DAY 1: ARRIVAL
- Arrival at Catania airport. After picking up the rental car, drive to Ragusa to admire the historic center of "Ibla," characterized by numerous churches and baroque-style palaces, as well as the distinctive domes that dominate the city. In Ragusa Ibla, Ragusa has become part of the UNESCO list, with 18 sites declared World Heritage Sites. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 2: SIRACUSA & NOTO
- Breakfast at the hotel. On this day you can swim at the beautiful sandy beach of Calamosche (Vendicari), Fontane Bianche, or you can visit Siracusa & Noto. Suggested itinerary Departure for Siracusa, one of the most fascinating archaeological sites on the island. Visit its Archaeological Park (entrance ticket not included), including the Roman Amphitheater, the Greek Theater, the Ear of Dionysius, and the Rope Makers' Cave. Continue to the island of Ortigia, the oldest part of the city, with its splendid cathedral (entrance tickets not included) and its charming and picturesque little streets. The tour then continues to Noto, listed in 2002 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the famous arch and along the city center, admiring elegant aristocratic palaces with beautifully decorated balconies, magnificent churches rich in detail, the Cathedral with its imposing staircase, and the city theater, all built in baroque style. A dinner in Ragusa Ibla is recommended or in Ortigia in Siracusa. Return to the hotel.
DAY 3: PIAZZA ARMERINA & AGRIGENTO
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Breakfast at the hotel. On this day you can swim at the beautiful sandy beach of the Scala dei Turchi or you can visit Piazza Armerina and Agrigento. Suggested itinerary: drive to Piazza Armerina and begin the visit of the Roman Villa del Casale; continue to Agrigento where you will visit the Valley of the Temples, including the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concordia (one of the best-preserved Doric temples in the entire Greek world), the Temple of Hercules, and the Temple of Castor and Pollux. Continue to Palermo and overnight.
DAY 4: PALERMO & MONREALE
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Breakfast at the hotel Breakfast at the hotel. On this day you can decide to visit Palermo & Monreale or stay at the beach in Mondello.
Suggested itinerary: begin the visit in Monreale, a charming town located just 7 km from Palermo, world-famous for its magnificent Arab-Norman Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral is renowned for its 3,500 square meters of golden mosaics, among the most impressive in the world. Nearby, visit the Cloister, with 80 pairs of twin columns, each uniquely decorated. Monreale is a place that never ceases to amaze, like an ancient chest full of priceless masterpieces. Continue to Palermo (about 8 km) and start a walking tour from the Palazzo dei Normanni, also known as the Royal Palace, residence of the Kings of Sicily from the 11th to the 19th century. Here you will admire rooms in different architectural styles and the Palatine Chapel, famous for its golden mosaics, a masterpiece created between 1130 and 1140 by King Roger II. This UNESCO site is a unique fusion of Byzantine style (golden mosaics), Arab style (muqarnas ceiling), and Latin style, symbolizing the coexistence of different cultures. Continue to the Cathedral, which houses the tombs of Emperor Frederick II and several Norman kings. Walk through a beautiful area lined with palm trees and continue along Corso Vittorio Emanuele to the intersection with Via Maqueda, where you can admire the famous Quattro Canti, an octagonal square framed by elegant 17th-century buildings with curved facades. Visit the lively market "Il Capo," which resembles an Arab souk, where locals buy traditional products in a vibrant mix of colors, flavors, and scents. End the tour at the Teatro Massimo, one of the largest opera houses in Europe. Return to the hotel for the overnight stay. We also suggest discovering the city with an Ape tour, a typical three-wheeled vehicle, . Optional dinner in a restaurant in Mondello or pizza in a restaurant near the sea. Overnight in Palermo.
DAY 5: MARSALA, ERICE & SEGESTA
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Breakfast at the hotel. On this day you can swim at the beautiful sandy beach of San Vito lo Capo or Macari.
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Suggested itinerary: drive to Marsala, famous for the salt pans and wine production. Stop at the Stagnone Reserve, a magical place, with a striking natural landscape of rare beauty for its white salt pans with windmills. Optional wine tasting at a winery. Continue to Erice, the medieval town atop Mount San Giuliano. Here you can admire the Castle of Venus (from the outside) and the Cathedral. Meanwhile, we suggest stopping at a pastry shop to taste Erice's typical almond sweet. Drive to Segesta, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Sicily, where you should visit the Doric temple, whose majestic presence and commanding position lend great nobility to the landscape. Return to Palermo. Overnight.
