Sicilian Secrets - Tour of Sicily 10 days Catania/Taormina

Individual arrival to your hotel in Catania (optional private transfer on request). Dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.

Breakfast in hotel and departure for Syracuse, a city declared World Heritage by UNESCO. The visit will start with the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, an area that contains extraordinary testimonies of the Greek and Roman civilizations. Here you will admire the majestic Greek Theatre, one of the largest and best preserved in the ancient world. The tour continues with the Roman Amphitheatre, the Latomies of Paradise and the Ear of Dionysus. The day goes on to the fascinating Ortigia, the island that constitutes the historic centre of Syracuse. Here, every corner tells centuries of history, with its picturesque streets and elegant monuments. You will admire the Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece that stands on the ruins of an ancient Greek temple, representing a perfect blend of different eras and styles. The walk continues to the Arethusa’s Fountain, a freshwater spring surrounded by papyrus. Free lunch. In the afternoon, depart for Noto, a city renowned for its architectural masterpieces of the eighteenth century, representative of the Sicilian baroque style. You will be enchanted by the beauty of the churches and palaces. Free time to explore the city. Transfer to Ragusa for dinner and overnight in hotel.

After breakfast in hotel, visit of the beautiful Ragusa Ibla and its Sicilian Baroque. It houses more than fifty churches and numerous baroque palaces. The city, famous for being the set of the television series Commissario Montalbano, is one of the 44 Italian sites that UNESCO has declared a World Heritage Site. Departure towards Modica, another pearl of the Sicilian baroque. The first stop will be the tasting at Sabadì, internationally renowned for its unique chocolate, I.G.P. certified and Slow Food praesidium. Following, lunch break in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, depart for Piazza Armerina, where you will visit the Villa Romana del Casale, one of the most important and best-preserved examples of a Roman villa in the world. The splendid mosaics that decorate its floors are a real wonder and tell scenes of everyday life, mythology and nature with vivacity and surprising detail. Transfer to Agrigento for dinner and overnight in hotel.

The day starts with a visit of the extraordinary Valley of the Temples, one of the most extensive and best-preserved archaeological sites of Sicily. You will admire the timeless charm of the ruins of the ancient city of Akragas. You will be fascinated by the Temple of Juno, a majestic example of Doric architecture overlooking the hill and the Temple of Concord, which is one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world. Finally, the Temple of Hercules, one of the oldest in the valley. Proceeding on and departure towards Marsala, a city rich in history and enological tradition. Known for the landing of Garibaldi in 1860, The city is rich in noble palaces, monuments and imposing churches in baroque style. After a walk through the streets of Marsala, the tour continues with an exclusive visit of the historic Florio Cellars. In this suggestive tour, you will explore the giant vats of the 800s, still used to refine the famous Marsala wine. Light lunch accompanied by wines produced by the company. Then, you will walk along the Salt Road, a scenic road that leads us through breathtaking landscapes, among windmills. You will admire the Stagnone Islands and salt pans, among the oldest in the world, and observe the natural beauty of the salt pans, where salt is still gathered using traditional ways. Transfer to Palermo, accommodation in hotel, free dinner and overnight.

Breakfast and visit of Monreale, home to one of the greatest masterpieces of Arab-Norman art: the Cathedral of Monreale, defined as the eighth wonder of the world. Next to it, you will visit the Cloister, renowned for its decorated columns and precious stone inlays. The tour continues to Palermo, a city at the foot of Monte Pellegrino. Palermo is a real treasure trove of Arab-Norman treasures. The visit begins with the Cathedral, whose beauty and complexity will leave you speechless. You will continue with the Martorana Church, famous for its Byzantine mosaics, and the Cappella Palatina, located inside the Normans Palace. Lunch break to enjoy local products. Proceeding on with a walk in the historic centre of Palermo, admiring the Teatro Massimo, one of the largest opera houses in Europe, and the fountain in Pretoria Square, one of the most beautiful and scenic fountains in Palermo. The day ends with a free dinner and overnight in hotel.

After breakfast in hotel, depart for Cefalù, an enchanting seaside village overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. You will visit the Norman Cathedral, an architectural jewel with its Byzantine mosaics. Free time to walk through the streets of Cefalù. For those who wish, visit the Mandralisca Museum. Lunch stop in a local restaurant to taste the delicacies of Sicilian cuisine. The day goes on to the charming Catania, a city rich in history and culture, located at the foot of Etna. Here, you will explore the historic centre, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is unique for its late-baroque architecture characterized by the dark color of the lava stone. The first stop is Duomo Square, the beating heart of Catania. Here you will admire the Cathedral of Sant'Agata, an imposing baroque structure dedicated to the patron saint of the city. In the centre of the square, you will find the iconic Lavica Stone Elephant, a symbol of Catania. The visit continues to University Square, surrounded by elegant historical buildings, and walk along Via dei Crociferi, one of the most beautiful streets in the city, famous for its baroque churches and monasteries, such as the famous S. Benedict Monastery, a monastic complex of extraordinary beauty. Break in a historic bar to enjoy the traditional “granita & brioche”. Dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.

The day begins with breakfast in hotel. The first stop is the “pescheria”, the famous fish market of Catania, immersed in an authentic atmosphere that characterizes this place. Departure for Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe and one of the most fascinating in the world. The Etna Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers an extraordinary landscape made of lava flows, craters and rich biodiversity. You will reach the Rifugio Sapienza, in which there will be the first breathtaking views of Mount Etna. From here, you will explore the “Crateri Silvestri”, inactive cones with a suggestive landscape. At the end of the visit, you will have a delicious tasting of artisanal honey and other local products. The tour continues in Taormina, one of the most fascinating destinations in Sicily. Lunch stop in a restaurant in the historic centre. Next, visit the Greco-Roman Theatre, which offers a spectacular view of the Gulf of Naxos and a tangible testimony to the rich cultural history of the region. Free time is available to explore Taormina or to go shopping in the local boutiques and craft shops. Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, departure for Castelmola, near Taormina, with a wonderful landscape over the Ionian Sea. It is a small village characterized by narrow medieval alleys, little squares and ancient churches, officially recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. You will visit the highest point, having a nice walk from the main square, Piazza Sant'Antonino, decorated with an extraordinary mosaic in local white stone and lava stone, up to the ruins of the Castello di Mola, of Greek-Byzantine origin. Proceeding on, the excursion will continue to Savoca, also one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and located over a rocky hill. Savoca treasures vestiges of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque origins in its territory. You will visit the famous open-air set of the famous movie "The Godfather" by Francis Ford Coppola, walking through the delightful alleys and lingering in front of the famous "Vitelli" bar. You could imagine yourself as being in one of the most famous scenes of the film, when the character played by Al Pacino meets the father of the future bride and asks Apollonia's hand. Continuing on you will reach the church of Santa Lucia, chosen to shoot the wedding scene. Return to Taormina and free afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, free day in Taormina, defined by Goethe as the "paradise on earth". You can enjoy the Medieval village visiting its historical monuments, or doing shopping buying some of the local handicraft products. As an alternative you can relax by the sea and enjoy the colors and scents of its Mediterranean vegetation... We suggest to visit Isola Bella, one of the most enchanting beaches in Sicily, also called the "Pearl of the Mediterranean" thanks to its particular location and vegetation: a perfect mix of tropical plants and local flora! Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Breakfast in hotel and end of services. Goodbye Sicily!

For organizational reasons or due to force majeure the itinerary may be modified