Tour of Sicily: Highlights

Type: Small Group / Scheduled
Travel theme: Culture; History; Food; Art
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Arrival airport: Catania
Departure airport: Palermo
Overnights: Taormina; Syracuse; Palermo
Hotels: 4 Stars centrally located
Transportation: Mercedes minivan
Number of participants: 2-8
Price: 1995 euro pp
Single supplement: 795 euro
Arrive early and stay later on request
Diverse sightseeing options on request

DAY 1 ARRIVAL, AIRPORT TRANSFER TO HOTEL AND EVENING TAORMINA FOOD&WINE TOUR
Upon arrival at Catania airport be greeted by your driver, who will bring you to your charming hotel in Taormina. Meet your local guide in the city center when it starts to cool down and discover ideal places to get a real taste of Taormina. Savour its delicious food, soak in its vibrant culture, and meet the people who keep so many wonderful Food&Wine traditions alive. Just follow your expert guide through the town and eat and drink like the locals. Your tour will finish at around 21:00 in the heart of Taormina so after you can still enjoy the town at night.
Overnight in Taormina (Hotel Ariston, Sea View Room)

DAY 2 GODFATHER VS MAFIA TOUR WITH LIGHT LUNCH
After breakfast meet your “mafia” guide in the lobby of your hotel and start a half-day trip to small antique villages Savoca and Forza d’Agro located on the mountains. See the places where the most famous scenes of Godfather movies were done and where started the love story of Michael and Apollonia. Find out the secrets of movie-making as well as true facts about mafia. Take refreshing aperitif in the most famous sicilian bar “Vitelli” and enjoy the lunch with typical seasonal food on extraordinary terrace. Be dropped off to your hotel, have some relaxation and be ready for sparkling Taormina at night.

TAORMINA WALKING TOUR & GREEK THEATRE VISIT
After some relaxation take an easy walk with your local guide. He will reveal Taormina’s culture, architecture, natural and political history and tell stories about the Sicilian people and their traditions. Conquered by the Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Byzantines and Normans, Taormina boasts a rich and fascinating history and a robust mix of styles. Discover little streets and hidden corners that gives Taormina a special charm. Visit the Magnificent Greek Theatre and get immersed directly in the life of Your first destination.
Overnight in Taormina (Hotel Ariston, Sea View Room)

DAY 3 ETNA TRIP UNTIL 1900/3000 MT WITH LUNCH IN ETNA WINERY
On this day start your adventure with visit of Mt. Etna. Firstly, you will reach the base camp Refuge Sapienza, located at 1,900 meters. See the marvelous extinct Silvestri craters and take souvenir pictures of the area. There is free time to walk on the old lava flows. Then continue ascent until 3000mt by cable car and Jeep to the main authorized craters area (optional). You will be accompanied by an English-speaking Alpine Guide. A 45-minutes visit in this lunar landscape is memorable.
After hiking continue your tour to panoramic Winery located on the slope of Etna famous for it’s unique vulcanic wines and organic food. After guided visit of estate and cellars enjoy wine tasting (at least 5 wines) with pairing cold appetizers and light lunch. Drop-off to your hotel and free evening in sparkling Taormina.
Overnight in Taormina (Hotel Ariston, Sea View Room)

DAY 4 NOTO WALKING TOUR WITH SEAFOOD LUNCH IN MARZAMEMI
After breakfast meet your private driver in front of Your hotel and move to magnificent Noto. Enjoy an easy walk with local guide in town of UNESCO heritage – a jewel of baroque. While walking taste a famous Modica chocolate. After the tour move to astonishing typical Sicilian fisherman's village Marzamemi and enjoy a traditional fresh fish lunch in a family taverna. After lunch be transferred to your charming hotel in Syracuse and enjoy this romantic town at night.
Overnight in Syracuse (Hotel Livingston or similar)

DAY 5 ORTIGIA WALKING TOUR
Meet your local guide in the city center and start 2 hours walking tour of Ortigia, Syracuse’s old town. Admire the majesty of the Apollo Temple before heading down Via Cavour, one of the most colorful streets in Ortigia, where local artists and aristocrats like to spend their evenings. See the Archimede Fountain on the way to the city’s Jewish district that was founded in the 3rd century BC. When you reach Duomo Square, you’ll be at the heart of Ortigia. This is one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, and home of the stunning Duomo and the Church of St. Lucy. Your guide will also share with you a lot about lifestyle, traditions and habbits of locals. Charm of this town is unforgettable. Free afternoon and evening to explore Syracuse on your own.
Overnight in Syracuse (Hotel livingston or similar)

DAY 6 GUIDED VISIT OF TEMPLE VALLEY IN AGRIGENTO, LUNCH AND TRANSFER TO PALERMO
It’s time to say goodbye to Syracuse and move towards Palermo passing ancient Temple Valley. Your driver will pick you up in Your hotel. After approx. 2 hours, you will reach the Temple Valley where Your local guide will wait for you for 2 hours of guided visit of this UNESCO heritage. After visit enjoy a fresh seasonal lunch in local taverna and continue driving to Palermo hotel. Time to relax and free evening in Sicilian capital.
Overnight in Palermo (Hotel Politeama or similar)

DAY 7 PALERMO WALKING TOUR
On this day discover the beauty of Palermo on this 2 hours Walking tour of Palermo. Meet the local guide at 10.00 in Your Hotel. The Tour, led by a local expert guide, explores the fascinating mixture of Sicily’s capital. Be ready to discover Authentic Palermitan area. Pass through Palermo old town and the most important highlights such as: Martorana Church, Piazza Pretoria, Quattro Canti & the Cathedral, listening the stories of your guide. After tour relax with a free evening in Palermo.
Overnight in Palermo (Hotel Politeama or similar)

DAY 8 DEPARTURE
Breakfast and transfer to Palermo airport

HOTELS:
3 nights in Taormina: Hotel Ariston 4*, Sea View Room
2 nights in Syracuse: Hotel Livingston 4*, Classic Room
2 nights in Palermo: Hotel Politeama or similar 4*, Classic Room

TRANSPORT:
All transportation with A/C 8 seats Mercedes minivan
Airport Meet & Greet with Private Transfers
No luggage restrictions

MEAL:
7 breakfasts in hotel, 4 lunches and 1 dinner during activities
All other food and wine tastings mentioned in itinerary

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES:
Taormina Food&Wine Tour
Godfather vs Mafia Tour with Lunch
Taormina Walking Tour & Greek Theatre
Etna Trip until 1900mt & Lunch in Etna Winery
Noto Walking Tour & Lunch in Marzamemi
Syracuse Walking Tour
Trip to Agrigento, Guided visit of Temple Valley and Lunch
Palermo Walking Tour

LOCAL LICENSED GUIDE FOR ALL ACTIVITIES

24 HOURS OF SUPPORT BEFORE AND DURING YOUR TRAVEL

RESTAURANT SUGGESTIONS AND RESERVATION

EXCLUSIONS:
Entrance fees to monuments
Optional Etna ascent until 3000mt
City tax to be paid in hotel

2024/2025: Every Wednesday & Friday
Ask for a custom Starting date
Extra nights and services are available before and after the tour on request

RISK FREE BOOKING/CANCELLATION POLICY:
5% refundable deposit is required to secure the spot
Full refund until 60 days prior to arrival
Rescheduling at any moment
Open dates options are available

Regular price is 2195 Euro pp in Double room
Single supplement is 795 Euro

Please contact us for early booking deals & discounts