Wonders of Sicily Tour

Arrive and make your own way to the hotel in the charming city of Catania. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Il Principe Hotel, or Romano House Hotel or similar. 

After breakfast depart for Siracusa to visit the largest and most powerful Greek colony in Sicily: The Archaeological Park of Neapolis. Visit 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. 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 andmonasteries. Proceed to Ragusa for dinner and overnight at Mediterraneo Palace Hotel or similar. (B, D)

Breakfast at 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, always declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. To end the visit, stop to taste 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 Agrigento for dinner and overnight at Baia Di Ulisse Wellness & Spa or similar. (B, L, D)

After breakfast 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 a wine tasting to enjoy 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, dinner and overnight at Mecure Palermo Centro or Ibis Styles Palermo Cristal or similar. (B, L)

Breakfast at 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 Mercure Palermo Centro 4* / Ibis Styles Palermo Cristal 4* or similar. (B, L)

After breakfast depart for 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 coffee bar to taste the local granita with brioche. Overnight at Catania at Il Principe Hotel or Romano House Hotel or similar. (B, L)

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 (3350 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. Afterwards, visit of a beekeeping farm, to see the honey extraction laboratory and taste of 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 the hotel in Catania and overnight stay. (B, L)

After breakfast transfer to the airport. End of the tour. (B)