono l’Etna a piedi o in macchina.
Avrete la possibilità di vedere una spettacolare gamma di colori, creati da una miscela di cenere più vecchia e più recente, con il risultato di un’incredibile fusione cosmica di toni rossi, arancioni e grigi. Solo dall’altro potete ammirare i modelli formati naturalmente, i vortici e i contrasti mentre passate dall’alto in basso.

Il suolo dell’Etna è un tipo di terreno unico che pone le basi perfette per una vasta gamma di vegetazione, e la varietà di colture è anche meglio testimoniata dall’alto.

Il suolo dell’Etna è un materiale naturale che sostiene la vita, fornendo le condizioni necessarie per i prodotti di alta qualità per i quali la Sicilia è rinomata come i deliziosi agrumi e gli ottimi vini.

Mentre in volo sarete tentati di guardare a sinistra, a destra ed avanti tutto in una volta.
Proprio quando pensate di aver esaurito lo stupore vi incontrerete con i crateri sommitali mentre danno spettacolo sputando nuvole di cenere. È come se vi dicesse “guardatemi, sono vivo!”.

crateri Etna

Viste imbattibili della Sicilia

Se avete già visitato l’isola in precedenza, godendovi il cibo, il mare e i panorami, e pensate di aver già sperimentato molto di ciò che la Sicilia ha da offrire, allora un tour in elicottero vi darà una nuova prospettiva e vi ricorderà che in Sicilia c’è sempre qualcosa di nuovo da vedere e da fare.

Allo stesso modo, se state visitando la Sicilia per la prima volta, un tour in elicottero è sicuramente la perfetta introduzione a questa magica terra mediterranea.

Volando vedrete le infinite variazioni di bellezza che la Sicilia ha da offrire. Circondato da una scintillante ed estesa costa turchese, passerete sopra la terra in contrasto con il sole, facendovi strada verso l’interno per salire sul terreno vulcanico.

Tornando indietro, vedrete villaggi in toni di terracotta sbirciando, da lontano, come è la vita nelle sonnolente città siciliane.

Avrete la possibilità unica di zoomare sulla Sicilia con una “grandangolo” e sarete testimoni dei contrasti e delle contraddizioni di questo luogo speciale. Una terra meravigliosa che lascia un’impressione duratura su tutti coloro che l’hanno vissuta.

Un assaggio del lusso

Vivere l’Etna in elicottero vi permette di sedervi, rilassarvi e godervi la vista con stile ed in esclusiva privacy.
Che si tratti di un viaggio romantico per due, un’attività di gruppo, o semplicemente la ricerca di una scarica di adrenalina, la vostra esperienza merita di essere senza stress. Permetteteci di trasportarvi senza sforzo dal luogo prescelto al punto di partenza. Il vostro pilota vi accoglierà e vi darà il benvenuto a bordo con cura e competenza.

Dopo una breve introduzione si parte per il decollo alla volta delle scoperta del vulcano attivo più alto d’Europa: sua Maestà l’Etna.

We, at Sicily Lifestyle, love our land and we also love to show it to our guests proposing exclusive travel itineraries – that often include unique and little-known locations – to live their special moments. Sicily in fact is a land full of wonderful destinations, Unesco sites and extraordinary nature that never ceases to amaze even us, who live and grew up here.

Being based in Taormina we felt we had to begin our travel guide from Sicily’s East Coast, a jewel box filled with some of the most beautiful baroque and medieval towns, rugged coastlines of turquoise beaches and majestic views of Mt. Etna.

Catania provides the perfect entry point for visiting Sicily’s East Coast. CTA (Catania Fontanarossa Airport) is connected to major European airports, and strategically located in the mid-point of the East Coast.

Naturally, one could spend a whole month discovering the secrets of this coast and there’s no shortage of beauty. However, realistically we recommend a minimum of 4 days.

However, if you ended up here is because you are planning, or are thinking about, to travel to Sicily and are wondering what are the best places to see on the east coast of Sicily. Then keep on reading, this article is for you! If you are also planning to travel west then make sure to read the post places to see in Sicily’s west coast.

Taormina

Taormina is a quintessential part of an East Coast Sicilian vacation. Even the ancient Greeks knew that Taormina was a place of wonder, hence they built the most panoramic Greek Theatre on its hilltops.

