Sicilian Secrets - Tour of Sicily 10 days from Palermo

Individual arrival to the hotel in the charming city of Palermo (optional private transfer on request). Dinner on your own and overnight in hotel. 

After breakfast, visit of Monreale, a small town located near Palermo. Here you will visit the famous Norman-Arab Cathedral, renowned for its beautiful Byzantine mosaics, which entirely cover the interior walls. You will explore the Cloister, with its finely decorated columns. Proceeding on, depart for Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily, located at the foot of Monte Pellegrino. You will admire the majestic Cathedral, which combines different architectural styles, from Norman to Gothic, to Baroque, the Martorana Church, a perfect example of the fusion of Arab-Norman and Byzantine styles and the Cappella Palatina, an architectural jewel famous for its golden mosaics. Lunch in a local restaurant. Visit of the Teatro Massimo, famous for its majestic architecture, and the fountain in Pretoria Square, a masterpiece of the Renaissance. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Today visit of Cefalù, an enchanting seaside village known for its medieval charm and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. You will admire the majestic Cathedral, one of the greatest examples of Norman architecture in Sicily. Free time to walk through the streets of the city or, for those who wish, visit the Mandralisca Museum. Lunch stop in a local restaurant to taste the delicacies of Sicilian cuisine. Departure in the direction of Catania, a vibrant city rich in history, located at the foot of the majestic Volcano Etna. In Catania, the visit starts in its historic centre, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The late-baroque architecture of the city is made unique by the use of lava stone, which gives the buildings a dark colour. From Duomo Square, the beating heart of Catania, you will reach the Cathedral of Sant'Agata, dedicated to the patron saint of the city and the Lavica stone elephant, a symbol of the city. The tour continues to University Square, surrounded by elegant historic buildings, and then along Via dei Crociferi, one of the most beautiful and suggestive streets in Catania, famous for its baroque churches and monasteries. You will admire the S. Benedict Monastery Benedetto, made famous by the novel "Storia di una Capinera" by Giovanni Verga. Following, tasting in a historic bar in the centre, where you will taste the traditional “granita & brioche”. Overnight in hotel, free dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast in hotel. The first stop of the day is the "pescheria" in Catania, a traditional and lively fish market. Then, departure for Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, with its 3,350 meters high. The panorama is truly unique characterized by craters and lava flows! Its regional park extends over about 59,000 hectares, rich in biodiversity. You will reach the Rifugio Sapienza and from here you will explore the “Crateri Silvestri”, cones inactive since 1888. The view from here is extraordinary. Short break to taste the artisan honey and other local products. The day goes on to the charming Taormina, one of the pearls of Sicily. Once in the old town, lunch stops in a typical restaurant. Taormina is famous for its panoramic position on the sea, its elegant streets and its historical buildings. But the real jewel of the city is the Greco-Roman Theatre, one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Sicily that offers spectacular views of Mount Etna and the coast below. Free time to explore Taormina and to go shopping in the local boutiques and craft shops. Back in Catania for dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.

Free day. Dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.

Today visit of Syracuse, one of the most powerful and influential cities in the ancient world, rich in numerous archaeological and architectural treasures.  The first stop is the Archaeological Park of Neapolis. This extraordinary site hosts some of the most important ruins of ancient Syracuse. You will visit the magnificent Greek Theatre, famous for its splendid panoramic position, the Roman Amphitheater, the Latomies of Paradise and the Ear of Dionysius. The trip continues to Ortigia, the enchanting island that constitutes the historic centre of Syracuse. Here you will admire Piazza Duomo, the beating heart of the island, the splendid Cathedral, a building that combines elements from different eras, being built on the ruins of an ancient Greek temple and the famous Arethusa’s Fountain. Free lunch. In the afternoon, depart for Noto, a city famous for its extraordinary baroque architecture. The historic city centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a real gem to explore. You will admire the magnificent masterpieces of the eighteenth century. Free time to walk through the elegant streets. Transfer to Ragusa for dinner and overnight in hotel.

After breakfast in hotel, visit of Ragusa Ibla, the ancient heart of the city of Ragusa. Famous for its magnificent baroque palaces and the TV series "Il Commissario Montalbano", Ragusa Ibla hosts more than fifty churches that adorn its picturesque streets. You will walk through these architectural wonders, immersing yourself in the timeless atmosphere of this fascinating city. The tour continues to Modica, another pearl of the Sicilian baroque. You will have a stop in Sabadì, a chocolate shop where you can taste the internationally awarded chocolate, certified I.G.P. and Slow Food. Following, lunch break in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, depart for Piazza Armerina, where you will be waiting for one of the archaeological wonders of Sicily: the Villa Romana del Casale. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to the largest and best-preserved Roman mosaics in the world. Walking through the rooms of the villa, you will admire scenes of daily life, mythology and nature, told with extraordinary skill and vivid details. Transfer to Agrigento, dinner and overnight in hotel.

After breakfast, the tour will begin with a visit of the majestic Valley of the Temples where you will dive into the ancient history of Akragas, exploring the imposing ruins of the Greek temples. The first stop is the Temple of Juno, which stands majestically on the hill. Then, the Temple of Concord, one of the best-preserved Greek temples in the world and the Temple of Hercules, the oldest among those of the valley. Proceeding on and visit of Marsala, a city rich in history and traditions. Here, you will enjoy a pleasant walk through the streets of the old town, discovering characteristic corners and breathing in the authentic atmosphere of this charming city. In Marsala, you will visit the historic Florio Cellars. We will explore the giant vats of the 800, still used today to refine the famous Marsala wine and the three suggestive vats. Light lunch accompanied by the wines produced by the company. The trip continues along the Salt Road, a suggestive route rich in unique landscapes. You will reach the Stagnone Islands and the salt pans, among the oldest in the world. Here, you will admire the natural beauty of the salt pans, where salt is still collected using traditional methods. Transfer to Palermo, accommodation in hotel, free dinner and overnight.

After breakfast in hotel, arrival to Segesta, ancient Elymians colony dominated by a commanding and elegant solitary Doric temple. The wide hills dedicated to crop and pasture, and the few trees which space out the landscape are probably the same as thousands of years ago… The few recent houses built, in fact, do not interfere with the natural beauty of these places. Visit of both the temple and the theatre which were built in the III century b.C. and are located 400 meters above sea level. In the afternoon you will proceed towards Erice, ancient town founded by the Elyms, which is castled on Mt S. Giuliano at 751 meters of altitude. This is a fascinating ancient village with tiny and narrow streets, Medieval arches and Spanish style courtyards which will seduce you! Thanks to its elevated position you can enjoy a wonderful view: from one side the bay of Trapani, the salt pans and the Aegadian islands and from the other side the wide valley of Valderice, Custonaci and the hinterland countryside. You will visit Eryx city centre, its main cathedral and the Venere Castle. Accommodation in hotel in Palermo, dinner on your own and overnight.

Breakfast in hotel and end of services. Goodbye Sicily!

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