The essence of Sicily

An itinerary to discover the essence of Sicily and Sicilian people.

Program

8 days / 7 nights

Day 1 - Arrival
Arrival at Catania airport, transfer to hotel, free afternoon.

Day 2 - CATANIA > ACITREZZA > ACIREALE
Breakfast, departure for the tour of the historic center of Catania, full of treasures that bear witness to the ancient splendor: the Cathedral, Piazza Duomo, the Baroque Via dei Crociferi, the Collegiata Church, the area of the Benedictines Convent and the typical fish market (the Pescheria). The tour continues with a visit to the seaside villages of the Ionian coast of Catania, and in particular to admire the stunning view of the cliffs in Acitrezza, which, according to a legend, have been thrown by Polyphemus to Ulysses. Acitrezza is a typical fishing village and is also the place that inspired Giovanni Verga's novel "The Malavoglia".  You then proceed to Acireale, cradle of Catanese baroque and “capital” of the Riviera of the lemons, to visit the churches of San Sebastian, St Peter and Paul Cathedral..

Day 3: - TINDARI> CEFALU '
Breakfast, departure for Tindari, where you will visit the Byzantine church dedicated to the Black Virgin. From the terrace in front of the Sanctuary, you can enjoy the view of the "seven sisters", as the beautiful Aeolian Islands are called, and the lakes of Marinello, small pools of water that the sea creates creeping into the sandy bay. Next, travel to Cefalù, an elegant seaside and tourist resort, famous for its monumental artistic jewels: the Norman Cathedral, the elegant Cloister of the XII century and the charming Medieval washtub entirely excavated into stone.

Day 4 - PALERMO > MONREALE
Breakfast at hotel, visit of the Sicilian capital, one of the richest towns in history and art. A walk in the heart of Palermo will make you discover the jewels of the city: the Cathedral, the Church of St. John of the Hermits, the Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel. In the afternoon visit to Monreale, where you will visit the Cathedral and the Cloister. On the way back an optional hike to Mount Pellegrino is available, where you will enjoy the landscape of the city and the bay, surrounded by a wild and lush vegetation. Here the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia can be visited.

Day 5 - ERICE >  MARSALA > SELINUNTE
Breakfast, departure for Erice, a small and charming medieval town situated at the top of Saint Julian’s Mount. Here the Duomo, with its beautiful bell tower of 1312, and the evocative streets, where you can breathe a medieval atmosphere, are very important. The trip continues to Marsala, the town where Garibaldi landed with his Thousand and excellent dessert wine is produced. You will enjoy the visit of Salt Pans, where the windmills are mirrored in the salt basins. You then proceed to Selinunte, the largest archaeological park in the Mediterranean area. Here columns and ruins of Greek temples, remains of the city are situated near the river mouth, where the wild celery (Selinon) that gave its name to both the town and the river, still grows. In the evening arrival at the hotel.

Day 6 - AGRIGENTO > PIAZZA ARMERINA
Breakfast. In the morning, visit of Agrigento. You will discover the heart of the most important Greek colony in Sicily: the Valley of the Temples. The Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Hercules, the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Castor and Pollux, jewels of a civilization that has brought honor to our land. Next, travel to Piazza Armerina to visit the wonderful Villa Romana del Casale, famous for its priceless mosaics.

Day 7 - ETNA > TAORMINA
Breakfast, departure for the excursion to Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe, a real giant dominating and "protecting" Eastern Sicily. You will climb to 2,000 metres above sea level travelling over roads that cross lava tongues of ancient eruptions and you will enjoy the breathtaking views of the Ionian coast of Sicily. In the afternoon transfer to Taormina for a walk along its charming little streets. The Greek-roman theatre is the most important archaeological site and it is a place of incomparable beauty and suggestive scenic beauty.

Day 8 - CATANIA > departure
Breakfast, free time until transfer to airport.

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