This eight day travel package that takes you to the very heart and soul of Sicily is adequately named the "Meraviglia of Sicily", which translates to the "Wonder of Sicily." Begin your travels in Catania before visiting the coastal city of Siracusa to admire Greek and Roman architecture and then spend the night in the enchanting town of Ragusa. Take in the stunning mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale, the majestic Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, the historical architecture of Palermo, the monastery of Monreale, the ruins of Segesta and Erice, and the charming fishing village of Cefalu'. Round out your trip with a stop in Taormina with a chance to see the famous Greek Theater and impressive Mount Etna. The wonders of Sicily are sure captivate your heart.
From CATANIA to TAORMINA
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS: Catania, Siracusa, Ragusa with Sicilian Typical products tasting, Caltagirone, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Monreale, Palermo, Segesta, Erice, Trapani, Cefalu, Nebrodi Park, Mount Etna and Sicilian cooking class (optional), Taormina
TRAVEL ITINERARY:
Day 01 (Saturday): CATANIA
You'll arrive on your own to Catania and make your way to the hotel. In the afternoon meet and greet with your tour escort and your group. You'll enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner together before retiring for the night.
Day 02 (Sunday): CATANIA, SIRACUSA, RAGUSA with Sicilian Specialties tasting
Breakfast will be had at the hotel, before departing for Siracusa, a beautiful city on the coast rich in Greek and Roman history. You'll visit its archeological park where you'll see the Greek Amphitheater, The Ear of Dionysus, Minerva's Temple and the Roman Theater. The tour will continue to the Island of Ortigia, the old baroque city center of Siracusa built by the Aragonians. You will admire the Cathedral and the Fountain of Aretusa. At the end of the tour free time for lunch on your own in Ortigia Island. Transfer to Ragusa, a beautiful town built in two sections: the “new part", constructed after the 1693 earthquake that completely devastated the surrounding area, and the "old part", called Ragusa Ibla, which is a wonderful and well known example of Baroque architecture and art. Before retiring to the hotel for dinner, you will enjoy a typical aperitif and a tasting of local products while overlooking the main square and the majestic Cathedral of Ragusa Ibla. Dinner and overnight at your Hotel in Ragusa.
Day 03 (Monday): RAGUSA, CALTAGIRONE, PIAZZA ARMERINA, AGRIGENTO
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Caltagirone, the center of Sicily's ceramic industry, to visit a ceramics laboratory and showroom. Next, travel to Piazza Armerina to visit the famous Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses the world's largest collection of late period Roman Mosaics. Typical lunch in a local restaurant to taste the delicious specialties of the area. The tour then moves on to Agrigento, where you will visit the Valley of the Temples. This collection of temples represents some of the best examples of Ancient Greek architecture outside of Greece, with the temples of Juno, Hercules, Zeus, Concord and Castor and Pollux. Dinner and overnight at your Agrigento Hotel.
Day 04 (Tuesday): AGRIGENTO, MONREALE, PALERMO
After breakfast, you'll head to Palermo, where you'll have free time for lunch after checking in at the hotel. In the afternoon, the tour will continue to Monreale, where you'll visit the hilltop Cathedral with its beautiful 12th century gold mosaics and the Benedictine monastery. Be sure to enjoy the breathtaking view of Palermo and the surrounding area as well. Afterwards, you'll return to Palermo for a sightseeing tour of the Capital of Sicily, viewing wonders of art and architecture, such as the Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral, the Opera house and Praetorian Square. The night will end with dinner at a local restaurant and a good night's sleep at your Hotel in Palermo.
Day 05 (Wednesday): PALERMO, SEGESTA, ERICE, TRAPANI, PALERMO
You'll enjoy a breakfast buffet before leaving for Segesta, another beautiful archeological site, home of the majestic Doric Temple and other Greek ruins. The tour will continue towards Erice, an enchanting medieval town on Mount Erice famous for its Phoenician and Norman ruins. Don’t forget your camera to take pictures of the breathtaking views over the city of Trapani, the salt works on the coast, and the Egadi Islands. Free time for lunch in Erice before continuing the panoramic tour to Trapani to see the salt windmills still working along the coast. At the end of the day return to Palermo, where you'll enjoy dinner and spend the night at your hotel.
