DAY 1 SATURDAY – Catania
Arrival at Catania. Transfer to hotel in Catania. Welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight in Catania.
DAY 2 SUNDAY – Catania - Siracusa
After breakfast depart for Siracusa, visit the archaeological area "Neapolis" including the famous Greek Theatre, Latomie of the Paradise and the Dyionisos "Ear". Continue to Ortigia, the baroque historical centre of the city to visit the Cathedral and the Arethuse fountain and the Temple of Apollo. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon return to Catania for a walking tour of the city with your professional guide. Dinner and overnight in Catania.
DAY 3 MONDAY – Modica - Ragusa
After breakfast depart for Modica whose architecture is an outstanding example of baroque art. Also famed for its production of chocolate using traditional methods you will visit an artisan chocolate workshop and discover the techniques leading to the production of "the Modican's chocolate". Lunch in a local restaurant then on to the ancient city of Ragusa which is divided in 2 by a deep gorge caused by the devastating earchquake of 1693. Ragusa has an abundance of beatiful baroque architecture including the famous church of Basilica di San Giorgio built in 1739. Time at leisure to explore. Dinner and overnight in Ragusa.
DAY 4 TUESDAY – Piazza Armerina - Agrigento
After breakfast depart for Piazza Armerina with a guided visit of the famous well preserved mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale which depict mythological themes and hunting scenes. Lunch in a local restaurant with a menu chosen to sample local specialities. Afternoon departure for Agrigento and a guided tour of the magnificent Valley of the Temples including the Temple of Concordia which is in almost perfectly preserved condition and the temples of Juno and Heracles. Dinner and overnight in Agrigento
DAY 5 WEDNESDAY – Monreale - Palermo
After breakfast depart for Monreale a small town situated in a panoramic position on a hill a few kilometres from Palermo. Explore Monreale's splendid Cathedral with its Moorish architecture and Benedictine Cloister built in the 12th Century and encrusted with magnificent mosaics. On to Palermo and lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, proceed for a panoramic tour of the City of Palermo taking in the Normand Palace, Teatro Massimo and a guided visit of the Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Palermo.
DAY 6 THURSDAY – Pelermo - Cefalu - Taormina
After breakfast a guided walking tour of the historical centre of Palermo. Take in the wonderful Arab-Norman Cathedral, Palatine Chapel and Quatro Canti. Sample palermo's famous street food at a typical local market. The depart for Cefalu a former fishing village, now a charming coastal resort with its imposing Arab Norman Cathedral. Lunch in a local restaurant followed by a stroll through the ancient narrow streets and see the medieval wash-house built in the rock and the Cathedral. Continue on to Taormina. Dinner and overnight in Taormina.
DAY 7 FRIDAY – Taormina - Optional excursion to Mt. Etna
After breakfast the day will be either at leisure to explore this elegant resort with its splendid Roman-Greek Theatre or in the morning there will be a possible optional excursion to Mt. Etna (supplement to pay locally and numbers of participants and weather permitting) climbing to a height of 1800 metres. Lunch at leisure. Return to Taormina with time free to stroll along the Corso Umberto enjoying the wonderful array of cafes, pastry shops and smart boutiques or visit the delightful hill-top village of Castelmola perched above Taormina. Farewell dinner and overnight in Taormina.
DAY 8 SATURDAY
After breakfast end of the tour.
For organizational reasons, the itinerary may be reversed or modified.
Highlights of the tour
- Exclusively in English
- Very charming hotels located in the historical centres of the main Sicilian towns
- Visit of the main Sicilian monuments including 5 Unesco sites (Ragusa, Siracusa, Valley of Temples, Villa Romana del Casale, Mount Etna)
- Special menus in local restaurants especially selected to have a taste of the Sicilian cuisine
- Optional visit of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe
Hotels - 4 Star
(For organizational reasons the hotels may be modified)
Catania - Il Principe Hotel ****
Address: Via Alessi 20/26 (Tel: +39 095 2500345)
Ragusa - Poggio Del Sole Resort ****
Address: S.P. Ragusa/Marina di Ragusa Km 5,7 (Tel: +39 0932 666452/668521)
Palermo - Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa ****
Address: Via dei Cartari, 18 (Tel: +39 091 320075)
Agrigento - Dioscuri Bay Palace ****
Address: Lungomare Falcone e Borsellino (Tel: +39 0922 406111)
Taormina - Villa Diodoro ****
Address: Via Bagnoli Croci, 75 (Tel: +39 0942 23312)