Discover the magic of Sicily and experience unique moments. During the tour, you will discover evocative Roman ruins and experience ancient Greece, enchanting towns, dreamlike landscapes and, of course, a cuisine you will love. Etna, Taormina and Catania are just some of the gems you will discover.
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 you will be able to enjoy the city. Information about the program will be available at the hotel. Overnight stay.
MONDAY: ETNA & TAORMINA
- 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 arriving at the "Silvestri Craters" (about 1,900 meters). From here you will have the optional jeep and cable car excursion (extra cost). After tasting some local Sicilian specialties, return to the hotel. Overnight stay.
- Optional TAORMINA excursion. On foot, you will be able to discover the beautiful town of Taormina, hear stories about the history and evolution of Sicilian culture. You will pass by beautiful ancient buildings, including the 15th-century Palazzo Corvaja, up to the magnificent ancient theater, the second largest classical theater in Sicily (entrance €10 not included). Discover the medieval area of the town with its narrow streets and old shops. 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 Cave of the Cordmakers, Ortigia Island, the oldest part of the city with its splendid cathedral. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.
WEDNESDAY: GODFATHER TOUR & CEFALÙ
- Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Forza D'Agrò, a charming village situated on a hill overlooking Taormina, and you will take a film-themed tour visiting the villages made famous by the film The Godfather. Walking through 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, the place chosen to stage one of the most romantic scenes in The Godfather, Michael Corleone's wedding. From Piazza Panoramica you can enjoy an extraordinary view of the coast. After visiting this small gem, continue to Savoca. This village is famous because some of the most famous scenes from the film “The Godfather,” 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 bar used for filming. Continue to Cefalù where we will begin the excursion by visiting Piazza del Duomo, which opens beneath the Cathedral with its splendid mosaics and is surrounded by a series of beautiful palaces, walking along Corso Ruggero, the main street, lined with numerous boutiques and built over the ancient Roman road, and then on to the old washhouse. Some parts of the film ‘Cinema Paradiso’ by Giuseppe Tornatore were shot in Cefalù. Departure for Palermo, overnight stay in Palermo.
THURSDAY: PALERMO & MONREALE
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Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit Palermo starting from the Teatro Massimo (outside), continuing the walk through the famous local market 'u Capo' and tasting some Sicilian specialties such as Arancina or drinking the famous explosive lemonade 'AUTISTA'. 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 Treasure Rooms there are vestments, sacred silverware and other furnishings. Walk to the "Quattro Canti". 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 valley of the Conca d'Oro. With the guide, visit the Cathedral of Monreale, considered one of the most beautiful Norman buildings in the world. During the visit, a tasting of arancina is included. Transfer to Letojanni, overnight stay.
FRIDAY: AGRIGENTO
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Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning departure by car for Agrigento and start of the visit 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, the Temple of Castor and Pollux. Then we will enter the Kolymbethra garden, 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 restoration of the vegetation and structures, carried out by FAI, now makes visits to the Temple of Hephaestus easier, in addition to having contributed to the discovery of some hypogea. At certain times of the year, the park is covered with flowering almond trees and this spectacular view of nature can also be admired from the church of San Nicola, located within the Valley of the Temples. Behind this church is the regional museum, which houses the original telamon statue and numerous finds from ancient Akragas (dating back 2,400 years). Continue to the Taormina area, overnight stay at the hotel.
SATURDAY: “TAORMINA SEA EXPERIENCE BOAT TOUR” or "AEOLIAN ISLANDS: LIPARI & VULCANO"
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Breakfast at the hotel. This day is free to relax and explore the city or go for a swim at the beach or take part in the optional boat excursion "TAORMINA SEA EXPERIENCE BOAT TOUR" (*) or relive the places of the "AEOLIAN ISLANDS: LIPARI & VULCANO"! overnight stay.
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Optional excursion: TAORMINA SEA EXPERIENCE BOAT TOUR. 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 begin 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 picturesque places in the area. During the trip, you will discover caves, including a visit to the famous "Blue Grotto" (subject to weather conditions and currents), rock formations and the beautiful Isola Bella Nature Reserve.
(*) Pick-up/return transfer of the excursion to the port of Giardini Naxos - The excursion is subject to confirmation based on weather conditions.
- Optional excursion: Lipari & Vulcano. The Aeolian Islands have been a World Heritage site as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. Departure by coach with escort to the port of Milazzo and continue by private motorboat to the island of Lipari. Stop on land 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 "Cavallo Cave". Continue by boat to Vulcano and stop on the island with the possibility of taking sulfur mud baths in a designated area by paying the entrance fee. Mud is forbidden for pregnant women and children. After returning by sea, sail along the coast with a view of the "Mermaid Rock". Ecotax to be paid on board the bus not included. Overnight stay.
(**) In case of adverse weather conditions, 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, 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: Albatros Beach Hotel/Olimpo/Hellenia Yachting or similar (*)
- Palermo: Garibaldi/Mercure or similar (*)
(*) The indicated hotels may be replaced with others of the same category. The accommodations are located in the indicated locations 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.
