Discovering Sicily…

Arrival to Palermo airport and and collection of the rental car. After a walk along the historical centre, as an ‘ouverture’ of unforgettable atmospheres, enjoy a Sicilian light Welcome dinner (facultative) at old ‘Caffè Spinnato’, where you can taste the ‘Sfincione’, the ‘Arancini’, the ‘Cannoli’. Accommodation at hotel and overnight.

Breakfast at hotel. Departure to 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. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Departure to visit Segesta’s ancient Greek doric temple. The archaeological site, about seventy kilometres southwest of Palermo, reflects the presence of several ancient civilizations, beginning with the Elymians. Continue to Erice, the ancient city of Elimian whose historic center preserves the charm of an ancient medieval village animated by typical craft shops (finely decorated ceramics, hand-woven colorful carpets, traditional almond-based cakes and fruit candied). We suggest a lunch in a typical restaurant and a typical pastry tasting based on Sicilian cannoli and almond paste. Accommodation in hotel in Trapani/Marsala area and overnight.

Breakfast at hotel. 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! In the afternoon, visit of the archaeological park of Selinunte, the largest in the Mediterranean, 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.

Breakfast at hotel. Today you’ll discover Agrigento, whose history dates back to 580 BC. Visit of the Valley of the Temples, a magnificent cluster of Greek ruins overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. In the afternoon, excursion through the interior of Sicily to reach Piazza Armerina. Here you will tour the remains of the famous Villa Romana del Casale, one of the most sumptuous villas of the late Roman Empire whose floor mosaics comprise the most vital and colorful manifestation of Roman figurative art in Europe. Accommodation at hotel in Catania area and overnight.

Breakfast at hotel. Excursion 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, return to Catania and stroll out through the baroque streets of Via Etnea, Via dei Crociferi and the scenografic Piazza Duomo, where stands the stone elephant symbol of the city. We suggest to enjoy dinner at local restaurant inside the caractheristic fish market. Overnight at hotel.

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 of 2001. Our suggestions: excursion by cable car and jeep up to 2.500 / 2.700 to experience the thrill of being on the top of the tallest active volcano in Europe! (price from € 66,00 p.p.). Alternatively, we can organize a “Etna Jeep safari adventure” by jeep and trekking on the volcano (supplement from € 69,00 p.p.).
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.

Breakfast at hotel. Time at leisure until drop-off of the car at Catania airport. End of our service.

Alternatively: Cefalu’/Palermo
Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Cefalù, a charming coastal town which boasts a massive Norman Cathedral with outstanding mosaics. Built according to the legend following the vow made by King Roger II, the Cathedral houses in the apse of the precious mosaics in Byzantine style, including the extraordinary figure of Christ “Pantocrator”. We suggest to enjoy a lunch based on fresh fish menu at local restaurant. Time at leisure until 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 7 BB; 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 (7 dinners at hotels or local restaurants) € 250,00 p.p. (drinks excluded).