Day By Day

ITINERARY SUGGESTED:

9 nights/ 10 days
Palermo (3 nights) Agrigento (1 night) Syracuse (2 nights) Taormina (3 nights)

Day 1 - Palermo
Welcome to the warm, beautiful and pleasant island of Sicily!
Upon arrival at Palermo airport please proceed through the Passport Control and collect your luggage inside the customs area. Then exit from the airport and pick up the free shuttle service to join the Car Hire Department. Pick up your car (Your own reservation. Car Hire Rate is available on request). Self drive to reach Palermo and accommodation at your hotel.

Day 2 - Palermo (We suggest: Monreale & Palermo)
Following breakfast all the day long is at leisure to own explore the town. We suggest to self visit Monreale famous for the Arab-Norman art and architecture that reached the pinnacle of its glory with the amazing Duomo, launched in 1174 by William II and represent the scene from the Old and New Testaments all in golden mosaics. Then we suggest to self drive to Palermo to own explore the town: the unique Capuchin Catacombs outgrew its original cemetery in the 16th century and monks begun to excavate crypts below it. The folkloristical Capo Market a large street open market that captures the flavor of Palermo's Saracen past. Or the fantastic Archaeological Museum, the great paints at the Palazzo Abatellis or the scenic Puppet show and Museum, the Jewish sites, the Palatine Chapel & the Norman Palace which was the crowning architectural achievement of his Grandfather Roger II. And don't forget to explore the Saint Rosalia Sanctuary and the white sands in Mondello. We also suggest you to taste the Cannoli, the Sfincione Pizza with onions and tomato sauce and don't forget the delicious Arancine and Sicilian Cassata (BB)

Day 3 - Palermo (We suggest: Erice, Salt Way Road & Marsala Winery)
This morning is a leisure or optional self drive. Today we suggest to self drive the western Sicily to reach the lovely Erice that was an important religious site associated with goddesses of fertility. Here we recommend to stop in some great shops to taste the famous Almond Pastry and the sweet Sicilian Marzipan. Then we suggest to drive to Trapani and Marsala to the Salt Road to tour the historic saltpan works, where the ancient tradition of harvesting salt from the sea is still practiced. Marsala and all Trapani province where today you are is one of the famous towns for the Sicilian Wineries ...so why don't you explore on your own one visit to some cellars and tasting our great wine (Wineries are not available during Saturday afternoon, Sunday and Italian Holidays). (BB)

Day 4 - Palermo/Agrigento
Today’s’ self drive across the vast countryside enables us to see Sicily’s great variety of sceneries. You soon arrive in Agrigento whose history dates back to 580 BC. Visit the fantastic Temple Valley on your own. (BB)

Day 5 - Agrigento/Syracuse (We suggest: Piazza Armerina & Ragusa)
Following breakfast self drive to Syracuse. We strectly suggest you to drive to Piazza Armerina to see on your own the ruins of a Roman Villa of Casale. The mosaics discovered here are celebrated among scholars of antiquity. Then during afternoon continue the trip to Syracuse with a stop in the Baroque Capital of Ragusa. On arrival we suggest to visit the Ibla side and own explore the nice Cathedral. What we can suggest to eat? The Ravioli with ricotta cheese that are delicious in this town and the Spicy Chocolate Ice Cream. Then self drive to Syracuse (BB)

Day 6 - Syracuse
All day long at leisure to own explore the town, the Ortigia Island the heart of the city centre, the Aretusa Fountain, the fantastic Museum, the Castle and of course don't forget the Archaeological Park shows the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Paradise Quarry. (BB)

Day 7 - Syracuse/Taormina (We suggest: Catania)
Today self drive to reach Taormina. We suggest to stop in Catania, the city of lava and standing in the ominous shadow of Mount Etna. The town is called the city of “black and white”: white plaster and marble and black lava form major parts of its architectural adornment. During morning (except Sunday and Italian Holidays) is possible explore the great fish market ...a fantastic experience. What can we suggest to taste? The Torroncini, the Arancini and the Pistachio Pastry. (BB)

