Sicilian Secrets 2020 – Tour of Sicily 9 Days

Guided Tour Palermo/Palermo – 9 days / 8 nights itinerary. Overnights in 4* hotel in half board basis, departures every Tuesday from March 24th to November 3rd.

Day 1 – Tuesday: PALERMO (hotel in Palermo)

Sicilian Secrets Tour of Siciliy 9 days provides independent arrival at the hotel in the charming city of Palermo (optional private transfer on request) and meet with our tour-leader. Dinner and overnights in hotel.

Day 2 – Wednesday: MONREALE – PALERMO (hotel in Palermo)

After breakfast in hotel, in the morning, first we will go to Monreale, its huge Norman Cathedral and its Cloister in Arab-Norman style. Later we will discover Palermo, one of the richest towns in the Island for its history and art. In addition we will visit the Arab-Norman Cathedral, the Martorana Church and the Cappella Palatina. So we will have a stop for a food surprise in a local bakery. Free time for lunch. Then continuing our walk we will admire the Teatro Massimo and the fountain in Pretoria Square. Additionally in the afternoon we will continue to Marsala in whose port Garibaldi landed in 1860. Visit of a prestigious wine cellar and wine tasting. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 3 – Thursday: MARSALA – SALINE – AGRIGENTO (hotel in Agrigento)

This morning the tour will continue to Marsala. We will discover the city center. The guided tour of Florio Cellars is a journey that begins in front of the majestic giant vats, built as the end of the 19th century and still used for the refinement of marsala. After the tour, you reach the avant-garde tasting rooms, where we stop for lunch and for a wine tasting. Then we will proceed to visit the popular Saline. The Salt Road is now protected, in part because of the interesting birdlife, and also as important sites of industrial archaeology. Transfer to Agrigento and visit of the Valley of the Temples. So you will see the “Temple of Hera”, the “Temple of Concordia” and the “Temple of Heracles”. Accomodation in hotel. Then dinner and overnight.

Day 4 -Friday: PIAZZA ARMERINA-RAGUSA IBLA (hotel in Catania)

Today we will go to Piazza Armerina  where we will admire the splendid polychrome mosaics of the famous Villa Romana del Casale. This majestic villa, belonged to a member of the Roman Senatorial aristocracy. After free time for lunch, departure to Ragusa Ibla and visit of its historical centre cradle of Sicilian Baroque, with its Cathedral, situated in the square of the Dome and the “giardino Ibleo”. Also, used as a location of the popular Police Inspector Montalbano Tv series, so it’s today stated among the 44 Italian World Heritage Sites. Furthermore, this ancient city hosts more than 50 churches and many Baroque architectual treasures. So we’ll conclude the visiting day with a tasting of local products. In conclusion, we’ll go to Catania for dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 5 – Saturday: CATANIA (hotel in Catania)

Breakfast in hotel and day at leisure to enjoy Catania city centre and doing shopping. Meet our tour-leader in the afternoon. In conclusion, dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 6 – Sunday: SIRACUSA – NOTO (Hotel in Catania)

After breakfast in hotel we will visit Syracuse. In the first place, the visit will start with the Archaeological Park of Neapolis. In second place, we will continue visiting Ortigia, a small island which is the centre of Syracuse. From Piazza Duomo you will reach a wide terrace on the waterfront surrounding the famous Arethusa’s Fountain, one of the most famous freshwater sources of the Greek World. Free time for lunch. In the third place, departure to Noto. Noto’s Baroque is, in fact, a game of elegant curve, floral weaves, palaces and gardens that adorn the facades churches and monasteries. In conclusion we will visit Palazzo Nicolaci Villadorata, noble residence in Baroque style and, in addition, once the residence of Don Giacomo Nicolaci. In conclusion, back to Catania for dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 7 – Monday: ETNA – TAORMINA (hotel in Catania)

This morning, in the first place we will go to Etna, the highest (c. 3350m) volcano in Europe. Views of landscapes will amaze you heading to Rifugio Sapienza. We will reach the “Crateri Silvestri”, small volcanic cones now inactive. Also, the view beyond the mountain’s hundreds of subsidiary cones and craters, can extend across the whole of Sicily, the Aeolian island and Calabria. Later visit of the honey extractions lab, tasting of homemade honey and typical products of the area. In second place, we will proceed to Taormina, charming town renowned for its magnificent position above the sea commanding a celebrated view of Etna. Then, lunch in a restaurant in the city centre, where we will attend to an interesting cooking class for the preparation of typical dishes of the sicilian culinary tradition. In conclusion, the visit will end with an overview of the beautiful Riviera dei Ciclopi. Back to our hotel in Catania for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 – Tuesday: CATANIA – CEFALU ’(hotel in Palermo)

Today we will visit the centre of Catania. The walking tour will start across the “pescheria” to reach the scenic Duomo square with its Cathedral and the famous “Liotru” statue. Not far from here we will reach University Square and we will have a walk along the splendid baroque Via dei Crociferi, the most representative 18th century street in Catania, where we will admire the famous S. Benedetto Monastery. Before going on along the precious city center, we will stop in a bar of the city to taste the typical “granita & brioche”. Free time for lunch. Transfer to Cefalù, charming Medieval town situated at the northern coast of Sicily. We will visit its Norman Dome and you will have free time. We will proceed to Palermo for overnight. Dinner at the hotel or in a restaurant nearby.

Day 9 – Wednesday: PALERMO

Breakfast in hotel and end of services.

Rate per person: € 985,00 in double room

Single room supplement: € 265,00

3rd bed reduction: € 60,00

PRIVILEGE PACKAGE:

€ 330,00 p.p. in double/twin room

€ 490,00 p.p. in single/double single use

Includes: Superior/Deluxe room – Private transfer in/out – City taxes – All entrance fees as per program