The wonders of Sicily

Arrival in Catania, private transfer and hotel accommodation. Discover Catania, an ancient port city on the east coast of Sicily. It is located at the foot of Etna, an active volcano with paths that reach up to its summit. The large central square of the city, Piazza del Duomo, is characterized by the picturesque statue of the Elephant Fountain and the Cathedral, richly decorated. 

Free dinner and return to the hotel for overnight.

After breakfast, pick up the rental car in Catania and transfer to Syracuse. Visit the archaeological area "Neapolis" is certainly the archaeological park that contains the most important evidence of ancient Greek and Roman Syracuse thanks to which the city has the title of World Heritage Site of UNESCO. 

The Greek theater, the Roman amphitheater, the latomie, the ear of Dionysius, the altar of Hieron, are just some of the monuments that are located within this vast green area located today at the immediate entrance of modern Syracuse. Free lunch and in the afternoon transfer to Ortigia Island for a guided tour of the place. Here you can admire some of the most envied Italian beauties in the world, both in terms of landscape and culture. There are some splendid buildings of various eras, which trace its history from the Greek period, the most famous, the temple of Athena. Return to Catania for free dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and start of the private tour of the baroque cities of Eastern Sicily. As a first stop of this tour we will visit the capital of Sicilian Baroque, surrounded by beautiful churches, convents and palaces rebuilt in classical style after the disastrous earthquake of 1693 that affected a large part of eastern Sicily, here we will visit the elegance of the eighteenth-century architectural style also defined as "Stone Garden", from there we will stop in a typical bar for a stop to enjoy a coffee or taste an exquisite granita before departure for the second destination.

We move to Modica, treasure chest of many treasures of Baroque architecture, where we will visit various early churches including the beautiful Cathedral of San Giorgio. The mother church of the city dedicated to the patron saint of the city, before 1693 stood at the east end of the town, near the present Ibleo garden, where there is still the great fifteenth-century portal, of Spanish Gothic style, the only remaining vestige of the ancient temple. The visit continues by stopping in the center for a chocolate tasting at a typical chocolate shop, famous for the production of chocolate in various compositions. Stop for lunch before continuing to the last destination. (Duration: 3 hours)

The last stage of this itinerary takes place in what is perhaps the most representative place of this journey to discover ancient Sicily, Ragusa ibla. A magical place, that makes you imagine to be catapulted in the past, Unesco World Heritage Site, it defines par excellence the late baroque of the eighteenth century with its characteristic alleys, opulent buildings and Iblean gardens.

At the end of the tour accommodation in hotel in Ragusa. The remaining time of the tour will be dedicated to moving between the attractions and free time, free dinner and return to the hotel for overnight.

After breakfast, departure for Piazza Armerina, or Chiazza in Sicilian, a small town of just over 20 thousand inhabitants located in the province of Enna, perched on a cliff at 700 meters above sea level, in the heart of the southern Erei mountains. Free visit of the city, a very pleasant tourist destination to visit, thanks especially to the mix of styles that animates its historic center, of medieval imprint with several buildings in Baroque and Norman style. The place is famous especially for the Villa Romana del Casale, famous for its mosaics and registered since 1997 in the UNESCO list of world heritage. Lunch free and in the afternoon departure for Enna, was the stronghold of Sicilian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, Swabian and Aragonese. Enna rises in the highest part of a wide mountain ridge, which stands out over the Dittaino valley. We recommend visiting the Tower of Frederick II which represents the greatest architectural symbol of the city. The tower rises on top of a hill and from its top the gaze sweeps over the upper town to Etna.

Hotel accommodation in the city of Enna, time to complete individual visits, free dinner and return to the hotel for overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Agrigento, is a small pearl of southern Sicily, cradle of Magna Grecia for its vast historical and archaeological heritage of ancient Akragas. It is a destination where history and culture are intertwined, a journey into the past between the ancient churches of the old town and the Doric temples of the Valley of the Temples, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this archaeological site is located south of the city of Agrigento. Upon arrival you will find a guided tour of the archaeological park where you can find 8 temples, all built between 510 and 430 BC. After free lunch and departure for Monreale, located on a hill a few kilometers from Palermo in a panoramic position, we recommend visiting an architectural wonder, the Cathedral of Monreale. Known worldwide for its mosaics: a surface of over 6,000 square meters and over 130 Byzantine mosaics that adorn the church and depict episodes from the Old Testament, the New Testament and the lives of the saints.

Accommodation in a hotel in Monreale and time to complete individual visits, free dinner and return to the hotel for overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Palermo. Located on the northern coast of Sicily, in the so-called Conca d'Oro, Palermo is a true artistic masterpiece. The itinerary starts from the wonderful Mercato Ballarò, a mix of scents, colours and flavours! From here you can reach the Norman Palace, with the famous Palatine Chapel. Finally, finish in the morning by visiting the nearby Cathedral of Palermo, the complex of Piazza Pretoria, Quattro Canti and Piazza Bellini. Free lunch and continuation to Cefalù, the town is part of the Madonie Park and is included in the club of The most beautiful villages in Italy. We recommend a walk to the city center and along the main road to reach the Arab-Norman Cathedral and the medieval wash house built in the rock. Then accommodation in hotel, free dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, departure for Taormina. The city enjoys a vast historical, cultural and archaeological heritage. Morning to discover the city with the opportunity to visit the ancient Greek-Roman Theatre of Taormina, which together with the Greek Theatre of Syracuse, is one of the largest Greek theaters in Sicily. Located on a promontory and carved directly into the rock, it offers a suggestive view of the Ionian coast of Sicily and Mount Etna. Free lunch and then an excursion to Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. Weather permitting, crossing a fascinating landscape, we will reach a height of 1800 meters to visit the Sylvester Craters where you will enjoy a spectacular panorama. Return to Taormina for accommodation in the rooms, free dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Time available to complete the visits, release of the rental car (?) and end of services.