DAY 1: ARRIVAL (KM 50)
- Arrival at Catania airport, completion of car rental formalities and departure for Acireale/Mascali. Accommodation in 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 constitutes 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 route before reaching the "Silvestri Craters" (about 1,900 meters). From here on, you will have the opportunity to continue the excursion by jeep. Proceed to Castiglione di Sicilia for a visit to the Patria winery with tasting. The visit lasts about 60 minutes and includes passing through the Arena Pàlici, an ancient lava stone cave, up to the winemaking area, and a visit to the Barrel 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 theater, the second largest classical theater in Sicily. Return to the hotel. Overnight 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 Amphitheater, the Greek Theater, the Ear of Dionysius, the Cordari Cave, the Island of Ortigia, the oldest part of the city with its splendid cathedral (entrance tickets not included) and its picturesque alleys. Now it will be possible to discover the less 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 your visit from the historic center of the city 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 World Heritage city, especially known for its chocolate and 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. Proceed to Ragusa and overnight.
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 can be easily reached "on foot," crossing the sea when the water is low, or by 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 farms, and walking through the streets of this fishing village 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 will have a FR LOVERS tasting composed of 3 wines chosen from the Rama' Line, Sparkling Line, or Note Nere Line accompanied by bread, oil, must, and fried fava beans and chickpeas. Continue to Ragusa to admire the historic center of "Ibla," characterized by numerous churches and Baroque-style 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. Overnight in 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 Hercules, 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 to Favignana, which with its butterfly shape is a fantastic destination for beach and diving lovers. Board the lovely Egadilandia, a tourist train that travels the numerous streets and coastal roads of the island. Don’t miss the former Florio Factory (a canned tuna factory turned museum), the tiring hill walk will lead you to the ruins of Santa Caterina Castle and the suggestive Lovers' Cave. You can choose to rent an e-bike or scooter to explore the island independently, discovering hypogeal gardens (created from disused stone quarries), crystal-clear sea, paradisiacal beaches, and breathtaking landscapes. Return to the hotel. Overnight.
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- Suggested itinerary: PALERMO. Reach Palermo, the 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 walk on foot from the Cathedral (inside which are 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 up to the point where it meets Via Maqueda, you will be able to admire the four corners of the city, an octagonal square at whose four corners rise the convex facades of beautiful seventeenth-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 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.
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 Reserve, Segesta, Erice, and Marsala.
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Suggested itinerary: Reach the Stagnone 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 the top of Monte San Giuliano. Here you can admire the Venus Castle (outside) and the Cathedral. Meanwhile, we suggest stopping at a pastry shop to taste the typical almond paste of Erice. Continue to Segesta, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Sicily, where you must visit the Doric temple, whose majestic appearance and dominant position give great nobility to the landscape. Proceed to Marsala and wine tasting at the CARUSO & MININI winery with 3 glasses of wine and bread with local oil. Overnight 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: Cantina Patria (Etna), Cantina Ramaddini (Marzamemi), Cantina Caruso&Minini (Marsala)
- Category C car and "PLATINUM insurance" included*
*Full coverage for damage and theft (no deductibles)
*Personal accident insurance protection
*Roadside assistance Plus (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 full 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 name of the hotel 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.
- Car pick-up and drop-off at the airport will take place during the opening hours of the rental company Noleggiare (every day from 08:00 to 22:30); after these hours, the rental company will apply an additional fee. Please inquire before booking your flight.
- The car must be returned to the same airport, or an additional cost must be agreed upon with the rental company.
- Norma Vacanze only acts as an intermediary between the customer and the rental company. In case of disputes with the renter or accidents, the rules established in the contract signed at the airport between the customer and the renter will apply, without any involvement of Norma Vacanze.
- Each customer can independently choose whether to follow the suggested itinerary or create one based on their needs. However, it is essential to follow the schedule related to the cities where overnight stays are planned.
- Cars are subject to availability, and your category may not be available at all times. If category C is not available at the time of booking, a higher category will be offered with an additional fee that will be communicated before confirming each reservation.
- 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 "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 or loss of luggage or personal effects, nor for damages caused by third parties or others 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 mentioned
- Tips and personal extras
- Porter service
- Fuel
- Highway tolls
- Parking fees
- Tickets for planes, ships, trains, or buses to reach the airport
- Entrance fees 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 upon 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.
- Car pick-up and drop-off at the airport will take place during the opening hours of the rental company Noleggiare (every day from 08:00 to 22:30); after these hours, the rental company will apply an additional fee. Please inquire before booking your flight.
The rate includes:
- Category C car, unlimited mileage
- 22% VAT
- Airport, railway, and car taxes
- RCA policy - car liability insurance
- Platinum Insurance - eliminates all deductibles for theft and damage. Also covers glass and tire damage and theft attempts. Personal accident insurance. Plus roadside assistance.
- Additional driver
The rate does not include:
- Fuel
- Fines
- Re-notification fees
- Rental to depart from another airport
- Child seat
- GPS navigator
- Fuel recovery service, a €30.00 surcharge will be applied if the car is returned with more than 5 liters of fuel missing.
- There is a 59-minute tolerance, 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 the deductibles for all damages, partial, attempted, and total theft, including glass, tires, roof damage, and damage to the underside of the vehicle. Interior damage and damages caused by vandalism, riots, etc., are excluded.
