Self-Drive Sicily - 8 days

Self-Drive Sicily – 8 days

Season: all year available on request
7 nights/8 days
Palermo (2 nights) Agrigento (1 night) Siracusa (2 nights) Taormina (2 nights)
Hotel Package: Included
Airline Tickets: not purchased by us

Important: the below route is just an idea. We can customize it based on your real needs and expectations

IMPORTANT TO KNOW

Land: Palermo airport – West Side
Leave: Catania airport – East Side

1st day – Palermo Airport > Pick Up your rental car > Palermo
2nd day – Palermo Walking tour and Street Food Tasting. PM Self Drive to Monreale
3th day – Self Drive: Palermo > Erice and Marsala > Agrigento Area
4th day – Self Drive: Agrigento Area > Valley of the Temples and Piazza Armerina > Siracusa
5th day – Self Drive: Siracusa and Noto
6th day – Self Drive: Siracusa > Modica and Ragusa > Giardini Naxos (Taormina Area)
7th day – Self Drive: Giardini Naxos > Mount Etna Area with collective Tour and Taormina > Giardini Naxos
8th day – Self Drive: Giardini Naxos > Catania Airport

Car Rental Conditions

What the rate does include:

Unlimited Mileage
All insurances: SCDW – STP – VLF
Tax 22%
Airport surcharge
Road Tax (VRF)
Grace period 29 minutes

What the rate does not include:

Fuel & Refuelling charge
One way fees Apply (to be paid on spot)
Additional driver
Supplement “Young Driver” for all clients between 21 and 24 years old (to be paid on spot)
Windscreen protection (WDW): is not included in the Super Cover, it covers exclusively damage to all “Glasses” of the vehicle when no accident occurred
Road side safety net (RSN) additional coverage’s to normal road assistance that will be complimentary for customers subscribing to this service
Delivery and Collection
No show fee
Special Equipment
What not mentioned in “Rate includes”

Very important note:

It is mandatory to have the international driving license to pick-up the car
Drivers must be minimum age of 21 years old and have a license for at least 2 years
The driver has to be the owner of the credit card used as guarantee (Credit Card accepted: American Express, Diners Club International, Discover, Visa Credit, Mastercard Credit
Drop off time has to be the same as pick up time. Any additional hour must be paid locally at official rates applied by car hire company and it could be considerate as a day rental rate
The no used booked days are not refundable
A deposit will be requested for full tank, that will be completely refund if car returned with a full tank

General Terms and Conditions

Deposit and Balance
A 30% deposit is required to save the space.
The deposit is refundable, minus an administrative fee per person, for cancellations received up to 61 days prior to departure.
Deposit is payable by credit card. We do accept Visa, Master Card and American Express
The balance is payable 60 days before tour begins.

Cancellation Policy
From time of reservation until 60 days before your arrival our Not Refundable Fees as follow:
* Euro 300 per person
from 59 to 45 days before your arrival 25% of total amount of the reservation will not be refunded
from 44 to 30 days before your arrival 50% of total amount of the reservation will not be refunded
from 29 to 15 days before your arrival 75% of total amount of the reservation will not be refunded
No refund will be provided for No Show or cancellation made from 14 to 0 days before your arrival.

Travel Insurance
The travel insurance is not included in this tour. Our company strictly recommend you to purchase your own travel insurance in your country to covers you in case of medical needs, covid and travel ban.

Category
Self Drive Holidays
Location
Agrigento, Erice, Etna, Marsala, Modica, Monreale, Palermo, Piazza Armerina, Ragusa, Siracusa, Taormina
Grade
Easy
Days
8
Nights
7
Hotel Accommodation
Included
Self-Drive Holiday
8 days
Visits
As per itinerary
Licensed Local Guide
Available on Request
Car Rental
Included

Day 1

Palermo airport > Pick-Up Car > Self Drive to: Palermo

Welcome to the warm and beautiful island of Sicily! Upon arrival at Palermo Falcone e Borsellino International Airport (PMO | Your Arrival by TBA) please proceed through Passport Control and collect your luggage inside the customs area.
Then pick up your car at the Car Rental Agency and self drive to town. Accommodation at hotel and balance of the day at leisure.

Inclusions:

Car Rental for the whole period with pick up at Palermo Airport and drop off at Catania Airport (max 1 luggage + 1 hand bag per person)

Accommodation at hotel (city taxes not included, to be paid on spot)

Exclusions:

Car Rental One Way Fee (to be paid on spot)

Porterage at airport and hotel

Meals and beverages not specified.

