Discover the magic of Sicily and experience unique moments. During the tour, you will discover evocative Roman remains and experience ancient Greece, charming small towns, dreamlike landscapes, and, of course, a cuisine you will love. Etna, Taormina, and Catania are just some of the jewels you will uncover.
SUNDAY: ARRIVAL
- Arrival at Catania airport. After collecting your luggage, group transfer to the hotel. No activities are planned for this day, rooms will be ready after 2:00 PM and enjoy the city. At the hotel you will find information about the program. Dinner and overnight stay.
MONDAY: ETNA & TAORMINA
- Breakfast at the hotel and departure with the guide to Mount Etna, the highest peak in Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe. The area 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 encountered along the way before arriving at the "Silvestri Craters" (about 1,900 meters). From here you will have the optional excursion by jeep and cable car (extra cost). After tasting some local Sicilian specialties, return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
- Optional excursion TAORMINA. Walking, you can discover the splendid city of Taormina, listen to stories about the history and evolution of Sicilian culture. Pass by splendid ancient buildings, including the 15th-century Palazzo Corvaja, to the magnificent ancient theater, the 2nd largest classical theater in Sicily (entrance fee €10 not included). Discover the medieval area of the city with its narrow streets and ancient shops. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
TUESDAY: SYRACUSE
- Breakfast at the hotel and 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's Cave, Ortigia Island, the oldest part of the city with its splendid cathedral. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
WEDNESDAY: GODFATHER TOUR & CEFALU'
- Breakfast in the hotel. Departure 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. From the Panoramic Square you can enjoy an extraordinary view of the coast. 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”, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The buildings and the monuments of the movie are still here, like the famous Bar Vitelli, the same bar used to shoot . On to Cefalù where we will start excursion 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. Some parts of the movie ‘Cinema Paradiso’ by Giuseppe Tornatore were filmed in Cefalu'. Departure to Palermo, dinner and overnight in Palermo.
THURSDAY: PALERMO & MONREALE
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Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning visit Palermo starting from the Massimo Theater (outside), continuing the walk through the famous local market 'u Capo' and tasting some Sicilian specialties such as Arancina or drinking the famous 'AUTISTA' explosive lemonade. Arrival at the Cathedral. Inside the Cathedral there are several precious works of art, such as the altar of the crucifix where the suffering of Christ is celebrated. Among the treasures is also the 17th-century ciborium decorated with lapis lazuli. In the Treasury rooms there are vestments, sacred silverware, and other furnishings. Walk to "The Four Corners." Continue to Monreale, a lovely town on the slopes of Mount Caputo overlooking Palermo. Monreale takes its name from the numerous citrus groves that once dotted the fertile Conca d'Oro valley. With your guide, visit the Monreale Cathedral, considered one of the most beautiful Norman constructions in the world. During the visit, an arancina tasting is planned. Transfer to Letojanni, dinner and overnight stay.
FRIDAY: AGRIGENTO
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Breakfast in the hotel. First morning drive to Agrigento and start to 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. Then we entry in the garden of the Kolymbethra an archaeological site of great naturalistic and landscape importance, located in a small basin in the heart of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. It has become one of the most important Sicilian and national archaeological/naturalistic sites. The vegetation and structural restoration overseen by the FAI, today facilitates visits to the Temple of Hephaestus, as well as having contributed to the discovery of some hypogea.In some time of the Year, the park is covered in flowering almond trees, an this spectacular view of nature can be appreciated also from the church of San Nicola, located within the Valley of the Temples. Behind this church, there is the regional museum, which houses the original telamon statue and numerous artefacts from ancient Akgragas (dating back 2400 years. Continue to Taormina area, Dinner and overnight in hotel.
SATURDAY: “BOAT TOUR TAORMINA SEA EXPERIENCE” or "AEOLIAN ISLANDS: LIPARI & VULCANO"
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Breakfast at the hotel. This day you are free to relax and explore the city or take a swim at the beach or take an optional boat excursion "BOAT TOUR TAORMINA SEA EXPERIENCE" (*) or you can relive the places of "AEOLIAN ISLANDS: LIPARI & VULCANO"! Dinner and overnight stay.
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Optional excursion: BOAT TOUR TAORMINA SEA EXPERIENCE. In this tour you will discover the natural beauties of the Giardini/Naxos - Taormina coast. The meeting point is at the port of Giardini Naxos. You will start the tour on a comfortable characteristic boat (max. 12 people), to explore the Ionian coast. From here you will have a fantastic view of Etna and its richest vegetation area. Etna and the most suggestive places in the area. During the trip, you can discover caves, including a visit to the famous "Blue Grotto" (subject to weather and currents), rock formations, and the beautiful Natural Reserve of Isola Bella.
(*) Pick-up/drop-off of the excursion at the port of Giardini Naxos - The excursion is subject to confirmation based on weather conditions.
- Optional Exursion: Lipari & Vulcano. Aeolian islands are the patrimony of humanity as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Departure by bus with a tour leader to the port of Milazzo and proceed by private motorboat to the island of Lipari. Stop at the ground with the opportunity to visit the old town with the archaeological park and the cathedral. Free shopping time in the local shops on the island. Back on board and sail along the "Faraglioni" and the "Horse’s Cave". Continue by boat to Vulcano and stop on the island with the possibility to make sulfurous mud baths in a dedicated area paying the entrance fee. Mud prohibited to pregnant women and children. After returning by sea, sailing along the coast viewing the " Rock of the Little Mermaid”. Eco-tax to be paid on board the bus not included. Dinner and overnight.
(**) In case of bad weather condition the excursion to Lipari & Vulcano will be replaced with an alternative excursion.
SUNDAY: THE TOUR ENDS AFTER BREAKFAST
- Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out at 10:00 AM, group transfer to Catania airport. Thank you and goodbye!
- Private car transfer 1/2 pax €110 per way
Optional excursions (min. 2 pax):
- Boat Tour Taormina sea experience €49.00 per person
- Aeolian Islands: Lipari & Vulcano €105.00 per person
- Hop On Hop Off Taormina €29.00 per person
- Taormina Area: Orizzonte/Caesar Palace/Antares/Olimpo/Sporting Baia or similar (*)
- Palermo: Astoria Palace/San Paolo Palace or similar (*)
(*) The indicated hotels may be replaced with others of the same category. Accommodations are located in the indicated towns or in different cities where the program can be carried out. The name of the hotel will be sent to you 21 days before arrival.
