1st day - Arrival and transfer to the Hotel Palermo
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 Palermo.
2nd 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.
3rd 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.
4th day - Selinunte - Agrigento- (Hotel Agrigento)
Meet your private driver in hotel and leave to Selinunte to visit the biggest Greek archeologic park of Europe.
Located on the south-western coast of Sicily, a few kilometers away from Castelvetrano (in the province of Trapani), this site contains the ruins of an ancient Greek city (Selinunte, in fact), conquered by the Carthaginians around to 200 BC and, subsequently, the victim of occupation and destruction by various peoples of the Mediterranean.
The drive 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.
Overnight in Agrigento
5th day - Piazza Armerina - Caltagirone - Ragusa
Meet your private driver in hotel and leave 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.
Then drive to Caltagirone capital of ceramics in Sicily, where you can admire the famous staircase of Santa Maria del Monte. Along the streets of the town you can admire the majestic ceramic works of Caltagrione, the beautiful Moor heads, also known as graste.
After the visit drive to Ragusa - Overnight
6th day - Ragusa - Noto - Syracuse (Hotel Syracuse)
After breakfast in the hotel, You begins the morning with a walk through the streets of Ragusa Ibla, to admire the magnificence of the Sicilian Baroque.
Visit this unique town, entirely rebuilt in Baroque style after the devastating earthquake of 1693. Leaving the bus and proceeding on foot you can admire some of harmonious Baroque architectures as Zocco and Bertini buildings , passing by narrow lanes, arches and climbs where you can visit other beautiful Baroque buildings, the famous San Giorgio church, San Giuseppe and the Ibleo Gadens. Then drive back to the stunning town of Modica, listed as a UNESCO WHS for its vernacular architecture and Baroque churches. The city is divided into "Modica Alta" (Upper Modica) and "Modica Bassa" (Lower Modica) and has maintained some of the most beautiful architecture in Sicily, in the Sicilian Baroque style.
You can admire the large Baroque Cathedral dedicated to San Giorgio, town’s patron, the San Pietro church, and the classic Sicilian Baroque bell tower The town is not only famous for its beautiful baroque architecture, but also for the chocolate: you will reach a local chocolate factory where it will be explained how this particular chocolate is made: Modica is custodian of a 400 year tradition of Sicilian chocolate-making. Today Modica still specialises in making granulous chocolate, often flavoured with chilli pepper, cinnamon or vanilla, that is based on Aztec methods and recipes. Enjoy an optional tasting of chocolate. Lunch at a Local restaurant in Modica. After lunch drive to Noto, famous for its unique Sicilian baroque style and UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. Stroll through the open-air museum and the splendid Corso Vittorio Emanuele and admire many of the palaces and churches that, as a whole, are known as the "Stone Garden".
After the visit drive to Siracusa - Overnight
Day 7 - Syracuse - Taormina (Hotel Taormina)
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 will continue to your hotel in Taormina
8th 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.
Day 9 - Godfather Tour-Castelmola
Pick up by your driver, before proceeding to the two little hilltop towns, where Francis Ford Coppola filmed many parts of the ‘The Godfather’ movies.
Enjoy an introduction to the real Sicily, exploring the towns of Savoca with their quiet streets and peaceful atmosphere, are surrounded by beautiful mountainous scenery, and have several fascinating old churches and the famous Bar Vitelli. You will take a walk on the panoramic promenade to the famous church of Sant’Nicolò or better called Santa Lucia which was used in the Godfather movie for the marriage of Michael Corleone and Apollonia Vitelli. A taste of lemon granita is a must!
Depart to visit Forza D’Agrò. Among the most interesting places, the church of Sant’Agostino, with the convent located on the hill that was the set of the scene in which Vito Corleone flees to the United States persecuted by Don Ciccio's men. After you will proceed to the lovely hilltop town of Castelmola, recently voted one of Italy’s most beautiful villages. Arrived in the town square you will be enchanted by the breathtaking view of the Sicilian Ionian coast, from where you can admire Taormina and its Roman amphitheater.
A little above the square is the splendid medieval castle of Mola, where the ancient fortifications can still be seen. Walking through the narrow streets of the medieval town you will arrive at the famous and eccentric Turrisi bar, where you can taste the renowned almond wine and enjoy the splendid view of the bay of Naxos and Mount Etna.
Come back to Hotel
10th day - Free day
11th day - Departure from Catania airport
Pick up by your English speaking driver and relax on your private transfer to Catania airport from your hotel. Airport, about 50 mins.