The theatre’s view spans along the Ionian coastline dotted with mesmerizing beaches and perched above them the hero of the view is majestic Mt. Etna with all her glory. It is truly an enchanting sight to see and even if you’re not a history enthusiast, you must visit for the views.

Taormina was ruled by many empires over the centuries, but always played a key role due to its strategic location. Its architecture is dominated by beautiful medieval buildings made of stone and charming narrow alleyways that give you a chance to wander around freely and explore Taormina’s hidden beauty.

The town’s main street Corso Umberto is the artery of Taormina. Walking along this street you can discover Piazza Duomo with its medieval fountain and the Duomo di Taormina; followed by a breathtaking view of the coast from Piazza IX Aprile which is lined by blossoming oleander trees and guarded by a medieval clocktower.

If you are planning a trip to Taormina make sure to read: Best things to do and see in and around Taormina

Taormina view of the greek theater

When you get tired from all the exploring, you should grab Sicily’s beloved granita, a cold and refreshing treat that we can’t live without on hot summer days. Our favorite spot for a delicious granita is Bam Bar (and besides the granita, you are guaranteed to snap an Instagram worthy photo here).

A mandatory stop of Taormina is a short cable-car or bus ride down from then hilltop to its beaches – is Isola Bella, the “pearl of the Ionian”. This tiny island is a treasured spot of all who live in Taormina.

A narrow stretch of sand connecting the land with the small patch of paradise of Isola Bella. If you can, spend the day at the beach of Isola Bella at one of the many lidos offering beach beds, cocktails and food. Walk the narrow strand to the little island and visit the nature reserve. Or take a boat tour around the coves and grottos.

Last, but not least if you want a fantastic sunset view from high above, there is one place to visit you must visit while in Taormina. Just above Taormina, Castelmola, a town we love also when we organize very special and exclusive events for our guests, is suspended on the hilltops.

As you arrive you will find yourself in Sant’Antonio panoramic square with a breath-taking view on the Sicilian Ionian coast with its bays and on Taormina and its castle. Make your way to Chiesa di San Nicolo di Bari and find yourself at the cutest little square with bars and restaurants and a lovely view.

Castelmola Sicily during a wedding

Siracusa/ Ortigia Island

Siracusa and Ortigia Island are synonymous and you may hear their names interchangeably. Siracusa is towards the south end of the eastern shore of Sicily, about an hour drive from Catania. Ortigia island is part of the city of Siracusa, it’s an island but its separation is unnoticeable as it’s only divided from the city by a small stretch of water.

Siracusa is a gem and has been for centuries, it was the most powerful Greek city in Sicily and according to Cicero it was “the greatest Greek city and the most beautiful of them all”. Another fun fact about Siracusa is that it was the birthplace and home of Archimedes. He made his famous discovery about the density of metals in his bathtub in Siracusa and ran the streets naked screaming “Eureka”.

While you certainly won’t see naked scientists running around Siracusa anymore, you will be treated to a wonderful experience exploring this ancient city. For history lovers, the Siracusa Archeological Park offers amazing historical treasures like the ancient Greek Theatre, Roman Amphitheatre, Altar of Hieron.

For food lovers, shoppers and photography enthusiasts alike, Siracusa is a beautiful and romantic treat. After passing the bridge over to Ortigia island, you will arrive at the Temple of Apollo built in the 7th century BCE. To the right of the ruins of the temple, you will be greeted by the most delicious smells, ripe produce, fresh fish and the colors of the Siracusa market.

There will be hustle and bustle, sellers shouting about their products and you’ll feel the energy of the market exploding. Feast your eyes and stomach on Sicily’s abundant fruits and vegetables, and make sure to come here just before lunch-time for a special treat.

At the end of the market, there are a handful of food vendors with small bar-like shops and plenty of outdoor seating. They make delicious cheese & meat boards and fantastic sandwiches with the best Italian ingredients.

Our favorite place is Caseificio Borderi, a family-run salumeria that makes the most mouthwatering sandwiches literally stuffed to the brink with artisanal cheeses, meats and vegetables. This is an authentic and unforgettable Sicilian experience.

