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Price
Euro 1750 (double occupancy)
Euro 1990 (single occupancy)
Tour
type deluxe escorted tour. English speaking only. The tour will be escorted
by a driver guide from 2 to 5 participants. Driver, tour director and Local guides
will be provided from 6 to 15 participants Duration
8 days/ 7 nights - Palermo (3 nights) Leonforte/Enna (1 nights) Taormina (3 nights)
Destination Sicily Activities
Sightseeing. Cultural tour. Wine and typical food tasting Hotels
(may be replaced with same category) Palermo: Hotel Plaza Opera Leonforte:
Villa Gussio Nicoletti Taormina Hotel Villa Angela
Highlights
Palermo, Monreale, Marsala winery, Fontanasalsa olive oil farm, Saltpans, Enna's
Lombardia Castke, Roman Villa at Piazza Armerina, Agrigento's Valley of the Temples,
Caltagirone ceramics, Siracusa, Taormina Renowned Mediterranean resort, Etna Highest
active Volcano of Europe, Santa Venerina Winery Season
May, June, September and October departures | | |
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Day 1 (Saturday)
Arrival in Palermo
You are greeted at Palermo airport and transferred
to your hotel. Late in the afternoon after an orientation talk by your tour director,
enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel.
(Dinner included)
Day 2 (Sunday) Palermo, Monreale
After breakfast, your local guide
will show you where the Arab-Norman art and architecture reached the pinnacle
of its glory with the Monreale Duomo, built in 1174 by William II.
Then, on to the Palatine Chapel in Palermo, which was the
crowning architectural achievement of his grandfather Roger II. See Piazza Pretoria,
Santa Caterina and San Giuseppe dei Teatini, Via Maqueda with its "four
corners": a quartet of baroque palaces left over from the heyday of Spanish
rule dating from 1560. Then, we visit the Cathedral with various style
built through Islamic. Arab- Norman domination. In the afternoon time at leisure
to explore the town on your own or optional excursion to Cefalù
(Euro 60 per person)
(Breakfast included) Day
3 (Monday) Palermo - Erice - Trapani - Marsala - Palermo
The
mediaeval town of Erice was settled by the Elymians and was an important
religious site associated with goddesses of fertility. Wander through its' ancient
streets and visit some of the famous home-made pastry-shops, world-famous for
marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastries.
Then, on to an olive oil press and farmhouse for a light lunch. In the afternoon,
we drive along the Salt road with its windmills and saltpans where the
ancient traditon of harvesting salt from the sea is still alive. Upon arrival
in Marsala, we visit a local winery’s cellar and taste Sicilian wines. Later,
we will get back to Palermo
(Breakfast and lunch included) Day
4 (Tuesday) Palermo - Agrigento - Piazza Armerina - Leonforte (Enna)
Today's' drive
across the vast countryside enables us to enjoy Sicily's great variety of sceneries.
Upon arrival in Agrigento, whose history dates back to 6th century B.C.,
guided tour of the Valley of the Temples, a magnificent cluster of Greek
ruins overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Later, we'll drive to afternoon we continue
to Piazza Armerina to see the ruins of a Roman Villa of Casale.
The mosaics discovered here are celebrated among scholars of antiquity. Our final
destination is Leonforte near Enna. The region boasts a rich production of wheat,
citrus fruits, olive oil. Tonight, we lodge in the green heart of Sicily at Villa
Gussio, a typical Sicilian old-country hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
(Breakfast
and dinner included)
N.B. The Roman Villa of Casale in Piazza Armerina is
now closed for renovation. Iif works will still be going we will visit another
site. Day 5
(Wednesday) Leonfonte – Siracusa - Taormina
Departure to Syracuse,
once the most important rival of Athens, founded by settlers from Corinth in 735
B.C. Upon arrival, we walk on Ortygia, a small islet that is Siracusa's
city centre. In the afternoon, guided tour of the archaeological area: see the
Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Paradise
Quarry. Then, we will drive along the coast to Taormina, the world
famous resort of Sicily with its views and atmosphere.
(Breakfast and dinner included) Day
6 (Thursday) Syracuse - Mt Etna winery - Taormina
A short drive takes
us to the slopes of Mt. Etna. Weather and volcanic conditions permitting,
we experience the lava fields and incredible view of Europe's highest and most
active volcano. Those interested in experiencing the Etna craters will have the
option to purchase cable car tickets on the spot (weather and volcanic conditions
permitting) to experience the lava fields and incredible landscape view from Europe’s
highest and most active volcano on their own. Then, on to a winery and farmhouse.
This estate also produces olive oil, grappa, sparkling wine and home-made food.
We indulge in a typical lunch at the farmhouse. In the afternoon, we return to
Taormina and time at leisure. Farewell
dinner at a local restaurant.
(Breakfast,
lunch and dinner included)
Day 7: (Friday) Taormina
Day at leisure. Optional Taormina Gourmet
cooking course (Euro 110 per person)
(Breakfast
included)
Day 8: (Saturday) Catania departure
Transfer to Catania airport for
departure.
(Breakfast included)
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