Highlights of Sicily | 8 Days

DAY 1 – SATURDAY                          CATANIA

Transfer to your hotel in the charming city of Catania. Enjoy a day at leisure. Overnight in Catania.

DAY 2 – SUNDAY                              CATANIA – SYRACUSE – NOTO – RAGUSA

Breakfast in the hotel and departure for Syracuse to visit the largest and most powerful Greek colony in Sicily: the Archaeological Park of Neapolis. Visit of the old town centre of Ortigia, with its stunning Piazza Duomo and Cathedral. Proceed to Noto, the capital of Sicilian baroque also called the “stone garden”, full of beautiful buildings and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. A walk through the streets of the centre to admire the skill and ingenious creativity of local craftsmen. Noto’s baroque architecture is a plethora of elegant curves, floral weaves, perspective views, palaces and gardens, capitals and cherubs that adorn the façades of churches and monasteries. At the end of the visit proceed to Ragusa for overnight. (B,D)

DAY 3 – MONDAY                             RAGUSA – MODICA – PIAZZA ARMERINA – AGRIGENTO

Breakfast in the hotel and visit of Ragusa Ibla with its beautiful churches and the Ibleo garden. Then proceed to Modica, to admire its many baroque style treasures, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. To end the visit, stop for a taste of the typical products of the area. Departure to Piazza Armerina and visit the splendid Villa Romana del Casale, a building from the late imperial period and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Transfer to the hotel in Agrigento for overnight. (B,L,D)

DAY 4 – TUESDAY                             AGRIGENTO – MARSALA – SALINE – PALERMO

Breakfast in the hotel and visit of the famous Valley of the Temples, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Giunone, Concordia and Ercole temples can be admired. Departure for Marsala, that preserves a multitude of signs of the Phoenician, Arab and Norman dominations. At the end of the visit enjoy a wine tasting of the typical local wine. Proceed to the famous Via del Sale. The lagoon and the islands of Stagnone constitute a large nature reserve of enormous environmental value. Even today the salt marshes represent one of the oldest salt mining industries in the world. In the evening, arrival in Palermo for overnight. (B,L)

DAY 5 – 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 6 – THURSDAY                          PALERMO – CEFALU – 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. Visit the old town centre and 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 bar to taste the local granita with brioche. Overnight in Catania. (B,L)

DAY 7 – 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 8 – SATURDAY                          CATANIA

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

ACCOMMODATION

CATANIA: Il Principe Hotel, or Romano House Hotel, or similar

RAGUSA: Mediterraneo Palace Hotel, or similar

AGRIGENTO: Baia di Ulisse Wellness & Spa, or similar

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

Includes:

–          Multilingual Tour leader for the entire itinerary

–          Local guides or audio-guides when necessary

–          Private arrival transfer from Catania Airport to Hotel

–          Accommodation as listed below or similar

–          Transportation by air-conditioned bus from 2^nd day until the 7^th day

–          Meals as per itinerary

–          typical product tastings: Palermo (5th day): gastronomic surprise with street food tasting; Catania (6th day): “granita and brioche” tasting; Etna (7th day): Visit to a honey factory tasting typical Etna products; Modica (3rd day): Visit to the famous Sabadì chocolate shop with tasting; Marsala (4th day): visit to the Florio wine cellar with tasting.

Excludes:

–          Departure transfer*

–          Visit of Monreale, Palermo, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Ragusa, Siracusa, Noto entrance fees*

–          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.

2024 Privilege Package inclusions:

• Superior/Deluxe rooms
• Private departure transfer
• City taxes
• All entrance fees as per program

2025 Privilege Package inclusions:

SILVER

• City taxes
• All entrance fees as per program

GOLD

• Private departure transfer
• City taxes
• All entrance fees as per program

PLATINUM

• Upgrade to Superior/Deluxe rooms
• Private departure transfer
• City taxes
• All entrance fees as per program

The privilege package is available on request at an extra cost. If included, this will be noted on the booking.

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.

–          Itinerary may be modified at any time.