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Eastern Sicily: From Catania to Taormina with Alice Bifarella

Eastern Sicily: From Catania to Taormina with Alice Bifarella


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Context's online seminars are designed for travelers looking to enhance their in-person experiences at famous landmark destinations in cities around the world.

The aim of this conversation is to provide travelers an overview of East Sicily, encouraging and preparing them for a future visit in person. Our conversation has been designed to compliment Context's Private Tours of Sicily.

Our virtual experience of the eastern half of the island will begin with an introduction to the island’s geography and history, before exploring in some depth some of the most important and enticing sites on the Ionian Riviera. In the company of a local expert, we will virtually travel from the resilient and lively lava stone city of  Catania to the true gems of the late baroque Val Di Noto, adding in between, the magnificent Mount Etna, the famous hill-top town of Taormina, the stunning archaeological remains of Siracusa with its charming beating heart, the island of Ortigia, and of course, the scenic fishing village of Marzamemi. 

This stunning mix of nature, culture, traditions, food and wine will make for a wonderful introduction to East Sicily that will meet everyone’s tastes. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will get helpful and inspiring tips to better enjoy their experiences in Sicily 

Eager to learn more? Get inspired with our other Sicily virtual content:
Or explore Sicily on a private walking tour with Context.

Alice Bifarella holds a degree in Classics from the University of Bologna and a postgraduate Master's degree in Art History and Archaeology from the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Paris. She has been working for many years as a field archaeologist. Since the beginning of her career, her main goal has been to make archaeology and art more approachable to the general public. Her long experience as a museum educator has given her the training to work easily both with children and adults. She likes to see herself as an enthusiast and passionate ambassadress of Sicily's cultural heritage.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 19 reviews
95%
(18)
5%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
A
Andrea Barron (Suitland, US)
Fabulous tour of Eastern Sicily with Alice

I plan on visiting Catania and Taormina in Sicily in two weeks, and was hoping this tour would give me an introduction to the eastern part of the island. Alice did much more than this-- she gave us a fascinating lecture on the history and culture of the island, how Sicily is an eclectic mix of Italian, Spanish, Roman, Greek and other influences. Now I can visit Sicily as a well-informed traveler who can better appreciate this beautiful island. Thank you Alice and Context Conversations.

I
Irene Pasquesi (Chicago, US)
Eastern Sicily: From Catania to Taormina

It was a wonderful learning experience combined with travel advice as well.

B
B.K. (San Antonio, US)
Wonderful experience

What a delightful surprise. At the last moment, I saw the listing for this program and decided to sign up as I knew way too little about Sicily. Wow, I'd love to visit someday.

K
K.W. (Los Gatos, US)
Molto interessante

For a brief overview of a visit to this Eastern part of Sicily the instructor was to the point with very very interesting history and pictures. She also included characteristics of the cities and what to do that brings you to understand the history and traditions. I very much enjoyed.

K
Katherine (Seattle, US)
Engaging, helpful for trip planning

Alice did a great job in this course of giving a brief overview of the history of Sicily and of the regions in Western Sicily. She communicated what she loved about the area and why. She was candid about how to avoid excessively touristic activities and where and how to find the hidden treasures. She allowed enough time for questions, and her answers were helpful and encouraging. The focus in her slides was pictorial (with a few maps and timelines), which is really spot-on for those of us planning a trip. Brava, Alice!

Customer Reviews

Based on 19 reviews
95%
(18)
5%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
A
Andrea Barron (Suitland, US)
Fabulous tour of Eastern Sicily with Alice

I plan on visiting Catania and Taormina in Sicily in two weeks, and was hoping this tour would give me an introduction to the eastern part of the island. Alice did much more than this-- she gave us a fascinating lecture on the history and culture of the island, how Sicily is an eclectic mix of Italian, Spanish, Roman, Greek and other influences. Now I can visit Sicily as a well-informed traveler who can better appreciate this beautiful island. Thank you Alice and Context Conversations.

I
Irene Pasquesi (Chicago, US)
Eastern Sicily: From Catania to Taormina

It was a wonderful learning experience combined with travel advice as well.

B
B.K. (San Antonio, US)
Wonderful experience

What a delightful surprise. At the last moment, I saw the listing for this program and decided to sign up as I knew way too little about Sicily. Wow, I'd love to visit someday.

K
K.W. (Los Gatos, US)
Molto interessante

For a brief overview of a visit to this Eastern part of Sicily the instructor was to the point with very very interesting history and pictures. She also included characteristics of the cities and what to do that brings you to understand the history and traditions. I very much enjoyed.

K
Katherine (Seattle, US)
Engaging, helpful for trip planning

Alice did a great job in this course of giving a brief overview of the history of Sicily and of the regions in Western Sicily. She communicated what she loved about the area and why. She was candid about how to avoid excessively touristic activities and where and how to find the hidden treasures. She allowed enough time for questions, and her answers were helpful and encouraging. The focus in her slides was pictorial (with a few maps and timelines), which is really spot-on for those of us planning a trip. Brava, Alice!