Sicilian Trilogy exclusively in English, small group tour (maximum 20 participants)
8days/7nights, Palermo/Catania
2020 depart every Sun: Mar –Dec
Cost from: $2550 pp twin share (s/supp $800)
*Also available on Wednesdays from Taormina
day 01 Palermo
Welcome to Sicily! Upon arrival at Palermo airport (PMO) please proceed through Passport Control and collect your luggage inside the customs area. Then independent transfer (Private Airport Transfer package is available on request) to Palermo city. The balance of the day is at leisure.
day 02 Palermo walking street food tour and Monreale
Breakfast at hotel. A walking tour into a lively open air market, a place with strong Arab influences, resembling a souk, with picturesque stands of fresh fish, cheeses, fruits and vegetables. During the tour you will have the opportunity to observe local people in their dailly activities and to savor foods that a real Sicilian people love to eat! Tasting of typical street food is included. The walking tour through the ancient center of Palermo is around 3-4 hours and you will visit several monuments including Piazza Pretoria and the Cathedral. At the end of the walking tour you will reach Monreale by taxi for a short stop (about 45 minutes) to visit the Dome (Admission fee: not included), a wonderful example of the Arab-Norman art and architecture. Launched in 1174 by William II, the Dome represents scenes from the Old and New Testaments all in golden mosaics. Later back to Palermo by taxi. The balance of the day is at leisure.
day 03 Erice and Segesta with lunch at Farmhouse-Olive oil producer
Breakfast at hotel. Early departure to tour western Sicily where we reach Erice uptown. The Elymians settled the medieval town of Erice, which was an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus. Wander through its ancient streets and visit some of the famous homemade pastry shops—world-famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastries. At arrival, friendly walk along the city centre with stop at local pastry shop to taste some Sicilian local sweet. Later we proceed to have a light-lunch in a local farmhouse-Olive oil producer including tasting of mixed local product such as cheese, salumi, olives, local bread combined with their production of olive oil and wine. This afternoon we continue onto Segesta (independent visit), one of the major cities of the ancient indigenous Elymian people, to visit the unfinished Doric temple (Admission fee: not included), late 5th century BC, built on a hilltop just outside of the ancient city and has a commanding view of the surrounding area. Later we return to Palermo.
day 04 Palermo-Agrigento-Piazza Armerina-Taormina
Following breakfast, departure to the Archaeological Park of Agrigento. Here you will visit the finest of all ancient Greek sites—the complete Doric Temples (Admission fee: not included). We drive through the interior of Sicily to reach the amazing Roman Villa of Casale (Admission Fee: not included) in Piazza Armerina. The mosaics discovered here are celebrated among scholars of antiquity. Later we transfer to Taormina, the world famous resort town of Sicily
day 05 Taormina at leisure
Breakfast at hotel. Today is at leisure to relax, shopping or explore Taormina on your own. Taormina is a hill-village with a glossy sheen of glamour. A drink at the tables of Caffè Wunderbar (or similar) in Piazza IX Aprile may set you back a few euros, but you'll be basking where Tennessee Williams and Elizabeth Taylor basked before you. As well as the famed Greek-Roman Theatre (Admission fee: not included), there are several minor sites to be discovered around Taormina. The attractive principal thoroughfare, Corso Umberto is pedestrian and ideal for strolling and window-shopping. Picturesque lanes above and below the Corso are interesting to explore, while if you want to stretch your legs further there are attractive walks up into the hills, or down to the sea. Given its compact size, Taormina has a huge range of bars, cafes and restaurants where you can while away pleasant hours while admiring the views. The balance of the day is at leisure.
**Optional Etna jeep ride available on request
day 06 Taormina-Ragusa-Modica-Siracusa
Breakfast at hotel. Today departure for Ragusa. The city is situated in the Iblean mountains and, along with Ragusa, it is part of the UNESCO Heritage Sites in Sicily. The main economy of the area revolves around dairy cheese & agricultural products like olives, carobs, legumes, and grains. Upon arrival indipendent walk through the historical town of Ragusa Ibla highlights the wide array of Baroque architecture in Sicily, including several stunning palaces and churches. Light lunch in a local trattoria. This afternoon a short drive takes us to Modica a small village famous for the chocolate. Modica's chocolate is one of the most famous products of the Ragusa area. It is still made the same way the ancient Aztecs made chocolate in Mexico and its tradition dates back to the 16th century. The technique was brought over by the Spaniards who in turn learned about it in what is now Mexico. At arrival, independent visit. Later we continue to Syracuse. The balance of the day is at leisure.
day 07 Half day Siracusa
Today enjoy a tour of Syracuse, founded by colonists from Cornith in 735 B.C. and once the most important competitor to Athens. First visit will be through the Archaeological Park (Admission fee: not included) highlights the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Paradise Quarry. Then stroll through the streets of Ortygia Island, the heart of the city center. This afternoon is at leisure.
day 08 Siracusa-Catania airport
Breakfast at hotel. Time to say goodbye to Sicily. Today independent transfer (Private Airport Transfer package is available on request) to Catania airport (CTA) on time for your departure flight.
Inclusions: twin share at four star hotels, breakfast daily, one light lunch in a local winery-farmhouse with tasting of local dishes, wine and olive oil, one light lunch in a local trattoria, deluxe transport, English-speaking tour director & driver-escort, taxes.
Hotels: Palermo-Hotel Plaza Opera, Taormina-Hotel Villa Diodoro, Siracusa-Grand Albergo Alfeo (or similar).
Excluding: entrance fees, beverages and meals not mentioned in the program, transfers, luggage handling, licensed tourist guide if less than 6 people on the tour, gratuities, city taxes.
On request: airport/port transfers, accommodation before and after the tour, single supplement.