SUNDAY: ARRIVAL
- Arrival at Catania airport. After collecting your luggage, optional group transfer to the hotel. No activities are scheduled for this day; rooms will be available after 2:00 PM and you can enjoy the city. Information about the program will be available at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
MONDAY: ETNA
- Breakfast at the hotel and departure with the guide for Mount Etna, the highest peak in Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe. The area 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 encountered along the way before reaching 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.
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 Grotta dei Cordari, and Ortigia Island, the oldest part of the city with its splendid cathedral. Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
WEDNESDAY: AGRIGENTO
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Optional excursion: AGRIGENTO. Meet the guide and depart for 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, and the Temple of Castor and Pollux. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
THURSDAY: TAORMINA COAST TO COAST BY BOAT "BLUE GROTTO" & SNORKELING
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Breakfast at the hotel. Boat excursion "TAORMINA COAST TO COAST BY BOAT". On this tour you will discover the natural beauty 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 Mount Etna and its richest vegetation area. During the trip you will discover caves, including a visit to the famous "Blue Grotto" (subject to weather and current conditions), rock formations, and the beautiful Natural Reserve of Isola Bella.
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OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: Snorkeling. Snorkeling is the best way to discover the coasts of one of Italy's most beautiful islands. Simple and fun! You will be able to admire magnificent views such as Isola Bella and the Blue Grotto and snorkel along the vertical walls in the bay of the Blue Grotto and in the marine park of Isola Bella, surrounded by a wide variety of flora and fauna. The coastline and seabed morphology are unique. All our tours include interesting and detailed explanations about the history of the area, as there are numerous archaeological traces from the Greco-Roman era. During the tour refreshments are offered to all guests and the staff will create a friendly atmosphere so that you can fully enjoy the magical atmosphere of this wonderful island. Snorkeling and scuba diving are the best activities to admire the wonderful seabed of Taormina: corals and marine plants are not to be missed! Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
(*) Pick-up/drop-off for the excursion at the port of Giardini Naxos - The excursion is subject to confirmation based on weather conditions.
(**) If you wish to do SNORKELING instead of the "Taormina Coast to Coast by boat" tour, the supplement to be paid is €25 per person.
FRIDAY: AEOLIAN ISLANDS "LIPARI & VULCANO"
- Breakfast at the hotel. You may choose to join the "Lipari and Vulcano" excursion. The Aeolian Islands were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.
- Optional excursion: Aeolian Islands "Lipari & Vulcano". Departure by bus with guide to the port of Milazzo and continue by private motorboat to the island of Lipari. Stop ashore with the possibility to visit the historic center with the archaeological park and the cathedral. Free time for shopping in the island's local shops. Return on board and sail along the "Faraglioni" and the "Horse Cave." Continue by boat to Vulcano and stop on the island with the possibility of taking sulfur mud baths in a dedicated area by paying the entrance fee. Mud baths are prohibited for pregnant women and children. After returning by sea, sail along the coast observing the "Mermaid Rock." Ecotax to be paid on board the bus (not included). Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.
* In case of adverse weather conditions, the excursion to Lipari and Vulcano will be replaced by an alternative excursion.
SATURDAY: "THE GODFATHER" TOUR
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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Optional excursion: THE GODFATHER TOUR. Departure for Forza D'Agrò, an enchanting village located on a hill overlooking Taormina, and a cinema-themed tour with a visit to the villages made famous by the film "The Godfather." As you walk through the streets of this town, in addition to breathtaking views, you can admire the Durazzo Arch and the Cathedral, the place chosen to stage one of the most romantic scenes in the film, Michael Corleone's wedding. From Panorama Square there is an extraordinary view of the coast. After visiting this little gem, continue to Savoca. This village is famous because some of the most famous scenes of the film directed by Francis Ford Coppola were shot here. The buildings and monuments from the film are still here, such as the famous Bar Vitelli, the same one used for filming. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
SUNDAY: THE TOUR ENDS AFTER BREAKFAST
- Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out at 10:00; optional transfer to Catania airport. Thank you and goodbye!
- Group transfer € 80.00 round trip per person (maximum waiting time 2 hours)
- Private transfer € 110.00 per car one way
- Headphones on request € 3.00 per day
Optional excursions (min. 2 pax - rates to be confirmed):
- Snorkeling € 50.00 per person
- Lipari & Vulcano € 95.00 per person
- Tour of "The Godfather" € 25.00 per person
- Agrigento: € 85.00 per person with private bus and tour guide with a minimum of 12 pax
- Taormina Area: Caesar Palace, Hotel Antares, Sporting Baia or similar (*)
(*) The listed 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.
