Summary
During the 9-day Sicily and Aeolian Islands Tour from Palermo (Lipari, Panarea, Stromboli, Salina) you will discover the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the Sicilian Archipelago. This tour offers you an itinerary for visiting the main cities, such as Palermo and Agrigento and discovering all the beauties of the island. Later, from Milazzo, you will reach four of the Aeolian Islands: Lipari, Panarea, Stromboli and Salina. The seven Aeolian Islands are situated off the north-eastern coast of Sicily in the Tyrrhenian Sea and were included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 2000. You will have a swim in the blue waters, living a very relaxing holiday in these peaceful places! The best seasons for this tour are spring and summer. If you are a solo traveler willing to discover Sicily and join a group, this tour also suits you as you can be accommodated in a single room (Single Room Supplement: April / May / October - 299 €; June / July / September - 345 €; August - 390 €). The entrance fees at the attractions and city taxes are not included in the price. Closing date for receipt of group travel requests for this tour is two weeks before the travel date. Departures organized every Tuesday from April 2, 2024 to October 29, 2024.
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Valeria
Local travel expert in Italy
I am Valeria and I speak English, Spanish and French. My passion for travel and love for my land will let you discover Sicily and its treasures throughout extraordinary itineraries.
Itinerary
On the arrival day, you will arrange your own transfer to the hotel in the charming city of Palermo in Sicily (optional private transfer upon request).
In the evening, you will meet the tour-leader and your travel companions for a short briefing.
Accommodation at the hotel in Palermo.
After breakfast, you will spend the morning in Monreale. Here, you will see the huge Norman Cathedral, proclaimed the 8th Wonder of the World, and its splendid Cloister in Arab-Norman style: admirable masterpiece of art, sculpture, and semi-precious stones marquetry. It is one of the nine structures included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as Arab-Norman Palermo and the Cathedral Churches of Cefalù and Monreale.
Then, you will have a stop in Palermo, that is the cultural, economic and tourism capital of Sicily. While the Baroque predominates in Palermo, there is a profusion of different architectural styles reflecting the city’s multicultural past: Punic walls, Art Nouveau villas, noble residences, 17th century squares, including an elegant opera house. You will visit the wonderful Arab-Norman Cathedral, the astonishing Martorana Church and the amazing Palatine Chapel included in the more UNESCO World Heritage Site mentioned above. In Palermo, you will also enjoy tasting local Sicilian street food and stop for a food surprise at a local bakery. In the afternoon, you will make a stop to enjoy a typical lunch with local food. The walk will continue after lunch, and you will have the opportunity to admire the Teatro Massimo and the debated fountain in Pretoria Square.
Accommodation at the hotel in Palermo.
In the morning, you will travel to Marsala where you will discover the city centre and the aristocratic buildings, monuments and Baroque churches. It is a lovely Mediterranean city featuring beautiful colours: bright yellow, intense blue, dazzling white and natural green. You will also enjoy a guided tour at Florio Cellars where you will see three fascinating barrel rooms with around 1400 small barrels and 600 larger barrels where approx. 5,500,000 litres of Marsala wines age in silence and stillness. After a 30 min. tour you will enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at the wine cellar.
You will continue the tour along the charming and well-known Salt Road: the west coast of Sicily with many salt marshes, which have given rise to one of the oldest salt-extracting industries in the world. They are now protected between Trapani and Marsala, in part because of the interesting birdlife, and as important more sites of industrial archaeology.
Next, you will be transferred to Agrigento where you will visit the Valley of the Temples, one of the most outstanding examples of Greater Greece art and architecture, and one of the main attractions of Sicily, included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Agrigento presents a remarkable series of Doric Temples of the 5th century and here you will see the “Temple of Heracles” and the “Temple of Concordia”.
Accommodation at the hotel in Agrigento.
This day you will reach Piazza Armerina where you will admire the splendid polychrome mosaics of the famous Villa Romana del Casale. The complex includes some of the most extensive and most beautiful Roman mosaics known, for which it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After lunch in the afternoon, you will depart to Ragusa Ibla and visit its historical centre cradle of Sicilian Baroque, with its Cathedral. Ragusa, used as a location of the extremely popular Police Inspector Montalbano Tv series, is today stated among the 44 Italian UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This little precious ancient city hosts more than 50 churches and many Baroque architectural treasures. After tasting local cheese in Ragusa, you will proceed to Catania.
Accommodation at the hotel in Catania.
The Sicily and Aeolian Islands tour from Palermo will continue with the discovery of four Aeolian Islands (Lipari, Panarea, Stromboli, Salina) that are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily.
After breakfast at the hotel in Catania, a private transfer to Milazzo will be arranged. You will board a hydrofoil for Lipari island, that is the largest and most populated of all islands (12,821 inhabitants). The island has a surface of almost 40 square km and was created by a succession of four volcanic movements.
On your arrival at the port, you will be transferred to the hotel. You will have a free evening before dinner and you may take advantage of the island’s beautiful landscapes or visit the multitude of shops on the island.
Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in Lipari.
In the morning, you will depart from the port of Lipari for one-day excursion in Panarea and Stromboli islands.
Before leaving Lipari, you will make a stop at the Cave of Pumice (Cave di Pomice) to enjoy an unforgettable swim and spend time on one of the most impressive beaches of the Aeolian Islands, due to its white seabed mainly composed of pumice sediments and the turquoise colour of the water.
