DAY 1: ARRIVAL (KM 50)
- Arrival at Catania airport, completion of car rental formalities and departure for Acireale/Mascali. Check-in at the hotel. Free afternoon to explore the surroundings. Overnight stay
DAY 2: ETNA WITH WINE TASTING & TAORMINA (KM 90)
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Breakfast at the hotel. On this day you can choose to visit Etna and Taormina.
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Suggested itinerary: In the morning, departure for 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 you will encounter along the way before reaching the "Silvestri Craters" (about 1,900 meters). From here on, you will have the opportunity to continue the excursion by jeep. Continue to Castiglione di Sicilia for a visit to the Patria winery with tasting. The visit lasts about 60 minutes and includes passage through the Arena Pàlici, an ancient lava stone cave, to the winemaking area, and a visit to the Barrique Room with its ancient Slavonian oak barrels. Finally, reach the tasting room, where you can sample a selection of local products such as Etna DOP, Sicilia DOP and sparkling wines. The tour includes 4 wines accompanied by homemade bread, Nebrodi salami, local cheeses, olives, sun-dried tomatoes and organic Etna oil. Transfer to the hotel or 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 Greco-Roman theatre, the second largest classical theatre in Sicily. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Acireale/Mascali.
DAY 3: SYRACUSE, MODICA & NOTO (190 KM)
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Breakfast at the hotel. On this day you can choose to visit Syracuse, Modica and Noto.
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Suggested itinerary: After breakfast at the hotel, departure for Syracuse, one of the most interesting archaeological sites on the island with its Archaeological Park (extra cost), the Roman Amphitheatre, the Greek Theatre, the Ear of Dionysius, the Grotta dei Cordari, the Island of Ortigia, the oldest part of the city with its splendid cathedral (entrance tickets not included) and its picturesque alleys. It will now be possible to discover the lesser-known part of Sicily, dominated by the lavish 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 the city of Ragusa, "Ibla," characterized by numerous churches and Baroque palaces, as well as the distinctive domes that dominate the city. Ragusa has been included on the UNESCO list, with 18 sites declared World Heritage Sites. Continue to Modica, a UNESCO World Heritage city, best known for its chocolate and its wonderful buildings. We recommend strolling through the alleys, always going uphill; once you reach the highest part of the hill, you can admire a wonderful view of the city. Continue your tour to Noto, included by UNESCO on the World Heritage List in 2002. Continue to Ragusa and overnight stay.
DAY 4: PORTO PALO DI CAPO PASSERO & MARZAMEMI WITH WINE TASTING (130 KM)
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Breakfast at the hotel. During the day you can choose to visit Capo Passero and Marzamemi.
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Suggested itinerary: The island of Capo Passero is a natural jewel, offering sandy areas in front of the village of Portopalo that are easily reachable "on foot," crossing the sea when the water is low, or with a small fishing boat that transports people to and from the island throughout the day. Continue to Marzamemi, a beautiful fishing village famous for its tuna fisheries, and strolling through the streets of this seaside hamlet you can admire the fishermen's houses located near the sea. You will stop between Marzamemi and Pachino, "the land of good wine," for a visit to the Ramaddini wineries with wine tasting. You can enjoy an FR LOVERS tasting consisting of 3 wines chosen from the Rama' Line, the Sparkling Wine Line or the Note Nere Line accompanied by bread, oil, must and fried broad beans and chickpeas. Continue to Ragusa to admire the historic center of "Ibla," characterized by numerous churches and Baroque palaces, as well as the distinctive domes that dominate the city. Ragusa has been included on the UNESCO list, with 18 sites declared World Heritage Sites. Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 5: AGRIGENTO (KM 267)
- 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 Heracles and the Temple of Castor and Pollux. Continue to Marsala, where you will arrive in the late afternoon.
DAY 6: FAVIGNANA or PALERMO (KM 257 or KM 250)
- Breakfast at the hotel. On this day we recommend visiting the island of Favignana.
- Suggested itinerary: FAVIGNANA. Transfer by car to the port of Trapani/Marsala and departure by boat for Favignana, which with its butterfly shape is a fantastic destination for beach and diving enthusiasts. Board the lovely Egadilandia, a tourist train that travels along the island's many roads and coastal lanes. Don't miss the former Florio Plant (a canned tuna factory transformed into a museum), the strenuous hill walk will lead you to the ruins of Santa Caterina Castle and the evocative Lovers' Cave. You can choose to rent an e-bike or a scooter to explore the island independently, discovering hypogea gardens (carved out of abandoned stone quarries), crystal-clear sea, paradisiacal beaches and breathtaking landscapes. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.
