Island hopping

Arrival to Catania airport and collection of the rental car. After a walk along the historical centre, as an ‘ouverture’ of unforgettable atmospheres, enjoy a Sicilian welcome dinner (facultative) at local restaurant. Walking tour through the baroque streets of the old town, via Etnea, via Crociferi, Duomo square with its stone elephant symbol of the city.  Accommodation at hotel and overnight. Our suggestions: tasting of the traditional “granita” in a historic café of the centre. Dinner of fresh fish at a local restaurant near the fish market.

Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano of Europe, up to 1.900 mt where you can walk through the Silvestri Craters and recent lavas. In the afternoon visit of Taormina with its pretty old town centre and its breathtaking vistas of Mount Etna and the Ionian coastline. The remains of Greek-Roman theatre, the Corvaia Palace and the Cathedral are a “must” of the visit. Overnight at hotel.

Our suggestions of facultative excursions:

1. ETNA TOP CRATERS: excursion by 4 x 4 van (not at exclusive use – from 9 to 20 seats) up to 2.900 to experience the thrill of being on the top of the tallest active volcano in Europe! (supplement € 70,00 p.p.).
   
2. ETNA JEEP SAFARI (half day) by jeep and trekking on the volcano (supplement € 80,00 p.p.). Experience the thrill of crossing the off-road roads of Etna on a 4×4 jeep (not at exclusive use – max 6/8 pax) driven by expert nature guides. You will walk around the beautiful paths of the Etna Park, to appreciate landscapes of extraordinary beauty. Equipped with helmet and lights for speleologist, you will discover what is hidden inside the volcano exploring the lava tubes, lava flow caves excavated from the passage of lava during eruptions.
   
3. Etna Jeep Ride/Alcantara Gorges (supplement € 110,00 p.p.). You will be picked up at your hotel by an off-road driver/escort (4×4 jeep not at exclusive use – max 6/8 pax) and transferred to Etna Volcano. You will enjoy a lovely Jeep experience through the Etna area: Mount Fontana (view of Bove Valley), the Thieves Cave (grotta dei ladroni), extinct craters of Sartorius Mounts, and lava flow from the 2002 eruption. Light lunch at a farmhouse to taste typical Sicilian dishes. Off-road drive along the Linguaglossa-Castiglione and Alcantara Gorges area. Short visit to the Canyon entrance.

Today you’ll enjoy a very special minicruise by boat to Aeolian Islands!
Transfer to Milazzo port and departure by tourist boat to Lipari and Vulcano, two of the seven Aeolian Islands. Sailing to Lipari for the first stop, useful for exploring the old town, the archaeological park or relax during shopping in the town. Departing from Lipari and route to the island of Vulcano, tour of the mythological area and that part of the coast whit the “Faraglioni”, “Lo scoglio di Papa Giovanni”, “La Grotta dei Angeli” and “Lo scoglio della Mummia”. Continuing the sailing you will visit also the beautiful “Piscina di Venere”, “La Grotta del cavallo” and “Lo scoglio del Leone” until reach Vulcano for the second stop where passengers can choose to take a bath in the hot springs in the area of sulphurous mud, use the beautiful black Sand Beach or have lunch at a local restaurant (optional). Return to Milazzo port around 5.30 pm. Overnight at hotel in Catania area.

Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Syracuse, the city that in the past was the most fierce rival of Athens and Rome. Visit of the famous archaeological area with the remains of the Greek theatre, the ‘Latomies’ with the ‘Ear of Dionysius’. Visit of the wonderful Ortigia island, where most of the ancient sights to see are located, such as the Spring of Arethusa, the Cathedral and Santa Lucia church. In the afternoon visit of Noto, the apotheosis of Baroque town, located on a plateau overlooking the valley Asinaro covered by citrus, olive and almond trees. Completely destroyed by the terrible 1693 earthquake, it was rebuilt from scratch on a new site, about 10km from the old centre in the Baroque style. Continue to Ragusa area. Accommodation at hotel and overnight. Our suggestions: lunch of fresh fish in a typical restaurant in Ortigia. Dinner at typical restaurant in Ragusa Ibla.

Breakfast at hotel. In the morning free time at disposal for sun bathing in the enchanting beach of Marina di Ragusa or Sampieri (between Marina di Modica and Scicli). In the afternoon, visit of Modica, beautiful baroque town located within two narrow valleys where the baroque churches of St. Peter and St. George stand. It was badly damaged in the 1693 earthquake and largely rebuilt in Sicilian Baroque style. Visit of Antica Cioccolateria Bonajuto for a typical modicana chocolate tasting! Come back to Ragusa and walking tour of the beautiful baroque historic centre of Ragusa Ibla. The town is part of the Val di Noto UNESCO Heritage site and 18 of its buildings are protected by UNESCO patronage such as the Basilica di San Giorgio, that lies at the top of some 200 steps and has an impressive neoclassical dome. Overnight at hotel. 
Our suggestions: dinner in a typical iblea tavern in Ragusa Ibla or Modica (in this case, switch the visit of Ragusa with Modica).

