Sicily group tour starting and finishing in Catania

On the day of your arrival, you will arrange your own transfer to the hotel in the charming town of Catania in Sicily (optional private transfer available upon request).

In the evening, the group will meet the tour leader for a short briefing. This is the perfect occasion to get acquainted with your fellow travel companions for the next days.

Accommodation at the hotel in Catania.

After breakfast, you will visit Etna, the highest volcano in Europe (about 3350 m) and one of the largest and most active in the world, between the cities of Messina and Catania, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will reach the “Crateri Silvestri”, small volcanic cones now inactive, surrounded by ancient flows of lava. You will visit a beekeeping company later this day, where you will see the honey extraction lab, taste homemade honey and typical local products.

You will then proceed to Taormina, a charming town on the east coast of the island of Sicily, renowned for its magnificent location above the sea with an amazing view of Etna. Lunch will be served in a typical restaurant where you will also attend a cooking class on some typical Sicilian dishes. In the afternoon, you will visit the fascinating Greek theater of Taormina and then you will have free time to walk through the more picturesque medieval narrow streets, go shopping and see the local crafts (coral jewels, precious laces, ceramics, sweets and much more).

The day will end with an overview of the beautiful Riviera of the Cyclops (Riviera dei Ciclopi), a mythical and legendary stretch of coastline north of Catania leading from Aci Castello to Acireale. The bizarre Cyclops islands in front of Aci Trezza have one of the most well known mythical stories, that comes from Homer’s book ‘Odyssey’ and tells the story of Ulysses and the one eyed Cyclops, Polyphemus.

Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in Catania.

In the morning, you will visit Catania, the second largest city of Sicily after Palermo, the old town of which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its original Baroque style and its unique streets built with black lava stone. The guided tour starts from the "pescheria" (the ancient fish market) to reach the picturesque Duomo square with its magnificent cathedral and the famous statue of "Liotru," antique lava-stone elephant, symbol of the city. Not far from here, you will reach University Square and you will have a walk along the splendid baroque Via dei Crociferi, where you will admire the famous S. Benedict Monastery, Unesco World Heritage Site. Before continuing along the precious city center, you will make a stop at a historic bar in the city in order to taste the typical “granita and brioche”.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a typical lunch with local food.

After lunch, you more will be transferred to Cefalù, charming medieval town situated on the northern coast of Sicily. You will visit the amazing Norman Dome and have free time to walk through the city or visit the famous Mandralisca Museum. You will proceed to Palermo for dinner and overnight.

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. Next, you will stop for a food surprise at a local bakery.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

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.

In the afternoon, you will have lunch in a lovely restaurant. You will gather with the group for one last lunch and will have the chance to share your favourite memories from your 8-day Sicily escorted tour from Catania.

After lunch, 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 more tasting local cheese in Ragusa, you will proceed to Catania where this guided tour will finish.

Accommodation at the hotel in Catania.

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.