DAY 1: PALERMO
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Arrival at Palermo airport. After picking up the car, head to Palermo. Free time to explore the city independently.
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Suggested itinerary: Start from Teatro Massimo, the third largest opera house in Europe. Then enter the popular "Il Capo" market, which resembles an African souk; at the end of the market, if you wish, you can taste the typical Sicilian "arancina" in a bar, a local street food specialty. Continue the visit in the old part of the city with the Cathedral, the Royal Palace, and the Palatine Chapel. Overnight in Mondello/Palermo. Mondello is part of the municipality of Palermo and is 7 km from the center. Originally a fishing village, it has today been transformed by the tourism industry into a famous seaside resort, with elegant Liberty-style villas from the early 20th century. Today Mondello is definitely the trendiest beach in the Sicilian capital, where locals and tourists come to swim in the beautiful sandy beach and in the evening to eat good fish in the many restaurants of the charming gulf. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
DAY 2: MONREALE & CORLEONE OR SWIMMING IN MONDELLO
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Breakfast at the hotel. On this day you can swim in beautiful Mondello or visit Monreale and Corleone.
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Suggested itinerary: Departure for Monreale, famous for its Cathedral with polychrome mosaics on a gold background, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. End the visit with the cloister, a place of incomparable beauty which, together with the Cathedral, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Reach Corleone, known as a symbol of mafia power, the birthplace of the boss of bosses Totò Riina. Today it hosts associations that carry out anti-mafia activities by living in properties confiscated from mafia bosses. Their activities are inspired by the ideas promoted by men like Placido Rizzotto, originally from Corleone, an Italian trade unionist and politician killed by the mafia for his commitment to the peasant movement for land occupation. It is possible to visit the Laboratory of Legality, where the paintings by Sicilian artist Gaetano Porcasi illustrate some key moments in the history of the mafia and anti-mafia. Return to Palermo. Overnight stay.
DAY 3: ERICE, SEGESTA & SWIMMING IN SAN VITO LO CAPO/SCOPELLO
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Breakfast at the hotel. Today you can discover the charming Erice, the Greek Erice, and swim in the beautiful beach of San Vito lo Capo or Scopello.
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Suggested itinerary: Departure for Monte San Giuliano. Erice, the medieval town atop Monte San Giuliano. Here you can admire the Castle of Venus (exterior) and the Cathedral. Meanwhile, we suggest stopping at a pastry shop to taste the typical almond sweets of Erice. Continue to San Vito Lo Capo for a swim in the beautiful sandy beach. On the way back to Palermo, you can visit Segesta, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Sicily, where a visit to the Doric temple is a must; its majestic appearance and commanding position give great nobility to the landscape. Overnight in Palermo.
DAY 4: AGRIGENTO & SWIMMING AT SCALA DEI TURCHI
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Breakfast at the hotel. On this day you can swim at the beautiful and unique Scala dei Turchi and visit Agrigento.
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Suggested itinerary: Departure for 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. You will have time to reach the fantastic white-sand beach of Scala dei Turchi for a refreshing swim. Continue to Ragusa and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 5: CHIARAMONTE GULFI, VITTORIA, SCOGLITTI & SWIMMING AT PUNTA SECCA/MARINA DI RAGUSA
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Breakfast at the hotel. On this day you can reach the beautiful sandy beach of Punta Secca or Marina di Ragusa for a swim and you can do the "Inspector Montalbano tour".
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Suggested itinerary: Departure for Chiaramonte Gulfi, a beautiful old village called the "Balcony of Sicily" for its splendid panoramic position. Walking through the streets of the historic center, you will visit the beautiful church of Santa Maria La Nova (Piazza Duomo) and the church of San Giovanni. Chiaramonte Gulfi is famous for the production of excellent DOP extra virgin olive oil and for Nero d'Avola, Insolia or Cerasuolo DOCG wines. Continuing towards Vittoria, the streets are rich in elegant Liberty architecture mixed with Baroque and Neoclassical monuments, creating a harmonious balance. It is also famous for Cerasuolo di Vittoria - it is possible to do a wine tasting on site at a winery. Continue the "Inspector Montalbano Tour" heading to Punta Secca, a hamlet of Santa Croce di Camerina, for a short stop to see the village, the beach and Montalbano's house, and then to Scicli, a splendid town known as "Vigata", an invented name by the writer where the police station of "Vigata" is located. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.
