Catania, Siracusa, Ragusa, Agrigento, Marsala, Erice, Palermo, Monreale, Cefalu, Messina, Taormina, Etna, Milazzo, Lipari, Panarea, Stromboli, Salina
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This journey provides a complete immersion into the history, culture, and customs of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Day 1 – Saturday: CATANIA
Upon arrival at Catania Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Welcome drink and dinner at your hotel. Overnight Catania. (D)
Day 2 – Sunday: CATANIA – SIRACUSA – CATANIA
2024: After breakfast, departure to Siracusa: visit the World Heritage Site “Neapolis”. The visit of this archaeological area includes the famous Greek theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Latomie of Paradise, and the “Dionysius Ear”. Continue to the island of Ortigia, the small baroque old city centre of Siracusa. Visit the beautiful Cathedral, which is built upon the site of the Doric Temple of Minerva, the legendary Arethusa’s Fountain, and the Temple of Apollo. Free time for lunch and afternoon at your own leisure to stroll through the streets of the centre and for shopping. Return to your hotel in Catania for overnight. (B)
2025: After breakfast, departure to Syracuse: visit the World Heritage Site “Neapolis”. The visit of this archaeological area includes the famous Greek theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Latomie of Paradise and the “Dyionisios Ear”. Continue to the island of Ortigia, the small baroque old city centre of Siracusa; Visit of the beautiful Cathedral, which is built upon the site of the Doric Temple of Minerva, the legendary Arethusa’s Fountain, and the Temple of Apollo. We will enjoy a “street food” light lunch in the centre of Ortigia. Afternoon at disposal to stroll through the streets of the centre and for shopping. Return to your hotel in Catania. Free evening at your disposal to experience the city and its nightlife and to dine in one of the typical restaurant in the city centre. Overnight in Catania. (B)
Day 3 – Monday: CATANIA – RAGUSA
After breakfast, depart for a walking tour of Catania. Stroll through the city centre with your professional guide who will charm you with the history of the city and take you to visit the famous fish market “A PISCARIA”, one of the largest fish markets in Sicily. As old as the city itself, it’s a great way to experience the abundant fishing and seafood culture of Sicily, with a very special and authentic atmosphere. Depart to Ragusa, renowned for its cheese production, therefore, we will not miss a tasting of artisan cheeses and Sicilian specialties (light lunch). We will visit the enchanting historical centre “Ibla”, with its stunning baroque palaces and churches. Together with seven other cities in the Val di Noto, Ragusa is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Overnight Ragusa. (B, D)
Day 4 – Tuesday: RAGUSA – AGRIGENTO – MARSALA
After breakfast, departure to Agrigento, a hillside town famous for its magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit of the Valley, including the Temple of Concordia, which is in almost perfectly preserved condition, and the temples of Juno and Heracles. In the afternoon we will proceed to Marsala a city on the western coast famous for its production of sweet Sicilian wine. Arrival at Baglio Donnafranca, a perfectly restored 19th century baglio, which rises in the Marsala countryside, on the hills in front of the Stagnone Reserve and the Egadi Islands. The baglio was a property of Florio. Here we will have the opportunity to visit the cellar and learn all about winemaking. At the end of the tour, we will enjoy a wine tasting/light dinner at sunset. Overnight Marsala. (B)
Day 5 – Wednesday: MARSALA – ERICE – PALERMO
2024: After breakfast, departure to Erice via the spectacular “Salt Route”, a road flanked by the salt pans, windmills, and the “salt houses” where they still extract the sea salt as did the Phoenicians. Arrival in Erice, located on the top of a hill overlooking the city of Trapani and the Egadi Islands. Walk through its tiny and characteristic streets, the winding lanes, and inner courtyards. Stop for marzipan and biscuit tasting. Continue to Palermo, the capital of Sicily. We will enjoy a “street food” lunch in the centre of the town and then we will visit the Cathedral, one of the most important architectural monuments. Continue our visit by walking along Corso Vittorio Emanuele to reach “I Quattro Canti di Città” Piazza Pretoria, Piazza Bellini, and then visit the Church of Santa Caterina. Overnight in Palermo. (B, L)
2025: After breakfast, departure to Erice, via the spectacular “Salt Route”, a road flanked by the salt pans, windmills, and the “salt houses” where they still extract the sea salt as did the Phoenicians. Arrival in Erice, located on the top of a hill overlooking the city of Trapani and the Egadi Islands. Walk through its tiny and characteristic streets, the winding lanes and, inner courtyards. Stop for marzipan and biscuit tasting Continue to Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Free time for lunch and then we’ll visit the Cathedral, one of the most important architectural monuments. We will continue our visit by walking along Corso Vittorio Emanuele to reach “I Quattro Canti di Città” Piazza Pretoria, Piazza Bellini and the Church of Santa Caterina. Overnight in Palermo. (B)
Day 6 – Thursday: PALERMO – MONREALE – CEFALU – MESSINA – TAORMINA