DAY 6: CEFALÙ & GODFATHER TOUR
- Breakfast at the hotel. Continue to Cefalù, where we will begin by visiting Piazza del Duomo, which opens beneath the Cathedral with its splendid mosaics and is surrounded by a series of magnificent palaces; a walk along Corso Ruggero, the main street, lined with numerous boutiques and built over the ancient Roman road, and then on to the old washhouse. Drive to Forza D’Agrò, a charming village situated on a hill overlooking Taormina, and you will take a cinema-themed tour visiting the villages made famous by the film The Godfather. Walking along the narrow streets of this small town, in addition to the breathtaking views, it will be possible to admire the Durazzesco arch and the Cathedral, the place chosen as the setting for one of the most romantic scenes in The Godfather, Michael Corleone's wedding. After visiting this little gem, continue to Savoca. This village is famous because some of the most famous scenes from the film "The Godfather" were shot here. The film's buildings and monuments are still here, such as the famous Bar Vitelli, the same bar used for filming. Drive to the hotel in the Acireale area and overnight.
DAY 7: ETNA & TAORMINA
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Suggested itinerary: Optional excursion: ETNA. In the morning drive toward Etna, the highest peak in Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe. The territory surrounding the volcano forms the "Etna Park," one of the largest protected areas in Italy: you will be amazed by the great variety of vegetation and landscapes we will encounter along the way before arriving at the "Silvestri Craters" (about 1,900 m). From here you can choose to continue the excursion by jeep or by cable car. Then drive to Castiglione di Sicilia and optional wine tasting at a winery. Continue to Taormina, with the possibility of visiting the Greco-Roman theater, the second largest classical theater in Sicily. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
- Ragusa/Syracuse: Mediterraneo Palace/Panorama or similar (*)
- Palermo: Palazzo Astoria, Palazzo San Paolo or similar (*)
- Acireale/Mascali: Wave Hotel/Kings House or similar (*)
(*) The indicated hotels may be replaced with others of the same category. The accommodations are located in the indicated cities or in different cities where it will be possible to carry out the program.
- Each day of rental is a 24-hour period; the vehicle must be returned on time or within the following 59 minutes.
- Pick-up and drop-off of the car at the airport will take place during the rental company’s opening hours (every day from 08:00 to 22:30); after these hours, the rental company will apply an extra charge. Please check before booking your flight.
- The car must be returned to the same airport; otherwise, there will be an additional cost to be agreed with the rental company.
- Norma Vacanze acts only as an intermediary between the customer and the rental company. In the event of disputes with the rental company or accidents, the rules set out in the contract signed at the airport between the customer and the rental company will apply, without any involvement of Norma Vacanze.
- Each customer may independently choose whether to follow the suggested itinerary or create one based on their own needs. However, it is essential to follow the schedule relating to the cities where overnight stays are planned.
- Cars are subject to availability and your category may not always be available. If category C is not available at the time of booking, a higher category will be offered with a supplement that will be communicated before confirming each booking.
- Hotel parking is not guaranteed, but can be found nearby.
- The rate includes the rental of a category C car for the duration of the stay with the "GOLD" insurance package; with a supplement, it is possible to book Platinum insurance.
- Drivers must have a credit card for check-in.
- Norma Vacanze reserves the right to modify the itinerary of the excursion if deemed appropriate or due to force majeure.
- Norma Vacanze is not responsible for accidents, delays, damage to or loss of luggage or personal belongings, nor for damage caused by third parties or other events such as floods, storms, landslides, earthquakes, political unrest, epidemics, terrorist attacks, strikes, etc.
The rate does not include:
- Tourist tax to be paid locally
- Lunches and dinners unless otherwise indicated
- Tips and personal extras
- Porterage service
- Fuel
- Highway tolls
- Parking fees
- Plane, ship, train, or bus tickets to reach the airport
- Admission tickets to monuments and archaeological parks
- Anything not expressly indicated under "the rate includes."
- The car must be returned to the same airport; otherwise, an additional cost will be agreed with the rental company.
- Each day of rental is a 24-hour period; the vehicle must be returned on time or within the following 59 minutes.
- Pick-up and drop-off of the car at the airport will take place during the rental company’s opening hours (every day from 08:00 to 22:30); after these hours, the rental company will apply an extra charge. Please check before booking your flight.
THE RATE INCLUDES:
- Category C car, unlimited mileage;
- 22% VAT;
- Airport, railway, and car costs;
- Auto liability insurance - auto liability;
- Platinum insurance - eliminates all deductibles for theft and damage. It also covers glass and tire damage and attempted theft. Personal accident insurance. Also, roadside assistance.
- Driver (from 25 to 75 years old)
- Additional driver
THE RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:
- Fuel,
- Fines,
- Notification fees,
- Rental for drop-off at another airport,
- Child seat,
- GPS navigator,
- Fuel recovery service, a surcharge of €30.00 will be applied if the car is returned with more than 5 liters of fuel missing.
- A grace period of 59 minutes is provided, after which a full day will be charged.
- At the time of booking, the car category is guaranteed, not the model.
Platinum insurance includes:
- With Platinum insurance, the deductible amount is not charged. The "Platinum" package eliminates deductibles for all damage, partial theft, attempted theft, and total theft, including glass, tires, roof damage, and damage to the underside of the vehicle. Interior damage and damage caused by vandalism, riots, etc. are excluded.
