Summary
During the 9-day Tour of Southern Italy and Sicily (including Matera and Apulia) starting in Palermo and finishing in Lecce you will enjoy an unforgettable experience full of amazing discoveries of great places, UNESCO sites, Sicilian typical food and much more! You will visit the main UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Monreale, Palermo, Etna, Catania old town, Cefalù and Alberobello’s trulli. The best seasons for this tour are spring and summer. If you are a single traveller willing to visit Sicily and join a group, this tour also suits you as you can be accommodated in a single room (Single Room Supplement: 319 €). 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 March 21, 2023 to November 7, 2023.
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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 arrival day, you will arrange by your own the transfer to the hotel in the charming city of Palermo in Sicily (an optional private transfer can be arranged 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 more the UNESCO World Heritage Site mentioned above. In Palermo, you will also enjoy a food surprise by tasting local Sicilian street food at the Antica Focacceria San Francesco.
In the afternoon, you will enjoy a typical lunch with local food.
The walk wil 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 be transferred to Cefalù, a charming medieval town situated on the northern coast of Sicily. You will visit its stunning Norman Dome and you will have free time to stroll through the town or to visit the famous and well-known Mandralisca Museum.
Arrival in Catania and lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, 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 walking tour will start from the “pescheria” (the ancient fish market) to reach the scenic Duomo square with its magnificent Cathedral and the famous “Liotru” statue, 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 more 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”.
Accommodation at the hotel in Catania.
After a short visit to the famous “pescheria” (the ancient fish market) in Catania in the morning, the tour will continue with an excursion to the Mount Etna, the highest volcano (c. 3,350 m) in Europe and one of the largest and most active in the world, between the cities of Messina and Catania, nowadays a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will reach the “Crateri Silvestri”, small volcanic cones now inactive, surrounded by ancient lava flows. Later this day you will visit a beekeeping company, where you will visit the honey extraction lab, taste homemade honey and typical products of the area.
Then, you will proceed to Taormina, charming town on the east coast of the island of Sicily, renowned for its magnificent position above the sea commanding a celebrated view of Etna.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will visit Taormina’s fascinating Greek more theatre, and then you will have free time for a nice walk among the picturesque Medieval typical narrow streets, go shopping and looking around the local handicrafts (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.
Accommodation at the hotel in Catania.
Después del desayuno en el hotel, será trasladado al aeropuerto para tomar su vuelo directo (o con escala) a Bari. De acuerdo con el horario de los vuelos, es posible que tenga algo de tiempo libre para descubrir Catania y su centro de la ciudad o podría disfrutar de un poco de tiempo libre en la impresionante Bari.
Traslado, cena y alojamiento en el hotel en Bari.
In the morning, you will meet the guide and will proceed to the stunning Matera, popular for its "Sassi", the ancient part of the city, where buildings alternate with rock caves and labyrinths. The old town reveals a fascinating and complex history with a charming fusion between landscapes and cultures.
After enjoying some free time for lunch, you will depart towards Bari, Apulia’s capital, which has always been considered an important connection with the East. Several studies have shown that the actual district of Bari Vecchia was inhabited since Prehistorical ages, thanks to the geographical location and its favorable conditions to find food and water. In the popular and lively Bari city centre, travellers will admire: the wonderful Basilica of St. Nicola - with its 18th century crypt, the impressive San Sabino Cathedral with remarkable rose windows, the Norman Swabian Castle (Castello more Castello Normanno-Svevo), a stunning medieval fortress dating back to 1131, which was rebuilt by Federico II. Then, you will visit the Murat quarter a typical 19th century district featuring wide avenues and elegant balconies with wrought-iron decorations.
Dinner and accommodation at the hotel in Bari.
The day will begin with the visit of Polignano a Mare, the city of “gelato” (ice-cream) and Domenico Modugno birthplace, Italian celebrated singer, to whom a statue was dedicated. You will some time for a walk in the city centre among streets and shops.
Then, you will be transferred to Alberobello, a symbol of central Apulia. You will enjoy a guided tour in the city centre, all made up of “trulli”. These ancient circular limestone buildings, featuring pyramidal roofs, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will also discover the Trullo Sovrano, which is a national monument since 1923. Located in the northern area of Alberobello, it is the one and only Trullo with an upper floor, reachable with a masonry stair.
Next, the tour of Southern Italy and Sicily proceeds to Ostuni, where you can spend some free time by discovering the old town known as the "white city", with more its exceptional landscape and architectural heritage.
Transfer to Lecce with dinner and overnight at the hotel.
In the morning you will visit Lecce, the most important Baroque city of Apulia. It reveals stunning architectural heritage and a fabulous mix of styles and ages: the Santa Croce Church, the wonderful Sant'Oronzo square, the Roman amphitheatre - the heart of the city- the impressive Duomo with its particular bell tower. Along the way, you will visit a papier-mâché lab, a real pride of local craftsmanship, and enjoy a wine aperitif in the main square.
Free time for lunch.
After lunch, the afternoon will be dedicated to the charming Gallipoli. The ancient Kalèpolis, also called "beautiful city", rises on an island connected to the mainland by a 16th-century bridge. You will visit the city centre, the majestic Sant'Agata Cathedral, the Church of Santa Maria della Purità and an ancient 1600 hypogeum oil-mill located under Palazzo Granafei.
Return to Lecce, dinner and overnight. more
On departure day, you will arrange your own transfer from the hotel to the nearest airport.
Prices
Travel dates
Every Tuesday (from March 21, 2023 to November 7, 2023)
Price per person in €
2 Pers.
6 Pers.
18 Pers.
4* Hotels
2249€
2249€
2249€
| Travel dates | Accommodation | Price per person in € | ||
| 2 Pers. | 6 Pers. | 18 Pers. | ||
|
Every Tuesday (from March 21, 2023 to November 7, 2023) |
4* Hotels | 2249€ | 2249€ | 2249€ |
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 of the itinerary (beverages are not included);
- Dinner on day 5, 6, 7, 8 of the itinerary (beverages are not included);
- Excursions on the entire itinerary;
- Tasting of local street food in Palermo;
- Tasting of Sicilian “granita and brioche”;
- Honey tasting in Etna area;
- Wine aperitif in Lecce;
- One-way flight (direct or with layover) Catania to Bari with hold luggage up to 20 kg;
- Transportation according to the entire itinerary;
- Multilingual guide/tour leader (English, Spanish, Italian).