After breakfast, departure to the town of Monreale, situated on a hill at few kilometres from Palermo in a panoramic position. Visit of the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful monuments in the world with its Moorish architecture, housing very fine mosaics representing a complete cycle of the Old and New Testaments in Arab-Norman style. Continue to Cefalù, a former fishing village, now a charming coastal town. Enjoy a walk to the city centre and down the main street to reach the Arab-Norman Cathedral and the medieval washhouse built in the rock. Free time to explore the town. Proceed to Taormina through the coastal road passing through Messina from where we will have the chance to admire the suggestive scenery of the Strait of Messina. Continue to Taormina for overnight. (B)
Day 7 – Friday: TAORMINA – MT ETNA – TAORMINA
After breakfast, excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active Volcano in Europe. Weather conditions permitting, we will reach a height of 1800 metres to visit the Sylvester Craters where we will enjoy a spectacular panorama over the Ionian Sea. Stop at a local winery on the eastern slopes of Etna and visit a prestigious cellar. We will have the opportunity to taste different local wines accompanied by local cheese and cold cuts. In the afternoon, return to Taormina, the charming city called “the pearl of the Ionian Sea”. Enjoy time at leisure for shopping or walking through its tiny streets. Possibility to visit the Greek-Roman Theatre on your own, with its spectacular view of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna. Overnight in Taormina. (B)
Day 8 – Saturday: TAORMINA – MILAZZO – LIPARI
2024: After breakfast, departure to Milazzo. Boarding at the port of Milazzo for Lipari by hydrofoil. Arrival on the island of Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian archipelago. Transfer to the hotel with free time to visit the delightful village of Lipari. Overnight Lipari. (B)
2025: After breakfast, departure to Milazzo. Boarding at the port of Milazzo for Lipari by hydrofoil. Arrival on the island of Lipari, the largest of the Aeolian archipelago. Transfer to the hotel and free time to visit the delightful village of Lipari. Lunch on your own; in the afternoon, taxi tour of the island of Lipari. Free time for dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B)
Day 9 – Sunday: LIPARI – PANAREA – STROMBOLI – LIPARI
After breakfast, morning is at leisure. In the late morning departure by boat to Panarea where it will be possible to visit the small village with a pleasant walk along the streets among the white Aeolian-style houses. Then continue with the boat to the island of Stromboli, defined as the wildest island because it seems to preserve its bond with nature and in particular with the volcano, called by the locals “Iddu”. Time at leisure. Once you get back on the boat, you will continue until you reach the “Sciara del fuoco”, a ridge of the crater from where the lava descends. From the boat it will also be possible to witness the evocative eruptions of the volcano that follow one another with intervals of about fifteen minutes. Return to Lipari in the evening. (B)
Day 10 – Monday: LIPARI – SALINA – LIPARI
After breakfast in hotel, departure by boat for Salina. After a stop in the centre of S. Marina, continue by boat to circumnavigate the island. Swim in Pollara, the beach of the famous film “Il Postino”. Continue to Lingua where there is a salt lake from where salt was extracted in ancient times (hence the name of the island). Return to Lipari in the afternoon. (B)
Day 11 – Tuesday: LIPARI – MILAZZO – CATANIA
After breakfast, transfer to the port of Lipari and board the hydrofoil for Milazzo. Transfer to your Catania hotel. Afternoon at your leisure for a visit of the historic centre. Overnight in Catania. (B)
Day 12 – Wednesday: CATANIA
After breakfast, end of our services. (B)
2024 Accommodation (or similar):
CATANIA: Katane Palace Hotel
RAGUSA: Poggio del Sole Resort
MARSALA: Baglio Donnafranca Wineresort
PALERMO: Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa, or Hotel Politeama Palace
TAORMINA: Villa Diodoro, or Hotel Caparena
LIPARI: Gattopardo Hotel
2025 Accommodation (or similar):
TAORMINA: Hotel Splendid, or Hotel Caparena
Includes:
Excludes:
Things to Note:
– Accommodation is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel changes, but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your Tour Director.
– For organisational reasons or health security, the itinerary may be reversed or modified without notice; in this case the operator ensures similar visits and excursions in accordance with the spirit of the tour program. If the tour is operated with fewer than 9 passengers, it will be with a minivan, English Speaking driver and Local Guide services where necessary, reserving the right to make changes to the travel program by giving notice within 15 days before the departure date
– 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 but can be purchased as a supplement
– A government tourist tax will need to be paid locally upon arrival at your hotels.
– For the part of the tour to the Aeolian Islands, in case of adverse weather conditions, the day of the excursions could be modified or cancelled, or early return to Sicily may be required. In this case the tour operator will ensure, where possible, alternative solutions in compliance with the travel program
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All rates are based on twin/double share. Please enquire for single and triple rates. Rates are based on AUD. Availability is conditional on final confirmation from the supplier and is subject to change.
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