DAY 1 FRIDAY – Palermo
Arrival at Palermo hotel. Welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight in Palermo.
DAY 2 SATURDAY – Cefalu - Taormina - Catania
After breakfast depart for Cefalu a former fishing village, now a charming coastal resort with its imposing Arab Norman Cathedral. Stroll through the ancient narrow streets of the historic centre and see the medieval wash-house built in the rock. Proceed to Taormina with lunch along the way in a local restaurant. Afternoon spent in the elegant resort of Taormina built high on a hill-top with spectacular views of the sea and Mt Etna. Time at leisure to visit the breathtaking Greek-Roman Theatre and to explore Taormina's tiny cobbled streets lined with smart designer shops and little cafes. Continue to Catania famous for its original baroque style and black lava stone streets. Dinner and overnight in Catania.
DAY 3 SUNDAY – Siracusa - Catania
After breakfast depart for Siracusa, visit the archaeological area incuding the Latomie of the Paradise and the Dyionisos "Ear". Continue to Ortigia, the baroque historical centre of Siracusa to visit the Cathedral and the Arethuse fountain. Lunch in a restaurant in Ortigia. In the afternoon return to Catania for a guided walking tour of the city. Dinner and overnight in Catania.
DAY 4 MONDAY – Modica - Ragusa
After breakfast, depart to Modica a town famous for its churches and scenic squares. Modica has an ancient history and is a fine example of baroque art. Also renowned for its production of chocolate using ancient tradional methods the tour includes a visit to an artisan chocolate workshop. Lunch in a local restaurant. In the afternoon on to Ragusa Ibla. Ragusa was devastated by an earchquake in 1693 splitting the medieval city in two. A deep gorge separates Ragusa Ibla and Ragusa Superiore which are connected by a long flight of steps. Time at leisure to explore. Dinner and overnight in Ragusa.
DAY 5 TUESDAY – Piazza Armerina - Agrigento
After breakfast depart for Piazza Armerina to visit the world famous mosaics at Villa Romana del Casale which houses the richest, largest and most complext collection of late Roman mosaics in the world and is UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch in a local restaurant with a menu designed to taste local specialities. In the afternoon depart for Agrigento and a guided visit of the magnificent Velley Of The Temples - also a UNESCO World Heritate Sites. Guided tour of the valley including the Temples of Concordia, Juno and Heracles. These are the finest example of the Greek civilisation in Sicily. Dinner and overnight in Agrigento.
DAY 6 WEDNESDAY – Monreale - Palermo
After breakfast depart for Monreale a small hilltop town located a few kilometres from Palermo and occupying a breathtaking panoramic position. Visit its splendid Cathedral with its Moorish architecture and Benedictiine Cloister dating from the 12th century and housing fine mosaics. On to Palermo. Lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch there will be a panoramic tour of Palermo including the Norman Palace,Teatro Massimo and a guided visit of the Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Palermo.
DAY 7 THURSDAY – Palermo
After breakfast a guided walking tour of the historic centre of Palermo including the Palatine Chapel and Quattro Canti and Ballaro market. Time at your disposal for shopping then on to the Via Maqueda to visit a local market and an opportunity to taste Palermo's famous street food. Afternoon at leisure or for those interested an opportunity to visit the university of Palermo's Botanical Garden responsible for the study and diffusion of innumberable plant species in Sicily, Europe and throughout the Mediterranean. This excursion includes a visit to Mondello the seaside of palermo once an ancient fishing village. The excursion is subject to minimum number of participants and payment of a supplement at the time. Dinner and overnight in Palermo.
DAY 8 FRIDAY
After breakfast the end of the tour.
For organizational reasons, the itinerary may be reversed or modified.
Highlights of the tour
- 4 stars Hotels offering high quality customized services, carefully selected in the most suggestive historical centres of the main Sicilian towns
- Selected typical restaurants/farmhouses and especially chosen menus to have a taste of the Sicilian and Italian cuisine
- Visit of UNESCO sites: Valley of Temples, Villa Romana del Casale, Etna, Siracusa, Ragusa
- Deluxe motor coach offering maximum comfort
- Qualified multilingual tour escort (spoken languages : English)
Hotels - 4 Star
(For organizational reasons the hotels may be modified)
Palermo - Palazzo Sitano Palermo ****
Address: Via Vittorio Emanuele, 114 (Tel: +39 091 7781610)
Catania - Mercure Excelsior Catania ****
Address: Piazza Giovanni Verga, 39 (Tel: +39 095 74761111)
Ragusa - Mediterraneo Palace Ragusa ****
Address: Via Roma, 189 (Tel: +39 0932 621944)
Agrigento - Dioscuri Bay ****
Address: Lungomare Falcone, Borsollino, 1 (Tel: +39 0922 406111)