Sicilian Gems | Guided Group Tour | 10 Days

DAY 1:                                   PALERMO 

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

DAY 2:                                   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:                                   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:                                   CATANIA – ETNA – TAORMINA – CATANIA 

After breakfast, visit Catania’s historic fish market before heading to Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore Etna Park, including Rifugio Sapienza and the Crateri Silvestri, enjoying panoramic views of volcanic cones, the Aeolian Islands, and Calabria. Stop at a beekeeping farm to see honey production and taste local specialties. Continue to Taormina to visit the Greco-Roman theatre and admire breathtaking views of Naxos Bay and the Riviera dei Ciclopi. Return to Catania for overnight. (B, L) 

DAY 5:                                   CATANIA 

Breakfast in the hotel and day at leisure to enjoy Catania city centre. Overnight Catania. (B) 

DAY 6:                                   CATANIA – SIRACUSA – NOTO – RAGUSA 

After breakfast, depart for Syracuse to explore the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, once the most powerful Greek colony in Sicily. Continue to Ortigia to see its charming old town, Piazza Duomo, and Cathedral. Proceed to Noto, the UNESCO-listed “stone garden” of Sicilian Baroque, renowned for its ornate palaces, churches, and elegant streets filled with artistic detail. End the day in Ragusa for your overnight. (B, D)  

DAY 7:                                   RAGUSA IBLA – 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 8:                                   AGRIGENTO – MARSALA – SALINE – PALERMO 

After breakfast, visit the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the temples of Juno, Concordia, and Hercules. Continue to Marsala, rich in Phoenician, Arab, and Norman heritage, and enjoy a tasting of its renowned local wine. Travel along the Via del Sale to the Stagnone Lagoon and salt pans, an important nature reserve and one of the world’s oldest salt works. Arrive in Palermo in the evening for overnight. (B, L) 

DAY 9:                                   PALERMO – ERICE – SEGESTA – PALERMO 

Breakfast at the hotel and visit of the city of Erice, an ancient city made by the “Elimi” at about 751 meters high on Mount San Julian. A Sicilian Borgo characterized for its narrow streets and medieval arches. Visit the historic centre, the main church and the Castle of Venere. In the afternoon, continue to Segesta, with a visit of the temple and the theatre set at an altitude of 400 meters, carried out in the 3rd century BC. Return to Palermo for your overnight. (B) 

DAY 10:                                 PALERMO 

Breakfast in the hotel and check-out. End of services. (B) 

ACCOMMODATION (OR SIMILAR): 

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

CATANIA: Il Principe Hotel, or Romano House Hotel 

RAGUSA: Mediterraneo Palace Hotel 

AGRIGENTO: Baia di Ulisse Wellness & Spa 

INCLUDES: 

• 9 nights accommodation in 4* hotels
• Meals as per itinerary
• Multilingual tour leader
• Local guides or audio-guides when necessary
• Private arrival transfer from Palermo Airport to hotel
• Transportation by air-conditioned bus from day 2 to day 8
• Sightseeing tours in Syracuse, Noto, Ragusa, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Monreale, Palermo, Cefalu, Catania, Etna, and Taormina
• Typical product tastings:
  • Palermo (day 2): gastronomic surprise with street food tasting
  • Catania (day 3): “granita and brioche” tasting
  • Etna (day 4): visit to a honey factory tasting typical Etna products
  • Modica (day 7): visit to the famous Sabadì chocolate shop with tasting
  • Marsala (day 8): visit to the Florio wine cellar with tasting

EXCLUDES: 

• Departure transfer*
• Meals not specified above
• Beverages
• Entrance fees to monuments/museums*
• City taxes*
• Tips and extras in general
• Hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling
• Anything not specified under “Includes”

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

OPTIONAL ADD-ON: PRIVILEGE PACKAGE 

Silver 

• City taxes
• All entrance fees as per program

Gold 

• Private departure transfer (Pick-up between 07:00-20:59 only. Transfers outside of these times will incur a surcharge. This will be advised upon confirmation.)
• City taxes
• All entrance fees as per program

Platinum 

• Upgrade to Superior/Deluxe rooms
• Private departure transfer (Pick-up between 07:00-20:59 only. Transfers outside of these times will incur a surcharge. This will be advised upon confirmation.)
• City taxes
• All entrance fees as per program

Privilege packages are available on request for an additional cost and will be indicated in the booking if selected. 

THINGS TO NOTE: 

• Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m.
• 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.
• Only 1 suitcase (any size) and 1 handbag per person is allowed.