Gratuities and tips

Everything not clearly mentioned in the “Inclusions” section

Day 2

Palermo Guided Walking Tour with Street Food Tasting -PM Self Drive to Monreale

Breakfast at hotel.

Meet your Licensed English Speaking Guide in Piazza Verdi at Teatro Massimo right in front of the main staircase to admire the imposing structure of the largest opera house in Italy (external view) and start your walking tour through the ancient center of Palermo. You walk down to Via Maqueda and reach the Four Corners (Quattro Canti) which is the junction in Palermo. Effectively, it is the centre point of the four areas of the old town and it worths a stop to have a look at its sculptures. Going south-east down Via Maqueda you will come across Piazza Pretoria which is home not only to a splendid fountain but several other impressive buildings including the City Hall. The large central fountain is the focal point for sixteen nude statues of nymphs, humans, mermaids and satyrs. In Piazza Bellini you will admire the Church of San Cataldo (external view) and of the Martorana (external view). You then continue exploring a lively open-air market, a place with strong Arab influences, resembling a souk, with picturesque stands of fresh fish, cheese, fruit and vegetables. During the tour you will have the opportunity to observe local people in their daily activities and to savor foods that real Sicilian people love to eat! A tasting of typical street food is included. The tour will finish at Piazza Verdi.

In the afternoon self drive to Monreale (just 30 minutes drive from Palermo). Upon arrival independent visit of the Dome (Admission fee: not included), jewel of the Arab-Norman art and architecture. It represents scenes from the Old and New Testaments all in golden mosaics. Enlightened, tolerant and appreciative of many aspects of North African and middle-eastern culture and art, William II employed the very best Arabic and Byzantine (as well as Norman) craftsmen to work on the cathedral. The result is a fabulous and fascinating fusion of architectural styles, artistic traditions and religious symbolism. Later you drive back to Palermo. (BB S)

Inclusions:

Breakfast at hotel

Licensed English Speaking Guide Disposal: Half Day (max 4 hours)

Street Food Tasting

Independent visit of Monreale

Accommodation at hotel (city taxes not included, to be paid on spot)

Exclusions:

Admission fees

Meals and beverages not specified.

Gratuities and tips

Everything not clearly mentioned in the “Inclusions” section

Day 3

Self Drive: Palermo > Erice > Marsala > Agrigento Area

Breakfast at Hotel.

Today self drive to Erice uptown. Upon arrival enjoy an independent stroll 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 (pastry tasting Not included). Towering over the west of Sicily at 751m above sea level and often covered in its own personal cloud, Erice is a wonderfully preserved Mediaeval town offering the most breathtaking views and a palpable sense of history. Amongst the most visited sites are the two castles, Pepoli Castle and Venus Castle.

Then you drive along the Salt Way Road to reach Marsala. You will appreciate the exceptional natural landscapes with the typical windmills of Trapani coast, original examples of still fully functional industrial archeology. Saline della Laguna are located inside the Natural Reserve dello Stagnone. The sea salt, in the tradition of this part of Sicily, is obtained by the evaporation of the sea water, through a simple but functional method of “handmade fractional distillation”, that allows to highlight the positive qualities and at the same time eliminate unwanted compounds such as calcium sulphate or gypsum. Upon arrival in Marsala you visit a local winery and taste Marsala Wine. Marsala is a wine, dry or sweet. While the city's natives sometimes drink "vintage" Marsala, the wine produced for export is universally fortified similar to Port, Madeira and Sherry. Originally, this addition of alcohol was to ensure that it would last on long ocean voyages, but now it is made that way because of its popularity in foreign markets. You then continue onto Agrigento, upon arrival accommodation at hotel and overnight. (BB S)

Inclusions:

Breakfast at hotel

Independent visit of Erice and Marsala

Visit and Wine Tasting at Marsala Winery

Accommodation at hotel (city taxes not included, to be paid on spot)

Exclusions:

Licensed English Speaking Guide

Admission fees

Meals and beverages not specified.

Porterage at hotel

Gratuities and tips

Everything not clearly mentioned in the “Inclusions” section

Day 4

Self Drive: Agrigento Area > Valley of the Temples > Piazza Armerina > Siracusa Area

Breakfast at Hotel.

