From Palermo to Aeolian Islands | Partially Guided Small Group Tour | 9 Days

DAY 1:                PALERMO

Upon arrival at Palermo Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight Palermo.

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DAY 2:                PALERMO

After breakfast, free time at your own leisure to visit Palermo and for lunch. In the afternoon, appointment with your guide to start the guided tour of the city. First, 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. Accomodation at hotel and free time at disposal for shopping and dinner. Overnight in Palermo. (B)

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DAY 2:                PALERMO – MONREALE – PALERMO

After breakfast, enjoy free time to explore Palermo at your own pace and have lunch at leisure. In the afternoon, meet your driver for a visit to Monreale, perched on a hill just a few kilometres from Palermo. Here you’ll explore the stunning Cathedral, renowned for its Moorish architecture and extraordinary mosaics depicting the Old and New Testaments in Arab-Norman style. Return to Palermo for your overnight stay. (B)

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DAY 3:                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)

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DAY 3:                PALERMO – CEFALU – MESSINA – TAORMINA 

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Palermo, visiting Corso Vittorio Emanuele, the Cathedral, and a historic market. Continue to Cefalù to see its Arab-Norman Cathedral and medieval washhouse, with free time to explore and have lunch. Travel along the scenic coastal road via Messina to Taormina. Overnight at hotel. (B)

DAY 4:                TAORMINA – MT ETNA – TAORMINA

After a buffet breakfast, enjoy an excursion to Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano. We’ll ascend to 1,800 metres to explore the Sylvester Craters and admire stunning views of the Ionian Sea. On the eastern slopes, visit a renowned winery and cellar, with tastings of local wines paired with regional cheeses and cold cuts. In the afternoon, return to Taormina. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Taormina. (B)

DAY 5:                TAORMINA – MILAZZO – LIPARI  

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)

DAY 6:                LIPARI – PANAREA – STROMBOLI – LIPARI

After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely morning before departing by boat to Panarea. Stroll through the charming village with its whitewashed Aeolian-style houses. Continue by boat to Stromboli, the most untamed of the islands, still deeply connected to nature and its active volcano, affectionately called “Iddu” by locals. Enjoy free time before sailing on to the “Sciara del Fuoco,” a slope where lava flows dramatically into the sea. From the boat, marvel at Stromboli’s spectacular eruptions, occurring roughly every fifteen minutes. Evening return to Lipari for your overnight stay. (B)

DAY 7:                LIPARI – SALINA – LIPARI

After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, depart by boat to Salina. Following a visit to the centre of Santa Marina, continue by boat to circumnavigate the island, with a swimming stop at Pollara, the famous beach featured in the film “Il Postino.” Enjoy free time for lunch before heading to Lingua, home to a historic salt lake that gave the island its name. Return to Lipari in the afternoon. Overnight in Lipari. (B)

DAY 8:                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 9:                CATANIA

After breakfast, end of our services. (B)

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR):

PALERMO: Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa, or Hotel Politeama Palace

TAORMINA: Hotel Splendid, or Hotel Caparena

LIPARI: Gattopardo Hotel

CATANIA: Katane Palace Hotel

INCLUDES:

• 8 nights’ accommodation in 4* hotels.
• Meals as per itinerary
• Visit of a cellar and wine tasting on Mount Etna
• Transportation by deluxe air-conditioned vehicle with free wi-fi
• Private arrival transfer in Palermo
• Sightseeing tours in Monreale, Palermo, Cefalu, and Etna
• English speaking tour escort and local guides where necessary (excluding Aeolian Islands)
• Whispers kit (for groups with more than 10 passengers)
• Porterage at hotels (excluding Aeolian Islands)
• Regular multilingual boat excursions from Lipari to Panarea, Stromboli and Salina (no guide, port taxes included)
• Return transfers by hydrofoil Milazzo Harbour/Lipari
• Return transfer by minivan from Lipari Harbour/Hotel
• Transfer by minivan Taormina/Milazzo (on day 5) and Milazzo/Catania-Hotel (on day 8)

EXCLUDES:

• Entrance tickets to sites and museums (unless pre-purchased at time of booking)
• City tax (to be paid directly at the hotel)
• Beverages (excluding water with meals at hotel in Sicily)
• Excess luggage fees
• Hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling
• Everything which is not mentioned in “inclusions”

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 operates with fewer than 9 passengers, it will be conducted by minivan with an English-speaking driver, and local guides will be provided where needed. The travel program may be adjusted, with any changes communicated at least 15 days prior to departure.
• Tour can be a combination of regular tours; therefore, coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.
• 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.