Arrival (Catania airport)
Catania - Be welcomed (possibility to visit Catania center, if time permitted) and transfer to a very nice wine resort in the Etna area.
Includes overnight accommodation and wine tasting with food.
Etna-Taormina
Mount Etna - During this day we will get to know the true Queen of eastern Sicily, who is called by the natives as a muntagna (The mountain): the volcano Etna.
Right after breakfast we will begin our journey headed to the Rifugio Sapienza (Sapienza Refuge, at elevation of 1800 m) stopping in front of the Crateri Silvestri.
Here we will do some shopping among the characteristic lodges of the area; later on we will be able to savour some lunch.
Ancient Theatre of Taormina - Throughout the afternoon we will reach Taormina; there, walking along Corso Umberto, we will visit the beautiful Greek theater, Palazzo Corvaja and the Odeon, without missing the chance to stop and appreciate the magnificent seascape.
Overnight in Noto area.
Siracusa-Noto
Parco Archeologico della Neapolis - oday we will know the city which excelled together with Athens in power and wealth: Siracusa (Syracuse).
We will relive the days of this ancient colony during the visit to the archaeological park Neapolis where, among its famous Greek theater, the Ara di Ierone II (Altar of Hieron II), the Latomia del Paradiso (Latomie of Paradise), the Roman amphitheater and the impressive Orecchio di Dioniso (Ear of Dionysus), we will dive into a timeless place, firm in history.
Ortigia - White stone alleys will accompany us along the route to Ortigia, where we will visit the Cathedral, built over an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Fonte Arestusa (Fountain of Arethusa) and all the major monuments of the area.
Noto - We will move then to Noto, Baroque jewel and World Heritage Site since 2002.
The city will disclose itself in the full splendor of its reconstruction, happened after the devastating earthquake in 1693: we will visit the church of Santa Chiara, the St. Nicholas Cathedral, Palazzo Ducezio, Nicolaci street with its beautiful balconies, the Fontana dâErcole (Fountain of Hercules), the Municipal Theatre and all other major architectures. Along the main street, we can also stop to do some shopping and to discover some of the Sicilian culinary sweet delights: cannoli (crunchy dessert with a sweet ricotta) or granita (frozen dessert)
Piazza Armerina-Agrigento
Villa Romana del Casale - During the day we will reach the very heart of Sicily in order to lose ourselves into the colours of the Roman mosaics of the Villa del Casale, which is situated only few kilometers away from Piazza Armerina. Dating back to the fourth century, the villaâs mosaics represent scenes of Romansâ daily life and they are incredibly charming with their beautiful, vivid colors that remained almost unchanged over the centuries.
The second stop of the day will be Agrigento, city situated at the southwestern side of the island.
Valle dei Templi - Visiting the Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples) is like going on a long journey backwards through the centuries. You will surely be amazed by the majesty of Tempio di Giunone (the Temple of Juno), Tempio della Concordia (the Temple of Harmony), and that of Ercole (Temple of Hercules), to then discover and analyze the archaeological site with the Tempio di Zeus (Temple of Zeus) and that of the Dioscuri (Temple of Castor and Pollux). But the true beauty of this site will be complete during the charming and hypnotic night tour just before the return to the city .
Selinunte-Erice
Parco Archeologico Selinunte - After breakfast, we will begin our exploratory day visiting the largest archaeological park in Europe: Selinunte. Between temples and natural paths, we will be given the opportunity to rediscover the grandeur of a people whose wisdom has spanned through the centuries.
We will visit the Acropolis, pausing to admire especially the temple E, the temple F and temple G, then weâll reach the salt road between Marsala and Trapani, where we stop for making some photo.
Erice - Finally weâll reach the historic town of Erice. The beautiful landscape of Monte Cofano and the Egadi islands will be the background of a path between the rock and the myth.
In the heart of the city we will taste the sweet delicacies of Maria Grammatico
Palermo-Monreale
Norman Palace - The whole day will be entirely dedicated to the Sicilian capital: the city of Palermo. From the Greeks, passing through to the Arabs and stretching until the house of Bourbon, Palermo managed to resist any invasion, by mixing the peculiarities of each culture in an unparalleled combination.
Among the main attractions we will visit the Cathedral, the Cappella Palatina (the Palatine Chapel), Piazza Pretoria (also known as square of Shame) and the Chiesa of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (commonly called the Martorana).
Duomo di Monreale - Moving just few kilometers away from Palermo, we will reach Monreale, a small town known throughout the world for the spectacular cathedral where its mosaics are embedded in a gold background. After visiting the beautiful cloister next to the cathedral, we will continue to the hotel for the overnight stay.
Cefalù- End of the tour
Cefalu - After breakfast we will reach Cefalù, small seafaring town dominated by a high cliff on the northern coast of Sicily.
Here we will visit the Cathedral, an imposing structure enriched by two lateral towers, of Norman origin, containing rich mosaics set on gold background.
The last journey together will be the one to the airport or somewhere else, where we say goodbye before your departure.
- Transport in luxury Mercedes vehicles
- Driver/guide fluent in English
- 4-star hotel stay with breakfast in Agrigento
- Accommodation with breakfast in Noto center or nearby Relais
- Stay at a wine resort in Etna with wine tasting and food
- Included dinner experience
- Stay in Palermo 4-star hotel or superior B&B with breakfast
- Airport transfer services
- City Taxes or Tourist Tax, payable directly at hotel, during the check out (only in some cities)
- Lunches, dinners (Except 1 dinner on day 1)
- Tips
- Admissions /entrance fees (about € 100 per person)
This excursion incorporates the following locations: Catania, Etna, Taormina, Siracusa, Noto, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Selinunte, Erice, Palermo, Monreale, Cefalù. It begins in Catania and concludes in Palermo. Key attractions on this tour feature: the Palatine Chapel in Palermo, a nighttime visit to the Valley of Temples in Agrigento, Sicilian cookie tasting in Erice, Granita or Cannolo in Noto, a tour of the historic center and a seaside view in Cefalù, Greek ruins with a seaside viewpoint in Selinunte, and three dinners featuring Sicilian specialties.
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.