Today self drive to the finest of all ancient Greek sites: the Valley of the Temples (Admission fee Not included – Meet your Guide at the Ticket Office), one of Sicily’s most famous historical attractions. This area, included in the UNESCO Heritage Site list in 1997, is one of the most outstanding examples of Greater Greece art and architecture. Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century B.C., Agrigento became one of the leading cities in the Mediterranean world. Its supremacy and pride are demonstrated by the remains of the magnificent Doric temples that dominate the ancient town, much of which still lies intact under today's fields and orchards. This splendid archaeological park consists of eight temples (and various other remains) built between about 510 BC and 430 BC. At the end of your guided visit self drive to Piazza Armerina situated deep in the Sicilian hinterland, at 721 metres above sea level, one of Sicily’s most frequented tourist spots. However, it is not the town that most people come to see, but the famous Villa Romana del Casale (Admission fees Not included). Built in the middle of the 4th Century AD as a hunting lodge by a Roman patrician the Villa is home to some of the best preserved and extensive examples of Roman mosaics spread over around 3500mt. The villa is one of the most luxurious of its kind. It is especially noteworthy for the richness and quality of the mosaics which decorate almost every room; they are the finest mosaics in situ anywhere in the Roman world. These extraordinarily vivid mosaics, probably produced by North African artisans, deal with numerous subjects, ranging from Homeric escapades and mythological scenes to portrayals of daily life, including the famous tableau of girls exercising in their “bikinis”. The visit inside the Roman Villa will be done independently, every room has information boards. Later self drive onto Siracusa, accommodation and overnight. (BB)

Inclusions:

Breakfast at hotel

Licensed English Speaking Local Guide disposal: to visit the Valley of the Temples only (max 2 hours – meet her/him at the ticket office)

Independent visit of the Roman Villa

Accommodation at hotel (city taxes not included, to be paid on spot)

Exclusions:

Admission fees

Meals and beverages not specified

Porterage at hotel

Gratuities and tips

Everything not clearly mentioned in the “Inclusions” section

Day 5

Self Drive: Siracusa > Siracuse > Noto > Siracusa

Breakfast at hotel.

Today self drive to Siracusa. Upon arrival meet your English speaking Guide at the Ticket Office of the Archaeological Park (Admission fee: not included) and start your guided visit of this amazing site highlights of which are the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Paradise Quarry. The resulting park contains some of the most extraordinary monuments that classical antiquity has left us and, given their degree of interest and importance, has few equals elsewhere in Italy. Then stroll through the streets of Ortygia Island, the heart of the city center, to visit the Dome (Admission fee: not included). This delightful pedestrian square is home to the wonderful Cathedral built on the site of an ancient Temple of Athena as can clearly be seen from the original Doric columns that were incorporated into the building’s main structure. Also on this square is the beautifully symmetrical Baroque Palazzo Beneventano and the church of Santa Lucia, the town’s patron saint. Later to the colourful daily Street Market, which sells a fantastic array of fruit, vegetables, fish and meat.

In the afternoon self drive to Noto. In the Arab period the town was the capital of one of the three districts of Sicily (the Val di Noto) and once defeated by the Christians, Noto became a rich Norman city. Unfortunately, it was totally destroyed by the 1693 Sicilian earthquake and rebuilt in a new position nearer to the Ionian Sea. But the new Noto is a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque! Most of the buildings, including churches and noble palaces, follow one another along the main street and are characterized by the honey tonality of tufa stone. Facades and balconies are all skillfully decorated by grinning masks, lion heads, putti and other embellishments. Unmissable is Noto Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Nicholas and built in perfect Sicilian Baroque style. Later you drive back to your accommodation. (BB)

Inclusions:

Breakfast at hotel

Licensed English Speaking Local Guide in Siracusa disposal: Half Day (max 4 hours)

Independent visit of Noto

Accommodation at hotel (city taxes not included, to be paid on spot)

Exclusions:

Admission fees

Meals and beverages not specified

Gratuities and tips

Everything not clearly mentioned in the “Inclusions” section

Day 6

Self Drive: Siracusa > Modica > Ragusa > Giardini Naxos (Taormina Area)

Breakfast at hotel.

Today self drive to Ragusa one of the most fascinating towns in Sicily. Like the other towns in the Val di Noto, was badly damaged in the 1693 earthquake and largely rebuilt in Sicilian Baroque style. Public opinion on where to rebuild the town was divided, and so a compromise was made. The wealthier, more aristocratic citizens built a new town in a different site, now Ragusa “Superiore”, while the other half of the population decided to rebuild on the original site, on a ridge at the bottom of a gorge, now Ragusa Ibla. While the upper part has its fair share of architectural delights, it is the smaller Ragusa Ibla down below that really draws visitors.

