RATE IS LAND ONLY

Price per person from:
from Euro 870,00 in double room

from Euro 656,00 in triple room
from Euro 770,00 in single room

Black-out dates:

-Easter Week (5-12 April)

-Summer Holiday (8-16 August)

-20-31 December

FEATURED PROPERTIES USED

INCLUSIONS

ITINERARY (8 nights/9 days):

Palermo (3 nights) Taormina (3 nights)

Agrigento (1 night) Palermo (1 night)

Day 1 (Sunday) Palermo

Welcome to the warm, beautiful and pleasant island of Sicily! Upon arrival at Palermo airport please proceed through the Passport Control and collect your luggage inside the customs area. Outside of customs, you will find the driver waiting holding a sign with your full name. Transfer to the hotel. This afternoon enjoy a Lecture by a local expert. Later, Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

Day 2 (Monday) Monreale & Palermo

Today we drive to Monreale to see where the Arab-Norman art and architecture reached the pinnacle of its glory with the Duomo, launched in 1174 by William II. It represents scenes from the Old and New Testaments all in golden mosaics. Then on to Palermo to explore the lively Capo Market, a large open street market that captures the flavor of Palermo's Saracen Arab past. Capo is a blend of general confusion and a jumble of vendors' stalls, winding toward the old gate (Porta Carini) of what used to be the city wall. We continue by seeing Piazza Pretoria and Via Maqueda, whose “four corners” converge Palermo at a quartet of baroque palaces left over from the heyday of Spanish rule dating from 1560. This afternoon we will meet "Student at School" for a culture exchange. (BB)

Day 3 (Tuesday) The Godfather Movie in Corleone and Ficuzza Natural Park

Today’s drive across the vast countryside showcases Sicily’s great variety of sceneries. We soon arrive in Corleone, known primarily as the birthplace of Mafia. The name of the town was used as the adopted surname of the title character

in Francis Ford Coppola's movie, The Godfather.  Later we will continue to Ficuzza, a nature reserve and small hamlet in the mountains south of Palermo in the township district of Corleone. We will relax in the park and enjoy a great stroll through the Ficuzza village.  The park was founded as a support for the royal game reserve of the Bourbon dynasty.  Throughout the centuries, Ficuzza forest has been the scenario of many historical events:  illegal breeding, mafia murders, Tripolitan rebels deported during WWI, and seat of the fascist military hearquarters during WWII.  During the walk into the natural park through Ferdinando III's hunting lodge, we will enjoy a light lunch at the historic rail station.  Here we will taste typical local and country dishes in a fantastic rustic environment. Later back in Palermo. (BB L)

Day 4 (Wednesday) Cefalù & Nebrodi Park

Today depart for Cefalù, a charming coastal town with medieval streets and delightful views overlooking a rocky coast—all under the ever-present gaze of the Norman/Arab/Byzantine cathedral, one of the greatest churches in southern Europe. Nestled between the Madonie Mountains and the sea, Cefalù's mountains boast the ruins of a large fortress and an ancient Sicanian-Greek temple.  The view from the summit is inspiring.  Leaving Cefalù, we will drive along the Tyrrenian coast and enter the Nebrodi Park, known for its immense forests full of majestic trees.  We will stop for a light lunch (not included) in a country restaurant located in the area of Miraglia Forest in the San Fratello region of the park.  This afternoon we will pass the lovely Cesarò region of the park and the fantastic Randazzo region at the boundary between the Nebrodi Park and the great Etna Volcano Park.  We will then cross the northern slopes of Mount Etna to reach Taormina, the world famous resort town of Sicily, known for its views and atmosphere.  Tonight dinner at local trattoria  (BB D)

Day 5 (Thursday) The rocky Necropolis of Pantalica

(In case of bad weather, we will exchange this excursion with Syracuse)

This day trip is characterized by a full immersion in nature, history and adventure, as we visit one of the largest and most beautiful prehistoric necropolis in the world—Pantalica.  The Necropolis of Pantalica testifies to the presence man since pre-historic times and gives a touch of mystery to the area.  An expedition through the protected area (soon to become a nature reserve) around the Anapo valley reveals an extraordinary landscape consisting of a succession of gorges defined by vertical cliffs, lemon trees and white limestone.  This afternoon back to Taormina (BB)

