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.
Tour with guaranteed departure
Tour in English
Tour in German language

Informations

Description

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.

Itinerary

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: AGRIGENTO

  • Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting with the guide and departure 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, the Temple of Castor and Pollux. Return to the hotel in Palermo, dinner and overnight stay.

THURSDAY: ERICE, STAGNONE RESERVE & MARSALA WITH WINE TASTING

  • Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Erice, the medieval town on the top of Mount San Giuliano. Here you can admire the Norman Castle (outside) and the Cathedral. Meanwhile, there will be a stop at a pastry shop to taste the typical almond pastry of Erice. Continue to Marsala and stop at the Stagnone Reserve, a magical place with a suggestive natural landscape of rare beauty for its white salt pans with windmills. Continue to Marsala, famous for wine production, and visit a winery with tasting. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay in Palermo.

FRIDAY: PALERMO & MONREALE

  • 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.

SATURDAY: “BOAT TOUR TAORMINA SEA EXPERIENCE” or "THE GODFATHER TOUR"

  • 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 "THE GODFATHER"! Dinner and overnight stay.

  • 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 excursion: THE GODFATHER TOUR. Departure for Forza D'Agrò, a charming village located on a hill overlooking Taormina, we will take a tour with a focus on cinema visiting the villages made famous by the film “The Godfather.” Walking along the streets of this small town, besides breathtaking views, you will be able to admire the Durazzesco Arch and the Cathedral, the place chosen to set one of the most romantic scenes of The Godfather film, Michael Corleone's wedding. From the Panoramic 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 famous parts of 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 the Oscar-winning movie. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

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!
Services included
  • 7 overnight stays with breakfast in a 4* hotel
  • 7 dinners in a 4* hotel
  • Group transfers airport Catania-hotel and return (maximum waiting time 2 hours)
  • Group excursions: Etna, Syracuse, Agrigento, Palermo and Monreale, Erice and Marsala.
  • Tour leader and local multilingual guides in German and English
  • Multilingual local guides at the Valley of the Temples, in Palermo and Monreale, and in Erice and Marsala
  • Tasting of Sicilian products where indicated
The rate does not include
  • Tourist taxes
  • Lunches and all drinks during meals
  • Porterage and personal expenses
  • Tips for the guide and driver (optional)
  • Entrance tickets to monuments and archaeological sites
  • Everything not mentioned under "the rate includes"
Optional supplements
  • Private car transfer 1/2 pax €110 per trip

Optional excursions (min. 2 pax):

  • Boat Tour Taormina sea experience €45.00 per person
  • Taormina Walking Tour min. 12 pax €29.00 per person
  • Hop On Hop Off Godfather Tour €25.00 per person
Entrance fees to museums and archaeological parks
  • 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
Selected hotels
  • 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.

Important information
  • Rooms must be vacated by 10:00 AM. You can carry your luggage with you or leave it free of charge in your hotel's storage. Upon request and with an extra charge, it is possible to keep the room until late afternoon.
  • 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 result in 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 reserves 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 policy
  • Cancellations up to 120 days before departure with full refund
  • Cancellations from 119 to 15 days before departure, penalty of €50 per person
  • Cancellations from 14 to 8 days before departure, penalty of 30%
  • Cancellations from 7 to 4 days before departure, penalty of 50%
  • In case of cancellation within 3 days before departure, penalty of 100%
  • No refund is provided in case of no-show or voluntary interruption of an already started trip.