Later drive to Modica, another enchanting Baroque town. Modica is custodian of a 400 year tradition of Sicilian chocolate-making. Being part of the Spanish kingdom for so many years meant that Sicily was often one of the first recipients of the new foodstuffs being brought back from South America. Cacao was one of these and today Modica still specialises in making granulous chocolate, often flavoured with chilli pepper, cinnamon or vanilla, that is based on Aztec methods and recipes. Chocolate shops abound and, for the real chocoholic, it is sometimes possible to watch the “chocolatiers” at work. Tasting of Modica chocolate is a must (chocolate tasting Not included).

Later self drive onto Giardini Naxos (Taormina Area), accommodation and overnight. (BB)

Inclusions:

Breakfast at hotel

Independent visit of Ragusa and Modica

Accommodation at hotel (city taxes not included, to be paid on spot)

Exclusions:

Licensed English Speaking Guide

Admission fees

Meals and beverages not specified

Porterage at hotel

Gratuities and tips

Everything not clearly mentioned in the “Inclusions” section

Day 7

Self Drive: Giardini Naxos > Mount Etna - Piano Provenzana 1.800 mt > Collective Tour to ascent up to 2.800 mt > Taormina > Giardini Naxos

Breakfast at hotel.

In the morning self drive to Piano Provenzana (1.800 mt) where you will join an amazing collective tour to ascent up to 2.800 mt. The departure from Piano Provenzana is at 10:30 by 4×4 jeeps along the panoramic street that goes up to the northern side of the Etna, between ancient craters and recent lava flows, till we arrive at the Volcanological Observatory, at a height of 2800 mt. Once arrived there, you will be accompanied by our guides till the panoramic viewpoint of Pizzi Deneri, from which a marvelous panorama will open up before your eyes: from Etna Summit Craters to the Ionian Sea, looking over Valle del Bove and Valle del Leone (the visibility could change according to weather or volcanic conditions). After that, returned to the vehicles, the next stop will be at the lateral Craters of the 2002 eruption, where you will do a short but fascinating trekking along the craters’ edges of the eruption that destroyed Piano Provenzana. Finally, you will go back to Piano Provenzana with the means of transport and from there take your rented car and self drive to Taormina, the world famous resort town of Sicily.

Upon arrival independent visit of the Greek-Roman Theater (Admission fees Not included), suspended between sea and sky, with Mt Etna looming on the southern horizon. Built in the 3rd century BC, it's the most dramatically situated Greek theatre in the world and the second largest in Sicily (after Syracuse). Later self drive back to your accommodation. (BB)

Useful information about Mount Etna Ascent

Departures planned from Piano Provenzana 1.800 mt.
• Arrival at a height of 2800 mt by 4x4 jeeps
• Start of trekking till the viewpoint of Pizzi Deneri, 2830 mt.
• Minimum altitude of the trekking starting point: 2800 mt – maximum altitude reached: 2830 mt.
• Total climb uphill: 30 mt (it may vary)
• Total climb downhill: 30 mt (it may vary)
• Trekking downhill till the 2002 Craters
• Altitude of the trekking starting point: 2060 mt – altitude of the trekking arrival point: 1935 mt.
• Arrival at Piano Provenzana with the help of the 4×4 jeeps, 1800 mt.
• Total time of the trekking trail: 2 hours
• Total kilometers to be covered on foot (Viewpoint of Pizzi Deneri + 2002 Craters): 2,5 km
• Difficulty: T (Touristic)

Mandatory equipment:
• Snack
• Layered outfit (short sleeved t-shirt, long sleeved or thermal t-shirt) – (it may vary according to the season)
• Trekking shoes
• Windbreaker or quilted jacket
• Hat and gloves (according to the temperature)
• Water – minimum 1,5 L
• Possibility of renting shoes/jackets on site

Inclusions:

Breakfast at hotel

Mount Etna Collective Ascent fees up to 2.800 mt

Independent visit of Taormina

Accommodation at hotel (city taxes not included, to be paid on spot)

Exclusions:

Licensed English Speaking Local Guide in Taormina

Admission fees

Meals and beverages not specified

Gratuities and tips

Everything not clearly mentioned in the “Inclusions” section

Day 8

Self Drive: Giardini Naxos > Catania Airport

Time to say goodbye to Sicily! Today independent departure for Catania Vincenzo Bellini International Airport (CTA | Your Departure by TBA). Upon your arrival at the Airport drop off your car and flight back home. (BB)

Inclusions: