Our singles sun holiday to Giardini Naxos is in one of the most picturesque resorts of the eastern coast of Sicily. Our four-star beachfront hotel is the perfect base to sample the sights and sounds of this stunning Italian island with the perfect balance between exploration and relaxation.
Extras
We are based in the lively seaside resort of Giardini Naxos, at the foot of Taormina. The resort has grown from a quiet fishing village into a busy town, mostly due to its prime location overlooking the mighty Mount Etna. The main activity revolves around the relaxing seafront with several lidos providing easy access to the beach. The harbour is the place to go for cafes and a number of seafood restaurants.
Our hotel is ideally located by the pebbly beach. Here we can spend our days relaxing on one of the hired sun loungers and sip a refreshing drink. When we’re feeling peckish, there are a number of restaurants to satisfy our hunger. Alternatively, we can spend our days by one of the swimming pools that the hotel has to offer, one of which is Olympic sized.
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean, offering up so much more than beaches and hotel pools. A trip here would not be complete without visiting the beautiful Mount Etna. Going up is a spectacular journey as the mountain’s landscape constantly changes. Another must-see is Taormina which lies on a terrace of Monte Tauro in a fabulous position overlooking the sea, right opposite Mount Etna. A visit to the famous Greek Theatre which dates back to the 3rd Century BC is a must – the views of Etna are spectacular so don’t forget your camera!
Located in Giardini Naxos on the east coast of Sicily, the Naxos Beach Resort is an impressive complex that offers an array of facilities that will keep guests thoroughly entertained. Situated directly on the beachfront, this expansive resort is set in large tropical gardens and guest rooms in small villas are scattered amongst the olive groves, shady palms and colourful flowers.
Spectacular views of Mount Etna, just an hour’s drive away, can be enjoyed from the resort, and the bustling town of Taormina is located just six kilometres away.
Facilities at our hotel include 4 restaurants, 4 bars (one pool bar), 2x swimming pool, fitness centre, private beach and Free Wifi in public area.
We are based in the Villa section of the hotel. The rooms are tastefully decorated and include air-conditioning, satellite TV, hairdryer, safe, mini fridge and small private balcony or terrace.
Hotel card system
Please note this hotel uses a in-house payment card system. Clients will be given a cash card at check in, and can be topped up with money. The card is used to purchase extras at the hotel. Any monies left on the card at departure will be refunded back.
Transfer time from Catania airport to our hotel is approximately 45 minutes.
You may wish to take an optional excursion during the course of your stay. Full details will be given at the Information Meeting. All tours can be paid for in Euros and rates are approximate and subject to change. Your Tour Leader will help arrange these for you but may not necessarily accompany you.
The following excursions are collective, for individual travellers who want to share the experience in a group.
Agrigento & Piazza Armerina (Min 12 pax) EUR 60.00
Two civilizations, the Greek and the Roman in one excursion, visiting two antique cities of art, UNESCO World Heritage sites. Across Sicily by coach with Tour Leader and Local Guide services towards Agrigento, famous for its archaeological park called “Valley of the Temples” consisting of well-preserved temples built by the Greeks between 510 and 430 BC. Upon arrival, visit to the Valley of the Temples (Juno, Concordia, Hercules, Zeus, Castor and Pollux). Break for lunch (extra). Continue to Piazza Armerina, in the centre of Sicily for a visit to the well-known “Villa Romana del Casale” of about 3,500 square meters with its famous Roman mosaics dating back to the fourth century AD. Entrance fees to the sites extra. Return to Taormina is estimated around 7.30 pm.
