Day 1
Independent Arrival in Palermo
Palermo Airport > Town
Welcome to the warm, beautiful and pleasant island of Sicily!
Upon arrival at Palermo Airport (
PMO) collect your luggage inside the customs area. Then
independent transfer to your hotel.
The balance of the day is at leisure to explore the town on your own.
Not Included:
>Tips and Gratuities
>Arrival Transfer with private vehicle and Italian speaking chauffeur (
available on request - read more>)
Day 2
Palermo and Monreale with Street Food Tastings - Half Day
Today departure for Monreale by taxi for a guided visit to the Dome, a wonderful example of the Arab-Norman art and architecture. Launched in 1174 by William II, the Dome represents scenes from the Old and New Testaments all in golden mosaics. Later back to Palermo and start with a walk into a lively open-air market, a place with strong Arab influences, resembling a souk, with picturesque stands of fresh fish, cheeses, fruits and vegetables. During the tour you will have the opportunity to observe local people in their dailly activities and to savor foods that real Sicilian people love to eat! A small tasting of typical street food is included.
The walking tour through the ancient center of Palermo is approx. 2,5 hours and you will visit several monuments including Piazza Pretoria, and the exterior of Cathedral. The tour will finish at the Four Corner to permit to have the afternoon at leisure to explore Palermo on your own.
Included Today:
>Half Day Palermo Street Food Walking Tour
>Street Food tastings
>Round trip taxi service from Palermo to Monreale and return to Palermo
Not Included:
>Admission Fee
>Tips and Gratuities
>English speaking guide to visit the Dome in Monreale
Day 3
Marsala, Salt Way Road, Lunch and Erice
Today departure for Marsala, the Arab “Marsa Allah” –Harbor of God–, is known in the whole world for one thing: Wine! The Marsala Wine comes from the western lands of Sicily and its name derives from the homonymous town. The Marsala is the oldest Italian DOC wine, with an average alcohol content of about 18 degrees. Then, we drive along the scenic Salt Way Road to admire the beautiful Saltpans where the sea-salt is still produced following the old Phoenician tradition preserved during the century. Enjoy a light-lunch in a local Olive Oil and Wine producer Farmhouse including tasting of mixed local products
This afternoon departure for Erice uptown. The Elymians settled in the medieval town of Erice, which was an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus. Wander through its ancient streets and visit some of the famous homemade pastry shops—world-famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastries. At arrival, independent walk along the city centre with recommended stop at local pastry shop to taste some Sicilian local sweet.
Later we return to Palermo.
Inclusions Today:
>Full Day Vehicle and English speaking driver
>One light-lunch in an Olive Oil and Wine Farmhouse
>Independent visit of Erice with recommended stop in a pastry-shop
Not Included:
>English speaking Guide
>Admission Fee to the Saltpans
>Tips and Gratuities
>Beverages
Day 4
Agrigento and Piazza Armerina
Today we drive through the interior of Sicily to reach Agrigento to see the Valley of the Temples: two hours guided walking tour on the Valley of the Temples an important Unesco World Heritage site covers the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Zeus. Agrigento, according to legend, was founded by Daedalus and his son Icarus after they had fled from Crete “by air”. Historically, however, its origins date back to 582 B.C. when it was founded by Rhodian-Cretan colonist from the neighboring Gela who named their city Akragas after the nearby river. It rapidly increased in size, importance and military strength under Phalarides, the first tyrant, and later under Theron, who extended his way over northern Sicily as far as Himera.
In conclusion, Agrigento was a city of artists and illustrious personages, amongst whom the philosopher Empedocles. Pindar defines it as “the most beautiful of mortal cities” and, in fact, in the Vth century B.C., those famous temples, whose beauty we still admire today, were built.
This afternoon we then continue onto Piazza Armerina to enjoy the visit of the amazing Mosaics Floor at the Roman Villa of Casale, that belongs to the Unesco Heritage. Built on the 4th century AD, the Villa was later forgotten and only in the 20th century excavations revealed the whole building. It is the supreme example of a luxury Roman villa (about 3500 square meters of floor mosaics) and was probably the residence of a member of the upper class of the Roman Empire. The mosaics discovered here are celebrated among scholars of antiquity. The visit inside the Roman Villa will be done independently. Every room has information boards.
Later onto Siracusa.
