Sicilian Trilogy Tour Recap

1° day – Arrival in Palermo airport – Independent Transfer
2° day – Monreale and Palermo Half Day Tour with street food tastings
3° day – Marsala Salt, Wine, Olive Oil and Erice with Lunch
4° day – Palermo to Siracusa (with stop to the Valley of the Temples)
5° day – Syracusa and Ortigia Half Day Tour
6° day – Siracusa to Taormina (with stops in Ragusa and Modica)
7° day – Taormina at leisure (optional activities available today)
8° day – Departure from Catania airport – Independent Transfer

Every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday

FROM PALERMO

Sicilian Trilogy Tour – Small Size – Semi Escorted

1° Day – Arrival in Palermo
Sunday – Tuesday – Thursday

Welcome to the warm, beautiful and pleasant island of Sicily!

Upon arrival at Palermo Airport (PMO) collect your luggage inside the customs area. Then independent transfer to your hotel (read more>).

Inclusions today:
> Hotel accommodation in Palermo

2° Day – Half Day Monreale and Palermo with Street Food Tastings
Monday – Wednesday – Friday

Breakfast at hotel.

Today departure for Monreale by taxi for a guided visit to the Dome, a wonderful example of the Arab-Norman art and architecture. Launched in 1174 by William II, the Dome represents scenes from the Old and New Testaments all in golden mosaics.

Later back to Palermo and start with a walk into a lively open-air market, a place with strong Arab influences, resembling a souk, with picturesque stands of fresh fish, cheeses, fruits and vegetables. During the tour you will have the opportunity to observe local people in their dailly activities and to savor foods that real Sicilian people love to eat!  A small tasting of typical street food is included.

The walking tour through the ancient center of Palermo is approx. 2,5 hours and you will visit several monuments including Piazza Pretoria, and the exterior of Cathedral.

The tour will finish at the Four Corner to permit to have the afternoon at leisure to explore Palermo on your own.

Inclusions today:
> Breakfast at hotel
> Half Day English Speaking Guide
> Admission tickets to visit the Dome in Monreale
> Taxi service from Palermo to Monreale and return to Palermo
> Street Food Tastings
> Hotel accommodation in Palermo

3° Day – Marsala: Salt, Wine, Olive Oil and Erice
Tuesday – Thursday – Saturday

Breakfast at hotel.

Today departure for Marsala, the Arab “Marsa Allah” –Harbour of God–, is known in the whole world for one thing: Wine! The Marsala Wine comes from the western lands of Sicily and its name derives from the homonymous town. The Marsala is the oldest Italian DOC wine, with an average alcohol content of about 18 degrees.

Have a short walk in the city center of this lovely town before driving along the scenic Salt Way Road to admire the beautiful Saltpans where the sea-salt is still produced following the old Phoenician tradition preserved during the century.

Enjoy a light-lunch in a local Winery/Olive Oil producer Farmhouse including tasting of mixed local products

This afternoon departure for Erice uptown. The Elymians settled in the medieval town of Erice, which was an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus. Wander through its ancient streets and visit some of the famous homemade pastry shops—world-famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastries. At arrival, friendly walk along the city centre with stop at local pastry shop to taste some Sicilian local sweet.

Later we return to Palermo.

Inclusions today:
> Breakfast at hotel
> Full Day Tour with English speaking team
> One light-lunch in an Olive Oil/Winery Farmhouse with wine tastings
> Hotel accommodation in Palermo

4° Day – From Palermo to Syracusa with stop at the Valley of the Temples
Wednesday – Friday – Sunday

Breakfast at hotel.

Today we drive through the interior of Sicily to reach Agrigento to see the Valley of the Temples: two hours guided walking tour on the Valley of the Temples an important Unesco World Heritage site covers the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Hercules and the Temple of Zeus. Agrigento, according to legend, was founded by Daedalus and his son Icarus after they had fled from Crete “by air”. Historically, however, its origins date back to 582 B.C. when it was founded by Rhodian-cretan colonist from the neighboring Gela who named their city Akragas after the nearby river. It rapidly increased in size, importance, and military strength under Phalarides, the first tyrant, and later under Theron, who extended his way over northern Sicily as far as Himera.

In conclusion, Agrigento was a city of artists and illustrious personages, amongst whom the philosopher Empedocles. Pindar defines it as “the most beautiful of mortal cities” and, in fact, in the Vth century B.C., those famous temples, whose beauty we still admire today, were built.

Then we drive to a local Country Estate which is famous for meals at zero-miles and organic products. Enjoy a rustic lunch to taste delicious local dishes.

This afternoon we then continue to Siracusa

Inclusions today:
> Breakfast at hotel
> Full Day Tour with English speaking team
> Guided visit to the Valley of the Temples
> Skip the line tickets to the Valley of the Temples
> One rustic lunch in a local Country Estate
> Hotel accommodation in Syracusa

5° Day – Siracusa and Ortigia – Half Day Tour
Monday – Thursday – Saturday

Breakfast at hotel.

Today h 8.30AM visit this wonderful town with a professional guide who will lead you to the discovery of the most important beauties as well as the hidden treasures of Siracusa and Ortigia Island.

Transfer by taxi the Archaeological Park that highlights the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and, the Paradise Quarry. After we travel back to the Island of Ortigia by taxi to start the walking tour from the Aretusa Fountain, visit the incredible Dome of Siracusa built on top of a Greek Temple and today incorporated in a beautiful baroque church!!

