DAY 1: TAORMINA AREA
DAY 2: ETNA & TAORMINA
-
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning excursion on Mount Etna, the highest peak in Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe. The area 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 that we will encounter along the way before reaching the "Silvestri Craters" (about 1,900 m). From here you will have the opportunity to continue the excursion by jeep. We suggest a stop at a local beekeeper's to taste quality honey, enjoy a tasting, and see how it is produced. In the afternoon visit of Taormina, located on a plateau at the foot of Mount Tauro, overlooking the Ionian coast from Capo Sant'Andrea to Capo Taormina. Possibility to visit the Greco-Roman theater, the second largest classical theater in Sicily. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay
DAY 3: FORZA D'AGRO', SAVOCA & CASTELMOLA
-
The journey will begin with a visit to Forza D'Agrò, a charming village located on a hill overlooking Taormina and the Ionian Sea. Visit of the town with its splendid views, the Durazzesco arch and the church, chosen as the filming location for one of the most romantic scenes in The Godfather, Michael Corleone's wedding. The tour will end by enjoying the splendid sunset view from the panoramic square above the village. Savoca, a village famous because some of the most famous scenes from the film "The Godfather," directed by Francis Ford Coppola, were shot here. It is the place where Michael Corleone married Apollonia. The buildings and monuments from the film are still here, such as the famous Bar Vitelli, the same bar used to film The Godfather. Continue to Castelmola, another beautiful village overlooking Taormina and the bay of Giardini Naxos. There you will explore the narrow streets, enjoying the splendid view of Mount Etna. Time for a visit to the picturesque "Bar Turrisi," a "must" in Castelmola, where you can taste, if you wish, the famous "Almond Wine" accompanied by traditional local biscuits.
DAY 4: CATANIA & SYRACUSE
- After breakfast, departure for Catania, a city nestled at the foot of Mount Etna, rich in sumptuous and magnificent buildings; we recommend visiting the typical fish market (closed on Sundays) and strolling through the historic center which, for its historic and typical Baroque-style buildings, has been declared, together with other towns in the Val di Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After visiting the city, continue to Syracuse, one of the most interesting sites on the island, where you can visit the Archaeological Park, famous for the Roman amphitheater, the Greek theater and the Ear of Dionysius. Continue the visit by going to the island of Ortigia, the oldest part of the city, characterized by its narrow alleys, sea views and the wonderful square with its splendid cathedral. Continue to Ragusa. Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 5: RAGUSA, MODICA & NOTO
- Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will have the opportunity to discover the lesser-known part of Sicily, dominated by the sumptuous and majestic Baroque style of the buildings, characterized by numerous UNESCO sites and also known for the TV series "Inspector Montalbano." Start the visit from the historic center of Ragusa, "Ibla," characterized by numerous Baroque churches and palaces, as well as the distinctive domes that dominate the city. Ragusa has been included in the UNESCO list, with 18 sites declared World Heritage. Continue to Modica, a UNESCO city, best known for its chocolate as well as its wonderful buildings. We recommend strolling through the narrow streets, always climbing upwards; once you reach the highest part of the hill, you can admire a wonderful panorama of the city. Continue the tour to Noto, included by UNESCO in the World Heritage list in 2002. Walk through the famous Arch, stroll through the center admiring the wonderful aristocratic palaces with their famous decorated balconies, the sumptuous churches rich in decorations, the cathedral with its staircase and the city theater, all built in Baroque style. Return to the hotel in Ragusa. Overnight stay.
DAY 6: MARZAMEMI & VENDICARI or MALTA
- Today you will have the option to choose between two itineraries. The first includes the Vendicari Nature Reserve where flamingos, herons and storks stop during their migratory flows to Africa, and Marzamemi, a delightful pastel-colored fishing village developed thanks to tuna fishing, where you can admire one of the most important and best-preserved tuna fisheries in Sicily. The second option includes Malta, reachable from Pozzallo, with about 1 hour and 45 minutes of travel (departure at 08:30 and return at 20:15, check the company's website www.virtuferries.com to verify the scheduled times for that day). Return to the hotel in Ragusa and overnight stay.
