Taste and Discover Sicily 8 Day Cultural Tour from Palermo

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1PALERMO⌄

   Morning arrival in Palermo and free transfer to hotel in or around Palermo. Late morning departure for Palermo, lunch of street food and after lunch guided tour of the city, one of the richest in history and art where the Arab and Norman dominations have left very interesting marks: we will visit the Cathedral of Monreale with its adjoining cloister, the Cathedral of Palermo, and the historic center. Possibility to visit the Palatine Chapel inside the Norman Palace. Free dinner in case of overnight stay in central hotel. Overnight stay in hotel.

   Meals: Lunch

   Overnight: Accomodation at Hotel Palermo Cristal **** or Hotel Quintocanto **** or Hotel CDS Terrasini **** or similar

2. 2PALERMO/ CEFALU’ / PIAZZA ARMERINA/CATANIA⌄

   Breakfast and departure for Cefalù. Visit the picturesque town that stands at the foot of a high and imposing cliff. Full of alleyways to discover and maritime views, it glories in the ancient Cathedral, one of the most beautiful Sicilian churches of the Norman period. Lunch in a restaurant.

   After lunch we will continue to the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, famous for its splendid Roman-era mosaics depicting life as it was in ancient Roman times. In the evening, arrival in or around Catania and hotel accommodation. Free dinner and overnight stay.

   Meals: Lunch

   Overnight: Accomodation at Il Principe Hotel 4* or 20miglia Boutique Hotel 4* - or similar

3. 3CATANIA⌄

   Free morning. In the afternoon, meet with the guide and visit the Riviera dei Ciclopi: Acitrezza and Acicastello, rich in legends that owe their mythical origin to the Odyssey. We will continue to Catania where we will do a street food tour of the city: Piazza Duomo with the Baroque-style Cathedral, the city symbol the Elephant in lava stone, Piazza Università, Via Etnea, Via Crociferi, Castello Ursino. During the visit, gastronomic stops: lemon and salt seltzer, fried fish cup, arancini, granita, almond paste. Return to hotel for overnight stay

   Meals: Dinner

   Overnight: Accomodation at Il Principe Hotel 4* or 20miglia Boutique Hotel 4* - or similar

4. 4CATANIA/ETNA/TAORMINA/CATANIA⌄

   Breakfast and departure to reach Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. Along the way you will be able to admire the olive groves and citrus orchards typical of the area, until you reach an altitude of 2,000 meters, where you will enjoy a splendid panorama of all of Sicily. Walk on the spectacular Crateri Silvestri, small volcanic cones that have been extinct for a century, surrounded by lavas from the latest eruptions. Typical lunch in a restaurant on Mount Etna.

   After lunch, departure for Taormina. Arrival in Taormina, known as “the pearl of the Mediterranean,” and walk through the narrow streets of the quaint town of Taormina, stopping at the belvedere to admire the view. Possibility to visit the Greek Theater of rare beauty for its panoramic position. In the afternoon return to the hotel. Free dinner and overnight stay.

   Meals: Lunch

   Overnight: Accomodation at Il Principe Hotel 4* or 20miglia Boutique Hotel 4* - or similar

5. 5CATANIA/ SIRACUSA/NOTO/ RAGUSA⌄

   In the morning is a visit to the city of Syracuse (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the most beautiful and largest Greek colony in Sicily. We will visit the Neapolis Archaeological Park with the Greek Theater, the Roman Amphitheater, the Ear of Dionysius (with acoustics that produce extraordinary effects) and the Latomie. We will then continue to Ortigia, with the famous Fountain of Arethusa, the splendid Cathedral, and the Temple of Apollo. Lunch in a restaurant

   on to Noto, among the most famous Baroque centers in Sicily, (UNESCO World Heritage Site), best known for its splendid cathedral recently restored after the earthquake of the 1990s. Tasting of typical local products, including chocolate from Modica. In the evening arrival in Ragusa. Free dinner and overnight stay.

   Meals: Lunch

   Overnight: Accomodation at San Giorgio Palace Hotel **** or Mediterraneo Palace**** or similar

6. 6RAGUSA/AGRIGENTO⌄

   In the morning visit of the baroque city of Ragusa Ibla (Unesco World Heritage Site), rich in architectural and treasures become famous for the famous Italian crime fiction "Il Commissario Montalbano". After the visit, Lunch with typical local products and wine tasting in a winery in the Ragusa area.

   In the afternoon we will reach Agrigento to visit the Valley of the Temples: the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Hercules, the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Castor and Pollux. In the evening accommodation in hotel near Selinunte or Agrigento. Dinner at leisure if the hotel is in Agrigento. Overnight at the hotel.

   Meals: Lunch

   Overnight: Accomodation at Admeto Palace Hotel **** or Hotel Della Valle **** or Hotel Colleverde **** or similar

7. 7SELINUNTE / VIA DEL SALE/ ERICE /PALERMO⌄

   After breakfast drive to Selinunte to visit the famous archaeological site (optional visit) or free time to go on the beach of Marinella di Selinunte

   Continue to Trapani, where crossing the so-called "Salt Road", you can admire the incredible landscape of dazzling salt pans, dotted with windmills. Typical lunch along the way.

   In the afternoon visit of Erice, a charming medieval village, situated 750 meters high, where you can also taste the typical sweets. In the evening arrival in Palermo or surrounding and accommodation in the hotel. Dinner at leisure if the hotel is in the city center. Overnight in the hotel.

   Meals: Lunch

   Overnight: Accomodation at Hotel Palermo Cristal **** or Hotel Quintocanto **** or Hotel CDS Terrasini **** or similar

8. 8PALERMO - END OF SERVICES⌄

   Breakfast at the hotel and end of the tour.