Day 8 - Taormina (We suggest: Etna Volcano)
All day long at leisure. We recommend to dedicate one half day to Etna Volcano and weather volcanic conditions permitting, experience on your own the lava fields and incredible view of Europe’s highest and most active volcano. (BB)

Day 9 - Taormina
All day long at leisure to own explore the town or shopping or explore the fantastic view from the Greek Roman Theatre. (BB)

Day 10 - Taormina/Catania
Today self drive to Catania airport where we suggest to drop off your car. Arrivederci Sicilia!!! (BB)

MEAL LEGEND: BB Buffet Breakfast L Lunch D Dinner

 

HighLights

Palermo: Sicily’s vibrant capital
Monreale: Gold mosaic’s scene from the Old and New Testaments
Erice: Breathtaking views and fortress
Marsala: World known wine producing town + Winery
Trapani: Saltpan works 
Agrigento: Valley of Temples & almond trees
Piazza Armerina: Best Roman mosaics of Sicily
Syracuse: Archaeological Sicilian city
Ragusa: Baroque Town
Taormina: Renowned Mediterranean resort
Etna: Highest active Volcano of Europe
Catania: The Black & White Town

 

Hotels

 

Details

Start/Finish: The tour is Land only, No car hire; start in Palermo and finish in Catania. We recommend to pick-up the car to Palermo airport and drop-off to Catania airport.

 

Car Hire: Not included in this offer

SICILIAN FOOD: Sicily is an island and there is a heavy emphasis on fish. Also, in Sicily typically the meal begins with a “starter” then pasta and then your main course. Please keep in mind that the food in Italy and Sicily might not be the same type of Italian food that you have are used to in your hometown. Sicily is famous for cannolis and marzipan. Please save room for dessert!

BAGGAGE HANDLING: The charge for handling one suitcase per person sometimes is not included with your tours.

WHAT TO PACK: The most important ingredient to a successful vacation is exploration. Please pack comfortable walking shoes. Sicily has a lot of steps and archaeological sites please pack accordingly. For city walking, wear leather shoes with good support. They are more socially and aesthetically acceptable than athletic shoes. Raingear is essential and a little umbrella could be handy. Gore-Tex fabric, which is both waterproof and breathable, is an excellent choice. Always pack a light sweater or jacket, even in summer.

INFORMATION & HINTS:
-Once you land in Italy don’t forget to set your watch to the local time;
-In Italy the current voltage in Hotels is 220W.
-In Italy eating snacks is not a problem. But if you want to use restaurants, they open at certain times of the day: 11:30AM till 2:30PM and from 7:00PM till 10:30PM;
-Gratuities to restaurant are never included in the bill. Cover charge is not a tip. If paying with credit cards in Italy please pay your tip separately in cash to the waiter and this should be 10% of the total bill;
-The use of public toilets requires a payment to the attendant of € 0.30 cents. Public toilet charge € 0, 50 cents;
-Shops are generally closed from 1:00PM till 4:00PM and close approximately at 7:30PM.
-Ask for a receipt of your bills from most of the shopping establishments. By Italian Law, you must obtain them before leaving the premises;
-Be careful of your purse and wallets. Pick pocketing and purse snatching can happen especially in crowed places, such as famous monuments, bus stops, and railways stations. We advise that you do not give money to beggars as this is a common distraction for someone else to snatch your valuables;
-Do not carry all your money with you when leaving for sightseeing or strolls, deposit part of your money in the hotel safe or in the special belt around your waist;
Have handy telephone numbers of your banks in the event of stolen or lost credit cards;
-Keep separate a photocopy of your Passport;
-Keep your Currency Exchange forms if you plan to change money back to another currency.

LEVEL OF TRIP
It depends if you choice moderate, first class or boutique accommodation.

GETTING THERE:
Flights: We generally recommend that our travellers arrive one day before the trip starts in order to get their bearings and ease in to the new surroundings.
Travel Services: For the convenience of our travellers, we would be happy to assist you in case you need a special rate for your pre-post nights in Sicily.

 

What's Included

Departure - Prices