8 Days Italy Sicily Sun

8 Days tour to - Catania, Taormina, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Palermo, Marsala, Erice, Segesta, Monreale,
Etna, Syracuse & Aeolian Island


Day 1 - Saturday

TAORMINA, SICILY

Arrive at Catania Airport. After having collected your luggage, group transfer to your hotel in Catania/Taormina area. On this day there are no planned activities, so check into our hotel (the rooms will be ready after 14:00) and enjoy the city. At the hotel reception you will find information. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.


Day 2 - Sunday

Day 2 - Sunday

DAY AT LEISURE OR OPTIONAL HALF DAY TOUR

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and after you are free to relax and explore the city or go for a swim on the beach on your own or opt to join our half day excursion Undiscovered SicilyDeparture to Castiglione di Sicilia, a small medieval town also known as the "wine city", where we you can admire Its legendary castle, rich palaces and churches. "Cannizzu" - a lookout tower split in two after being hit by lightning - is really impressive. Santa Domenica's Church is also worth a visit; it is a rare, valuable example of Byzantine domed building of the seventh century. Then we discover Francavilla di Sicilia, a stunning town in the Alcantara valley, where a violent battle occurred between the Spaniards and Austrians in the 16th Century. Here we will also visit the Capucin Monastery (entrance fee not included), founded in the 16th Century. After having tasted some local food and wine, we then head to the Alcantara Gorges (Gole dell'Alcantara). The water in the river is always cool, it attracts hundreds wishing to take a refreshing dip on hot summer days. To get down into the gorge you can either take the stairs or there is an elevator (entrance fee not included) that will whisk you down the 50 meters to the river. The small beach area is great for getting your feet wet, sunbathing, or if you desire to jump in there are areas you can dive in. Reboard the coach at 15:30 and head back to the hotel.

Breakfast, Dinner and overnight in Taormina.


Day 3 - Monday

Day 3 - Monday

MOUNT ETNA

Today we embark on an adventure tour to the 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 and cableway (extra cost). After having tasted some local Sicilian specialty, departure to Taormina. As you walk and discover the amazing town of Taormina, you will see beautiful old buildings, including the 15th- century Palazzo Corvaja and an ancient Greek Roman theatre the 2nd largest classical theatre in Sicily (Admission fee is not included). Discover the medieval area of the town with its narrow strest and old shops.

Breakfast, Dinner and overnight in Taormina


Day 4 - Tuesday

Day 4 - Tuesday

CATANIA / SIRACUSA

This morning we will departure to Catania by bus for a walking tour through the streets into Catania's UNESCO-listed historical center with its Baroque palazzi and amazing monuments. Before hopping on the bus, visit of the open-air fish market, famous for its particular colors. Continuation to Syracuse, one of the most interesting archaeological sites of the island with its Archeological Park , the Roman Amphitheatre, the Greek Theatre, the Ear of Dionysus, the Cave of the Cordari, Island of Ortigia, the most ancient nucleus of the city with its stunning cathedral (entrance fees are not included) and enjoy a Tasting of Sicilian speciality.

Breakfast, Dinner and overnight in Taormina


Day 5 - Wednesday

Day 5 - Wednesday

AGRIGENTO / PALERMO

Breakfast Meeting with Tour escort and departure to Agrigento. Stop in Piazza Armerina where you will have a short break for tasting some typical Sicilian food, You will visit the Villa Romana del Casale, famous for the most beautiful collection of late-Roman mosaics. On to Agrigento where you will visit the Temples' Valley, including the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concorde (one of the best preserved Doric temples in the whole Greek world), the Temple of Hercules, the Temple of Castor and Pollux.

Breakfast, Dinner and overnight in Palermo


Day 6 - Thursday

Day 6 - Thursday

LO STAGNONE OF MARSALA / ERICE / SEGESTA

Breakfast in the hotel Departure to Marsala, famous because of the salt works (foto stop) and the production of wine. Stop in The Riserva dello Stagnone is a magical place, with a striking natural landscape of rare beauty for its white salt pans with windmills. On to Erice, the medieval town on the summit of Monte San Giuliano. Here you can admire the Norman Castle (exterior) and the Cathedral. In the meantime you will have a stop at a confectionery to taste the typical almond pastry of Erice. On 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. On to Palermo and you can have a fantastic view of the surrounding area.

Breakfast, Dinner and overnight in Palermo


Day 7 - Friday

Day 7 - Friday

HIGHLIGHTS OF PALERMO

In the morning visit of Palermo, the Royal Palace and Cathedral. Enjoy a walking tour of Sicily's capital, teeming with impressive art and ruins, Byzantine buildings and Baroque churches. You will also visit Piazza Pretoria, The Martorana Church (from outside), "I Quattro canti", Via Maqueda, Politeama Theatre (from outside). Continue to Teatro Massimo (from outside), the opera house. Stop for a taste of an Arancina ,sicilian speciality! Continue to Monreale, a lovely town on the slopes of Monte Caputo overlooking Palermo. Monreale was named for the once numerous citrus orchards that dotted the fertile La Conca d'Oro valley below. Walk with your guide to Monreale Cathedral, considered one of the finest Norman constructions in the world. Entrance fees not included.

Breakfast, Dinner and overnight in Taormina


Day 8 - Saturday

Day 8 - Saturday

TAORMINA - DEPART CATANIA AIRPORT

After breakfast in the hotel, check out at 10:00am and transfer to Catania airport for your flight back home. End of our service.


Included Services:

  • Sharing Transfers on arrival & departure
  • 7 Nights Accommodation 
    • 5 night in Taormina Area
    • 2 nights in Palermo
  • Daily Breakfast
  • Daily Dinners
  • Touring days in a Deluxe air-conditioned motor coach as per itinerary
  • Professional licensed English speaking guide
  • Local guide in Villa Romana del Casale, Valley of Temples, Syracuse, Palermo and Monreale
  • Tasting of Sicilian products and wine in Siracuse, Etna, Piazza Armerina, Erice, Palermo

 

Not included services:

  • Airfare & Departure taxes
  • Tips to guide/driver & hotel staff
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal extras, drinks and meals not mentioned above
  • Entrance fees to monuments and archaeological sites

 

*For entrance fees Valle Templi, Villa Romana del Casale, Segesta, Cappella Palatina, Cattedrale di Palermo e di Monreale including headphones, Teatro greco Taormina , Parco Archeologico di Siracusa total € 100,00