DAY 1 Pick-up at Palermo Airport and drop-off to the Hotel (Private Transfer)

BENVENUTO, WELCOME TO SICILY! After your arrival at Palermo Airport, our driver will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel (transfer time: approx. 40 min.). CHECK IN at the hotel and enjoy some time for relaxation after your long journey to Sicily. Lunch and dinner will be on your own. OVERNIGHT STAY IN PALERMO AT 4- STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, DOUBLE ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) WITH BED AND BREAKFAST SERVICE.

DAY 2  Palermo and Monreale

ENJOY BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL. Palermo is one of those cities with its own very distinct, almost tangible atmosphere, a place of mystery where reality often outperforms the traveller’s imagination and preconceived stereotypes. Palermo’s history has been anything but stable as the town passed from one dominating power to another with remarkable frequency. Its strategic position in the middle of the Mediterranean brought wave upon wave of invaders including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Saracen Arabs, Normans, Swabians, French and Spanish Bourbons (just to name a few of the most influential). The result of this quilted history is evident today in the vast range of architectural styles, the intriguing fusion of ingredients used in many local dishes and in many names of locations which are obviously not of Italian origin. Thanks to this mix of cultures, part of of the city was declared UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. After breakfast, you will be met by our expert guide will bring you to discover the city center with a visit to the Cathedral of Palermo, the Palatine Chapel, I Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria. After the visit of the city center we will take a break for lunch (on your own with recommendations from our expert guide). In the afternoon, we will transfer you to the Arab-Norman town of Monreale, with its awe-inspiring views overlooking the famous Conca d’Oro and the entire city of Palermo. Here we will visit the stunning DUOMO OF MONREALE, rising impressively at the centre of its main square. The visit to the interior of the Duomo is a one-in-a-lifetime experience, as this church is a unique example of magnificence for finesse of details, luminance, and conservation of the mosaics from the Norman period. The Duomo embracing and bedazzles embracing the visitor with thousands of tiny tesserae in gold, silver, and precious stones. After the visit, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Dinner will be on your own. OVERNIGHT STAY IN PALERMO AT 4-STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, DOUBLE ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) WITH BED AND BREAKFAST SERVICE.

DAY 3 Erice and Marsal's Islands Boat experience

ENJOY BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL. After breakfast, you will be transferred to ERICE (transfer time: approx. 1h and 45 min), a Medieval town perched on a mountain that offers an incredible panoramic view and boasts a millenary history evident in its still-extant section of Punic walls. Our walking tour starts from Porta Trapani and proceed through the alley streets and the squares bordered by churches and palaces that, in open spaces, reveal majestic landscapes. The area was once used as a defense stronghold, providing critical cover for the city of Trapani below. Many locals say Erice holds a feminine energy and have dedicated shrines to goddesses such Venus and Aphrodite (Erice’s Mother Church entrance fee: € 2,50 per person). Take a breath during our exploration to enjoy lunch on your own. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the salt plains area between Marsala and Trapani. Here you will depart for your MARSALA'S ISLANDS PRIVATE BOAT TOUR, an experience you will find to be at once cultural, archaeological, and natural in unprecedented proportions. You will enjoy historical importance of the area as well as the natural wonders of the territory of Trapani. Join us in admiring all the islands in the lagoon of Stagnone from the comfort of the boat. The lagoon tour allows you to see and visit MOTHIA, a memorable archaeological site known for its windmills and salt plains. Your tour will finish with the visit of the MULINO D’INFERSA. After the tour, you will be transferred back to the hotel. Dinner will be on your own. OVERNIGHT STAY IN PALERMO AT 4-STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, DOUBLE ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) WITH BED AND BREAKFAST SERVICE.

