Day 1: Palermo
Independent arrival at the hotel in the charming city of Palermo. You will have a meet and greet with your tour leader and group; dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 2: Monreale - Palermo
After breakfast in the hotel, begin your day visiting Monreale and its proclaimed Eighth Wonder of the World, the Norman Cathedral and its splendid Arab-Norman styled Cloister. You will then return to visti the capital of Sicily, Palermo with a view of Mt Pellegrino, the world-famed Arab-Norman Cathedral, Martorana Church, Cappella Palatina and the Pretoria Square. You will also have a stop for a food surprise in a local bakery. After free time for lunch (NOT included), keep visiting the city centre. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 3: Cefalù - Catania
After breakfast, you will be transfered to Cefalù, a charming medieval town that is situated on the northern coast of Sicily. Join your free time to stroll through the town or visit the famous Mandralisca Museum or the Norman Cathedral. Then we will head to Catania to visit the historic centre, have a walk across the city centre from Via dei Crociferi to the scenic Duomo square. After free time for lunch (NOT included), stop in a historic bar of to taste the typical "granita & brioche".Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Catania.
Day 4: Etna - Taormina
The first visit of the day will be dedicated to the ancient fish market of Catania. Then, depart to Mt. Etna, the highest, largest and the most active volcano in Europe. Reach the “Crateri Silvestri”, small volcanic cones that are not inactive, surrounded by ancient lava flows. Later, embark to a beekeeping company for a honey extraction lab visit to taste some homemade honey. Proceed to Taormina, where, after free time for lunch (not included), you will visit the ancient Greek Theatre and stroll around the elegant streets and shops of the center. Then return to Catania with an overview of the beautiful Riviera dei Ciclopi. Dinner and overnight in Catania.
Please, note that the Tour Escort will be present until the evening of Day 4. From the Day 5, the tour will be semi-independent.
Day 5: Catania - Bari
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport and direct flight (or stopover) to Bari. In Bari, transfer to the hotel, dinner and overnight. Depending on the flight time, you can have free time to explore Catania or Bari.
Day 6: Matera - Bari
After breakfast, transfer to Matera, where a professional guide will accompany you to discover this city, famous above all for its "Sassi": it is the oldest part of the city caverns and labyrinths carved literally in the rock alternate with houses. Free time for lunch, while in the afternoon you will return to Bari, where you will visit the city and its characteristic historical center, with the Cathedral of San Nicola and you will have the chance to stroll the streets of Bari Vecchia and admire the Norman Swabian Castle. Dinner and overnight at the hotel..
Day 7: Bari - Polignano a Mare - Alberobello - Ostuni - Lecce
The first stop of the day, after the departure from Bari, will be Polignano a Mare, with its beautiful old town nestled on the bay, where you can have a walk and enjoy the view. Next, you will move to Alberobello, which with its typical houses, the Trulli, has become a symbol of this corner of Puglia. Accompanied by a local guide, you will visit this characteristic center, unique in the world, with a visit to the Sovereign Trullo. The day will continue towards Ostuni, the white city, where you can walk in the enchanting old town. Transfer to Lecce, dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 8: Lecce - Gallipoli - Lecce
The first part of the day will be dedicated to the visit of Lecce: a local guide will show you the wonders of the historic center of the capital of Salento, from the Church of Santa Croce, to Piazza di Sant'Oronzo. There will also be a stop at a papier-mâché workshop and a wine-based aperitif. After free lunch, in the afternoon we will proceed to Gallipoli, where you can visit the historic city center and admire the imposing Cathedral of Sant'Agata, the Church of Purity and an ancient hypogeum mill from 1600 AD. located in the basement of Palazzo Granafei. Return to the hotel in Lecce, dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Lecce
After breakfast, end of our services.
Other eXPeriences in Italy...
Discover the south of Italy with our 8-day tour of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands or the 5-day tour of Sicily from Catania to Palermo. If you are curious to discover North Italy instead, check out of vacation packages in Milan, Venice and lakes.
