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 Arethusa Fountain and the Temple of Apollo. Enjoy a street food light lunch in the centre of Ortigia. In the afternoon free time to explore further at your leisure. Return to Catania. Evening at your disposal to experience Catania with dinner at leisure. Overnight in Catania.
DAY 3 MONDAY – Catania - Ragusa
After breakfast depart for a guided walking tour of Catania. Visiting the famous fish market (one of the largest fish markets in Sicily). Taste the delights of Catania's street food. Depart for the ancient city of Ragusa which is divided in 2 by a deep gorge caused by the devastating earchquake of 1693. Ragusa Ibla the lower, medieval city with narrow cobbled streets connecting to Ragusa Superiore the "modern" upper town by a long flight of steps. Ragusa has an abundance of beatiful baroque architecture including the famous church of Basilica di San Giorgio built in 1739 and impsing Cathedral. As Ragusa is also renowned for its cheese production there will be time for a tasting of its artisan cheeses and Sicilian specialities (light lunch). Dinner (in hotel) and overnight in Ragusa.
DAY 4 TUESDAY – Agrigento - Marsala
After breakfast depart for the hillside town of 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. Time at leisure for lunch. In the afternoon depart for Marsala on the west coast and famous for its production of sweet Sicilian wine. Arrival at Baglio Donnafranca a perfectly restored nineteenth century baglio in the Marsala countryside for a tour of it's winery finishing with a wine tasting/light dinner at sunset. Overnight at Baglio Donnafranca.
DAY 5 WEDNESDAY – Salt Route - Erice - Palermo
After breakfast depart for Erice via the spectacular "Salt Route" a road flanked by salt pans, windmills and the "salt houses" where sea salt is still extracted. On arrival at Erice - a small medieval hill top town with cobbled streets overlooking Trapani and the Egadi Islands - stop for marzipan and biscuit tasting. Depart for Sicily's capital city, Palermo. Free time for lunch followed by a walking tour of Palermo. Highlights here inlcude a visit of the Cathedral, Piazza Bellini, church of Santa Caterina and the Quattro Canti di Citta. Evening at leisure for dinner and to explore Palermo. Overnight in Palermo.
DAY 6 THURSDAY – Monreale - Cefalu - Taormina
After breakfast depart for Monreale situated in a panoramic position just a few kilometres from Palermo. Visit the famous Cathedral with its Moorish architecture and Benedictine Cloister built in the 12th Century and encrusted with magnificent mosaics. Continue on to Cefalu a former fishing village, now a charming coastal resort with its imposing Arab Norman Cathedral and medieval wash-house built in the rock. Time at leisure to explore the town with its ancient narrow cobbled streets with time for lunch. Continue on to Taormina passing through Messina on the way. Arriving at Taormina in the late afternoon there will be time at leisure for exploring this breathtaking hilltop resort. Dinner at leisure. Overnight in Taormina.
DAY 7 FRIDAY – Taormina - Excursion to Mt. Etna
After breakfast excursion to Mt. Etna (weather permitting) climbing to a height of 1800 metres to visit the Sylvester Craters. Stop at a local vineyard on the eastern slopes of Etna and visit a prestigiuos cellar for wine tasting accompanied by local cheeses and cold cuts. Return to Taormina with time free to visit the stunning Greetk-Roman Theatre, stroll along the Corso Umberto enjoying the wonderful array of cafes, pastry shops and smart boutiques or to visit the delightful hill-top village of Castelmola perched above Taormina. Time at leisure for dinner. 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 Unesco sites (Ragusa, Siracusa, Valley of Temples, Mount Etna)
- Special wine & food tastings
- Small group numbers of approximately 15-20
Hotels - 4 Star
(For organizational reasons the hotels may be modified)
Catania - Katane Hotel ****
Address: Via Camillo Finocchiaro Aprile, 110 (Tel: +39 095 7470702)
Ragusa - Poggio Del Sole Resort ****
Address: S.P. Ragusa/Marina di Ragusa Km 5,7 (Tel: +39 0932 666452/668521)
Marsala - Baglio Donnafranca ****
Address: Contrada Florio, 1 (Tel: +39 0923 967240)
Palermo - Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa ****
Address: Via dei Cartari, 18 (Tel: +39 091 320075)
or
Hotel Politeama Palace ****
Address: Piazza Ruggiero Settimo, 15 (Tel: +39 091 322777)
Taormina - Splendid ****
Address: Via Dietro Cappuccini, 10 (Tel: +39 0942 628010)
or
Hotel Caparena **** (seaside location)
Address: Via Nazionale, 189 (Tel: +39 0942 652033)