After the market, walk to the Fountain of Arethusa and admire the beautiful nymph in the center of the fountain. Then make your way to the center of Ortigia, the Piazza del Duomo. On the way, you can admire a mixture of Greek and Roman, Mediaeval Norman buildings and some baroque architecture.

Piazza del Duomo is a stunning square and perfect for taking some classic Sicilian photos, if you want a bird’s eye view of Ortigia, you can take the stairs to the top of the cathedral and admire the coast from up there.

If you wander around a little further, you will eventually arrive to the sea and can walk along to the tip of the island to Castello Maniace. Once you explored the city and have more time in the area for a beach day, definitely visit the beaches near Plemmirio. Absolutely stunning rugged coastline with turquoise beaches await you.

Ortigia Siracusa in Sicily

Noto

Venturing a little away from the coast, you will find the “city of sun”, Noto. Noto is a baroque jewel box, built entirely of limestone and its buildings positioned so they receive constant attention from the sun. As baroque would have it, the buildings are pompous, dramatic and full of detail.
Enhancing all the detail is the limestone that shines bright and emits an otherworldly golden glow when the sun hits its surface, creating a golden aura around the entire city, especially at sunset. Noto is the epitome of urban perfection.

The main artery of Noto is Corso Vittorio Emanuele and walking down this street you will find all the main attractions. Cattedrale di Noto is probably the most imposing and impressive of all buildings with its long cascading steps.

Across the street, you can visit Palazzo Ducezio and admire its baroque frescoes and interior details. Make sure to head out on its balconies so you can take some amazing photos of the cathedral and the street down below.

If you’re yearning for more baroque interiors you can visit all the churches and Palazzo Castelluccio and Palazzo Nicolaci are also open to the public and show the opulence of this period.

To relax and satisfy one’s sweet tooth, stop at the famous Caffé Sicilia. Local’s favorite since 1892 and made internationally known by Netflix’s Chefs Table, Caffe Sicilia serves a traditional menu of Sicilian desserts, made fresh with only local ingredients. There is absolutely no wrong choice here, order the entire menu, you deserve it!

There is no wonder why Noto is a UNESCO Heritage Site, it is a true expression of fantasy, devotion and humanity’s desire for beauty.

View of Noto in Sicily

Mt. Etna & Mt. Etna Wineries

Last but definitely not least on our must-visit list of East Coast Sicily is Mt. Etna. Mt. Etna’s majestic present has shaped much of Sicily, not only its landscape but our culture, our cuisine and our traditions as well. She’s a constant presence in our lives. Mt. Etna is Europe’s highest and most active volcano and your visit to Sicily is not complete without spending some time exploring her beauty.

Not everyone is an avid hiker, so we don’t recommend climbing to the top of Mt. Etna to everyone, but if you want a challenge you can take the 8hr round-trip trek and experience the marvel of being on top of an active volcano.
These treks are only allowed with a professional guide and proper shoes and gear. We are more than happy to help you book the hiking excursion if you’re the adventurous type.

If hiking is not your cup of tea, Mt. Etna should still not be skipped. To experience the lava covered terrain one can drive up to Rifugio Sapienza at 2000 meters over sea level and take a leisurely walk around the two nearby craters.

From here you can also take the cable-car to higher elevation where the cable-car company offers 4×4 bus tours that reach up to 2500 meters elevation. The surface of Mt. Etna is truly wonderful, covered in black lava rock and dotted with moss, tundra grass and other interesting flora; you will feel like walking on an alien planet.

If you are looking for a really exciting adventure then consider to book the mount Etna helicopter tour, a fantastic experience that lets you see it from above.

But the Mt. Etna adventure does not stop here. On the slopes of the volcano the soil is fertile and abundant in nutrients, hence making it a perfect place to grow wonderful produce and most importantly quality grapes. Mt. Etna has some of the best wineries in Sicily and due to its unique microclimate wine produced here is very special.

Most wineries offer wine tasting combined with antipasti or with a 3-4 course lunch made from local ingredients grown and produced in the area. A feast befitting the wine god Bacchus awaits you on the slopes of our beloved Mt. Etna.

Mount Etna erupting

The East Coast of Sicily is a captivating and diverse region of Sicily and we could provide you with endless more inspiration for your visit. Taormina, Siracusa, Noto and Mt. Etna are just the beginning of the possibilities for a vacation that you will not forget.

