An itinerary suitable for school groups or anyone interested in discovering the history and nature of Eastern Sicily in a few days.
6 days / 5 nights – From Catania To Catania
Arrival in Catania, transfer to agritourism or hotel, free afternoon.
It is possible to participate in educational activities with animals if present at the agritourism.
Breakfast at hotel, departure for the Etna excursion, the highest volcano in Europe, a true giant overlooking and “protecting” Eastern Sicily. Reaching 2,000 m above sea level, along ancient lava flows, a nature trail excursion will be made on the north side of Etna, the Sartorius craters. In the afternoon transfer to Taormina to walk through its characteristic “alleys”. Founded in the 4th century BC by the Siculi on Mount Tauro, it later became a prosperous Greek city and then a Roman dominion. The most famous monument is the theater, dating back to the 3rd century BC, an archaeological heritage of inestimable value and a place of incomparable panoramic beauty.
Breakfast at hotel, early morning departure for the visit of the Vendicari Nature Reserve, a wonderful wildlife oasis. You can admire flamingos, herons, stilts, storks, as well as robins, crows, doves, etc. Foxes, hares, rabbits, and dormice also live in the oasis. Late morning (around 12) transfer towards Catania to enjoy the Sicilian sea!
At the eastern Sicily seaside facility available: lifeguard, beach access, sunbeds and umbrellas.
Breakfast at hotel, in the morning departure for the visit of Piazza Armerina where the marvelous Roman Villa del Casale is located, famous for its invaluable mosaics. Then continue to Agrigento, arriving at the Valley of the Temples, the most important archaeological area of Sicily with the Temple of Concordia, Temple of Hercules, Temple of Juno and Temple of Castor and Pollux.
Breakfast at hotel, departure for Ragusa Ibla, with 18th-century style and numerous splendid buildings: Cathedral of San Giovanni, Bertini and Cosentini palaces, San Giorgio portal, important examples of baroque architecture. Continue to visit Donnafugata Castle, built over a pre-existing ancient Arab-Norman watchtower by Baron Arezzo in the 19th century as a summer residence, recently used as a film set. In the afternoon visit Modica, nicknamed the city of lace for the fine decoration of its palaces and baroque churches. Notable are the Church of San Giorgio with the steep 250-step staircase and beautiful façade, the Cathedral of San Pietro, the Capuchin Convent, the Mercedari Palace. Worth visiting are the famous pastry shops for typical 'Modican' chocolate.
Breakfast at hotel. Departure to Acitrezza to enjoy the wonderful view of the Faraglioni, legend has it that Polyphemus threw them at Ulysses, and the columnar basalts, characteristic submarine volcanic rocks formed from lava flows. Acitrezza, besides being a typical fishing village, inspired Giovanni Verga in the novel “I Malavoglia”.
If time allows before departure, dedicate the last moments in Sicily to visiting the “heart” of Catania: the Cathedral, Piazza Duomo, the baroque Via dei Crociferi, the Collegiata Church, the characteristic fish market; these are the highlights of a splendid city like Catania.
