Day 1: Catania
Welcome to Sicily! Independent arrival at the hotel in Catania (contact us to book a transfer from the airport - extra cost, not included in the price of the tour). Welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight stay included.
Day 2: Syracuse - Modica (visit of a chocolate factory) - Ragusa
After breakfast, depart to Syracuse. Once there, you will visit the beautiful archaeological sites of Latomie of the Paradise and the Dyionisios Ear. Then, you will also visit Syracuse's most ancient part: Ortigia Island. Lunch on your own (NOT included).
In the afternoon, depart to Modica and visit inside a real chocolate factory to discover the techniques leading to the production of chocolate. Arrive to Ragusa for the check-in at your hotel. Dinner and overnight*.
*Optional: visit "by night" of the ancient city Ragusa "Ibla", cradle of Sicilian baroque, with its Cathedral, situated in the beautiful square of the Dome and the "giardino Ibleo" (supplement to be paid on the spot; the excursion will take place with a minimum of participants).
Day 3: Piazza Armerina - Agrigento
After breakfast, head towards Piazza Armerina, a UNESCO site internationally renowned for the Villa Romana del Casale, which preserves precious mosaics and mythological paintings. Lunch included in a typical restaurant where you can sample local Sicilian specialties.
In the afternoon arrival at Agrigento. You will visit the Valley of the Temples (tickets not included), Unesco World Heritage archaeological site that contains precious ruins of ancient Greek civilization: the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Heracles, Temple of Juno. Check-in at your hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Palermo (street food eXPerience) - Monreale
After breakfast, departure for Palermo. Before, arrival in Monreale, world famous for almonds, oil and agrumes production. Norman architecture is king in Monreale's architecture, as you can see from its Duomo with the golden mosaics that cover almost all the surface, for more than 6000 square meters!
After lunch (NOT included) you will arrive at Palermo: have a taste of Palermo's street food and admire the view of this city, learning more about its history and legends. Be astoneshed by the cathedral, which combines many different artistic styles, as many cultures and dominations followed each other in this city. You can also discover Palermo's Norman Palace and the famous Palatine Chapel. Check-in at your hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Erice - Marsala (visit of a winery) - Salt Route - Palermo
After breakfast, departure to Erice, a medieval village on San Giuliano Mount. You will witness it immerging into its atmosphere, walking across its tiny streets and admiring its monuments.
Continue to Marsala for a stop at a winery for a guided tour of the historic Wine Cellars: tasting of wines with local food pairings. Free time for lunch on your own (NOT included). Then you will enjoy a panoramic tour to the famousTrapani's Salt Route. You will return back to the city of Palermo for the overnight (dinner NOT included).
Day 6: Cefalù – Parco dei Nebrodi - Taormina
After breakfast, departure to Cefalù, a tiny fishing village that will enchant you. Walk across the city centre and discover its highlights, such as the Norman Cathedral and the medieval lavatoio carved into the stone. Then, visit the Nebrodi Park and stop for lunch in a tipical reastaurant.
Later, continue to Cesarò, Randazzo and have the possibility to visit the Etna Park, from an unusual point of view - the north facing side - surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Arrival in Taormina. Check-in, dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Mount Etna (optional) – Taormina
After breaksfast, morning at leisure or, for those who are interested and for an extra cost, opportunity to take an optional excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active Volcano in Europe. Weather conditions permitting, across fascinating landscape, you will reach a height of 1800 metres to visit the Sylvester Craters where you can enjoy a spectacular panorama over the Ionian Sea (supplement on the spot; the excursion will take place with a minimum of participants).Lunch on your own (NOT included).
In the afternoon, spend time on your own walking through the streets of Taormina or shopping for souvenirs or visit the Greek-Roman theatre, with its spectacular view of Giardini Naxos. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Taormina
After breakfast, the tour will end (contact us to book a transfer to the airport - extra cost, not included in the price of the tour).
Other eXPeriences in Sicily
We also suggest you the 12-Day Escorted Tour of Sicily & Malta, departing from Catania and the 5-day Escorted Tour of Northern Sicily, departing from Palermo.
