Palermo to Catania Tour

Arrive and make your own way to the hotel in the charming city of Palermo. Overnight at Mercure Palermo Centro, Ibis Styles Palermo Cristal or similar.

Depart for Monreale to visit the magnificent Arab-Norman Cathedral, renowned for its stunning Byzantine mosaics and the majestic Cloister. Return to Palermo for a visit to the Cathedral, a striking fusion of Gothic, Baroque, and Norman influences. Admire the beauty of the Martorana Church and the splendour of the Palatine Chapel, both decorated with golden mosaics. Enjoy a lunch of local specialties. In the afternoon, stroll through Palermo’s historic center to see the Teatro Massimo, one of Europe’s largest opera houses, and the elegant Pretoria Fountain. Overnight at Mecure Palermo Centro, Ibis Styles Palermo Cristal or similar. (B, L)

Morning 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 to 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. (Dinner on your own) Overnight in Catania at Il Principe Hotel or similar. (B,L)

This morning, after a short visit of the famous “pescheria” (the ancient fish market) in Catania, the tour will continue with an excursion to the Mount Etna, the highest (c. 3350m) volcano in Europe and one of the largest and most active in the world, nowadays Unesco World Heritage Site. Views of stunning landscapes will amaze you heading to Rifugio Sapienza. You will reach the “Crateri Silvestri”, small volcanic cones now inactive, surrounded by ancient lava flows. The view beyond the mountain’s hundreds of subsidiary cones and craters, can extend across the whole of Sicily, the Aeolian islands and Calabria. The spectacle is unique!  We will have a stop to enjoy the local home-made honey and some typical products of the area. The tour continues towards Taormina, charming town renowned for its magnificent position above the sea commanding a celebrated view of Etna. Free time for lunch and in the afternoon visit of Taormina’s fascinating Greek theatre which will leave you breathless for its commanding view on Giardini Naxos bay and the Etna mountain! Free time for a nice walk among the picturesque Medieval typical narrow streets, to go shopping and looking around the local handicrafts. The day will end with an overview of the beautiful Riviera dei Ciclopi. (Dinner on your own in Catania) Back to the hotel in Il Principe Hotel 4*/ Romano House Hotel 4* or similar for overnight stay. (B,L)

Breakfast in hotel and end of our services. (B)