DAY 6: MODICA & RAGUSA “INSPECTOR MONTALBANO TOUR” or SWIMMING IN DONNALUCATA/MARINA DI MODICA
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Breakfast at the hotel. On this day you can swim in beautiful Marina di Modica/Donnalucata or visit Modica and Ragusa.
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Suggested itinerary: Today you can discover the lesser-known part of Sicily, Modica, also famous for the TV series "Inspector Montalbano". Start the visit in Modica, a UNESCO World Heritage city, best known for its chocolate and wonderful buildings. You will be free to visit the oldest pastry shop in Sicily (founded in 1880); during the tour in the workshop, you will witness the entire chocolate-making process. The visit is followed by a tasting of typical products, offered to guests in individual packages (supplement €20 per person). We recommend strolling through the alleys, always going uphill; once you reach the highest part of the hill, you can admire a splendid panorama of the city. Continue to Ragusa to admire the historic center of Ragusa "Ibla", characterized by numerous churches and palaces in Baroque style, as well as splendid domes that dominate the city. Ragusa has been included in the UNESCO list, with 18 sites declared World Heritage. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 7: MARZAMEMI & SIRACUSA or SWIMMING AT PORTO PALO & VENDICARI/FONTANE BIANCHE
- Breakfast at the hotel. On this day you can swim in beautiful Porto Palo di Capo Passero - Marzamemi - Calamosche Vendicari, Fontane Bianche, or visit Marzamemi and Siracusa.
- Suggested itinerary: Departure for Porto Palo Capo Passero. The island of Capo Passero is a natural gem, offering sandy areas in front of the village of Porto Palo, 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 walking through the streets of this seaside town you can admire the fishermen's houses located near the sea. In Pachino, it is possible to stop and visit a winery of the famous Nero d'Avola, the most famous red grape variety in Sicily. Continue to Siracusa, 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 Cordari Cave, Ortigia Island, the oldest part of the city with its splendid cathedral (entrance tickets not included) and its picturesque alleys. Continue the tour by going to Noto, included by UNESCO in the list of World Heritage sites in 2002. Cross the famous Arch, stroll through the center admiring the splendid noble 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. Continue to Acireale/Mascali and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 8: SNORKELING or MONTALBANO ELICONA & MEGALITHS OF ARGIMUSCO
- Breakfast at the hotel. Today you can go snorkeling in Giardini Naxos or visit Montalbano Elicona and the megaliths of Argimusco.
- Suggested itinerary: By car, venture into the Sicilian hinterland, all the way to the wonderful village of Montalbano Elicona, awarded in 2015 as the most beautiful village in Italy. A labyrinth of narrow streets leads to the castle, which dominates the historic center. You will be enchanted by the splendid view of the lush vegetation. Take a short tour of the town and continue to the Megaliths of Argimusco. Here you can admire megaliths (rocks) from prehistoric times and at the same time enjoy splendid views of Etna, the Aeolian Islands, the unusual mountains Rocca Salvatesta and Montagna di Vernà, Capo Tindari, Capo Calavà and Capo Milazzo. Overnight at the hotel.