Next, you will continue your trip to Panarea island, the smallest and the most ancient island of the Aeolian islands. It is an extremely fashionable island that has become a magnet for international tourists and is known for its VIP tourism. You will visit the beautiful bay of Cala Junco, a little cove with a rocky beach in the south and enjoy the time at the adjacent sandy Cala dei Zimmari for another swim.
Then, the group will take a scenic boat ride between Panarea islets more (Isolotti), five small islands nearby Panarea: Basiluzzo, Dattilo, Lisca Nera, Bottaro and Lisca Bianca. The islet of Lisca Bianca, the name of which comes from the colour of its rocks, caused by bubbles from fumaroles and sulfur, is known for the Cave of Lovers, a small cave which you will visit during this ride. The legend says that “those who are kissing inside will remain united forever”.
In the afternoon, you will reach the harbour, where you will have lunch (packed lunch).
After lunch, the day will continue to Stromboli island, that contains one of the three active volcanoes of Italy. First, you will make a stop to admire Ginostra, a small fishing village, which was recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Then, you will continue your trip to the volcano and see the Sciara del Fuoco (“stream of fire”), a steep slope with lava rivers and Strombolicchio, a gigantic rock. Once on the island, you will have free time to stroll around shops.
At sunset, you will return to the Sciara del Fuoco in order to admire from the sea one of the amazing eruptions of the Stromboli. You will be amazed by the special show given by this never-ending active volcano, bursting into a symphony of reddish lapilli.
Accommodation at the hotel in Lipari.
This day is dedicated to discovering the most beautiful coves of Lipari and Salina. Second largest of the Aeolian Islands, Salina is the green one due to the rich and lush nature. In comparison with the other islands, that have a largely volcanic landscape, Salina is covered by woodland, terraced vineyards and hillsides. Thanks to the combination of volcanic soil and natural freshwater springs, the island’s soil is very fertile, being responsible for the famous Malvasia wine. It is a naturally sweet wine, also known as Malvasia delle Lipari, produced exclusively from the Malvasia grape and a little Corinto Nero in the Lipari wine zone, island of Salina in the Aeolian archipelago.
The day will begin with the discovery of the Castle of Lipari, built on a 50 m high volcanic rock in the 15th century. The castle’s area had been populated from the Neolithic era and within its massive town walls, more you can find the Saint Bartholomew’s Cathedral and the archeological Eolian museum. After visiting the Monte Rosa and Canneto, you will make your first stop at the pumice mine for a bath.
Then, you will arrive at Santa Marina Salina, where you will visit the Town Hall and the Church of Santa Marina, the most important church on the island. You will have free time to go shopping and buy typical products such as capers and Malvasia wine.
After having skirted the eastern side, you will stop for a second bath in the beautiful bay of Pollara, made famous by the movie "Il Postino" (The Postman) directed by Massimo Troisi. You will then depart to Lingua, a small fishing village.
On the way back, you will visit the most beautiful coves of Lipari and you will take the last bath in the beach of Vinci. After that, you will return to Lipari.
Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in Lipari.
In the morning, you will reach the port for hydrofoil boarding directed to Milazzo. A private transfer to Taormina will be arranged. It is a charming town renowned for its magnificent position above the sea commanding a celebrated view of Etna. You will have some free time for a nice walk among the picturesque medieval typical narrow streets, go shopping and looking around the local handicraft (coral jewels, precious laces, ceramics, sweets and much more).
Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in Taormina.
On departure day, you will arrange your own transfer from the hotel to the airport. If your flight is in the afternoon, you can enjoy the morning on your own.
Prices
Travel dates
Every Tuesday (from April 2, 2024 to October 29, 2024)
Price per person in €
2 Pers.
6 Pers.
18 Pers.
4* Hotels (April, May, October)
1540€
1540€
1540€
4* Hotels (June, July, September)
1650€
1650€
1650€
4* Hotels (August)
1760€
1760€
1760€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 2 Pers. | 6 Pers. | 18 Pers. | ||
|
Every Tuesday (from April 2, 2024 to October 29, 2024) |
4* Hotels (April, May, October) | 1540€ | 1540€ | 1540€ |
| 4* Hotels (June, July, September) | 1650€ | 1650€ | 1650€ | |
| 4* Hotels (August) | 1760€ | 1760€ | 1760€ | |
What's Included
- 8 nights accommodation in a double (DBL) or twin (TWN) room at 4-star hotels;
- Breakfast at the hotel;
- Lunch on day 2, 3, 4, 6 of the itinerary (beverages are not included);
- Dinner on day 5, 7, 8 of the itinerary (beverages are not included);
- Excursions on the entire itinerary;
- Tasting of local street food in Palermo;
- Wine tasting at the wine cellar in Marsala;
- Tasting of local cheese in Ragusa;
- Transportation according to the entire itinerary;
- Transfers (Catania Hotel - Milazzo Harbour; Lipari Harbour - Lipari Hotel; Hydrofoil back and forth Milazzo - Lipari - Milazzo)
- Boat excursion in group without guide Lipari - Salina;
- Boat excursion in group without guide Panarea - Stromboli;
- Multilingual guide/tour leader (English, Spanish, Italian) except the days at the Aeolian Islands).