DAY 1: ARRIVAL
- Arrive at Catania Airport. After picking up the rental car, drive to Ragusa to admire the historic center of "Ibla", characterized by the numerous churches and palaces in Baroque style, as well as by the characteristic domes that dominate the city. In Ragusa Ibla, Ragusa has become part of the Unesco list, with 18 sites declared World Heritage Sites. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 2: SIRACUSA & NOTO
- Breakfast in the hotel. This day you can swim at the beautiful sandy beach of Calamosche (Vendicari), Fontane Bianche or you can visit Syracuse & Noto. Suggested itinerary Departure for Siracusa, one of the most fascinating archaeological sites on the island. Visit its Archaeological Park (entrance fee not included), including the Roman Amphitheatre, the Greek Theatre, the Ear of Dionysius, and the Cave of the Rope Makers. Continue to the island of Ortigia, the oldest part of the city, with its stunning cathedral (entrance tickets not included) and charming, picturesque streets. The tour then proceeds to Noto, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. Walk through the famous arch and stroll along the town center, admiring elegant aristocratic palaces with beautifully decorated balconies, magnificent churches rich in detail, the Cathedral with its impressive staircase, and the city theatre, all built in Baroque style. Suggested a dinner in Ragusa Ibla or Ortigia in Syracuse .Back to hotel.
DAY 3: PIAZZA ARMERINA & AGRIGENTO
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Breakfast in the hotel. This day you can swim at the beautiful sandy beach of Scala dei Turchi or you can visit Piazza Armerina and Agrigento. Suggested itinerary: Drive to Piazza Armerina and start the visit of the Villa Romana del Casale ; on to Agrigento where you will visit the Temples’ Valley, including the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concorde (one of the best preserved Doric temples in the whole Greek world), the Temple of Hercules, the Temple of Castor and Pollux. On to Palermo and overnight.
DAY 4: PALERMO & MONREALE
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Breakfast in the hotel Breakfast in the hotel. This day you can decide to visit Palermo & Monreale or stay in the beach in Mondello.
Suggested itinerary: start your visit in Monreale, a charming town located just 7 km from Palermo, world-famous for its magnificent Arab-Norman Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral is renowned for its 3,500 square meters of golden mosaics, among the most impressive in the world. Nearby, visit the Cloister, featuring 80 pairs of twin columns, each uniquely decorated. Monreale is a place that never ceases to amaze, like an ancient treasure chest filled with invaluable masterpieces. Continue to Palermo (approx. 8 km) and begin a walking tour from the Royal Palace, also known as the Norman Palace, residence of the Kings of Sicily from the 11th to the 19th century. Here you will admire rooms in different architectural styles and the Palatine Chapel, famous for its golden mosaics—a masterpiece built between 1130 and 1140 by King Roger II. This UNESCO-listed site is a unique fusion of Byzantine (gold mosaics), Arab (muqarnas ceiling), and Latin styles, symbolizing the coexistence of different cultures. Proceed to the Cathedral, which houses the tombs of Emperor Frederick II and several Norman kings. Walk through a beautiful palm-lined area and continue along Corso Vittorio Emanuele until you reach the intersection with Via Maqueda, where you can admire the famous Quattro Canti, an octagonal square framed by elegant 17th-century buildings with curved facades.Visit the lively “Il Capo” market, reminiscent of an Arab souk, where locals shop for traditional products in a vibrant mix of colors, flavors, and aromas. End your tour at the Teatro Massimo, one of the largest opera houses in Europe. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.We also suggest discovering the city with an Ape tour, a typical three-wheeled vehicle, . Optional dinner in restaurant in Mondello Or Pizza in a restaunrant near the sea. Overnight in Palermo.
DAY 5: MARSALA, ERICE & SEGESTA
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Breakfast in the hotel. This day you can swim at the beautiful sandy beach of San Vito lo Capo or Macari.
