Palermo to Taormina | Guided Small Group Tour | 5 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. Accommodation 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 a buffet breakfast, enjoy some free time to explore Palermo and have lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, meet your driver for a trip to Monreale, a hilltop town just a few kilometres from Palermo, offering stunning panoramic views. Visit the magnificent Cathedral, renowned worldwide for its Moorish architecture and exquisite mosaics depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments in Arab-Norman style. Return to Palermo and enjoy free time for shopping and dinner. Overnight in Palermo. (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’ll 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, take a walking tour of Palermo, visiting Corso Vittorio Emanuele, I Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria, Piazza Bellini, and the Cathedral. Explore a historic local market before continuing to Cefalù, a former fishing village with an Arab-Norman Cathedral and medieval washhouse. Enjoy free time for lunch and shopping before driving along the scenic coastal road through Messina to Taormina. Overnight in Taormina. (B)

DAY 4:                 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’ll 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. Overnight in Taormina. (B)

DAY 5:                 TAORMINA

After breakfast, the tour concludes. End of our services. (B)

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR):                      

PALERMO: Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa

TAORMINA: Hotel Splendid, or Hotel Caparena

INCLUDES:

• 4 nights’ accommodation in 4* hotels
• Meals as per itinerary
• Sightseeing tours in Monreale, Palermo, Cefalu and Etna
• 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
• English speaking tour escort* and local guides where necessary
• Whispers Kit (for groups with more than 10 passengers)
• Porterage at hotels

EXCLUDES:

• Entrance tickets to sites and museums (unless pre-purchased at time of booking)
• City tax (to be paid directly at the hotel)
• Hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling
• Beverages
• 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.