Day 06 (Thursday): PALERMO - CEFALÙ – NEBRODI PARK - TAORMINA
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll make our way to the charming sea town of Cefalu’. You'll discover the quaint city center of this old fishermen's village and visit the Norman Cathedral, with its beautiful mosaics, and the medieval wash-house built in the rock. The tour will continue to the “Parco dei Nebrodi”, a beautiful natural park where you'll stop for a characteristic lunch at the Miraglia Forest. In the afternoon we’ll drive to Cesarò and Randazzo where you’ll be able to admire Mount Etna from an unusual point of view. Arrival in the evening in Taormina, a beautiful medieval town between Mount Etna and the blue sea, where you will have dinner before a good night's rest.
Day 07 (Friday): TAORMINA, MOUNT ETNA (optional), TAORMINA
After breakfast, you'll have the morning to yourself to relax with a delicious Sicilian granita, write your postcards or take the cable car down to the beach. If you're interested, you might like to go on an optional excursion to Mount Etna (optional activity not included). If the weather conditions permit it, you'll reach the 1,800 meter level of the highest active volcano in Europe from which you'll admire an amazing panoramic view of the Ionian Sea. In the afternoon you'll spend time in Taormina where you can enjoy some free time shopping for handmade lace, ceramics, coral jewels and local food and sweets in the many small shops on Corso Umberto or, if you would like, you could visit the famous Greek Theater (on your own, not included). Return to your hotel for a farewell Dinner with your tour party and overnight in Taormina.
Day 08 (Saturday): TAORMINA
After breakfast at the hotel, the tour and our services will end.
Help Me Plan My Trip
"Hi Tommaso, what a trip! I'm now sitting outside my room looking at the valley of the temples writng the notes "amazing" Mary and myself ha
"Hi, we are having a wonderful time. All has worked wonderfully, loved the cooking school!"
"Dear Tommaso, we are all having an amazing time! Sicily was beautiful and exciting to see all the ruins and sights. We are enjoing Rome now
PACKAGE START AT $1,184.00
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- Transportation by Deluxe motor coach or minibus as per itinerary;
- Accommodation in 4 Star Hotels in double/twin rooms with private facilities;
- Buffet breakfast daily;
- 7 Dinners;
- 2 Lunches;
- Welcome cocktail;
- Sicilian typical products tasting in Ragusa Ibla;
- English Speaking Tour-Escort (if less than 15 participants your Driver will be also your tour escort);
- Panoramic Visits as per itinerary;
- Local guide assistance where necessary;
- Porterage Service at Hotels;
- Vat Taxes and service Charges.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:
- All Land & Air prices: Additional U.S. & Foreign Departure Taxes and Surcharges Fee(s) assessed by the Airlines.
- Beverages.
- Entrance Fees to Monuments or Museums (about 70 euro per person + 8 Euro per person for whispers), Tips, Extras.
- Optional excursion to Mt Etna (45 euro per person to be paid locally and it can be pre-booked with your tour leader until 4 days before the excursion. The excursion is subject to availability and operated with minimum of 10 participants.)
- Hospitality city tax which varies by city and hotel category. Where applicable it must be paid locally to the hotel.
- All which is not listed under PACKAGE INCLUDES.
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
English speaking escorted group tour.
In case there are less than 15 travelers, your driver will become your tour escort.
For organizational reasons, the itinerary may be reversed or modified without notice. In any case the visits and excursions mentioned in the itinerary are guaranteed.
(*) Rate based on two adult persons sharing a double or twin bedded room with private bathroom. Single rooms are available at an additional supplement. Childrens, triple room rates and alternative accommodation arrangements are available upon request. (Additional and different charges may apply).