DAY 7: AGRIGENTO
- Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will go to Agrigento to discover the wonderful and famous Valley of the Temples where you can admire 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 towards Palermo, where you will arrive in the late afternoon. Overnight stay
DAY 8: PALERMO & MONREALE
- After breakfast, begin the visit of this city that never ceases to amaze and is like an ancient chest preserving priceless treasures, some of which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage. Start your walking tour from the Cathedral (inside which the tombs of Emperor Frederick II and some Norman kings are preserved), crossing a wonderful palm garden head towards the Royal Palace, also called Palazzo dei Normanni, seat of the Sicilian kings from the 11th to the 19th century; here you can admire some rooms in different styles and the Palatine Chapel, famous for its golden mosaics. Crossing Corso Vittorio Emanuele to the point where it meets Via Maqueda, you can admire the Quattro Canti of the city, an octagonal square whose four corners raise the convex facades of splendid 17th-century palaces. Visit the popular market "Il Capo," reminiscent of an Arab souk, where locals prefer to buy local food, in a mix of colors, flavors and smells, and finally head to the Teatro Massimo. In the afternoon go to Monreale, a town 7 km from Palermo, world-famous for its magnificent Cathedral in Arab-Norman style, part of the UNESCO World Heritage, known for its 3,500 square meters of polychrome mosaics on a golden background. Near the cathedral you can visit the cloister, with its 80 pairs of twin columns, each different from the others. Return to the hotel for the overnight stay. We suggest discovering the city with a ride in an Ape, a typical local three-wheeled vehicle, which will allow you, in a very folkloric way, to admire many hidden corners of the ancient part of the city.
DAY 9: MARSALA, ERICE & SEGESTA
- After breakfast, departure for Marsala, famous for the production of "Marsala" wine. You can stop at a winery for a wine tasting or admire the famous salt pans with their typical windmills along the Stagnone. Go to Erice, a medieval town on top of Mount San Giuliano. Walking through the characteristic alleys you can admire the Norman Castle and the Cathedral. We suggest a stop in one of the many cafés to taste the famous local sweets. Continue the tour going to Segesta, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Sicily, where you can visit the Doric temple whose majestic appearance and dominant position give great nobility to the landscape. Return to Palermo and overnight stay.
DAY 10: THE TOUR ENDS AFTER BREAKFAST
- Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Palermo airport. Return of the car at the rental desk. End of services
THE RATE INCLUDES:
- Category C car, unlimited mileage;
- 22% VAT;
- Airport, railway, and car fees;
- Motor vehicle third-party liability insurance;
- Gold Plan insurance - eliminates deductibles for theft and damage. It also covers damage to glass and tires.
- Additional driver
THE RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:
- Fuel,
- Fines,
- Notification fees,
- One-way rental 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 missing fuel.
- A tolerance of 59 minutes is allowed, after which a full day will be charged.
- At the time of booking, the car category is guaranteed, not the model.
The Gold insurance includes
- With Gold, the deductible amount will not be charged. The "Gold" package eliminates deductibles for damage and total theft and also allows the deductible to be waived for damage to vehicle parts not covered by the "Silver" package and includes coverage for glass and tires. Partial theft, attempted theft, roof damage, damage to the underside of the vehicle, interior damage, and damage caused by vandalism, riots, etc. are excluded.
Platinum insurance (upon request)
- If the customer purchases a "Platinum" package, the deductible amounts for theft (including partial theft and attempted theft) and damage (including damage to the roof, underside of the vehicle, and interiors) will be eliminated, and PAI services are included (which cover the driver in case of death, permanent disability, and accidents, with maximum coverage up to €100,000) and "Road Assistance Plus" 24-hour roadside assistance (covers all towing costs in the event of an at-fault accident and for any other event occurring during the rental).