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Suggested itinerary: Drive to Marsala, famous because of the salt works and the production of wine. Stop in the Riserva dello Stagnone a magical place, with a striking natural landscape of rare beauty for its white salt pans with windmills. Optional wine tasting in a winery .Continue driving to Erice, the medieval town on the summit of Monte San Giuliano. Here you can admire the Venus Castle (exterior) and the Cathedral. In the meantime we suggest you to have a stop at a bakery to taste the typical almond pastry of Erice. Drive to Segesta, one of the most beautiful archeological sites of Sicily, where you should visit the Doric temple whose majestic appearance and dominating position bestows great nobility to the landscape. Return to Palermo. Overnight.
DAY 6: CEFALU' & GODFATHER TOUR
- Breakfast in the hotel. On to Cefalù where we will start visiting the Piazza del Duomo which stretches out below the Cathedral with its splendid mosaics and which is surrounded by a range of splendid palaces, walk through Corso Ruggero, the main street, lined with a wide range of boutiques and built over the ancient Roman street, and head then to the ancient lavatory. Drive to Forza D'Agrò a charming village located on a hill overlooking Taormina and you will have a tour with an eye to the cinema visiting the villages made famous by the film The Godfather Walking along the narrow streets of this small town, in addition to the breathtaking views, it will be possible to admire the Durazzesco arch and the Cathedral, a place chosen to set one of the most romantic scenes of the Godfather's film, the wedding of Micheal Corleone. After visiting this little gem, continue for Savoca. This village is famous because here have been shouted some of the famous parts of the movie “The Godfather The buildings and the monuments of the movie are still here, like the famous Bar Vitelli, the same bar used to shoot. Drive to hotel Iin Acireale Area and overnight.
DAY 7: ETNA & TAORMINA
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Breakfast in the hotel.
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Suggested itinerary: Optional Excursion: MOUNT ETNA. In the morning drive to Mt. Etna, the highest peak of Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe. The territory surrounding the volcano constitutes the “Park of Etna”, one of the largest protected areas in Italy: You will be astonished about the great variety of vegetation and landscapes that we will meet along the way before arriving at the “Silvestri Craters” (about 1.900 mt). From here on you will have the option to continue the excursion by jeep or cable way. Then drive to Castiglione di Sicilia and optional wine tasting in winery . On to Taormina, possibility, to visit the Greek-Roman theatre, the 2nd largest classical theatre in Sicily. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
- Ragusa/Syracuse: Mediterraneo Palace/Panorama or similar (*)
- Palermo: Palazzo Astoria, Palazzo San Paolo or similar (*)
- Acireale/Mascali: Wave Hotel/Kings House or similar (*)
(*) The indicated hotels may be replaced with others of the same category. Accommodations are located in the indicated cities or in different cities where it will be possible to carry out the program.
- Each rental day is a 24-hour period; the vehicle must be returned on time or within the following 59 minutes.
- Car pickup and return at the airport will take place during the opening hours of the rental company (every day from 08:00 to 22:30); after these hours, the rental company will apply an additional charge. Please inquire before booking your flight.
- The car must be returned to the same airport, or there will be an additional cost to 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 rental company or accidents, the rules established in the contract signed at the airport between the customer and the rental company 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 own needs. However, it is essential to follow the program 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 charge 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 "GOLD" insurance package; with an additional charge, the Platinum insurance can be booked.
- 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 belongings, 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 will be agreed upon with the rental company.
- Each rental day is a 24-hour period; the vehicle must be returned on time or within the following 59 minutes.
- Car pickup and return at the airport will take place during the opening hours of the rental company (every day from 08:00 to 22:30); after these hours, the rental company will apply an additional charge. Please inquire before booking your flight.
THE RATE INCLUDES:
- Category C car, unlimited mileage;
- 22% VAT;
- Airport, railway, and car fees;
- Car liability insurance - car civil liability;
- Platinum Insurance - eliminates all deductibles for theft and damage. Also covers glass and tire damage and theft attempts. Personal accident insurance. Plus roadside assistance.
- Driver (from 25 to 75 years old)
- 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 €30.00 surcharge will be applied if the car is returned with more than 5 liters of fuel missing.
- There is a 59-minute grace period, 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 damages and those caused by vandalism, riots, etc. are excluded.