Continuing the walk, the tour will end at Apollo Temples to permit you to get back independently to your accommodation.

This afternoon is at leisure.

Inclusions today:
> Breakfast at hotel
> Half Day Guided visit to the Archaeological Park and Ortigia
> Taxi service from Ortigia to the Archaeological Park and return to Ortigia
> Skip the line tickets to the Archaeological Park
> Hotel accommodation in Siracusa

6° Day – From Siracusa to Taormina with stops in Ragusa Ibla and Modica
Tuesday – Friday – Sunday

Breakfast at hotel.

If you want to discover the Baroque beauty secrets, this is the tour for you! An incredible full-day dedicated to the exploration of two fascinating UNESCO heritage sites: Ragusa Ibla and Modica.

H 8.30AM departure from Siracusa in direction of Ragusa Ibla. Our Team will offer you time at disposal to keep the feeling with this section of the town giving you direction to explore independently the old part of the city and an undisputed reality of Baroque art. Here you can admire numerous eighteenth-century churches and buildings and the Gardens.

Soon after, you will discover another jewel of the Sicilian Baroque: Modica.

Lunch in a typical trattoria to enjoy the food specialties of this side of Sicily where a strong Spanish influence is still alive.

Obviously, you will have the opportunity to taste the local chocolate made following the tradition that originated from the Aztec of central America brought in Sicily from the Spanish in the 17° century

Then we drive on to Taormina.

Inclusions today:
> Breakfast at hotel
> Full Day Tour with English speaking Team
> Aztec’s Chocolate Tastings
> One lunch in a typical trattoria
> Hotel accommodation in Taormina

7° Day – Relax in Taormina or Optional Day Tour
Monday – Wednesday – Saturday

Breakfast at hotel.

Today is a Day at Leisure to explore the town on your own or taking advantage of our Optional Day Tours.

Recommended Optional Day Tours available on request

-Mount Etna WD4X4 Experience with lunch in rustic restaurant (read more>)
-Mount Etna Nature and Flower –5/6 hours scenic tour– (read more>)
-Godfather Villages – half day (read more>)
-Guided Taormina Walking Tour – 3 hours, half day (read more>)
-Taormina Boat Tour – half day (read more>)
-Taormina Cooking Class with lunch – half day (read more>)

Inclusions today:
> Breakfast at hotel
> Hotel accommodation in Taormina

8° Day – Departure from Catania Airport
Tuesday – Thursday – Sunday

Breakfast at hotel.

Time to say goodbye to Sicily! Independent Transfer to Catania Airport and departure to your next destination

Inclusions today:
> Breakfast at hotel

Palermo: Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa

Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa is in central Palermo, a 15-minute walk from the harbor. It offers numerous dining opportunities and a panoramic roof garden where breakfast is served during summer. Free Wi-Fi is available at the front desk.

Rooms at the Grand Hotel come with air conditioning, free wired internet access, and a luxury courtesy line. Some rooms also have free Wi-Fi.

The ancient cloister is a highlight of the Grand Hotel in Piazza Borsa, and is used as a venue for concerts and other events.

This 4-star hotel is just 403 m from the Baroque square of Quattro Canti.

Syracusa: Hotel Roma

Hotel Roma in Siracuse, a historical Four-Star Hotel in Syracuse, is housed in an ancient late 19th-century building adjacent to the Duomo, in the central Piazza Minerva, the elegant meeting-place of Ortigia, the historic centre of the city of Syracuse.

The hotel, which has always been a city landmark, has hosted prominent figures of local culture, from the famous scholar and archaeologist Paolo Orsi to the writer of the twentieth century Elio Vittorini.

Adjacent to the Baroque Cathedral, built on the ruins of an ancient Doric temple from the 5th century. b. C, of ​​which the hotel retains the foundations, a few steps from the Jewish quarter called “Giudecca”.

Taormina: Hotel Villa Diodoro – sea view room

Hotel Villa Diodoro boasts a hillside position and an outdoor pool with panoramic sea views, a 5-minute walk from the historical centre of Taormina. Its elegant garden restaurant serves Sicilian and international dishes.

Rooms at Villa Diodoro are air conditioned and bright. Each includes a minibar and private bathroom. Some have views over Mount Etna or the Bay of Naxos.

The hotel is just 200 m from the town’s Greek-Roman Theatre.

Guests can relax with a cocktail or a glass of Sicilian wine at one of 2 bars. There is also a Technogym area, a sun terrace and 2 relaxation rooms for aromatherapy treatments.

From May to September, guests can use the private, pebble beach at Caparena Hotel. A daily shuttle service between the hotels is provided.

WHAT THE RATE DOES INCLUDE

• Palermo: three night accommodation
• Syracuse: two night accommodation
• Taormina: two night accommodation
• Daily breakfasts
• Transportation and tours as shown in the itinerary
• Visits, meals and tastings as shown in the itinerary
• English speaking guide as shown in the itinerary
• Admission fees as shown in the itinerary with skip the line system when needed
• VAT

WHAT THE RATE DOES NOT INCLUDE

• Arrival and departure airport transfers
• Airline tickets
• Tips for luggage hanbdling at hotel and airport
• City taxes –this fee is payable on the spot at each hotel check-out–
• Beverages and meals not clearly specified
• Travel Insurance –we strictly recommend you to purchase your own travel insurance who covers you in case of travel ban, covid or medical needs. —
• Gratuities and Tips
• Optional Day Tours