1st Day Catania

Arrival at the airport. Meeting with your English speaking escort, accommodation in a private bus and transfer to Taormina. Accommodation in Hotel dinner and overnight stay in Taormina.

2nd Etna Tour with Jeep and visit to Cantina Gambino

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, is one of the largest and most beautiful destinations in Sicily. Famous and fascinating not only for its volcanic phenomena, but also for its breathtaking views and the different types of vegetation visible during the climb. The main points, scene of past and recent eruptions, will be traveled in complete safety, discovering the traditions, flavors and smells that arise from the slopes. At the end of the tour we will visit the Gambino Winery. The unique climatic and soil conditions determine the typicality of Etna grapes and wine. At the highest altitudes, temperature variations between day and night allow a phenol and aromatic maturation that is essential for the color and flavor of red grapes and the aroma of white wines. Lunch and wine tasting. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay in Taormina.

3rd Day Taormina

Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting with the guide and visit of Taormina. The historic city was founded by the Siculi around 1300 BC. It was later used by the Greeks and Romans. Here we visit the Greco-Roman amphitheater, the Cathedral of Taormina, the Piccolo Teatro Odeon, the Palazzo Corvaia and we can take a walk on Corso Umberto. The guided tour will last about 3 hours. Lunch and half a day free for shopping. Dinner and overnight stay in Taormina.

4th Day Syracuse – Noto

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Syracuse. Visit the Archaeological Park of Neapolis (Greek Theater, Roman Amphitheater, Latomie and “Ear of Dionysius”) and the historic center of Ortigia, where you will be enchanted by the splendid Piazza Duomo and its Baroque Cathedral that in the past was a Greek temple in Doric style. Afterwards, along the delightful streets of the center, you will admire the famous Aretusa fountain, located in front of the Porto Grande. Lunch in a restaurant and continue to Noto, the capital of Sicilian Baroque, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Along its main axis it will be possible to admire the palaces, convents and churches that characterize the historic center, among which the Cathedral, Palazzo Nicolaci Villadorata and Palazzo Ducezio stand out. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay in Syracuse.

5th Day Piazza Armerina – Agrigento

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Piazza Armerina, known worldwide for the mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch at a restaurant and continuation to Agrigento to visit the Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where among a vast expanse of almond trees (which bloom in February) stand the remains of ancient Akragas, defined by Pindar as “the most beautiful city of mortals”. You can admire the temples of Juno, Concordia, Hercules and Zeus. Accommodation in the hotel, dinner and overnight stay in Agrigento.

6th Day Sant’Angelo Muxaro

After breakfast, we will leave to reach the Agrigento hinterland, where on a solitary hill located in the center of the Platani river valley, overlooks the village of Sant’Angelo Muxaro (the ancient Kamikos, famous for the myth of Daedalus and Minos). Here you will meet your local guide, who will accompany you inside the historic center for a visit to the archaeological museum, the dairy and the old bakery (where you can taste the sfincione, the typical Sicilian pizza topped with pecorino cheese, olive oil, sardines, onion, oregano). Lunch with the family inside a characteristic courtyard. Return to the hotel for a short moment of relaxation and subsequent transfer to Agrigento, for a guided walk of the historic center. Dinner in a restaurant, return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Agrigento.

7th Day Segesta – Palermo

After breakfast, settle into the private bus and transfer to Segesta, one of the most evocative places in all of Sicily, located on Mount Barbaro, about 400 meters above sea level, founded by the Elimi. The fame of Segesta is undoubtedly linked above all to the famous Doric temple, and, on the highest peak of Mount Barbaro there is the Theater oriented to the north, in the direction of the Gulf of Castellammare. After the visit to Segesta, continue to Palermo, arrival at the hotel, accommodation in the room and lunch. Later in the afternoon, a local guide will take you on a tour of Palermo. The city was founded by the Phoenicians between the 7th and 8th centuries BC. In 831 it was conquered by the Arabs and owes all its glory and success to them. The city’s wide avenues, the traditional Sicilian historic center and the baroque palaces will enchant you. We will visit the main tourist attractions of the city, including the Norman section, the Quattro Canti, a baroque square (the four corners of the city), the Palatine Chapel and the 12th century Palermo Cathedral. In the evening, return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay in Palermo.

8th Day Monreale and Sellier de la Tour Estate

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to nearby Monreale where we will visit the imposing Arab-Norman Cathedral (famous for the rich Byzantine mosaics that decorate its interior) and its splendid Cloister, masterpieces of art. After the visit we will go to the Sellier de la Tour Estate. The estate belongs to the Tasca d’Almerita family and is located in the Monreale-Camporeale area. The estate extends for about 135 hectares, in the ancient Jato valley, in the DOC Monreale area. Its origins date back to the dawn of Sicilian viticulture in the second half of the 19th century. The Tasca family will host us for lunch where we will share their history giving us a taste of delicious wine and authentic Sicilian cuisine. Lunch with wine tasting and visit to the Estate and the cellar. After lunch return to Palermo and free afternoon for shopping. In the evening dinner and overnight stay in Palermo.

9th Day Palermo

Palermo Airport

THE PRICE INCLUDES:

• Multilingual authorized escort for the entire tour
• GT bus or minibus for groups of less than 25 people
• 5 * Hotels in Taormina and Palermo
• 4 * hotels in Agrigento and Syracuse
• 8 nights accommodation, lunches and dinners, drinks included for the entire tour as per program
• Guided tours of archaeological and monumental sites as per program
• tourist taxes.

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

Tips and extras in general. Anything not expressly indicated in the “price includes” section.