• Prepare for an extraordinary journey: explore the historic sites of Taormina and enjoy the stunning views of Mount Etna. Savor the local food and wines. Visit Syracuse and the enchanting Ortigia. Admire the Sicilian Baroque in Ragusa, Modica, and Noto. Explore the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Conclude in Palermo with the Teatro Massimo and the Cathedral of Monreale. Experience the picturesque charm of Cefalù.

• Prepare for an extraordinary journey: explore the historic sites of Taormina and enjoy the stunning views of Mount Etna. Savor the local food and wines. Visit Syracuse and the enchanting Ortigia. Admire the Sicilian Baroque in Ragusa, Modica, and Noto. Explore the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Conclude in Palermo with the Teatro Massimo and the Cathedral of Monreale. Experience the picturesque charm of Cefalù.

DAY 1: TAORMINA

• Upon arrival, head to your hotel in Letojanni, check in, and take the time you need to settle in. In the afternoon, meet your group and the tour leader. After an introductory briefing, head to Taormina and enjoy a guided walking tour of one of Sicily’s most popular tourist destinations. Admire its natural terrace overlooking the sea dominated by the majestic Mount Etna volcano and visit the Greco-Roman Theatre. Return to your hotel for a welcome dinner.

DAY 2: ETNA

• Today you will discover Etna, the highest peak in Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe. After breakfast, walk along the beach to Letojanni train station and reach the town of Giarre, where you will board the Circumetnea train, a historic railway line inaugurated in 1898 that travels around the volcano, passing through many villages and offering travelers picturesque views of this unique landscape. The excursion will continue by bus to reach the "Silvestri Craters" (at about 1,900 meters). Enjoy a food and wine tasting at a local winery and you will have the option to reach the higher peaks by jeep. Return to the hotel in Letojanni.

DAY 3: SYRACUSE & ORTIGIA

• Today you can admire the coast and the sea from your train window, traveling from Taormina to Syracuse, one of the island’s most interesting sites. A guide will lead you to discover the Archaeological Park, famous for its Roman amphitheater, the Greek theatre, and the Ear of Dionysius. Continue your visit heading to the island of Ortigia, the oldest part of the city, characterized by its narrow alleys, sea views, and the wonderful square with its splendid cathedral. In the afternoon continue the journey by bus and reach your next destination, Ragusa.

DAY 4: SICILIAN BAROQUE

• A full day to discover the lesser-known part of Sicily, dominated by the sumptuous and majestic baroque style of the buildings, characterized by numerous UNESCO sites, also known for the TV series "Inspector Montalbano." Start the visit from the historic center of Ragusa, "Ibla," the aristocratic city of the Val di Noto, characterized by numerous baroque churches and palaces, as well as the distinctive domes that dominate the city. Continue to Modica, a UNESCO World Heritage city known especially for its chocolate and its wonderful buildings. The last stop will be Noto, the capital of late Sicilian baroque. Cross the famous Arch, strolling through the center admiring the magnificent aristocratic palaces with their famous decorated balconies, the sumptuous churches full of decorations, the cathedral with its staircase, and the city theater, all built in baroque style. Return to the hotel in Ragusa for overnight stay.

DAY 5: AGRIGENTO

• After breakfast, depart by bus for Agrigento. Upon arrival in Agrigento, enjoy a lunch with a view of the Valley of the Temples. After lunch, meet the guide who will reveal all the secrets of 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. At the end of the visit, we will all have lunch together. Afterwards, we will reach Agrigento Centrale train station and embark on an extraordinary train journey through the Sicilian countryside to reach Palermo. Upon arrival in Palermo, transfer to the hotel and check-in.

DAY 6: PALERMO & MONREALE

• A full day dedicated to discovering Palermo: in the morning a walk in the city center, starting from the Teatro Massimo, continuing through the famous local market "u Capo" and tasting some Sicilian specialties such as arancina or drinking the famous "AUTISTA," an "explosive" lemonade. Continue towards the Cathedral and walk to "I Quattro Canti." After some free time for lunch, take the local bus to Monreale, a delightful town on the slopes of Monte Caputo, overlooking Palermo. Walk with the guide to the Monreale Cathedral, considered one of the best Norman constructions in the world.