- Snorkeling in Giardini Naxos: It is the best way to discover the coasts of one of the most beautiful islands in Italy. Simple and fun! You can admire magnificent views such as Isola Bella and the Blue Grotto and snorkel along the vertical walls in the bay of the Blue Grotto and in the marine park of Isola Bella, surrounded by a wide variety of flora and fauna. The morphology of the coastline and seabed is unique. All our tours include interesting and detailed explanations about the history of the area, as there are numerous archaeological traces from the Greek-Roman period. During the tour, refreshments are offered to all guests and the staff will create a friendly atmosphere so that you can fully enjoy the magical atmosphere of this wonderful island. Snorkeling and scuba diving are the best activities to admire the wonderful seabeds of Taormina: the corals and marine plants are not to be missed! Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 9: ETNA, CASTIGLIONE DI SICILIA, ALCANTARA GORGES & TAORMINA BY NIGHT or SWIMMING AT TAORMINA MARE
- Breakfast at the hotel. On this day you can relax and swim in the beautiful Riviera dei Ciclopi, or visit Etna and Taormina.
- Suggested itinerary: 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 an optional jeep and cable car excursion is available up to 3,000 meters (extra cost). Reach Castiglione di Sicilia, a small medieval town now called the "City of Wine", with a walk through the town and a visit to the ancient castle. Continue towards the Alcantara River. The play of light and shadow on the steep walls of the gorge creates an illusory world: you can see the shape of an open fan in the rock outcrops or even think of a Gothic cathedral! The river water is always cold and attracts hundreds of people looking for refreshment on hot summer days. The Alcantara Gorges allow you to walk or swim in the gorges. Continue to Taormina, where there are splendid ancient buildings, including the 15th-century Palazzo Corvaja and the Greek-Roman theater, the second largest classical theater in Sicily - over the centuries, the city has always been a very popular destination. From the Greek-Roman amphitheater, you can admire the bay of Giardini Naxos, Mount Etna and the Calabrian coast. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 10: THE TOUR ENDS AFTER BREAKFAST
- Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out at 10:00. Transfer to the airport, return the car and end of our services or, if you are not tired of visiting beaches and cities, you can stay a few more days in the Taormina area or discover the beautiful beaches of the Aeolian Islands or Cefalù. Thank you and goodbye!
- Acireale/Mascali: Wave Hotel/Kings House or similar (*)
- Ragusa/Siracusa: Mediterraneo Palace/Panorama or similar (*)
- Palermo: Astoria Palace, San Paolo Palace 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.
- Norma Vacanze only handles mediation between the customer and the car 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 from 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 respect 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 charge, which will be communicated before confirming each booking.
- Hotel parking is not guaranteed, but parking will be available nearby.
- The rate includes the rental of a category C car for the duration of the stay with the "GOLD" insurance package; for an additional fee, it is possible to book Platinum insurance.
- Drivers must have a credit card for check-in.
- Norma Vacanze reserves the right to change the excursion itinerary if deemed appropriate or in the event of force majeure.
- Norma Vacanze is not responsible for accidents, delays, damage to or loss of luggage or personal effects, 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 stated
- Tips and personal extras
- Porter 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 charge will apply to be agreed with the rental company.
- Each day of rental corresponds to 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 charge a surcharge. Please check before booking your flight.
Entrance tickets
- To avoid queues at museums or archaeological parks, advance booking is required: advance booking of entrance tickets is mandatory on the first day of the tour.
- Tickets are non-refundable.
THE RATE INCLUDES:
- Category C car, unlimited mileage;
- 22% VAT;
- Airport, railway, and car-related fees;
- Motor third-party liability insurance - third-party liability for the car;
- Gold Plan insurance - eliminates theft and damage deductibles. It also covers glass and tire damage.
- Additional driver
THE RATES DO NOT INCLUDE:
- Fuel,
- Fines,
- Notification fees,
- Drop-off surcharge 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 59-minute grace period is provided, 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 deductibles for damage and total theft and also allows the deductible to be eliminated for damage to vehicle parts not covered by the "Silver" package and includes coverage for glass and tires. Partial theft, attempted theft, damage to the roof, damage to the underside of the vehicle, internal damage, and damage 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 damage (including damage to the roof, the underside of the vehicle, and the interior) will be eliminated, and the PAI services will be provided (which cover the driver in the event of death, permanent disability, and accidents, with maximum coverage up to €100,000) as well as 24h "Road Assistance Plus" roadside assistance (covers all towing costs in the event of an at-fault accident and for any other event occurring during the rental).
