Sicily’s position in the Mediterranean Sea gives the island a varied landscape with tropical greens, dry browns and volcanic rock. Sicily has been home to many great civilisations, reflected in its diverse architecture with Greek temples, Norman churches and Baroque palazzi, yet its towns and cities are extraordinarily cosmopolitan. With Sicily’s combination of historic cities, archaeological sites and laid back beach resorts, the holiday gives a real sense of the diverse friendly culture the island has to offer.

Tour program

DAY 1 - FRIDAY : PALERMO

Arrival in Palermo airport. Private transfer to the hotel. Meeting with the participants. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.

DAY 2 - SATURDAY: PALERMO-CORLEONE-FICUZZA-PALERMO

Buffet breakfast at your hotel and enjoy this special day dedicated to one of the most famous social phenomena in Sicily. We will depart in the morning to the inland of Sicily and specifically to the area of Corleone, known for being the place where Mafia phenome- na was born but also know nowadays for being the place where Mafia is firmly fought. We will firstly participate to an interesting and accurate cooking lesson: we will be able to prepare some of the most genuine and traditional Sicilian dishes (only for who desires to participate to the cooking lesson). After the cooking lesson, enjoy this special lunch. After lunch, we will experience an interesting LECTURE on Mafia. One of the inhabitants of Corleone, born in the UK, will present a fascinating discussion on the topic of the Sicili- an Mafia but also explaining the origins and the way how Corleone inhabitants has taken to eliminate organized crime. Back to Paler- mo. Accommodation.

DAY 3 - SUNDAY: PALERMO-MONREALE – (optional tour to CEFALU’) - PALERMO

Buffet breakfast at enjoy a morning tour of Palermo, a city full of character, features Quattro Canti – a splendid example of Spanish Baroque architecture, the Palace of the Normans and its superb Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral, and the famous Benedictine Abbey of Monreale. Here you will admire a 12th century cathedral, housing very fine mosaics representing a complete cycle of the Old and New Testaments. Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or take an optional tour with your tour director to the picturesque fishing village of Cefalù. In the evening, enjoy a festive dinner with delectable cuisine and sparkling in a fashionable restaurant. Overnight

DAY 4 - MONDAY: PALERMO-SEGESTA- MARSALA-TRAPANI-PALERMO

Buffet breakfast at your hotel and journey to Segesta, a large archaeological zone, with a magnificent Doric Temple, 420 B.C to 430 B.C., located within a beautiful and natural setting that ranks as one of the best-preserved Greek architectural sites. Continue to the sea town of Marsala, re-discovered in the 18th century by English merchant John Woodhouse and known for its sweet wines. Visit a wine cellar and sample some Marsala during a special wine tasting session. Drive along Trapani’s coastline and stop for a special Sicilian lunch in a restaurant and return to Palermo. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at hotel

DAY 5 - TUESDAY: PALERMO-AGRIGENTO-TAORMINA

Buffet breakfast at your hotel and depart for Agrigento, a hillside town famous for its magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a guided tour of the valley, dating back to the 5th century B.C. The poet Pindar described the site “as the most beautiful city built by mortal men”, The Doric style temples, all constructed within a century, face east, a standard criteria for both Greek and Roman temples so the statue of the god housed in each temple faced the rising sun. The best temple is that of Concordia (similar in design to the Parthenon in Athens) which is an almost perfectly preserved condition. Your local guide will highlight the history and architecture of Concordia and of the other temples that are part of this archaeological treasure-trove. After visiting the Valley of the Temples, resume travel to Taormina, where you arrive in the evening in time for an enjoyable and relaxing dinner at your hotel.

DAY 6 - WEDNESDAY: TAORMINA- MOUNT ETNA-TAORMINA (optional tour to SAVOCA,FORZA D’AGRO’)

Buffet breakfast at hotel and morning walking tour of Taormina’s charming city center includes the Greek/Roman amphitheatre, with its spectacular view of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. Enjoy the excursion to Mount Etna, till 1800 meters and visit the Sylvester Craters where you can enjoy the best views, as you drive through the fertile slopes and villages that sit on ancient volcanic eruptions. On the way back to Taormina, we offer a once in a lifetime experience. You may take an optional “Godfather” tour featuring the authentic villages chosen by Francis Coppola for most of the scenes in the Godfather movies. This is a good way to explore the real untouched Sicilian countryside, local lifestyle and culture. Tonight you may experience dinner on your own in one of the many colorful restaurants of Taormina.

DAY 7 - THURSDAY: TAORMINA-SIRACUSA-TAORMINA

Buffet breakfast at your hotel and experience an included excursion to Syracuse. A guided tour of this venerable city highlights the Archaeological Park, Greek Theater, Latomia del Paradiso and Cave of Dyonisius’ Ear. This evening savor a special Sicilian dinner with wine in a restaurant characteristic of this region.

DAY 8 - FRIDAY: TAORMINA

Buffet breakfast at your hotel. Private transfer to Catania airport.

DEPARTURE DATES

APRIL 2020: 10 and 24
MAY 2020: 08 and 22
JUNE 2020: 05 and 12
SEPTEMBER 2020: 04, 18 and 25
OCTOBER 2020: 09

SELECTED 4* HOTELS

Palermo:  Hotel Ai Cavalieri**** /  Hotel Principe di Villafranca****  
Taormina:  Hotel Villa Diodoro **** / Hotel Excelsior Palace **** / Hotel Caparena****

What´s included

• 7 nights B&B in selected 4* hotels
• 7 meals: 2 dinners at the hotel + 3 dinners at local restaurants (Taormina & Palermo) + 2 lunches at local restaurants (Marsala area & Corleone area) including 1⁄4 wine + 1⁄2 mineral water + coffee or cappuccino
• Wine tasting in Marsala
• Cookery class in Corleone
• Private coach with driver and English speaking tour director
• Guided tours of Taormina, Syracuse, Agrigento, Palermo
• Excursion to Mount Etna
• Tourist tax

Not included

• Flights
• Beverages during meals
• Entrance fees
• Tips and personal extras
• Anything else not mentioned in the "What´s included" section