DAY 1: ARRIVAL
- Arrival and transfer by car to Ragusa to admire the historic center of “Ibla”, characterized by numerous churches and Baroque-style palaces, as well as the distinctive domes that dominate the city. In Ragusa Ibla, Ragusa has been included on the UNESCO list, with 18 sites declared World Heritage Sites. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 2: SYRACUSE & NOTO
- Breakfast at the hotel. On 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 Syracuse, one of the island’s most fascinating archaeological sites. Visit to its Archaeological Park (entry not included), which includes the Roman Amphitheater, the Greek Theater, the Ear of Dionysius and the Cordari Cave. Continue to the island of Ortigia, the oldest part of the city, with its splendid cathedral (entrance tickets not included) and its charming, picturesque streets. The tour then continues to Noto, added in 2002 to the UNESCO World Heritage list. Walk through the famous arch and along the city center, admiring elegant aristocratic palaces with beautifully decorated balconies, magnificent churches rich in detail, the Cathedral with its imposing staircase and the city theater, all built in Baroque style. A dinner in Ragusa Ibla is suggested or in Ortigia in Syracuse .Return to the hotel.
DAY 3: PIAZZA ARMERINA & AGRIGENTO
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Breakfast at the hotel. On this day you can swim at the beautiful sandy beach of Scala dei Turchi or you can visit Piazza Armerina and Agrigento. Suggested itinerary: Departure for Piazza Armerina and start of the visit to the Villa Romana del Casale; continue to 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, the Temple of Castor and Pollux. Continue to Palermo and overnight.
DAY 4: PALERMO & MONREALE
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Breakfast at the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. On this day you can decide to visit Palermo & Monreale or stay at the beach in Mondello.
Suggested itinerary: start the 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, with 80 pairs of twin columns, each uniquely decorated. Monreale is a place that never ceases to amaze, like an ancient casket full of priceless masterpieces. Continue to Palermo (about 8 km) and begin a walking tour from the Palace of the Normans, also known as the Royal 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 style (golden mosaics), Arab style (muqarnas ceiling), and Latin, symbol of the coexistence of different cultures. Continue to the Cathedral, which houses the tombs of Emperor Frederick II and several Norman kings. Cross a splendid area lined with palm trees and continue along Corso Vittorio Emanuele to 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 buy traditional products in a vibrant mix of colors, flavors, and aromas. End the tour at Teatro Massimo, one of the largest opera houses in Europe. Return to the hotel for overnight stay. We also recommend discovering the city with a tour in an Ape, the typical three-wheeled vehicle, . Optional dinner in a restaurant in Mondello or pizza in a restaurant near the sea. Overnight in Palermo.
DAY 5: MARSALA, ERICE & SEGESTA
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Breakfast at the hotel. On this day you can swim at the beautiful sandy beach of San Vito lo Capo or Macari.
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Suggested itinerary: Departure for Marsala, famous for the salt pans and wine production. Stop at the Stagnone Reserve, a magical place with a natural landscape of rare beauty, characterized by white salt pans with windmills. Optional wine tasting at a winery .Continue towards Erice, the medieval town on top of Mount San Giuliano. Here you can admire the Castle of Venus (exterior) and the Cathedral. In the meantime, we suggest stopping at a pastry shop to taste the typical almond sweet of Erice. Departure for Segesta, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Sicily, where you should visit the Doric temple whose majesty and dominant position give great nobility to the landscape. Return to Palermo. Overnight stay.
DAY 6: CEFALÙ & GODFATHER TOUR
- Breakfast at the hotel. Continue to Cefalù where we will begin by visiting Piazza del Duomo, which opens below the Cathedral with its splendid mosaics and is surrounded by a series of beautiful palaces; walk along Corso Ruggero, the main street, lined with numerous shops and built over the ancient Roman road, then head toward the old washhouse. Departure for Forza D’Agrò, a charming village situated on a hill overlooking Taormina, and you will take a tour with a cinematic eye by visiting the villages made famous by the film The Godfather. Walking through the narrow streets of this small center, in addition to the breathtaking views, it will be possible to admire the Durazzesco arch and the Cathedral, the place chosen for one of the most romantic scenes in The Godfather, Michael Corleone’s wedding. After visiting this little gem, continue to Savoca. This village is famous because some of the most famous scenes from “The Godfather” were filmed here. The buildings and monuments from the film are still here, such as the famous Bar Vitelli, the same bar used for filming. Departure for the hotel in the Acireale area and overnight stay.
DAY 7: ETNA & TAORMINA
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Suggested itinerary: Optional excursion: ETNA. In the morning departure for Mount 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 we will encounter along the way before arriving at the “Silvestri Craters” (about 1,900 m). From here you can choose whether to continue the excursion by jeep or cable car. Then departure for Castiglione di Sicilia and optional wine tasting at a winery . Continue to Taormina, with the possibility of visiting the Greco-Roman theater, the second largest classical theater in Sicily. Overnight at the 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. The accommodations are located in the indicated cities or in different cities where it will be possible to carry out the program.
- Each day of rental is 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 apply an extra charge. Please check before booking your flight.
- The car must be returned to the same airport; otherwise, there will be an additional cost to 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 will apply, without any involvement of 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 follow the schedule relating to 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 a supplement that will be communicated before confirming each booking.
- 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 a supplement, it is possible to book Platinum insurance.
- Drivers must have a credit card for check-in.
- Norma Vacanze reserves the right to modify the itinerary of the excursion 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 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
- Plane, ship, train, or bus tickets to reach the airport
- Admission 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 will be agreed with the rental company.
- Each day of rental is 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 apply an extra charge. Please check before booking your flight.
