Sicily - Culture & Flavours 8 Days/7 Nights Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: CATANIA

Stop At: Catania, Catania, Province of Catania, Sicily
Arrival in Catania and independent transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon meet our assistant for a briefing about the tour. Dinner at leisure and overnight at hotel.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Accomodation at Excelsior Mercure Hotel 4* - or similar

Day 2: CATANIA - ETNA - TAORMINA - CATANIA

Stop At: Mount Etna, 95030 Catania, Sicily Italy
Breakfast at the hotel and departure to reach Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. Along the way olive groves and citrus trees typical of the area. Up to a height of 2000 meters, where you can enjoy a splendid view all over Sicily. Walk on the spectacular Crateri Silvestri, small volcanic cones inactive for a century, surrounded by lava from the previous eruptions. Typical lunch at the restaurant .
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Taormina, Taormina, Province of Messina, Sicily
After lunch departure to Taormina known as "the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea" and walk through the narrow streets of this picturesque town, with a stop at the main square with an enchanting view. Possibility to visit the beautiful Greek theater (not included in the package). In the afternoon return to the hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight at hotel.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Accomodation at Excelsior Mercure hotel 4* or similar

Day 3: CATANIA - SIRACUSA - NOTO - RAGUSA (OVERNIGHT)

Stop At: Syracuse, Syracuse, Province of Syracuse, Sicily
Breakfast at hotel and guided visit of Syracuse (Unesco World Heritage Site), the largest and most beautiful Greek colony in Sicily: the Neapolis, the Archaeologica site with the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Dionysius’s Ear and the Latomie. The tour will continue in Ortigia, with the famous Fountain of Arethusa, the beautiful Cathedral, Apollo’s Temple. (Entrance fees not included in the package) Lunch at the restaurant.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Noto, Noto, Province of Syracuse, Sicily
In the afternoon a short drive to Noto, the most famous Baroque town in Sicily (Unesco World Heritage), with its magnificent cathedral, recently restored after the devastating earthquake in the 90s. In the evening, accommodation at the hotel in Ragusa. Dinner at leisure and overnight
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Accomodation at Mediterraneo Palace hotel 4* - Ragusa - or similar

Day 4: RAGUSA - PUNTA SECCA - AGRIGENTO - SELINUNTE (OVERNIGHT)

Stop At: Ragusa Ibla, 97100, Ragusa, Sicily Italy
Breakfast at hotel and morning visit of the baroque city of Ragusa (Unesco World Heritage Site), rich in Baroque buildings and churches, famous also for being set of for the famous Italian crime fiction "Il Commissario Montalbano". After a nice walking tour in Ibla, departure to Punta Secca for a short stop to see Montalbano’s House ( from outside). Lunch at a farmhouse to taste the local dishes.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Valle dei Templi, Piazza Archeologica 1 Via Panoramica Dei Templi, 92100, Agrigento, Sicily Italy
In the afternoon we will reach Agrigento to visit the Valley of the Temples: Concordia’s Temple, Hercules’ Temple, Hera’s Temple and Castor and Pollux’ Temple. In the evening accommodation in hotel near Selinunte. Dinner and overnight at the hotel .
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Accomodation at Hotel Admeto 4* - Selinunte - or similar

Day 5: SELINUNTE - VIA DEL SALE - ERICE - PALERMO (OVERNIGHT)

Stop At: Parco Archeologico Selinunte, Via Selinunte, 91022 Marinella di Selinunte, Castelvetrano, Sicily Italy
After breakfast we will reach Selinunte to visit the famous archaeological site.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Saline Della Laguna, Contrada Ettore Infersa, 91025, Marsala, Sicily Italy
Continue to Trapani, where crossing the so-called "Salt Road", you can admire the incredible landscape of dazzling salt pans dotted with windmills. Typical lunch along the way.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Erice, Erice, Province of Trapani, Sicily
In the afternoon walking tour of Erice, a charming medieval village, situated 750 meters high, where you can also taste the typical sweets. In the evening arrival in Palermo, accommodation in hotel, dinner at pleasure and overnight at hotel.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Accomodation at Cristal Palace hotel 4* - Palermo - or similar

Day 6: PALERMO - MONREALE - PALERMO

Stop At: Duomo di Monreale, Piazza Guglielmo II 1, 90046, Monreale, Sicily Italy
Breakfast at hotel and guided tour of Monreale, with its Dome, famous for its precious golden mosaics and the adjoining cloister.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Chiesa Inferiore della Cappella Palatina, Piazza del Parlamento, 90131, Palermo, Sicily Italy
Then continue to Palermo one of the city richest in history and art, where the Arab and Norman dominations have left very interesting signs. We will visit the Cathedral and the Palatine Chapel inside the Normans’ Palace. ‘Street food’ lunch in Palermo. After lunch free time available to learn more sightseeing or shopping. Overnight at hotel.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Accomodation at Cristal Palace Hotel 4* - Palermo - or similar

Day 7: PALERMO - CEFALU' - PIAZZA ARMERINA - CATANIA

Stop At: Duomo di Cefalu, Piazza del Duomo, 90015, Cefalu, Sicily Italy
Breakfast at hotel and departure to Cefalù. Visit this picturesque town located at the foot of a tall and imposing cliff. Walking through its narrow streets you will reach the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches of the Norman period in Sicily. Lunch at restaurant.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Villa Romana del Casale, Strada Provinciale 90, Piazza Armerina, Sicily Italy
After lunch departure to Piazza Armerina. Guided tour of Villa Romana del Casale famous for its precious and well preserved mosaics. In the evening arrival in Catania. Dinner at your own. Overnight at the hotel in Catania
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Accomodation at Excelsior Mercure hotel 4* - Catania - or similar

Day 8: CATANIA - END OF SERVICES

Stop At: Lido dei Ciclopi, Via Provinciale, 95021 Acitrezza, Aci Castello, Sicily Italy
Breakfast at the hotel and end of the tour.
Optional Excursion: Guided tour of Catania. Walk through the old town to discover the beauty of Catania, with its famous fish market and Piazza Duomo, the marvelous main square made by lava stone, as the Elephant (called "Liotru"). Take a walk on the main street: Via Etnea full of shops and typical bistro. Have a look of the famous Via Crociferi and its churches, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Opera House Vincenzo Bellini, the University. Then jump on the bus and continue the tour with the Cyclops Riviera, beautiful place full of legends who owe their mythical Odyssey origin.

Optional Excursion: Street food guided tour of the city with gourmet stops during the walk in the historic center of the city to discover the beauties of Catania: Sicilian granita, traditional arancino, ricotta cannoli, lemon seltz and salt .
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.