THE COASTLINE OF TAORMINA
The coast stretching from the long sandy shore of Letojanni to Capotaormina is characterized by a succession of rocky  promontories, enchanting bays, tiny golden beaches, marine grottoes and “faraglioni” (rocks) rising from the sea. On the mythical Ionian Sea, a beautiful natural scenery unfolds: Baia delle Sirene (Siren’s Bay), the cliffs of Capo S.Andrea dropping sheer into the sea.  We enter the charming gulf of Isola Bella. The history of this Island came from King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicily whose gifted the island to the town of Taormina in 1806. Then this spectacular natural site was bought by Ms. Trevelyan, who built a small house in 1957 facing the sea and imported exotic plants, which thrived in the Mediterranean climate. Subsequent owners kept up the island, until the owner went bankrupt, and auctioned the island in 1990. The island had been noted by conservationists as early as 1983, and it was quickly obtained by the Region and designated as a protected natural site. The island is home to several species of birds, and a few types of lizards. Inside the gulf of Isola Bella we find the luminescent Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto) which is 30m depth outstanding for its rich flora and fauna. The name Blue Grotto, was given for the intense blue color that the sun’s rays through the water of the sea give to the cave. After we notice the rocky spur of Capotaormina with the jagged “faraglioni” rising from the sea. The most advanced end of the structure is characterized by a huge rock on which is placed a cross, hence the name given by locals, Scoglio della Croce. Along the rocky creeks of Capotaormina is located the Grotta del Giorno about 25m deep populated by the characteristic flora and fauna as sea urchins, starfish, shrimp, eels and coral.  On the surrounding hills, covered with a lush vegetation and ever-green gardens, are the refined hotel facilities which have made Taormina famous all over the world.

ACITREZZA
It’s a small fishermen village of 5.000 inhabitants dominated by the Rocks of the Cyclops, pointed mass of black lava rising up from the waters. The Odyssey tells that this stones by the sea are the huhe rocks that the giant Polyphemus threw at Ulysses who had blinded him by thrusting a flaming stake into his only eye; after Ulysses could escape with his companions by clinging to the bellies of rams belonging to the Cyclops. Beside we notice the larger rock called Island of Lachea, todays hosting a biology research station run by the University of Catania. Acitrezza was chosen by the writer Giovanni Verga to set his celebrated novel I Malavoglia. The little harbor with multi-colored typical fishermen boats, seems inhabited by the ghosts of his fictitious characters; so easy to imagine Maruzza and the other members of the Malavoglia family, waiting here anxiously on the shore, ceaselessly searching the horizon, alas in vain, for the Provvidenza with his cargo of lupins. Here Luchino Visconti shooted his film La Terra Trema (The Earth Trembles) that he draw from Verga’s novel I Malavoglia.

ACICASTELLO
Acicastello is a bigger village on the picturesque Riviera dei Ciclopi which lies to the north of Catania. The city is about 19,200 inhabitants and part of nine cities in the area sharing the prefix “Aci”. In the second half of the twelfth century the town was razed by a disastrous earthquake which forced the population to take refuge in neighboring localities. The Castle was completely carved on black lava stone,  a fortress from Norman origins nestled on this rocky spur by the sea. This place has been fortified since the Roman Age, when it hosted the Rocca Saturnia. Destroyed it was rebuilt by Tancredi in 1189. Under the Bourbons, around 1787, the castle was used as a prison. From the top we have a breathtaking view over the Faraglioni and the Lachea island. The castle houses the small City Museum, collecting archaeological relics and mineral specimens. There are 2 Legends about this area: Acis and Galatea – Daughter of Nereus, the sea nymph Galatea fell in love with the shepherd Acis, son of God Pan. Unfortunately, she caught the eye of Cyclops Polyphemus as well, the enemy of Ulysses.  As the nymph rejected him, he, jealous and hatred, killed the young shepherd. Zeus, moved to pity by the pain suffered by the young Nereid, transformed her lover into a river (today’s Akis) that flowing towards the sea, the realm of Galatea, enables the two to meet for ever more. The nine Aci – According to a legend, the body of the young shepherd killed by Poliphemus was dismembered into nine parts, upon which the nine Aci-cities were built:Aci Bonaccorsi, Aci Castello, Aci Catena, Aci Platani, Acireale, Aci S. Filippo, Aci S. Antonio, Aci S. Lucia and Aci Trezza. This stretch of Sicily’s Eastern coastline is also known as the Cyclops’ Coast.

THE COASTLINE
The coast stretching from Riposto take the name of “Timpa”, because of the sudden raising of the rocky crops of lava flows with a variety of amazing spots, high rocky walls – some reaching 100 meters  – and caves, formed by marine erosion. Acqua Ranni – with a famous lava cleef –, Santa Maria la Scala, Santa Tecla, Stazzo and Pozzillo are among its most frequented sea resorts. The whole province is characterized by a rich flora, mainly the Mediterranean bush. Once arriving in Capomulini we notice the rocks of faraglioni standing out from the sea. These rocks formed thousand years ago from submarine eruption during mount Etna rising. Today all the area is a Marine Protected Reserve for the importance of Fauna and Flora.