Day 6 (Friday) Mount Etna in Jeep Ride

A short drive by Jeep takes us to the slopes of Mt. Etna. Weather and volcanic conditions permitting, we will experience the lava fields and incredible view from Europe’s highest and most active volcano.  Visit the Cave of the Thieves and Mount Fontana with a spectacular view of Bove Valley and the extinct craters of Sartorius Mounts.  Then, on to a farmhouse to taste Etna artisan food as we indulge in a traditional Sicilian light lunch at the farmhouse.  After lunch, we enjoy a stop at the entrance of the Alcantara Gorges before driving along the coast back to Taormina. (BB L)

Day 7 (Saturday) Caltagirone, Agrigento Temples and the wonderful Kolymbetra Park

Following breakfast, we will drive through the interior of Sicily to reach the charming Caltagirone—a town important for Sicilian pottery and ceramics. We will walk through the city center and climb the famous steps decorated with local and colored ceramics. Time at leisure for shopping in the Sicilian ceramic shops.  Next, we continue on to Agrigento, whose history dates back to 580 BC.  The Kolymbetra Garden, nestled in the heart of the Valley of Temples, is an authentic archaeological and agricultural jewel restored to it’s glory after decades of abandon.  It is an extraordinary garden in terms of both the magnificence, abundance and glory of nature, as well as the wealth of archaeological finds that are still discovered here.  Dinner at local restaurant. After dinner, we will enjoy an orientation tour of Agrigento by night to admire the Illuminated Temples. (BB D)

Day 8 (Sunday) Sant'Angelo Muxaro, country Bread, Pizza & Cooking Demonstration

This morning we drive to the unique country town of Sant’Angelo Muxaro.  First time visitors can’t help but be dazzled and awed when, from the provincial road that meanders from Agrigento inland along curves, twists and bends between mountains and hills, they are greeted by a uniquely spectacular view. On a lonely hill, in the center of the Platani river valley, surrounded by wild and harsh vegetation, a handful of houses lie on the sheer slope of the hill—this is the small town of Sant’Angelo Muxaro.  Upon arrival meet Donna  Concetta.  She will show us Pizza and Bread preparation.  Enjoy a simple, home-cooked pizza and bread lunch to taste Sicilian Pizza and Pane Cunsatu (a typical homemade bread with olive oil and pecorino cheese).  During the afternoon, time for a brief visit to the tiny city center and local shops to admire the men who build the traditional straw fruit baskets.  During afternoon depart for Palermo.  Tonight we gather for a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant (BB L D)

Day 9 (Monday) Palermo

Time to say goodbye to Sicily as we are transferred to Catania Airport (CTA) for our return flight. (BB)

Meal Legend: BB Buffet Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner

FEATURED PROPERTIES USED:

featured properties used:

3 star

Palermo         Hotel Mediterraneo

Agrigento      Hotel tre Torri

Taormina       Hotel Continental

4 star

Palermo         Hotel Residenza dìAragona

Agrigento      Hotel Dioscuri Bay Palace

Taormina       Hotel Villa Diodoro

Note: Hotels may be substituted with similar category

List of  Hotels will be advised 20 days before departure.

What is Included:

What is Included:

ü       One main roundtrip airport transfers for services done from h 8AM to h 7PM

ü       Palermo: Four nights accommodation in standard room

ü       Agrigento: One night accommodation in standard room

ü       Taormina: Three nights accommodation in room, no sea-view

ü       Daily continental breakfast buffet

ü       Coach 30/45 seats with air conditioning, no toilet with Italian speaking driver

ü       Cultural Exchange at School

ü       Welcome Dinner with set group menu

ü       One light lunch at historic rail station with set group menu

ü       One dinner at local trattoria with set menù

ü       One collective Etna jeep ride

ü       One light lunch at Etna farmouse with set group menu

ü       One pizza and bread cooking demonstration in Sant'Angelo Muxaro

ü       One pizza and bread light lunch in Sant'Angelo Muxaro with set group menu

ü       All sightseeing, tasting and excursions as specified in the itinerary

ü       Hotel & City Taxes

ü       Licensed local guide to visit: Monreale & Palermo (max 7 hours); Pantalica Necropolis (max 5 hours); Agrigento & Kolymbetra Park (max 4 hours)

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