The landscapes and architecture of western Sicily evoque the history of its ancient conquerors, from the Phoenicians to the Arabs, from the Normans to the Swabians. A rich heritage that you can discover “in freedom”, choosing to stay comfortably in a resort on the sea of the coast of Palermo, a step away from the Sicilian capital, so full of charm, animated by its historical markets such as Vucciria and Ballarò.
By daily excursions you can discover the way “of salt”, the island of Mozia and the salt pans of Marsala, visit the great Doric temple of Segesta and the medieval villages of Erice and Cefalù, discover the unspoilt beauty of the Zingaro Nature Reserve and Scopello, with its beautiful “tonnara“, the ancient factory of tuna processing.
1°g. Palermo (o Trapani)
Arrival to Palermo (or Trapani) airport and car hire collection. Accommodation at hotel. Dinner and overnight.
2°/7°g. Palermo & surroundings “Discovering the western coast”
Free stay at hotel on half board arrangement. Days dedicated to relax, beach activities and suggested excursions (see description).
During your stay we suggest the following excursions:
Palermo/Monreale (full day)
Visit of Palermo,the capital of Sicily with many fine examples of Arab-Norman architecture, such as the Palatine Chapel in Palermo, which was the crowning architectural achievement of William II’s grandfather, Roger II. You’ll enjoy a walking tour around Piazza Pretoria and Via Maqueda with its “four corners” converging Palermo at a quartet of Baroque palaces left over from the heyday of Spanish rule dating back to 1560. Then you’ll visit the Cathedral constructed in various architectural styles throughout the Roman, Norman, Arabic, and Islamic dominations. Enjoy a light lunch at ‘Antica Focacceria San Francesco’ (facultative), tasting the typical street food (‘Panelle’, ‘Pani ca meusa’, ‘Focaccia schietta o maritata’), and some of the oldest recipes of Palermo’s traditional cuisine. Worth a walk through the suggestive street market of Ballarò. Return to hotel. Free dinner and overnight. In the aftyernoon, visit of Monreale, located on a hill of the mountain overlooking Palermo. Its magnificent Cathedral is a precious testimony of Arab-Norman and Byzantine mosaic tradition.
Cefalu’ (half day)
Visit of Cefalù, the picturesque seaside town that houses one of the most beautiful churches of the Norman period. The Cathedral preserves precious Byzantine style mosaics among which the extraordinary figure of the Christ ‘Pantocrator’ stands out in the center.
Bagheria – “The baroque City of Villas” (half day)
Visit of Bagheria (in Sicilian Baarìa), also called “City of Villas” because during the ‘700 and ‘800 became the favorite holiday resort for the nobility of Palermo. After admiring from the outside the scenic Villa Cattolica, now the permanent home of the Renato Guttuso Museum, you will visit the sumptuous Villa Palagonia, also known as the “Monster’s Villa”, adorned with bizarre figures on grotesque baroque style. After a walk on the main street you will admire the facade of Palazzo Butera.
Mozia island/Marsala – “On the routes of the Phoenicians – The way of salt (full day)
Today you will discover Mozia, the most important island of the Oriented Natural Reserve of the Stagnone Laguna. Because of its strategic position in the Mediterranean Sea, the Carthaginians wanted it to become one of their own trading ports. The remains of its civilization and prosperous trade have been brought back to light by a long sequence of archaeological excavations, especially by means of Joseph Whitaker, who previously bought the island. Today in his house you find the museum that collects the finds brought to light during several sequence of excavations. Great pride of the island is the famous is the famous Giovinetto of Mothia. In the afternoon, visit of 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. Don’t miss a visit and a wine tasting at the famous Florio wine cellars!
Trapani (half day)
Visit of Trapani, which preserves some important Baroque buildings such as the Cathedral and the Sanctuary dell’Annunziata. The local craftsmanship was expressed at the highest levels in the processing of coral; precious works, true masterpieces, are now exhibited in the National Museum Pepoli.
S. Vito Lo Capo/Scopello/Zingaro Nature Reserve (full day)
Departure for San Vito lo Capo and time at disposal for sun bathing in its beautiful sandy beach. In the afternoon visit of the stunning Zingaro Nature Reserve, to the west of Palermo, just after Castellammare del Golfo. It stretches along the coast for 7 kilometres with its rugged, rocky and spectacular coastline. At the end visit of the lovely little village of Scopello. Return to hotel. Free dinner and overnight.
Our suggestions: excursion af the Zingaro Nature Reserve by tourist boat to admire the most spectacular bays and inlets otherwise unreachable by land.
Segesta/Erice “The land of the Elymians” (full day)
Partenza al mattino per Segesta e visita guidata del grandioso tempio solitario e del teatro. Proseguimento per Erice, l’antica città élima il cui centro storico conserva intatto il fascino di un antico borgo medievale animato da botteghe di artigianato tipico (le ceramiche finemente decorate, i tappeti variopinti tessuti a mano, i tradizionali dolci a base di mandorla e frutta candita).
8°g. Palermo (o Trapani) “Goodbye Sicily”
Breakfast at hotel and free transfer to the airport of Palermo (or Trapani) and drop-off of the car. End of services.
| Period | Price p.p. on dblb | Suppl. sglb | 3rd bed 3/12 | 3rd bed adults |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/04 – 28/05 02/10 – 30/10 | € 659,00 | € 195,00 | € 255,00 | € 470,00 |
| 29/05 – 09/07 11/09 – 01/10 | € 830,00 | € 195,00 | € 325,00 | € 605,00 |
| 10/07 – 30/07 22/08 – 10/09 | € 965,00 | € 195,00 | € 379,00 | € 699,00 |
| 31/07 – 21/08 | € 1.169,00 | € 245,00 | € 465,00 | € 855,00 |
PRICE INCLUDES:
Car hire group B (Opel Corsa, Citroen C1 or similar) basic formula with unlimited mileage and basic insurances, pick-up/drop-off at the same time (return to different location with surcharge to be paid on site); accommodation at 4 star hotel on standard dblb; 7 HB (half board) arrangement (breakfast + dinner); VAT.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Flights; lunches; tour escort; local guides; drinks; entrance fees; city tax (to be paid on the spot); facultative insurances for car rental; drop-off tax in case of release of the car tips; extra; all not mentioned as included.
SUPPLEMENTS:
Full board € 195,00 p.p. / € 245,00 p.p. per week drinks excluded (period 31/07-21/08); baby cot € 7 per day; facultative car insurances € 20,00 per day.