Let us craft your Sicilian story and share the magic of Sicily with you on your next trip.
We’re specialized in finding the most enchanting accommodation for your stay, organizing authentic Sicilian experiences, covering your transportation needs and everything you may need so all you have to worry about is soaking the Sicilian Dolce Vita.
Contact us now and start planning your luxury Sicily Experience.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana choose the Ancient Theatre of Taormina to present the world their new film ‘Devotion’. A documentary, in which fashion and art are masterfully woven together to tell the story of Dolce & Gabbana’s muse – Sicily; the place that has always influenced their work.

The immense love for beauty the two designers share is brought to life by the Oscar-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore, underscored by music previously unpublished by the Oscar-winning composer, the unforgettable Maestro Ennio Morricone.

Filmed mostly in the heart of Palermo, the documentary recounts Dolce and Gabbana’s infinite love for Sicily – an inexhaustible source of creativity-, and their tireless passion for their work. Daily devotion, in fact, is the result of the union of two different, but complementary geniuses who manage to interpret Sicily as no one else has ever been able to do. 

Their creations show deep respect for the traditions of the island; synthesizing and enhancing its values, diversity and beauty of historical, cultural, artistic heritage. 

The path of their fashion, in which cultures, languages and stories are mixed, has made Dolce & Gabbana the ambassadors of excellence of Sicily in the world over the years. The film aims to reveal the most important moments in the work of the designers. From their creative intuition, their notes, sketches and drawings inspired by our magical island, to the staging of breathtaking fashion shows that materialize the strength of their creativity.

Paladins painted on Sicilian carts, frescoes of noble palaces, processions and religious rites, the flowers and fruits of Sicily are some of the many sources of inspiration that find expression in their art culminating on the catwalk. “Devotion” brings to the screen images that combine a strong cultural symbol, the perfect meeting point between Sicily and Dolce & Gabbana.

Devotion Premiere Taormina

Devotion, apart from religious devotion, is also devotion to your work, to your land, to your family” says Domenico Dolce. “For me it might seem like a matter of pride. I was afraid to do what we say in Sicilian “a bad figure” because going back to where we started and coming back victorious was quite difficult. I have to say that this journey in reverse, from Milan to Palermo, was a beautiful experience to rediscover and confirm what Sicilianity is“.

Being in Taormina to present this documentary that Tornatore made about us is a great emotion because we started from here, 8 years ago, doing our first Haute Couture show,” adds Stefano Gabbana, remembering what ties the designers to Taormina and why they chose it as the first stage on which to premiere their film.

Locantina Devotion Dolce & Gabbana

But it is through the words of the very Sicilian Giuseppe Tornatore, with whom the designers have worked on several occasions, that the emotions of Devotion can be transmitted in a unique way:

“The relationship with Domenico and Stefano is characterized by total freedom,” says Tornatore with the bay of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna behind hseim. “Every time they asked me to do something, they always left me totally free. This is indeed the typical characteristic of their approach to my work.  And even in this case, indeed especially in this case, they have opened their world to my eyes.

I had the opportunity to live with them, to witness their days of daily work for a long time. I had the chance to take back what intrigued me without any limitation. The idea was just to pry into their world made of passion, determination, hard work and to distill everything that was interesting to my eyes…So a movie that’s a testimony. The testimony of the way these two designers work and their relationship so deep and so strong with Sicily…  Perhaps seen 3 years later, this documentary will show you moments of collective life, moments of joyful sharing of the show, of beauty, of a fashion show, of an exhibition of the products made by Domenico and Stefano in an atmosphere that today, after the experience of quarantine, may seem far away in time with these squares crowded with people happy to be together, to share that world together.

Today they will seem to us images of a past but also at the same time images of a world that we all hope will return as soon as possible to fill our days and above all to fill our gaze because they are images of beauty, they are images of joy, of passion, for Sicily. They are images, as the title of the film says, of Devotion.”

Sicily Lifestyle, with tremendous devotion, thanks Domenico Dolce, Stefano Gabbana and Giuseppe Tornatore for promoting the image of Sicily in the world through art, a sublime synthesis of a vision.

This site is registered on wpml.org as a development site. Switch to a production site key to remove this banner.