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- Suggested itinerary: PALERMO. Reach Palermo, the city that never ceases to amaze and is like an ancient chest that preserves priceless treasures, some of which have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Start your walking tour from the Cathedral (inside which lie the tombs of Emperor Frederick II and some Norman kings), crossing a splendid palm garden head towards the Royal Palace, also called the Palazzo dei Normanni, seat of the kings of Sicily 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 of the city, an octagonal square at whose four corners rise the concave 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, famous worldwide for its magnificent Cathedral in Arab-Norman style, part of the World Heritage (UNESCO), 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 other. Return to Marsala and overnight stay.
DAY 7: SEGESTA, ERICE & MARSALA WITH WINE TASTING (KM 140)
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Breakfast at the hotel. On this day we recommend visiting the Stagnone Nature Reserve, Segesta, Erice and Marsala.
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Suggested itinerary: Reach the Stagnone Nature Reserve (Marsala), a magical place, with a suggestive and rare natural landscape for its white salt pans with windmills. Continue to Erice, the medieval town on top of Mount San Giuliano. Here you can admire the Castle of Venus (outside) and the Cathedral. Meanwhile, we suggest stopping at a pastry shop to taste Erice's typical almond paste. Continue to Segesta, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Sicily, where it is חובה to visit the Doric temple, whose majestic appearance and dominant position confer great nobility on the landscape. Continue to Marsala and wine tasting at the CARUSO & MININI winery with 3 glasses of wine and bread with local oil. Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
- Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out at 10:00. Transfer to the airport, car return and end of our services. Thank you and goodbye
- 2 overnight stays in a 4-star hotel in Acireale/Mascali
- 2 overnight stays in a 4-star hotel in Ragusa/Syracuse
- 3 overnight stays in a 4-star hotel in Marsala
- 3 wine tastings: Patria Winery (Etna), Ramaddini Winery (Marzamemi), Caruso&Minini Winery (Marsala)
- Category C car and "PLATINUM insurance" included*
*Full coverage for damage and theft (no deductible)
*Personal accident insurance protection
*Plus roadside assistance (taxi reimbursement up to €120)
- Acireale/Mascali: Wave Hotel/Kings House/Orizzonte or similar (*)
- Ragusa/Siracusa: Mediterraneo Palace/Panorama or similar (*)
- Marsala: Baglio Basile, Delfino Beach or similar (*)
(*) It may happen and, in case of problems, the indicated hotels may be replaced with others of the same category located in the same cities or up to 30 km away, where the program can be carried out. In case of fully booked hotels, we reserve the right to reverse the tour and/or confirm the booking in a mid-range hotel with a reduction of 5 euros per person per day. The hotel name will be sent to you 21 days before arrival.
- Each rental day is a fraction of 24 hours; the vehicle must be returned on time or within the following 59 minutes.
- Pickup and drop-off of the car at the airport will take place during the opening hours of the Noleggiare rental company (every day from 08:00 to 22:30); after these hours, the rental company will apply an additional charge. Please check before booking your flight.
- The car must be returned to the same airport; otherwise, an additional cost must 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 shall apply, without any involvement of Norma Vacanze.
- Each customer may independently choose whether to follow the suggested itinerary or create one according to their own needs. However, it is essential to follow the schedule regarding 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 an additional cost that will be communicated before confirming each booking.
- Hotel parking is not guaranteed, but it can be found nearby.
- The rate includes the rental of a category C car for the duration of the stay with the "PLATINUM" insurance package.
- Drivers must have a credit card for check-in.
- Norma Vacanze reserves the right to modify the excursion itinerary 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 by 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
- Air, sea, rail, or bus tickets to reach the airport
- Entrance 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 must be agreed with the rental company.
- Each rental day is a fraction of 24 hours; the vehicle must be returned on time or within the following 59 minutes.
- Pickup and drop-off of the car at the airport will take place during the opening hours of the Noleggiare rental company (every day from 08:00 to 22:30); after these hours, the rental company will apply an additional charge. Please check before booking your flight.
The rate includes:
- Category C car, unlimited mileage
- 22% VAT
- Airport, railway, and automotive taxes
- Third-party liability insurance - car civil liability insurance
- Platinum Insurance - removes all deductibles for theft and damage. It also covers glass and tire damage and theft attempts. Personal accident insurance. In addition, roadside assistance.
- Additional driver
The rate does not include:
- Fuel
- Fines
- Re-notification fees
- Rental starting from 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.
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 windows, tires, roof damage, and damage to the underside of the vehicle. Internal damage and damage caused by vandalism, riots, etc. are excluded.
