Welcome to Sicily

Valderice - Arrival in Palermo or Trapani (transfer from Catania by regional bus to Palermo central station included in the price). A warm welcome from the staff and transfer to the accommodation in the Erice area. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and tour presentation by the guide/group leader. Dinner and overnight stay.

Zingaro Park, San Vito lo Capo, Erice

Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro - The vibrant colors are stunning in every season, with white sand bays nestled in the turquoise sea. Enjoy free time for a swim in one of the coves within the reserve or explore the park’s fascinating sites.

San Vito lo Capo - Take a lunch break in San Vito Lo Capo, a beautiful seaside resort on the island’s west side, boasting some of Italy’s most stunning beaches.

Erice - Continue to Erice on Mount San Giuliano at 751 meters. From here, enjoy a unique panoramic view of Trapani, the Egadi Islands, and Monte Cofano. Stroll through the charming medieval streets, visit the cathedral, the mighty city walls from the Phoenician period, and the remains of the Castle of Venus. Don’t miss tasting the delicious “Ericini” (typical biscuits) before leaving Erice.

Monreale, Palermo, Cammarata

Duomo di Monreale - After breakfast, depart for Palermo. The city’s unique cultural mix makes it one of Europe’s most fascinating destinations. In the morning, visit one of the Middle Ages’ most significant religious buildings, the largest mosaic bible in the world: The Cathedral of Monreale and its cloister.

Palermo - Continue to Palermo’s city center to visit the Cappella Palatina (€18.00 p.p.), Palazzo dei Normanni, and the majestic Cathedral (€1.5 p.p.).

From here, stroll through one of Palermo’s historic markets: Vucciria, Il Capo, or Ballarò, which “Forbes” magazine describes as “Italy’s street-food capital” and among the world’s top five.

Cammarata - Enjoy a typical “light lunch” featuring dishes like “bread and panelle” (chickpea fritters), “arancini” (rice balls), “sfinciuni” (Sicilian pizza), and “pani cu a meuza” (bread with spleen), among other specialties! Continue with an orientation tour through the capital’s most renowned streets.

Monti Sicani Park

Prizzi - After breakfast, depart for Lercara Friddi (birthplace of Frank Sinatra’s father) and Prizzi, where you can walk through its characteristic narrow streets and alleys with medieval charm.

Palazzo Adriano - Continue to Palazzo Adriano, founded by Albanian exiles who brought their customs and traditions. Visit the beautiful “Santa Maria Assunta” church of the Greek-Byzantine rite, unique in its kind, where director Giuseppe Tornatore filmed his Oscar-winning masterpiece “Nuovo Cinema Paradiso.”

Eremo di Santa Rosalia alla Quisquina - Next, visit the hermitage of Santa Rosalia alla Quisquina, a mystical and fascinating place in the heart of the forest, where the life of the virgin and patroness of Palermo will be recounted. The hermitage includes the church, crypt, and conventual environments like cells, the kitchen, and the refectory, where local products and wine are tasted.

Cammarata - Nestled in the heart of Cammarata, the area’s gem, with its unique urban landscape extending on a steep slope from 600 to 950 meters high, featuring narrow courtyards, steep hills, and stairways of the Arab quarter, leaving every visitor amazed.

Agrigento, Piazza Armerina

Valle dei Templi - After breakfast, depart for the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento (UNESCO since 1982), one of the world’s most important archaeological sites. The ancient “Akragas” inhabitants led a refined lifestyle amidst a valley of overwhelming splendor filled with temples and luxurious villas. Visit the temples of Juno, Concordia, Hercules, Zeus, and Castor & Pollux, surrounded by ancient olive trees, almond groves, and citrus orchards.

Giardino della Kolymbethra - Continue through the Kolymbetra Garden (FAI), one of Italy’s most enchanting historic gardens.

San Leone - Enjoy a lunch break at the seaside resort of San Leone, famous for its golden sand dunes.

Villa Romana del Casale - Depart for Piazza Armerina to visit the “Villa Romana del Casale” (UNESCO World Heritage Site), offering invaluable insights into Roman daily life. Explore forty rooms with perfectly preserved mosaics covering about 3,000 square meters. Dinner and overnight stay near Piazza Armerina - Caltagirone.

Caltagirone, Noto, Siracusa

Caltagirone - After breakfast, head to Caltagirone, renowned for its ceramics production, an art developed since ancient Greek times. Visit numerous craft shops and the historic center, including the monumental staircase Santa Maria del Monte, the city’s emblem.

Noto - Continue to Noto, a UNESCO heritage site, and the heart of Sicilian Baroque, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake into an 18th-century architectural masterpiece, also known as a stone garden. Enjoy a free lunch in the old town.

Parco Archeologico della Neapolis - Visit the archaeological area of Syracuse, featuring the Latomies of Paradise, the Ear of Dionysus, the Greek theater, and the Roman amphitheater.

Ortigia - Proceed to the Peninsula of Ortigia, Syracuse’s historic center. Visit the temple of Apollo and the spectacular “Duomo,” housing the Greek Temple of Athena, and stroll to the legendary “Fonte Aretusa,” a source of inspiration for poets and artists. Dinner and overnight stay in the Etna-Catania area.

Etna, Taormina

Mount Etna - After breakfast, depart for Etna, Europe’s highest volcano. Travel through citrus groves and pistachios, enjoying unparalleled panoramic views, reaching “rifugio Sapienza” at about 2,000 meters above sea level. Take a walk to the “Silvestri craters,” with volcanic cones from past eruptions, offering a lunar-like paradise with breathtaking views. Alternatively, opt for an optional cable car and jeep excursion to the summit craters at about 3,000 meters. Enjoy tasting high-quality artisanal local honey.

Taormina - The enchanting city set on a natural terrace overlooking the Ionian Sea, with its medieval urban structure, ancient soul, and Mediterranean colors and scents, Taormina is one of the world’s most beautiful places and a must-visit. Explore Taormina’s public garden, Corvaia palace, “Duomo,” Corso Umberto with its numerous small shops offering the best local craftsmanship. The ancient theater offers breathtaking views of the blue sea, Calabria and Sicily’s coasts, and Etna’s steaming peak, creating a natural spectacle of art and emotion. Return in the late afternoon, dinner, and overnight stay.

Arrivederci Sicilia

Capolinea ALIBUS - After breakfast, depending on departure time, transfer to the airport, concluding the services.

• 7-night stay in 3/4-star farmhouse hotels or country hotels
• All entrance fees to sites included
• Daily meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Driver-Guide at your service throughout the tour
• Welcome cocktail to start your journey
• Unique honey tasting experience on the 6th day on Etna
• Exclusive Ericini tasting on the 2nd day in Erice
• Comfortable travel with in-vehicle air conditioning

• Gratuities

Delve into a premier Sicilian tour, conducted by a friendly driver-guide, perfect for those in search of a genuine, top-notch experience. Traverse a myriad of UNESCO sites in Sicily, which includes Greek temples and ampitheatres, Roman edifices, Norman churches, and remnants of Arab civilizations. Embrace brief hikes through natural reserves and parks, enriching your journey with the vibrant flora that makes every season enchanting. Attention will be given to local Sicilian cuisine, celebrated for its basic yet savory components. This excursion offers an ideal blend of history, culture, and culinary delights, a distinct chance to explore the genuine Sicily. The legendary scenery featuring stunning vistas, pristine waters and everything that typifies this extraordinary region will forever be etched in memory. Aimed at the discerning traveller, this tour is the optimal route for those who wish to experience the most authentic and undiluted version of Sicily, in its entirety, allowing for complete freedom at the highest standards.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.