Inclusions Today:
>Full Day Vehicle and English speaking driver
Not Included:
>English Speaking Guide to visit the Valley of the Temples
>English speaking guide to visit the Mosaics Floor at the Roman Villa
>Admission Fee to the Valley of the Temples and at the Roman Villa
>Meals and Beverages
>Tips and Gratuities
Day 5
Syracusa Half Day
Today visit this wonderful town with a professional guide who will lead you to the discovery of the most important beauties as well as the hidden treasures of Siracusa and Ortigia Island.
Transfer by taxi the Archaeological Park that highlights the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and, the Paradise Quarry. After we travel back to the Island of Ortigia by taxi to start the walking tour from the Aretusa Fountain, visit the incredible Dome of Siracusa built on top of a Greek Temple and today incorporated in a beautiful baroque church!!
Continuing the walk, the tour will end at Apollo Temples to permit you to get back independently to your accommodation.
This afternoon is at leisure.
Inclusions Today:
>Half Day Guided visit to the Archaeological Park and Ortigia
>Taxi service from Ortigia to the Archaeological Park and return to Ortigia
Not Included:
>Admission Fee
>Meals and Beverages
>Tips and Gratuities
Day 6
Ragusa Ibla, Modica and Noto
Today departure from Siracusa in direction of Ragusa Ibla. Our Team will offer you time at disposal to keep the feeling with this section of the town giving you direction to explore independently the old part of the city and an undisputed reality of Baroque art. Here you can admire numerous eighteenth-century churches and buildings and the Gardens.
Soon after, you will discover another jewel of the Sicilian Baroque: Modica.
We then continue to Noto. In the Arab period the town was the capital of one of the three districts of Sicily (the Val di Noto) and once defeated by the Christians, Noto became a rich Norman city. Unfortunately it was totally destroyed by the 1693 Sicilian earthquake and rebuilt in a new position nearer to the Ionian Sea. But the new Noto is a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque! Most of the buildings, including churches and noble palaces, follow one another along the main street and are characterized by the honey tonality of tufa stone. Facades and balconies are all skillfully decorated by grinning masks, lion heads, putti and other embellishments. Unmissable is Noto Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Nicholas and built in perfect Sicilian Baroque style.
Then onto Taormina.
Inclusions Today:
>Full Day Vehicle and English speaking driver
>Independent visit of Ragusa, Modica and Noto
>Aztec’s Chocolate Tastings
Not Included:
>Admission Fee
>Tips and Gratuities
Day 7
Etna Jeep Ride WD4X4 with lunch
Today meet the off-road’s driver and transfer to Etna Volcano.
A lovely drive along the Northern slopes of the Volcano (regular road) will give you the opportunity to visit different lava flows and to observe geological and botanical treasures. Lava flow of 1923 reached the town of Linguaglossa, while the near village of Catena was partially destroyed. Driving through pines, oaks and brooms we will continue the Etna ascent and after an off-road itinerary you will visit the lava front of 2002 and a natural cave created from the lava flow.
We will then proceed to an area called Piano Provenzana located at 1800 meters above sea level, where we will see the effect of the great eruption of 2002. This eruption lasted almost three months and it is considered one of the most explosive eruptions from the twentieth century. At Piano Provenzana you will find a ski resort. In accordance with your Driver, it is possible to do a medium hiking and see some of the side craters characterized by seven small, aligned eruptive cones (or “buttonholes”). Along the way we will stop to enjoy a breathtaking view of the North-East Crater, the eruptive mouths and 2002 lava flow, and down to the sea you will admire part of the Ionian and Calabrian coast. Then, proceed to have lunch in a typical rustic restaurant where you will be served a 3 courses menu which includes a rich selection of starter (salami, cheese, vegetables of the season), a taste of pasta and dessert. Lunch will also include local wine and mineral water.
After lunch the tour will get back to your hotel in Taormina
Inclusions Today:
>Full Day Vehicle WD4X4 and English speaking driver
>One lunch in a local rustic restaurant with wine and water
Not Included:
>Tips and Gratuities
Day 8
Independent Departure
Time to say goodbye to Sicily!
Independent Transfer to
Catania Airport and departure to your next destination
Not Included:
>Departure Transfer with private vehicle and Italian speaking chauffeur (
available on request - read more>)
Sicily is one of the Mediterranean’s greatest pleasures. Lying off the coast of southwestern Italy, this captivating island offers stunning sea views, quaint medieval hill towns, rustic cuisine and fine wine.
