1st day - Arrival and transfer (Hotel Taormina)
Upon your arrival, you will clear passport control, and pick up your luggage from the baggage carousel. Upon clearing customs, you will exit the luggage hall, your private English speaking driver will be waiting for you holding a sign with your name to welcome you in Sicily. Transfer to your hotel in Taormina.
2nd day - Syracuse
Breakfast in your hotel, then meet your private driver in the lobby of your hotel and drive through the internal road up to Syracuse. This magnificent town, one of the most important archaeological sites in Sicily, was founded by Greeks in 734 BC. Its growth was rapid. Syracuse soon became one of the most important towns in Sicily. The city has been declared UNESCO WHS for the archaeological park and the islet of Ortigia.
Start the visit of this area called “Neapolis” and, the highlights of which are: the Roman amphitheatre, constructed in the second century A.D. during Roman Imperial age was partly carved out from the rock. In the centre of the area is a rectangular space which was used for the scenic machinery; the Greek theatre, whose cavea is one of the largest ever built by the ancient Greeks: carved out of solid rock and excellently preserved, it has 67 rows, divided into nine sections with eight aisles.
The edifice, still used today, was modified by the Romans, who adapted it to their different kind of spectacles, including also circus games; the rope makers’ grotto, the Dionisyus’ ear, aritificial grotto resembling an earlobe, used as a prison during the war against Athens.
Then take a pleasant walking tour of this charming islet on which the original city was founded. Stroll through Pancali Square, the ruins of the Apollo’s temple, Corso Matteotti, the main and most elegant shopping area, Archimede Square with the fountain of Artemis, Cathedral square and Arethusa fountain, overlooking the bay, on a large terrace. Afterwards lunch at a Local restaurant. In the afternoon you come back to your hotel in Taormina.
3rd day - Etna-Winery Breakfast at your hotel.
Pick up by your driver and transfer to explore Etna volcano, the largest active volcano in Europe, and admire a unique combination of nature and the uncontrollable essence of fire. The guided walk options are weather dependent and may include an exploration to the Silvestri craters at Sapienza refuge as well as some nice towns on the Volcano. You can also view the crater of 2001-2002 by cable-car (not included and weather dependent).
For lunch you'll visit an elegant Wine Resort nestled among forests and historic vineyards, home to international wine tourists to discover the proverbial hospitality and cuisine of Sicily. Enjoy lunch in the winery before returning to Taormina this afternoon.
4th day - P. Armerina - Agrigento- Palermo (Hotel Palermo) Breakfast in your hotel.
Drive to Piazza Armerina, along the mountainous interior of the island to the Unesco WHS of Villa del Casale, where you marvel at its exquisite floor mosaics, buried underground until the late 19th century, and learn about the recently completed restoration works to preserve them.
Set in the green environment of the area, this monument represents the most important surviving documentation of Roman civilization in Sicily. This patrician villa comprises more than 40 rooms, almost all them artistically paved with mosaic floors that reproducing the Roman life. It was perhaps built approximately between the end of the 3rd century and mid-4th century A.C. and its former owner was an army officer close to the Imperial Court.
After the visit continue to Agrigento, where you will explore the famed Valley of the Temples, (declared UNESCO WHS) built by the Greeks and conquered by the Romans. Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century BC, Agrigento was one of the greatest cities in the Mediterranean world. The poet Pindar described it as ‘man’s finest town’.
Your tour includes four of the most important monuments: the Temple of Hercules, the oldest temple, probably dating from the end of the 6th century BC, where nine of the original 38 columns have been re-erected; the beautifully sited Temple of Concordia, the most complete of the temples and the one that was converted into a Christian church in the 6th century AD; the Temple of Hera, which lies half in ruins and the Temple of Zeus – the largest Doric temple ever known – which was never completed. It, too, lies in ruins, having suffered from earthquake damage and the removal of stone to build the port of Porto Empedocle
5th day - Palermo-Monreale
The itinerary begins with a morning visit to Monreale to discover the Arab-Norman splendor of the Cathedral and Cloister. This treasure dates from the 12th century and shows the diverse architectural influences of both the Normans and the Arabs After lunch at the beach communiti of Mondello you will proceed visiting Palermo, Sicily's Capital, that stretches along a beautiful bay on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Founded by the Phoenicians in the 7th Century B.C., the city was conquered by Arabs in 831, and a period of immense prosperity commenced. You will visit the city’s main sights, including the Norman section, Quattro Canti di Città (the Four Corners of the City), Palermo’s extravagant baroque square and the Catacombe dei Cappuccini (Capuchin Catacombs ) with its unique display of nearly 8,000 mummies , each one dressed in their Sunday best.
6th day - Erice-Segesta-Salt Road
Meet your private driver for an excursion on Trapani area. En route, you'll make a number of stops, beginning with the historic city of Segesta, where you will make a visit of the Greek Theater and Doric Temple ruins. The stone-built theater dating back to the 3rd century BC is rewarded with a location on the summit of Monte Barbaro, offering a stunning view out over rural green pastures and adjacent mountains.
Discover the 5th century BC Temple of Segesta, considered one of the best preserved in the world, which is said to have been abandoned before it was ever completed. Afterward, head to Erice, a wonderful and mysterious medieval town made famous in ancient times as the supposed birthplace of Venus. Walk through the cobblestone streets of the town, smelling a variety of aromas emanating from the numerous pastry shops for which Erice is famous.
You'll visit the ruins of the town's hilltop Norman Castle, a 12th century construct dedicated to Venus. Make a stop at the world famous Pastry shop by Maria Grammatico to taste almond sweets, genovesi and nougat matched with Marsala wine. Rejoin your driver and drive to the historic Salt Road, with its numerous salt pans and Dutch-style windmills and you conclude the day coming back to your hotel.
7th day - Cefalù-Castelbuono
Meet your private driver and move to the medieval town of Castelbuono on the Madonie Mountains. Enjoy a walking tour along the historical city center and admire the medieval Castle.
After, you will reach Cefalù, a very charming town in the Northern coast of Sicily. Rome, the Arabs, the Normans : all of these have left an imprint in this town which is renowned for the famous Norman Cathedral, built by Roger II in 1131. Cefalu’s ancient name derives from Kefalè which means head or headland. Arriving at the parking place you shall leave minivan and proceed on foot for a walking tour of this attractive place with its narrow streets, colourful shops, antiques, ceramics.
Corso Ruggero, the main street, divides the town into two sections: one with twisting stepped lanes, ending at the rock wall, another with straight roads running down to the picturesque port, or rather down to the unbroken curtain of small buildings that constitutes the seafront of the walled town. You shall visit the Cathedral: two massive square towers with mullioned windows enclose the façade with its twin orders of blind arches. Inside it will be possible to admire, among other treasures, beautiful Byzantines mosaics. The walking tour includes also a pleasant walk up to the old port, where you reach the wonderful beach.
8th day - Departure
Pick up by your English speaking driver and relax on your private transfer to Palermo airport from your hotel. Airport, about 40 mins.
