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 - 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.
5th 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.
