Classic Sicily

Upon arrival and after clearing Customs and Immigration meet our Representative who will assist you with transfer to your Hotel. (Driver only). In the evening you will meet our tour-leader and your travel companions and enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight in Catania.

After breakfast in the hotel, you will visit Syracuse, the most beautiful and greatest Greek colony in Sicily and a World Heritage Site. The visit will start with the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, with its Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Latomie of Paradise and the Ear of Dionysius. We will continue visiting the splendid Ortigia, a small island which is the historical center of Syracuse.
In Ortigia, you will admire the beautiful Cathedral which dominates the square with its authoritative presence but gives no hint that this building was once a Doric temple. From Piazza Duomo, you will reach a wide terrace on the waterfront surrounding the famous Arethusa's Fountain, one of the most famous fresh-water sources of the Greek world. Free time for lunch. Departure to Noto, the capital of Sicilian Baroque and declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inspired by Baroque ideals of "open city," Noto is a rare masterpiece and the clearest example of theatrical tastes in 18th-century architecture whose local limestone has been burnt gold by the sun. Noto's Baroque is, in fact, a game of elegant curves, floral weaves, perspective views palaces and gardens, capitals and ornaments that adorn the facades of churches and monasteries. We will visit Palazzo Nicolaci Villadorata, beautiful, noble residence in Baroque style. Transfer to Ragusa for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast explore the City of Ragusa Ibla its historical center is the cradle of Sicilian Baroque, with its Cathedral, situated in the beautiful square of the Dome and the "Giardino Ibleo." This little precious ancient city hosts more than 50 churches and many Baroque architectural treasures. Tour continues to the historic Town of Modica chest of innumerable Baroque architectural treasures and for this reason stated UNESCO World Heritage Site. At Lunch time savor some local delicacies under the shadow of the famous Gli Orti di San Giorgio Gardens. Continue to the Town Piazza Armerina where we will admire the splendid polychrome mosaics of the famous Villa Romana del Casale, a World Heritage Site. This majestic villa host prestigious mosaics that represent mythological and historical episodes. Travel to Agrigento for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast time to discover the town of Agrigento and visit of the Valley of the Temples stated World Heritage Site, where among hundreds of almond trees, the rests of the ancient Akragas rise. Admire the Giunone, Concordia, and Ercole Temples. Continue to the Town of Marsala in whose port Garibaldi landed in 1860. Visit the prestigious Florio Wine Cellars where you enjoy a delicious lunch and wine tasting. Next, travel along the charming and well-known Salt Road to the Stagnone Nature Reserve, the west coast of Sicily with many salt marshes, which have given rise to one of the oldest salt-extracting industries in the world. Overnight in Palermo.

After breakfast in the hotel, the morning will be spent visiting the Town of Monreale, its vast Norman Cathedral, proclaimed the Eighth Wonder of the World, and its beautiful Cloister in Arab-Norman style. Later you will discover the stunning Palermo, one of the richest towns in the Island for its history and art. Palermo stands on a bay at the foot of Mt Pellegrino. You will visit the beautiful Arab-Norman Cathedral, the astonishing Martorana Church and the fantastic Cappella Palatina, an admirable example from a historical and an artistic point of view, of how different cultures, religions, and ways of thinking can coexist. Along the visiting day, we will have a stop for a food surprise in the famous Antica Focacceria San Francesco. Overnight in Palermo.

After breakfast depart for Cefalù, a charming Medieval town situated on the northern coast of Sicily. We will visit it's stunning Norman Dome, and you will have free time to stroll through the Town or to visit the famous and well-known Mandralisca Museum. Continue with a visit the historical center of Catania a stated UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its original Baroque style and its unique streets built with black lava stone. Stop by a well-known bar in the City Centre and taste the typical "Granita & Brioche". Overnight in Catania.

After breakfast depart for a visit to Mount Etna; along the way stop by "The Pescheria" (Catania's ancient fish market), visit Mount Etna, the highest (c. 3350m) volcano in Europe and one of the largest and most active in the world, nowadays a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its regional park protects 59.000 hectares of unique geology, flora and fauna, villages and farms. Views of stunning landscapes will amaze you heading to Rifugio Sapienza. We will reach the "Crateri Silvestri," small volcanic cones now inactive, surrounded by ancient lava flows. The view beyond the mountain's hundreds of subsidiary cones and craters can extend across the whole of Sicily, the Aeolian islands and Calabria. Later we will visit a company of beekeeping: visit of the honey extraction lab, tasting of homemade honey and typical products of the area. We will proceed to Taormina, a charming town renowned for its magnificent position above the sea commanding a celebrated view of Mt Etna. The day will end with an overview of the beautiful Riviera Dei Ciclopi; return to Catania for overnight.