Operation day: Thursday
Etna Basic Tour (Min 12 pax) Basic price EUR 60.00 Ascent to main Craters area included price EUR 110.00
Excursion to the volcano Etna, the highest in Europe with its 3,350 meters, UNESCO site since 2013. Departure by coach with Tour Leader and arrival at Etna’s station of altitude 1.900 meters. Stop with the possibility of soft trekking to visit the most recent lava flows. Optional lunch or snack. Facultative ascent to the authorized crater zones at approximately 3,000 meters with the assistance of licensed Guides of the Italian Alpine Club; a stop to admire the eventual activity of the summit craters in a safety zone according to weather conditions. We strongly recommend warm clothing and suitable shoes. Return to Taormina is estimated around 4.00 pm
Operation day: Monday – Saturday
Etna Round & Alcantara (Min 12 pax) Basic price EUR 55.00 Ascent to main Craters area included price EUR 110.00
A full tour of Mount Etna, a UNESCO site since 2013, including the valleys and the slopes of the volcano with a Tour Leader. The excursion has, as first destination, the Alcantara Gorge with a short stopover. Possibility to walk along the riverbed by paying an extra ticket. The trip continues on board the “Circumetnea” a traditional train that winds around the foot of the volcano reaching up to Adrano in the south. By coach again, to reach “Rifugio Sapienza” at altitude 1,900 meters on the southern side. Stop with the opportunity of soft trekking. Lunch extra. Optional ascent by cable car up to 2,500 meters and continuing on board jeeps up to the authorized crater zones at approximately 3,000 meters with the assistance of licensed Guides of the Italian Alpine Club. Stop to admire the summit craters in the area of security. We strongly recommend warm clothing and suitable shoes. Return to Taormina is around 5.00 pm.
Operation day: Wednesday – Friday
Randazzo – Alcantara & Wine Tasting (Min 12 pax) price: EUR 55.00
Opportunity to visit the Alcantara Valley around Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe and to discover the local life and history of a town on the slopes of the volcano. Departure by coach with Tour Leader towards the Alcantara Gorges for a short stop (entrance extra). The tour will then proceed to Randazzo with a visit of the historical centre with the main Cathedral, all made in lava stone. Possibility to visit the typical Sunday market. Afterwards, wine tasting in a renowned winery accompanied by typical local products. Return in the early afternoon.
Operation day: Sunday
Etna Sunset (Min 12 pax) price: EUR 110.00
A unique occasion to admire the volcano Etna in the evocative atmosphere of the sunset. The volcano, perpetually active and UNESCO site since 2013, with its 3,350 meters, is the highest in Europe. Departure by coach with Tour Leader and, after a stop on the way to visit a village on the slope, arrival at Etna’s station of altitude 1.900 meters. Ascent to the authorized crater areas at approximately 3,000 meters escorted by licensed Guides of the Italian Alpine Club. Possibility to admire the sunset at a safe distance from the central crater. Stop until sunset and return at 1,900 m. Dinner in a typical restaurant is an optional extra. We strongly recommend warm clothing and suitable shoes. Departure time may vary according to sunset time.
Operation day: Tuesday – Thursday
Siracusa (Min 12 pax) price: EUR 55.00
Excursion by coach with Tour Leader on board towards Syracuse, one of the most ancient Greek colonies in Sicily, heritage of humanity and UNESCO site. Upon arrival, meeting up with the Local Guide to visit the Archaeological Area of the V century B.C. with the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Altar of Hieron II and the Latomies of Paradise with the Ear of Dionysius. After that, a visit to the historical center of the island of Ortigia, with the Temple of Apollo, the Cathedral, an important Baroque church built on an ancient temple, the Hypogeum and the Fountain of Arethusa with the famous papyrus plant. Free time for shopping or optional lunch in the typical restaurants of the “Foro Italico”. Entrance fees extra. We recommend suitable attire when visiting sacred sites. Return to Taormina is scheduled around 6.00 pm.
Operation day: Tuesday – Friday
Palermo & Cefalu (Min 12 pax) price: EUR 65.00
A one day tour to explore the Sicilian hinterland and the Tyrrhenian coast by visiting two of the most important cities of art in Sicily and UNESCO sites for their Arab-Norman itineraries. Palermo preserves the most important Arab-Norman, Byzantine and Spanish monuments. Departure by coach with Tour Leader and on arrival in Palermo, meeting up with the Local Guide. Walking tour passing by the Quattro Canti, the Martorana church, Piazza Bellini, Piazza Pretoria, the Cathedral and through the historical centre. Visit of the typical local market “Capo”. In alternative to the tour of Palermo, an individual and facultative visit to Monreale. After lunch (extra), departure to Cefalù. Visit of the historical centre and the Norman Cathedral with the famous mosaic of Christ Pantocrator. Return via Messina. Entrance fees extra. We recommend suitable attire when visiting sacred sites. Return to Taormina is around 7.30 pm.