Breakfast at hotel. Visit of the Roman Villa of Casale of Piazza Armerina, one of the largest Roman dwellings of its kind. Depicting scenes from daily life the fine mosaics are remarkable for their sociological and artistic value. In the afternoon visit of the Valley of Temples of Agrigento, with its majestic Greek temples of Concordia, Dioscuri, Castor and Pollux. Accommodation and overnight at hotel. Our suggestions: lunch at a local farmhouse which offers typical Sicilian cuisine.

Breakfast at hotel. Visit of the archaeological park of Selinunte with the remains of acropolis and the seven temples. You can admire the ruins of the temples of the eastern hill and the acropolis, where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the sea. Continuing to Marsala, renowned for its wine production. Marsala is also the city where Garibaldi and his “thousand” landed in 1860 to begin the unification of Italy. Worth a visit are also the suggestive still working salt-pans of the lagoon of the Stagnone, a few miles north of Marsala, characterized by a unique landscape and a flourishing variety of wildlife. We suggest a visit and wine tasting at the famous Florio wine cellars included. Overnight at hotel. Our suggestions: dinner at restaurant with ‘cous cous’ menu.

Breakfast at hotel. Departure by hydrofoil to Favignana, the largest and most important of the Egadi islands, that you’ll explore by bike!!! It is a popular holiday destination in the summer months thanks to its limpid azure waters. It is also home to two buildings testifying to the influence of the Florio family: Palazzo Florio, built in 1876 near the harbour, and the large, abandoned skeleton of the Florio tuna fishery. Return to Trapani or Marsala port and overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Time at leisure. Enjoy a very special minicruise by boat to Egadi Islands!
The boat trip is the most evocative way to discover Egadi Islands also “from the sea”, admiring the most fascinating views, the natural caves that draw imaginative shapes, diving or snorkelling into the clear waters. The planned stop on the two islands will make you enjoy the typical “island” atmosphere that you can breathe all year round in these beautiful seaside villages. Departure from Favignana at 12:30, starts to skirt the island stopping in the most beautiful and evocative coves as Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra, in one of which you can swim. Followed by lunch on board with typical appetizer, penne with pesto alla Trapanese, bread, water, wine and seasonal fruit. After lunch we will continue to Levanzo, where we will make a stop in the port of about an hour, useful to visit the small fishing village and enjoy the excellent granite or the famous artisan ice cream. Departing from Levanzo we will skirt the Faraglione of Levanzo, the most beautiful coves, like Cala Fredda and Cala Minnola. Finally we will reach the port of Trapani at 17:30 approximately. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to San Vito Lo Capo, to appreciate the crystal clear sea of the ‘Zingaro Nature Reserve‘ and the characteristic seaside village of Scopello. We suggest to make the excursion to the Zingaro Reserve by tourist boat to admire the most fascinating bays and coves otherwise not reachable by land (with supplement of € 35 p.p.). Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Visit of the small island of Mothia, ancient Phoenician colony that keeps the archaeological  remains and a small but fascinating museum in the Villa Whitaker (boat departing from Marsala historic jetty from h 09,30, every half hour). Continue to Erice and visit of the suggestive medieval town centre today animated by typical craft shops (finely decorated ceramics, colorful hand-woven carpets, traditional sweets made with almonds and candied fruit). Overnight at the hotel. Our suggestions: tasting of typical pastry with Sicilian cannoli and almond paste.  

Breakfast at hotel. Departure for the visit of Palermo, the capital of Sicily with many fine examples of Arab-Norman architecture: the Cathedral and Norman’s Palace, the church of S. Giovanni of Eremiti. The Cathedral of Monreale, in the nearby, is a precious testimony of Arab-Norman and Byzantine mosaic tradition. Worth a walk through the suggestive street market of Ballarò, we suggest to try a typical Palermitan sandwich with panelle and chick-pea fritters! Accommodation at hotel and overnight. Our suggestions: dinner in a restaurant at the historic center of Palermo.

Breakfast at hotel. In the morning visit of Cefalù, stroll along the Medieval charming town where you can admire the Norman cathedral with its splendid mosaic of Christ Pantocrator. In the drop off of the car at Palermo airport. End of our service.

Car rental group C (Opel Corsa or similar) with unlimited mileage, tlw/cdw full cover insurance (no deductible on damage and theft); 2nd driver, drop-off, road taxes; accommodation at 4 star hotel on standard dblb (triple room/min. 3 pax, 2 dblb or quadruple room/min. 4 pax); arrangement of BB; minicruise to Lipari/Vulcano; hydrofoil RT Trapani or Marsala/Favignana or minicruise Favignana/Levanzo; VAT.

Flights; meals; drinks; personal extras; local guides; suggested excursions and extras; entrance fees, city tax and all not above mentioned as included.

Half board from (11 dinners at hotels or local restaurants) € 295,00 p.p. (drinks excluded).