Tag Archives: Taormina

1 May 2016
Taormina, Italy: A View to a Thrill

By Corey Sandler, Destination Consultant Silversea Cruises

On the island of Sicily, Taormina offers one of the most spectacular views of the massive active volcano, Mount Etna. That peak is almost always bubbling or letting loose clouds of ash.

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Even this far south, Etna is usually capped by snow until deep into the summer. In Taormina, snow is less common but many mornings the locals must brush away white ash dropped on their doorsteps by Etna.

The most remarkable structure at Taormina is the Greek Theatre, one of the most celebrated ruins in Sicily.

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It was built mostly of brick, and so archeologists say it probably actually dates from Roman times. But its plans are definitely Greek. Best guess: built during the 3rd century BC and rebuilt by the Romans during the 2nd century AD.

It is the second largest theatre of its kind in Sicily, after one in Syracuse.

Its acoustics are exceptional: a stage whisper can be heard in the last rows.

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A view of our ship at anchor,  seen through one of the arches along the stage of the Greek Theatre of Taormina

It is still used for opera, theater, concerts, and a glamorous film festival each summer. And over the centuries, more than a few performances have been enhanced by a show of flame, lava, and smoke from Etna.

ETNA 10Apr2016 EDIT BLOG-4195

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We were most recently here on April 10 and you’ll find more photos and commentary in the blog entry for that day.

Text and images copyright 2016 by Corey Sandler. All rights reserved. If you would like to purchase a high-resolution image, please contact me.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS, PLEASE CONTACT ME.

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS

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Now available, the revised Second Edition of “Henry Hudson Dreams and Obsession” by Corey Sandler, for the Amazon Kindle. You can read the book on a Kindle device, or in a Kindle App on your computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

If you would like to purchase an autographed copy, please see the tab on this page, “HOW TO ORDER A PHOTO OR AUTOGRAPHED BOOK”

Here’s where to order an electronic copy for immediate delivery:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IA9QTBM

Hudson Book Cover

Henry Hudson Dreams and Obsession: The Tragic Legacy of the New World’s Least Understood Explorer (Kindle Edition)

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS,  PLEASE CONTACT ME.

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS

10 April 2016
Taormina, Italy: Bubbling in the Hills

By Corey Sandler, Destination Consultant Silversea Cruises

Taormina is a charming old town, perched in the hills, about midway between Messina and Catania on the island of Sicily.

I say “hills” advisedly. Nearby is one very large and very active hill.

When we sailed south from Sorrento through the Tyrrhenian Sea we entered into the Strait of Messina. On our left was the big toe at the bottom of the mainland of Italy. To our right was the large island of Sicily, the football being kicked by Italy’s boot.

This is, in maritime and geological circles, an interesting place. The narrow strait has some treacherous currents (just ask Homer, who wrote about Odysseus’ passage between Scylla and Charybdis here.)

And then there is the bubbling deep down below. In this region, the Eurasian plate is moving down toward the African plate.

Which brings us to that hill: Looming at the end of town is Mount Etna: the tallest active volcano in Europe, nearly constantly bubbling over like a bowl of Arrabiata sauce left on the burner.

ETNA 10Apr2016 EDIT BLOG-4247

ETNA 10Apr2016 EDIT BLOG-4246

The view of Mount Etna from our ship at anchor in the Bay of Naxos today

Etna stands about 3,329 meters or 10,922 feet tall, although every time it erupts it grows or shrinks. I’ve climbed to near the peak, but I left my tape measure behind.

Etna is about two-and-a-half times the height of the next tallest Italian volcano, Mount Vesuvius between Naples and Sorrento.

BLOG Messina Etna 10Nov2014-9069

Taormina is the jewel of the region, a lovely little town with a spectacular Greek Theater and an even-more spectacular view of Mount Etna.

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We are due to return to Taormina on May 1 and I will have additional photos and commentary in the blog entry for that day.

Text and images copyright 2016 by Corey Sandler. All rights reserved. If you would like to purchase a high-resolution image, please contact me.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF ONE OF MY BOOKS, PLEASE CONTACT ME.

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS

————-

Now available, the revised Second Edition of “Henry Hudson Dreams and Obsession” by Corey Sandler, for the Amazon Kindle. You can read the book on a Kindle device, or in a Kindle App on your computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

If you would like to purchase an autographed copy, please see the tab on this page, “HOW TO ORDER A PHOTO OR AUTOGRAPHED BOOK”

Here’s where to order an electronic copy for immediate delivery:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IA9QTBM

Hudson Book Cover

Henry Hudson Dreams and Obsession: The Tragic Legacy of the New World’s Least Understood Explorer (Kindle Edition)

SEE THE “How to Order a Photo or Autographed Book” TAB ON THIS PAGE FOR INSTRUCTIONS