Sicilian Highlights 7 Day Tour: West to East

Details

West to East | (6 nights/7 days): Small size (limited to maximum 8 people), Semi-Escorted Tour, English speaking only, visit the most important Sicilian highlights.

 

Highlights

  • Palermo: The Sicilian capital
  • Monreale: Dome and the golden mosaics
  • Cefalù: Norman cathedral
  • Segesta: Doric Temple
  • Erice: Castle built on the remnants of Venus Temple
  • Agrigento: Valley of the Temples
  • Piazza Armerina: Ancient mosaics in the Roman Villa
  • Taormina: World renowned Mediterranean resort town
  • Syracuse: Archaeological Park and Ortigia Island

OVERNIGHTS:

Palermo 3 nights + Taormina 3 nights

 

ITINERARY:

Day 1 Palermo
Welcome to the warm, beautiful and pleasant island of Sicily! Transfer to your hotel.
Day 2 Monreale, Palermo & Cefalù
Our first stop is Monreale to see where the Arab-Norman art and architecture reached the pinnacle of its glory with the Duomo, launched in 1174 by William II. Then onto Palermo to explore the "Teatro Massimo" and the Cathedral of Palermo. Later we continue by seeing Piazza Pretoria and Via Maqueda, whose “four corners” converge Palermo at a quartet of baroque palaces left over from the heyday of Spanish rule dating from 1560. This afternoon depart for Cefalù, a charming coastal town home to a massive Norman Cathedral with outstanding mosaics. Later we return to Palermo.
Day 3 Palermo/Erice & Segesta
Early departure to tour western Sicily where we reach Erice uptown. This afternoon we continue onto Segesta to visit the unfinished Doric temple (Entrance 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. We then return to Palermo.
Day 4 Palermo/Agrigento & Piazza Armerina/Taormina
Today we drive through the interior of Sicily to reach Agrigento where we visit the finest of all ancient Greek sites—the complete Doric Temples (Entrance Fee: not included). Later we continue to Piazza Armerina. This afternoon we view the ruins of the Roman Villa of Casale (Entrance Fee: not included). Then we continue to Taormina.
Day 5 Taormina/Syracuse/Taormina
Today we depart for Syracuse. On arrival stroll through the streets of Ortygia Island, the heart of the city center. Light lunch at local restaurant. This afternoon visit through the Archaeological Park (Entrance Fee: not included). Later we return to Taormina.
Day 6 Taormina/Mt Etna with wine tasting

Today we drive to the highest and active volcano of Europe. During the ascent different kinds of vegetation can be noted. We will reach 2.000 meters where we then take a walk together to visit the "Silvestri" craters and the latest new lava flows and craters from 2001/2003. You have the possibility to go on the top with the cable car and jeep (optional and to be paid extra on the spot). On the way, we visit a local family farm where it is possible to taste local Etna wine, a selection of different types of honey (orange, lemon, eucalyptus, strawberry...), almond pastries, olives, extra virgin olive oil.

Then you will go to the most famous winery "Gambino" in

Linguaglossa. In the winery you will pay 25,00 Euros per person for the wine tasting (including 4 different wine, 2 white and 2 red, cheese, cold cuts, products in oil like olives, aubergine, mushrooms and dried

tomatoes).

Day 7 Taormina/Catania
Time to say goodbye to Sicily. Transfer to Catania airport (CTA).

What's Included:

English speaking driver/guide, taxes, toll, gas, room and board for the driver.

 

What's Not Included:

Hotels, Meals, Gratuities & Tips, Entrance fees, Local guide, Wine tasting, Complete excursion to the summit.


IMPORTANT TO KNOW:

This tour is operated only with a Driver-Guide up to 8 people.

The Driver Guide is not a Licensed Tourist Guide.

Licensed Tourist Guide: are the only professionals, with a Regional license, permitted to conduct visits and tours in all sites and museums within a city and he cannot escort you inside the monuments because this is not allowed by Italian Rules.

It is possible to do the tour in reverse starting in Catania and ending in Palermo!

Contact us for a quote!