DAY 4 Transfer to the Madonie Valley (Private Transfer)

BREAKFAST AND CHECK OUT FROM THE HOTEL. Morning at leisure in Palermo. Lunch will be on your own. In the afternoon, you will be met by our expert driver and transferred to your next accommodation located near the MADONIE VALLEY (transfer time: approx. 1h and 30 min.). Your accommodation is an old farmhouse now converted into spaces for hospitality. OVERNIGHT STAY NEAR THE MADONIE VALLEY AT A MASSERIA ACCOMMODATION, DOUBLE ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) WITH BED AND BREAKFAST SERVICE (A LA CARTE MENU IS AVAILABLE AT THE MASSERIA’S RESTAURANT)

DAY 5 Hands-on cooking class and lunch - small group activity

ENJOY BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL. After breakfast, you will start an AUTHENTIC HANDS-ON COOKING CLASS at your accommodation followed by LUNCH. Discover time-tested techniques for creating the best meal, including from-scratch pasta and perfectly simmered sauces. These techniques have remained secret in this valley for centuries, and we will unlock their traditions to create and enjoy the perfect meal. Leisure time in the afternoon. OVERNIGHT STAY NEAR THE MADONIE VALLEY AT A MASSERIA ACCOMMODATION, DOUBLE ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) WITH BED AND BREAKFAST SERVICE (A LA CARTE MENU IS AVAILABLE AT THE MASSERIA’S RESTAURANT)

DAY 6 Agrigento 3 hours' walking tour with private guide, transfer to the Province of Siracusa (Private Transfer)

BREAKFAST AND CHECK OUT FROM THE HOTEL. In the morning, you will be transferred to THE VALLEY OF THE TEMPLES IN AGRIGENTO (transfer time: approx. 1h and 40 min.). The Valley of the Temples is an exceptional historic testimony to Magna Graecia’s presence in this area and was inserted onto the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. Here you will be met by our expert guide and together we will explore this authentic gem of Sicily - 3-HOUR WALKING TOUR! After the tour, we will have lunch at a local restaurant located close to the Valley of Temples (lunch on your own). After lunch, we will proceed to our next destination located in the Province of Siracusa (transfer time: approx. 3h). Time to settle into your accommodation and relax after the long journey. OVERNIGHT STAY IN THE PROVINCE OF SIRACUSA AT 4-STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, DOUBLE ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) WITH HALF-BOARD SERVICE (BREAKFAST AND 3-COURSE DINNER, DRINKS NOT INCLUDED).

DAY 7 Leisure time in the morning and tour of Siracusa: the archeological park of Neapolis and Ortigia

ENJOY BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL. Leisure time in the morning. Lunch will be on your own. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to SIRACUSA, a city with more than three thousand years of history. Many Mediterranean populations have passed through and dominated the region, including the Byzantines, Bourbons, Arabs, Normans, and Aragonese. You will be met by our expert guide and together will visit the ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK OF NEAPOLIS. Inside the park, you will appreciate the Roman Amphitheatre, the Ierone Altar, the Greek Theater, the Latomia del Paradiso, the Cordari Cave, and the Dionysus Ear. Enjoy lunch on your own at a local restaurant overlooking the coast or in the bustling city center. Next, we will tour the ISLAND OF ORTIGIA, including the visit of the Duomo of Siracusa (entrance fee: € 2,00 per person). First settled over 2,700 years ago, Ortigia is one of the oldest settlements in the Mediterranean. The history is evident as you climbs its cobbled stairs or descend to a hidden beac retreat. After the tour, you will be transferred back to the hotel. OVERNIGHT STAY IN THE PROVINCE OF SIRACUSA AT 4- STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, DOUBLE ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) WITH HALF- BOARD SERVICE (BREAKFAST AND 3-COURSE DINNER, DRINKS NOT INCLUDED).