Operation day: Saturday
Boat Tour Isola Bella (Min 12 pax) price: EUR 45.00
Departure from the Giardini Naxos port, navigation along the bays of Giardini-Naxos and Taormina with several stops with the possibility of swimming and snorkelling inside the natural reserve of Isola Bella.
Visit of the “Grotta Azzurra”, a famous cave with a special play of light. Stop for about an hour, with possibility of guided snorkelling, sunbathing on the solarium and enjoying soft drinks, Prosecco, fruit and various snacks.
The itinerary may vary according to the marine weather conditions and the decisions of the skipper.
Operation day: Every Day
Cooking Class & Visit of Taormina’s Market (Min 1 pax) price: EUR 95.00
A pleasant morning in Taormina learning to prepare delicious Sicilian recipes with the support of a master Chef. After cooking, everyone will taste the creations over a cheerful lunch. The activity starts with a guided tour of the market of Taormina to buy the various ingredients with the relative explanations. Back at the restaurant the Chef will explain the recipes in program during a coffee break and then proceed to the preparation and the cooking of the food. The hand-made pasta represents the highlight of the activity. At the end, all participants are invited to the table for the typical festivity lunch with the tasting of local wines described by the wine steward. Each participant will receive a certificate and an autographed apron as a souvenir of this special day.
Operation day: Every day excluding Sunday
Pizza Making Class (Min 1 pax) price: EUR 65.00
The course includes demonstration and preparation by the participants of classic pizza dough and the one with whole wheat flour for bread. The highlights of the class will be rolling out and stretching your pizza dough, learning the secrets to a great pizza sauce, creating ideas for fun pizza toppings, baking pizzas to perfection. All participants will enjoy their pizzas with a complete meal including Bruschetta mix, mineral water, soft drinks and local wine.
Each participant will receive a certificate and an apron as a souvenir of this special experience.
Operation day: Every day
Arancino Making Class (Min 1 pax) price: EUR 70.00
During this course, discover the Sicilian Arancini, the most famous and delicious street food in Sicily, a true symbol of Sicilian gastronomy.
Learn to prepare Sicilian Arancini, starting from the secrets and techniques for a perfect shape, for then preparing the filling and the crispy crust, ending with the final cooking.
Operation day: Every day
Cannolo Making Class (Min 1 pax) price: EUR 55.00
During this course you will learn how to prepare an excellence of Sicilian gastronomy: the cannolo, the most traditional of all Sicilian desserts.
Our chef will teach you how to prepare the crunchy shell which you will knead with your own hands, then fry the dough and prepare the sweet cream to fill it. At the end of the course, you will taste the real Sicilian cannolo you prepared, comfortably seated at the table.
Operation day: Every day
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. In order to give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below.
Your Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection to cover drivers, porters and hotel staff of €15.00 per week. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate add on.
Casual, cotton, lightweight daytime wear is the order of the day. Comfortable shoes are a must for sightseeing. Smart casual clothes will be ideal for the evening, with the emphasis throughout being informal but with no shorts or vests in the restaurants in the evenings.
Please note that it is recommended for the Etna excursion that you wear closed shoes, long trousers and have a waterproof jacket.
Please note that our hotel is spread out and there can be a lot of walking required between the rooms, restaurants, bars and pool.
Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
---|---|---|
January - February | 12 °C | 5 °C |
March | 13 °C | 6 °C |
April | 16 °C | 8 °C |
May | 19 °C | 12 °C |
June | 23 °C | 15 °C |
July - August | 26 °C | 18 °C |
September | 24 °C | 17 °C |
October | 21 °C | 14 °C |
November | 17 °C | 10 °C |
December | 13 °C | 7 °C |
“I’m sure you will enjoy it, I have been on three solos holidays to date and the people I’ve met have been great.”
“I’ve been travelling with Solos for nearly 20 years, on and off. The reason is for exactly what you want – you meet like minded people… and have loads of fun!”
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“The feeling you have once you go away on your own is worth all the nerves before! I was so very anxious the first time but now having done it 4 times, I love it!”