DAY 7: CEFALU'

• Today, together with your tour guide, you will reach Cefalù by train in half an hour. Cefalù is a beautiful medieval fishing village at the foot of a promontory, also home to the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Arab-Norman Cathedral, which looks like a fortress. You will have the whole day at your disposal to relax on the beach, shop, or hike up La Rocca! Returning to Palermo by regional train, enjoy your last evening in Sicily!

DAY 8: DEPARTURE

• After breakfast, our journey discovering the beauties of Italy comes to an end, hoping you will always keep this unique experience in your heart. Feel free to book some extra nights in Sicily or a private transfer to Palermo airport. Thank you and goodbye!

• 2 nights in Letojanni/Taormina in a standard room
• 2 nights in Ragusa in a standard room
• 2 nights in Palermo in a standard room
• First-class train transfer
• Luxury air-conditioned bus on routes not covered by the railway
• WORRY-FREE LUGGAGE: Thanks to our porter service included at train stations and/or our "luggage bus" (which delivers luggage from one hotel to another), we make train travel stress-free.
• Professional English-speaking guide for the entire duration of the tour
• 7 breakfasts
• 1 dinner
• 2 lunches
• GROUP ACTIVITIES: - TAORMINA/LETOJANNI: guided walking tour of Taormina and a full-day discovery of Mount Etna by train - SIRACUSA: guided walking tour of Syracuse and Ortigia - RAGUSA: full-day guided tour exploring Sicilian Baroque: Noto and Modica - AGRIGENTO: guided tour of the Valley of the Temples - PALERMO: guided walking tour of Palermo and Monreale and a full-day discovery of Cefalù by train.

• Tourist taxes (to be paid locally)
• Lunches and all drinks during meals (where not specified)
• Individual transfers to/from the airport
• Luggage handling and personal expenses
• Tip for the guide (optional)
• Optional excursions
• Entrance fees to monuments and archaeological sites (where not specified)
• Anything not expressly indicated in "the rate includes"

• To avoid queues at museums or archaeological parks, it is necessary to book in advance: Booking entrance tickets is mandatory on the first day of the tour.
• Tickets are non-refundable

• Letojanni/Taormina: Albatros Beach Hotel (*)
• Ragusa: Hotel Mediterraneo Palace (*)
• Palermo: NH Palermo (*)

(*) The listed hotels are our main partners in each city. Any changes to the itinerary will be communicated with adequate notice.

• Tours are guaranteed with a minimum number of 2 passengers
• The hotels indicated in the programs may be replaced by others of the same category
• It is advisable to book optional excursions at the time of booking
• Some trips may be a combination of multiple Norma Vacanze tours. It should be expected that some group members join or leave the tour between segments
• We try to carry out the tour as scheduled, but emergency changes or bad weather conditions may be possible with alternative programs
• Tour programs may undergo changes from what is published, for technical or logistical reasons, without substantial modifications to the program itself
• Norma Vacanze has 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.

• Cancellation received 45 working days or more before departure: a penalty of 10% will be charged
• Cancellations made from 44 to 30 working days before departure: 40% of payments will be retained.
• Cancellations made from 29 to 15 working days before departure: 70% of payments will be retained.
• Cancellations made from 14 days until departure: 100% of payments will be retained.

Changes

• free up to 45 days before departure
• from 44 working days until departure, if you wish to modify your travel booking in any way, we will do our best to make these changes, but it may not always be possible. You will be asked to pay an administrative fee of €100.00, in addition to any additional costs incurred to make this change (including those charged by third-party suppliers providing the components of your booking). Some bookings may not be modifiable after confirmation and a change request may result in a cancellation penalty of up to 100% of that part of the booking.