DAY 8 Catania half-day culture and food tour and Taormina

ENJOY BREAKFAST AT THE HOTEL. After breakfast, you will be transferred to CATANIA (transfer time: approx. 1h), where you will be met by our expert guide who will lead you through the beauties and the tastes of the city: at first you will visit the CATHEDRAL OF CATANIA and the CHAPEL OF SANT’AGATA. Then, we will visit the atrium of the Catania Town Hall with the SENATE CARRIAGES and the CATANIA FISH MARKET (known as Pescheria in Italian) for the tasting of local products (tasting of local products: approx. € 12-15 per person)! We will then proceed to CASTEL URSINO (external visit) and PIAZZA DUOMO. Lunch will be on your own. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to TAORMINA (transfer time: approx. 1h). As soon as you arrive in Taormina, you will feel the magical, mythical atmosphere permeating the surroundings and enchanting visitors. Settled on a hill of the Monte Tauro, Taormina dominates two grand, sweeping bays below. On the southern side, the top of Europe’s highest active volcano, Mount Etna, sits capped with snow and offering visitors a breathtaking, dramatic, and memorable view over almost one hundred miles of the Mediterranean Sea. Spend your leisure time in Taormina and do not forget to visit the GREEK THEATRE (entrance fee included in the quote)! In late afternoon, you will be transferred back to your hotel. OVERNIGHT STAY IN THE PROVINCE OF SIRACUSA AT 4-STAR HOTEL ACCOMMODATION, DOUBLE ROOM (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY) WITH HALF-BOARD SERVICE (BREAKFAST AND 3-COURSE DINNER, DRINKS NOT INCLUDED).

DAY 9 - PICK-UP AND DROP OFF TO CATANIA AIRPORT (PRIVATE TRANSFER)

ENJOY BREAKFAST AND CHECK OUT FROM THE HOTEL. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Catania airport according to your flight schedule. Arrivederci and we hope to see you again!

Services included:

• Pick-up at Palermo airport and drop off to the hotel in Palermo by private transfer (Day 1);
• 3 nights in Palermo at 4-star hotel accommodation, double room (double occupancy) with bed and breakfast service (Day 1-4);
• Palermo and Monreale Full-Day Tour including: dull-day English-speaking guide, private transfer to Monreale, entrance fee (Day 2);
• Erice and Marsala’s Islands boat experience Full-Day Tour including: private transfer, full-day English-speaking guide, Marsala’s Islands boat experience, entrance fees to Mothia and the Mulino d’Infersa (Day 3);
• Pick-up in Palermo and drop off to the accommodation located in the Madonie Valley (Day 4);
• 2 nights near the Madonie Valley at a local Masseria accommodation, double room (double occupancy) with bed and breakfast service - a la carte menu is available at the Masseria’s restaurant (Day 4-6)
• Hands-on cooking class experience with lunch - small group activity (Day 5);
• Pick-up at the hotel and drop off to Agrigento, The Valley of the Temples in Agrigento 3-hour walking tour with private guide, pick-up and drop off to the Province of Siracusa (Day 6);
• 3 nights in the Province of Siracusa at 4-star hotel accommodation, double room (double occupancy) with half-board service - breakfast and 3-course dinner, drinks not included (Day 6-9);
• Siracusa and Ortigia 3-hour tour including: private transfer, English speaking guide, entrance fees (Day 7);
• Catania and Taormina Full-Day Tour including: private transfer, Catania 3-hour Culture and Food Tour with private guide, leisure time in Taormina, Taormina Greek Theatre entrance fee (Day 8);
• Pick-up at the hotel and drop off to Catania Airport (Day 9).

Services not included:

• Flight ticket;
• Visa;
• City tourist taxes;
• Erice’s Mother Church entrance fee: € 2,50 per person (Day 3);
• Duomo of Siracusa entrance fee: € 2,00 per person (Day 7);
• Tasting of local products in Catania: approx. € 12-15 per person (Day 8) • Lunch and dinners not included in the section “SERVICES INCLUDED”;
• Basic medical insurance: on request;
• Tips and everything not mentioned in the section “SERVICES INCLUDED”.