ITALY: SICILIAN SECRETS - PALERMO TO CATANIA 5 DAYS

PALERMO – MONREALE – CEFALU – CATANIA – ETNA – TAORMINA - CATANIA

Italy has been, since antiquity, the center of history, culture and art.  Artistic wonders can be found everywhere, and every corner of the country holds countless and wonderful surprises.  Italy offers an exciting journey through time, from the Ancient Greeks and Romans to the present day, which is also filled by a wealth of art and culture. 

itinerary & prices

Day 1 - Tuesday: PALERMO (hotel in Palermo)
Arrive independently to the hotel in the charming city of Palermo (optional private transfer on request). In the evening you will meet our tour-leader and your travel companions and enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight in hotel at MERCURE PALERMO CENTRO / IBIS STYLE PALERMO CRISTAL.

Day 2 - Wednesday: MONREALE - PALERMO (hotel in Palermo)
After breakfast in hotel, the morning will be spent visiting Monreale, its huge Norman Cathedral, proclaimed the Eighth Wonder of the World, and its splendid Cloister in Arab-Norman style: admirable masterpiece of art, sculpture, and semi-precious stones marquetry! 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 dominated by Mount Pellegrino, a headland described by Goethe as the loveliest he had ever seen. While the Baroque predominates, there is a profusion of different architectural styles reflecting the city’s multicultural past: Punic walls, Art Nouveau villas, noble residences, 17th century squares, including an elegant opera house. Visit of the wonderful eclectic Cathedral, the astonishing Martorana Church and the amazing Cappella Palatina, admirable example from an historical and an artistic point of view, and a prove of how different cultures, religions and way of thinking apparently incompatible can coexist. Ruggero II employed Bizantyne, Muslim and Latin workers. During the day, you will have a stop for a surprise to taste the local street food in the famous Antica Focacceria San Francesco. Free time for lunch. Along the path you will admire the famous Teatro Massimo and the debated fountain in Pretoria Square, situated in the ancient Kalsa area and adorned with 16th century sculptures. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 3 – Thursday: CEFALU’- CATANIA (hotel in Catania)
After breakfast transfer to Cefalù, charming Medieval town situated at the northern coast of Sicily. Visit of its stunning Norman Dome and free time to stroll through the town or to visit the famous and well-known Mandralisca Museum. Arrival in Catania and free time for lunch. Later on the tour will continue visiting Catania’s historical center stated Unesco World Heritage Site, with its original Baroque style and its unique streets built with black lava stone. The color scheme of the city-center buildings is black and dark grey, relieved with white limestone details around doors and windows. The effect is extremely elegant! The walking tour will start from the scenic Duomo square with its magnificent Cathedral and the famous “Liotru” statue, antique lava-stone elephant, symbol of the city. 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. Benedict Monastery, Unesco World Heritage Site. Continuing the visit enjoy a break in a historical bar of the city center to taste the typical “granita & brioche”. Dinner at the hotel or in a restaurant nearby and overnight at IL PRINCIPE HOTEL / ROMANO HOUSE HOTEL.

Day 4 - Friday: ETNA – TAORMINA (hotel in Catania)
This morning after a short visit of the famous “pescheria” (the ancient fish market) in Catania, the tour will continue with an excursion to the Mount Etna, the highest (c. 3350m) volcano in Europe and one of the largest and most active in the world, nowadays Unesco World Heritage Site. Its regional park protects 59.000 hectares of unique geology, flora and fauna, villages and farms, and traditional methods of forestry, bee-keeping, wine manufacture, stonework and carpentry. Views of stunning landscapes will amaze you heading to Rifugio Sapienza. You 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. The spectacle is unique! You will have a stop to enjoy the local homemade honey and some typical products of the area. The tour continues towards Taormina, charming town renowned for its magnificent position above the sea commanding a celebrated view of Etna. Free time for lunch and in the afternoon visit of Taormina’s fascinating Greek theater which will leave you breathless for its commanding view on Giardini Naxos bay and the Etna mountain! Free time for a nice walk among the picturesque Medieval typical narrow streets, to go shopping and looking around the local handicrafts (coral jewels, precious laces, ceramics, pastries and much more). The day will end with an overview of the beautiful Riviera dei Ciclopi. Back to the hotel in Catania for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 - Saturday: CATANIA
Our short tour ends today. Breakfast in hotel and end of our services.

Single room supplement is extra. Please contact us for Single travel alone and Single room supplement.

INCLUSIONS
• 2 nights in a 4 * hotel in Palermo
• 2 nights in a 4 * hotel in Catania
• Half board treatment (3 meals, 3 course fixed menu - drinks not included): lunch in local restaurants/cellar or dinner in hotel/local restaurants
• Typical product tastings: Palermo (2nd day): gastronomic surprise with street food tasting; Catania (3rd day): “granita and brioche” tasting; Etna (4th day): Visit to a honey factory tasting typical Etna products
• Multilingual tour leader for the entire itinerary
• Local guides or audio guides when necessary
• Visit of Monreale, Palermo, Cefalù, Etna, Catania old town center
• Tickets NOT included - To be paid on site or pre-paid purchasing the privilege package
• Deluxe bus form day 2 to day 4

Note- The pick-up / drop-of times will be subject to confirmation by the local assistant

EXCLUSIONS
• Entrance fees, Personal expenses, International airfare, Visa fees
• Customary gratitude to your guide and driver