Sicily & Aeolian Islands | 9 Days

DAY 1 – TUESDAY                            PALERMO

Transfer from Palermo Airport to your hotel. Day at leisure. Overnight in Palermo.

DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY                     PALERMO – MONREALE – PALERMO 

Breakfast in the hotel and departure to visit Monreale, with its impressive Arab-Norman Cathedral and stunning Cloister. Return to Palermo. This city preserves monuments of the Arab-Norman period, including the beautiful Cathedral, the fascinating Byzantine Church of the Martorana and the Palatine Chapel, a higher example from the historical-artistic point of view of the coexistence between cultures and religions. Along the visit stop for a food surprise in a local bakery. Overnight in Palermo. (B,L)

DAY 3 – THURSDAY                         PALERMO – CELAFU – CATANIA

Breakfast in the hotel and departure to Cefalù, a beautiful medieval maritime village with its Norman Cathedral. Time at leisure to visit the famous Mandralisca Museum. Proceed to Catania and visit the old town centre with its baroque architecture, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a walk in the centre, passing through the old ‘pescheria’ (old fish market) to reach the scenic Piazza del Duomo with its stunning Cathedral and the lava stone Elephant (symbol of the city). Stop in a delicious coffee bar to taste the local granita with brioche. Overnight in Catania. (B,L)

DAY 4 – FRIDAY                                 CATANIA – ETNA – TAORMINA – CATANIA

Breakfast in the hotel, and departure for a quick visit of a historic “fishmonger” (old fish market) before reaching Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe (3,350 m), and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Etna Park, covering 59,000 hectares, is home to extremely varied and rich flora, along with many protected species. The first glimpses of captivating landscapes can be seen when approaching Rifugio Sapienza. From there, proceed to Crateri Silvestri, volcanic cones dating to 1888, now inactive but surrounded by more recent lava flows. The view that can be enjoyed through the multitude of volcanic cones and craters extends to the Aeolian Islands and Calabria, making it a truly unique sight to behold. Afterwards, visit of a beekeeping farm, to see the honey extraction laboratory and taste some home-made honey and typical products of the area. Proceed to Taormina, famous for its natural landscape, marine beauties, historical monuments and an unforgettable view of the sea and Etna. Visit of the fascinating Greco-Roman theatre, with a breathtaking view of the Naxos Bay. The day will end with a beautiful panorama of the stunning Riviera dei Ciclopi. Return to Catania for overnight. (B,L)

DAY 5 – SATURDAY                          CATANIA – LIPARI

Breakfast in the hotel and day at leisure to enjoy Catania city centre. The tour continues without a tour leader. Private transfer to Milazzo in the late morning. Transfer by hydrofoil to the island of Lipari. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Lipari. (B,D)

DAY 6 – SUNDAY                             LIPARI – SALINA – LIPARI

Breakfast in the hotel. The day will be dedicated to discovering the most beautiful coves of Lipari and the verdant Salina. After leaving Lipari Castle, Monte Rosa and Canneto, the first stop will be at Santa Marina di Salina where the most important municipality on the island can be toured. Continue to the eastern side of the island to admire the crops of Malvasia grapes, the village of Capo Faro and the town of Malfa. Stop for a swim in the beautiful bay of Pollara, made famous by Massimo Troisi’s film “Il Postino: The Postman”. On the way back, the most beautiful caves of Lipari can be admired with time at leisure for a final swim at the Vinci beach, in front of the Faraglioni. Return to Lipari in the afternoon for overnight. (B,D)

DAY 7 – MONDAY                           LIPARI – PANAREA – STROMBOLI – LIPARI

Breakfast in the hotel and departure for the port of Lipari for a full-day excursion to Panarea and Stromboli. Before leaving Lipari, there will be a short stop at the pumice caves. Proceed to Panarea to visit the Cave of Lovers and the prehistoric village of Capo Milazzese. Time at leisure. The boat then continues to Stromboli, passing through the little islands surrounding it, and discovering from the sea, the village of Ginostra. On Stromboli time at leisure. Return to Lipari for overnight. (B,L)

DAY 8 – TUESDAY                            LIPARI – TAORMINA

Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to the port to leave for Milazzo by hydrofoil. Private transfer to Taormina, famous for its natural landscape, marine beauties, historical monuments and an unforgettable view of the sea and Etna. Time at leisure to stroll along the charming medieval streets of the centre and go shopping, buying some of the best home-made products of the entire island. Overnight in Taormina. (B,D)

DAY 9 – WEDNESDAY                    TAORMINA

Breakfast in the hotel and check-out (possibility of private transfer as an optional service). End of services. (B)

ACCOMMODATION

PALERMO: Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro, or Ibis Styles Palermo Cristal

CATANIA: Il Principe Hotel, or Romano House Hotel

LIPARI: Hotel Bougainville, or Hotel Mea

TAORMINA: Villa Diodoro, or Hotel Caparena Wellness & Spa

Includes:

–          Multilingual Tour leader from Day 1 to Day 4

–          Local guides or audio-guides when necessary

–          Private arrival transfer from Palermo Airport to Hotel

–          Accommodation as listed below or similar

–          Transportation by air-conditioned bus from 2^nd day until the 4^th day

–          Meals as per itinerary – a packed lunch is scheduled for the day of the excursion to Panarea and Stromboli

–          Typical product tastings: Palermo (2nd day): gastronomic surprise with street food tasting;

Catania (3rd day): “granita and brioche” tasting; Etna (4th day): Visit to a honey factory

tasting typical Etna products

Inclusions for Unescorted extension to the Aeolian Islands:

–          1 group excursion by boat, without guide, from Lipari to Salina or Vulcano

–          1 group excursion by boat, without guide, from Panarea to Stromboli

–          Entrance taxes for the Aeolian Islands

–          Private transfer from port of Milazzo to Taormina hotel

–          Private transfer from Catania hotel to Milazzo port

–          Transfer from the Port of Lipari to Lipari hotel

–          Hydrofoil round trip Milazzo / Lipari / Milazzo

–          Private transfer Milazzo Pier-Hotel in Taormina day 8

Excludes:

–          Departure transfer in Taormina*

–          Visit of Monreale, Palermo, Cefalù, Catania old town centre, Etna entrance fees*

–          Tour leader/guide in Aeolian Islands

–          Beverages

–          City taxes*

–          Tips and extras in general

–          Anything not listed under ‘includes’

*Not included unless you have pre-purchased the privilege package at the time of booking.

Privilege Package Includes:

All the inclusions of the Basic Package option, plus:

–          Upgrade to a Superior/Deluxe Room category

–          Private departure transfers in Taormina

–          All entrance fees as per program

–          City taxes as per program

Things to Note:

–          Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m.

–          Hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling are not included in the tour price.

–          Tour can be a combination of regular tours; therefore coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.

–          Entrance fees to sights are not included and are to be paid locally, unless you have pre-booked the Privilege Package before departure

–          A government tourist tax may need to be paid locally upon arrival at your hotels.

–          Excursions may be modified according to weather conditions and the availability of local service providers. Please note the company is not responsible for any disruption due to weather and sea conditions concerning all hydrofoil and ferry crossings among the islands.