DAY 1: ARRIVAL
DAY 2: ETNA & TAORMINA
- Breakfast in the hotel. This day you can decide to visit Etna & Taormina.
Suggested itinerary: In the morning drive to Mt. Etna, the highest peak of Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe. The territory surrounding the volcano constitutes the “Park of Etna”, one of the largest protected areas in Italy: You will be astonished about the great variety of vegetation and landscapes that we will meet along the way before arriving at the “Silvestri Craters” (about 1.900 mt). From here on you will have the option to continue the excursion by jeep. We suggest you to make a stop at a local beekeeper to taste quality honey and have a wine tasting and to see how he is produced. In the afternoon visit of Taormina, situated on a plateau on the slopes of the steeply dropping Monte Tauro, dominating the Ionian coast from Capo Sant’Andrea to Capo Taormina. Possibility, to visit the Greek-Roman theatre, the 2nd largest classical theatre in Sicily. Re-entry in hotel. Overnight in hotel.
DAY 3: CATANIA
- After breakfast departure to Catania, a city lying on the slopes of Etna, rich in sumptuous and magnificent buildings.
Suggested itinerary: We suggest you to visit the typical fish market (closed Sunday) and to stroll around the city center which, for its historical and typical baroque buildings, has been proclaimed, together with the other towns of the Val di Noto, a World Heritage Site 'HUMANITY' by UNESCO. After visiting the city, continue to Syracuse, one of the most interesting sites on the island, where you can visit the Archaeological Park, famous for its Roman amphitheater, the Greek theater and the ear of Dionysus. Continue your visit by going to the island of Ortigia, the oldest part of the city, characteristic for its narrow alleys, for its sea views and for the wonderful square with its splendid cathedral. On to Ragusa/Syracuse and overnight.
DAY 4: MODICA & NOTO
- Breakfast in the hotel. This day you can decide to visit Modica and Noto.
Suggested itinerary: Today it will be possible to discover the less known part of Sicily, dominated by the sumptuous and majestic Baroque style of the buildings, characterized by the numerous UNESCO sites and also known for the television series of "Il Commissario Montalbano". Start your visit from the historic center of the city of Ragusa, "Ibla", characterized by the numerous baroque churches and palaces, as well as by the characteristic domes that dominate the city. Ragusa has become part of the Unesco list, with 18 sites declared World Heritage Sites. Continue to Modica, a UNESCO World Heritage city especially known for its chocolate as well as for its wonderful buildings. We advise you to wander through the alleys, always moving upwards, once you reach the highest part of the hill you can admire a wonderful panorama of the city. Continue your tour by going to Noto, included by UNESCO in the list of World Heritage Sites in 2002. Return to the hotel and overnight.
DAY 5: AGRIGENTO
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Breakfast at hotel. Today you will drive to Agrigento to discover the wonderful and well-known Valley of the temples where you can admire the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concordia (one of the best preserved Doric temples in the whole Greek world), the Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Castor and Pollux. Continue to Palermo where you will arrive in the late afternoon. Overnight in Palermo.
DAY 6: PALERMO & MONREALE
- Breakfast in the hotel. This day you can decide to visit Palermo & Monreale or stay in the beach in Mondello.
Suggested itinerary: Start your visit to this city that never ceases to amaze and which is like an ancient treasure chest that preserves priceless treasures, some of which have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start your walk on foot from the Cathedral (inside which the tombs of Emperor Frederick II and some Norman kings are kept), crossing a wonderful palm garden head towards the Royal Palace, also called Palazzo dei Normanni, seat of the Sicilian kings from the 11th to the 19th century; here you can admire some rooms in different styles and the Palatine Chapel, famous for its golden mosaics. Crossing Corso Vittorio Emanuele to the point where it meets Via Maqueda, it will be possible to admire the four city songs, an octagonal square whose four corners raise the convex facades of beautiful seventeenth-century buildings. Visit the popular "Il Capo" market, which looks like an Arab souk, where locals prefer to buy local food, in a mix of colors, flavors and smells and finally head to the Teatro Massimo. In the afternoon go to Monreale, a village 7 km away from Palermo, famous all over the world for its magnificent Cathedral in Arab-Norman style, part of the World Heritage Site (UNESCO), known for its 3,500 square meters of polychrome mosaics on golden background. Near the cathedral you can visit the cloister, with its 80 pairs of twin columns, each different from the others. Return to the hotel for overnight. We suggest you to discover the city with a tour in Ape, a typical local vehicle transport on three wheels, which will allow you, in a very folkloristic way, to admire many hidden corners of the ancient part of the city. Overnight in Palermo.
DAY 7: SEGESTA
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Breakfast at hotel. Today you will drive to Segesta, one of the most beautiful archeological sites of Sicily, where you should visit the Doric temple whose majestic appearance and dominating position bestows great nobility to the landscape. If you have time you can drive for a swimming to San Vito Lo Capo / Scopello (I suggest you to eat local food PANI CUNSATU) drive to to Palermo. Overnight in Palermo.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
- Breakfast at the hotel and departure. End of our services.
- Acireale/ Mascali Area: Wave Hotel, Orizzonte, King's House or similar (*)
- Syracuse/ Ragusa Area: Panorama Palace, Mediterraneo Palace or similar (*)
- Palermo Area : Astoria Palace, San Paolo Palace, B&B Villa Flora Mondello, B&B Le Muse or similar (*)
(*) It could happen and in case of problems the hotels indicated may be replaced with others of the same category located in the same towns or up to 30 km distance where will be possible to realize the program. The name of the hotel will be sent to you 21 days before the arrival.
- Each customer can independently choose whether to follow the suggested itinerary or create one based on their own needs. However, it is essential to follow the schedule related to the cities where overnight stays are planned.
- Parking at the hotel is not guaranteed, but it will be possible to find it nearby.
- 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 belongings, nor for damages caused by third parties or others such as floods, storms, landslides, earthquakes, political unrest, epidemics, terrorist attacks, strikes, etc.
The rate does not include:
- Tourist tax to be paid locally
- Lunches and dinners unless mentioned
- Tips and personal extras
- Porter service
- Fuel
- Highway tolls
- Parking fees
- Tickets for planes, ships, trains, or buses to reach the airport
- Entrance fees to monuments and archaeological parks
- Cinque Terre Card (1 day €115 per person)
- Anything not expressly indicated under "the rate includes".
