DAY 1: ACIREALE AREA
DAY 2: ETNA & TAORMINA
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Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, excursion to 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 encountered along the route before reaching the "Silvestri Craters" (about 1,900 m). From here you will have the opportunity to continue the excursion by jeep. We suggest stopping at a local beekeeper to taste quality honey, enjoy a tasting, and see how it is produced. In the afternoon, visit 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 Greek-Roman theater, the 2nd largest classical theater in Sicily. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay
DAY 3: FORZA D'AGRO', SAVOCA & CASTELOMOLA
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The journey will begin with a visit to Forza D'Agrò, a charming village situated on a hill overlooking Taormina and the Ionian Sea. Visit the town with its splendid views, the Durazzesco arch, and the church, the location chosen to film one of the most romantic scenes of The Godfather movie, Michael Corleone's wedding. The tour will conclude enjoying the splendid sunset view from the panoramic square above the town. Savoca, a village famous because some of the famous parts of The Godfather film, 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 streets, enjoying the splendid view of 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 & SIRACUSA
- After breakfast, departure for Catania, a city nestled at the foot of 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 buildings, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other cities of the Val di Noto. After visiting the city, continue to Siracusa, 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 your 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. Proceed to Ragusa. Overnight stay in 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." Begin your visit in the historic center of Ragusa, "Ibla," characterized by numerous churches and Baroque palaces, as well as the characteristic 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, known especially for its chocolate as well as its wonderful buildings. We recommend wandering through the alleys, always moving upwards; once you reach the highest part of the hill, you can admire a wonderful panorama of the city. Continue your tour by going to Noto, included by UNESCO in the World Heritage list in 2002. Cross 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 that developed thanks to tuna fishing, where you can admire one of the most important and well-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 schedules 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 marvelous 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, start the visit of this city that never ceases to amaze and is like an ancient treasure chest preserving priceless treasures, some of which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage. Begin your walk on foot from the Cathedral (which houses the tombs of Emperor Frederick II and some Norman kings), crossing a wonderful palm garden head towards the Royal Palace, also called the Norman Palace, 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 Four Corners, an octagonal square whose four corners raise the convex facades of splendid 17th-century palaces. Visit the popular market "Il Capo," which resembles 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, famous worldwide for its magnificent Arab-Norman style Cathedral, 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 overnight stay. We suggest discovering the city with a ride on 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 city on the top of Mount San Giuliano. Walking through the characteristic alleys you can admire the Norman Castle and the Cathedral. We suggest a stop at one of the many cafes to taste the famous local pastries. Continue your tour by 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 the car at the rental desk. End of services
THE RATE INCLUDES:
- Category C car, unlimited mileage;
- 22% VAT;
- Airport, railway, and car fees;
- Car liability insurance - car civil liability;
- Gold Plan Insurance - eliminates deductibles for theft and damage. Also covers glass and tire damage.
- 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.
- There is a tolerance of 59 minutes, after which a full day will be charged.
- At the time of booking, the car category is guaranteed, not the model.
Gold insurance includes
- With Gold, the deductible amount will not be charged. The "Gold" package eliminates the deductibles for damages and total theft and allows the elimination of the deductible also for damages to parts of the vehicle 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 damages caused by vandalism, riots, etc., are excluded.
Platinum Insurance (on request)
- If the customer purchases a "Platinum" package, the deductible amounts for theft (including partial theft and attempted theft) and damages (including damages to the roof, underside of the vehicle, and interiors) will be eliminated, and the PAI services (which cover the driver in case of death, permanent disability, and accidents, with a maximum coverage up to €100,000) and "Road Assistance Plus" 24h roadside assistance (covers all towing costs in case of an accident with fault and for any other event occurring during the rental) are included.
