Sicilian Carousel Catania to Taormina

Agrigento
Agrigento
Palermo
Palermo
Cefalu'
Cefalu'
Siracusa
Siracusa
Ragusa
Ragusa
Taormina
Taormina

General information

DurationDestinationDeparture
8 days and 7 nights
Italy (Catania, Ragusa, Agrigento, Palermo, Taormina)
Italy (Catania)

Description

Escorted tour departing every Saturday April to October.

Program

Day 1:

Saturday CATANIA
Independent arrival at the hotel in Catania, accommodation, welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight.

Day 2:

Sunday CATANIA – SIRACUSA – CATANIA
After a buffet breakfast, departure to Syracuse: visit the archaeological area “Neapolis” including the famous Greek theatre, Latomie of
the Paradise and the “Dyionisios Ear”. Continue to the island of Ortigia, the small baroque old city centre of Siracusa; visit of the
Cathedral, which is built upon the site of the Temple of Minerva, the legendary Arethuse Fountain and the Temple of Apollo. Lunch in a
local restaurant. In the afternoon return to Catania for a nice walking tour. During the tour in Catania, stroll through the city centre with
your professional guide who will charm you with the history of the city. Dinner and Overnight at hotel in Catania.

Day 3:

Monday CATANIA – MODICA – RAGUSA
After a buffet breakfast, departure to Modica a town whose architecture has been recognised as providing outstanding testimony to the
exuberant genius and final flowering of Baroque art in Europe. Modica is a town with an ancient history, nicknamed "the city of 100
churches" and some of its most representative monuments, such as the Cathedral of San Pietro and the Church of San Giorgio, have
been proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The tour will then continue with a visit inside the Artisan chocolate workshop; there
you will have the chance to discover the techniques leading to the production of an amazing quality of "the Modican's chocolate". Lunch
in a local restaurant. After lunch, continue to the ancient city “Ragusa Ibla", cradle of Sicilian baroque, with its Cathedral and the
“giardino Ibleo”; followed by free time to explore the town and shopping. Return to the hotel. Dinner and Overnight.

Day 4:

Tuesday RAGUSA – PIAZZA ARMERINA – AGRIGENTO
After a buffet breakfast, departure to Piazza Armerina to visit the worldwide known Villa Romana del Casale, declared a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, thanks to its well preserved mosaics depicting mythological themes and hunting scenes. Lunch in a local restaurant
with a special menu chosen to give the opportunity to taste the local specialities. Departure to Agrigento, a hillside town famous for its
magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; guided tour of the Valley, including the Temple of Concordia, which
is in almost perfectly preserved condition, the temples of Juno and Heracles. Accommodation and dinner at hotel in Agrigento.

Day 5:

Wednesday AGRIGENTO – MONREALE - PALERMO
After a buffet breakfast departure to Palermo, the capital of Sicily. At the arrival visit the town of Monreale, situated on a hill at few kms
far from Palermo in panoramic position. Visit of the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful monuments in the world with its Moorish
architecture, housing very fine mosaics representing a complete cycle of the Old and New Testaments in Arab-Norman style. Lunch in a
Local restaurant. After lunch continuation for a panoramic tour of Palermo, passing by the Normand Palace, Teatro Massimo and the
guided visit of the Cathedral. Then transfer to your hotel, accommodation, dinner and overnight.

Day 6:

Thursday PALERMO - CEFALU’ - TAORMINA
After a buffet breakfast, morning dedicated to the visit of the historical centre of the town, one of the largest in Europe; the walking tour
will begin from "I Quattro Canti di Città” with Piazza Pretoria, Piazza Bellini and internal visit of Martorana Church; we continue to S.
Giuseppe dei Teatini Church, “Ballarò Market” and Casa Professa Church with its fantastic marbles.
Departure to Cefalù a former fishing village, now a charming coastal town. Lunch in a local restaurant; after lunch, enjoy a walk to the
city centre and down main street to reach the Arab-Norman Cathedral and the medieval wash-house built in the rock.
Proceed to Taormina. At the arrival accommodation, dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 7:

Friday TAORMINA - MT ETNA (Optional excursion) - TAORMINA
After a buffet breakfast, morning at leisure or for those who are interested, opportunity to take an optional excursion to the Mount Etna,
the highest active Volcano in Europe. Weather conditions permitting, across fascinating landscape, we will reach a height of 1800
metres to visit the Sylvester Craters where you can enjoy a spectacular panorama over the Ionian Sea (supplement on the spot; the
excursion will take place with a minimum of participants). Lunch on your own. Afternoon in Taormina, charming city called "the pearl of
the Ionian Sea": enjoy time at leisure for shopping or walking through its tiny streets. Possibility to visit the Greek-Roman Theatre on
your own (Ticket €.12,00 p.p.), with its spectacular view of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna. Return to your hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 8:

Saturday TAORMINA
After buffet breakfast, end of the Tour

Price includes

- Accommodation in 4 stars Hotels
- Welcome cocktail
- 7 Dinners, 5 Lunches in local restaurants, 7 Breakfasts
- Visit of an artisan chocolate workshop in Modica
- Beverage at meals:
- Mineral water (1/2 per person) at meals
- 1/4 of wine & coffee (only at lunch in restaurants)
- Transportation de Luxe motor coach* with free wi-fi
*a minivan with driver/guide, normally not equipped with wifi, will be provided
if the number of participants is equal to or less than eight
- English speaking Tour Escort
- Local guides where necessary
- Whispers Kit
- Porterage at hotels
-Our staff assistance

Price does not include

- Transfers in/out
- Entrance tickets to sites and museums
- City Tax: to be paid directly at the Hotel
- Beverages (Coffee and Wine at meals in the Hotels)
- Optional excursion* Etna Volcano on Day 7°
(the optional excursions will take place with a minimum of
participants, book and pay on the spot).
- Everything which is not clearly specified under ”rate
includes”
* SUPPLEMENTS OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS
to book and pay on the spot
the excursions will take place with a minimum of participants

Itinerary

Day Overnight Itinerary highlights
1 Il Principe **** or similarCatania   Catania - Hotel
2 Il Principe **** or similarCatania   Catania - Catania Siracusa Catania
3 Poggio Del Sole Resort **** or similarRagusa   Ragusa - Catania Modica Ragusa
4 Dioscuri Bay Palace**** or similarAgrigento   Agrigento - Ragusa Piazza - Armerina Agrigento
5 GHPiazza Boria **** or similarPalermo   Palermo - Agrigento Monreale Palermo
6 Villa Diodoro **** or similarTaormina   Taormina - Palermo Cefalu Taormina
7 Villa Diodoro **** or similarTaormina   Taormina - Taormina
8   Taormina - Hotel

Accommodations provided in each place

Place
CataniaIl Principe **** or similar
RagusaPoggio Del Sole Resort **** or similar
AgrigentoDioscuri Bay Palace**** or similar
PalermoGHPiazza Boria **** or similar
TaorminaVilla Diodoro **** or similar