Welcome to Palermo, Sicily!

This evening enjoy a welcome dinner at local restaurant

Monreale & Palermo walking tour with street food tasting

Today departure for Monreale for a guided visit to the Dome, a wonderful example of the Arab Norman art and architecture. Launched in 1174 by William II, the Dome represents scenes from the Old and New Testaments all in golden mosaics. Later back to Palermo and start your walking tour of the city centre by seeing “four corners” that converge Palermo at a quartet of baroque palaces left over from the heyday of Spanish rule dating from 1560, Piazza Pretoria and Via Maqueda. Enjoy a street food tasting at local Market. At the end of the tour, free time to stroll on your own and self-transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. (BB S)

Full day Cefalù and Castelbuono with lunch at Winery

Today you are greeted at Palermo hotel and after 1 hour driving on highway with suggestive sea view you will travel for around 30 minutes on curvy roads up to reach Castelbuono, a charming locality in an attractive wooded location at 500 mt. above sea level, that belongs to the protected reserve “Madonie Mountains Park”. Castelbuono (literally “good castle”) has vestiges of medieval architecture. Visit the village and stop at one of the typical bar to taste a pastry made with Sicilian “manna”. Transfer to a local winery for a wine tasting & light lunch. Then travel to Cefalù, a gorgeous town located on the northern coast of Sicily and one of the major tourist attractions in the region. Built on a promontory dominated by a sheer cliff, Cefalù, still keeping its ancient print, has grown around the Cathedral wanted by Ruggero II. The Cathedral, began in 1131, is one of the most interesting medieval monuments of the island and boasts outstanding mosaics and a wonderful cloister. A large part of the town is pedestrian. Stroll through the medieval narrow street and admire the picturesque houses on the sea and the long beach of finest sand. Later return to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. (BB S L)

Palermo, Erice with Marzipan Tasting ,rapani Saltpans photo stop. Show cooking and Cous cous Dinner , Trapani

Today you are greeted at Palermo hotel and departure for Erice uptown. The Elymians settled the medieval town of Erice, which was an important religious site associated with the goddess Venus. Wonder through its ancient streets and visit some of the famous homemade pastry shops—world famous for marzipan candies and other delicacies like almond and pistachio pastries. At arrival, friendly walk along the city centre with stop at local pastry shop to taste some Sicilian local sweet. Free time for lunch. Then, drive to Trapani saltpans, to enjoy the landscape and take some pictures. The sea salt, in the tradition of this part of Sicily, is obtained by the evaporation of the sea water, through a simple but functional method of “handmade fractional distillation”, that allows to highlight the positive qualities and at the same time eliminate unwanted compounds such as calcium sulphate or gypsum. This evening enjoy a show cooking and cous cous dinner in Trapani area. After dinner, transfer to Trapani and overnight. (BB S D)

Trapani – Marsala Winery with wine-tasting & Lunch – Trapani

Pick up at your hotel and drive to Marsala. The region of Marsala is always known for its fine grapes. Marsala can be dry or sweet. While the city’s natives sometimes drink “vintage” Marsala, the wine produced for export is universally fortified similar to Port, Madeira and Sherry. Originally, this addition of alcohol was to ensure that it would last on long ocean voyages, but now it is made that way because of its popularity in foreign markets. We will visit a local winery and enjoy wine-tasting and lunch. Then, drive back to your accommodation. The rest of the day is at leisure. (BB S L)

Trapani – Scala dei Turchi (Turkish step) photo stop – Agrigento (Valley of the Temples) ; Agrigento area

Today we drive to the Turkish Steps (Scala dei Turchi), a rocky cliff of unusual white color that lies between two sandy beaches. Enjoy a brief stop to enjoy the landscape and take some pictures. Continue to Agrigento, enjoy the finest of all ancient Greek sites—the complete Doric Temples, one of Sicily’s most famous historical attractions. This is one of the most outstanding examples of Greater Greece art and architecture and is one of the main attractions of Sicily as well as a national monument of Italy. The area was included in the UNESCO Heritage Site list in 1997. Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century B.C., Agrigento became one of the leading cities in the Mediterranean world. Its supremacy and pride are demonstrated by the remains of the magnificent Doric temples that dominate the ancient town, much of which still lies intact under today’s fields and orchards. This splendid archaeological park consists of eight temples (and various other remains) built between about 510 BC and 430 BC: the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Heracles, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Temple of Hephaestos, the Temple of Demeter, and the Temple of Asclepius (the God of Medicine). Apart from this latter, which is to be found on the banks of the Akragas river, all are situated in the same area on rocky crests south of modern day Agrigento (not really in a Valley at all!). At the end of the tour, transfer to your accommodation in Agrigento area. The rest of the day is at leisure. (BB)

Oil tasting, cooking class and lunch included at farmhouse in Agrigento Area

Today enjoy a cooking class at Azienda Agricola Mandranova, the expression of a local farm who wants to enhance what the land can produce, integrating the traditional “knowledge ” with rational criteria and innovation, aimed at obtaining the highest quality products and to offer simple hospitality and authentic contact with the real values and traditions. The cooking class is organized in the main kitchen and it is
followed by lunch of what the guests cooked. Participants take an active part in the creation of the menu, that can be chosen among the Sicilian traditional recipes. Vegetables are picked in the garden and other ingredients find locally, such as the delicious Ricotta cheese, the fresh fish catch into Licata’s bay and the extra-virgin olive oil and almonds produced by the farm. Enjoy also a visit to the oil mill and an oil tasting. Then, drive back to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. (BB SL)

Modica with Chocolate Experience and Noto – Siracusa

This morning pick up at your accommodation and departure for the Val di Noto to discover two wonderful Baroque towns that belong to the UNESCO heritage. All this area was badly damaged in 1693 by a strong earthquake and largely rebuilt in Sicilian Baroque style. After around 2 hour/ 2 hours and 30 minutes of driving (based on the traffic) we will reach Modica, that is divided into two parts, the “higher” town and the “lower” town, connected by numerous flights of steps. Palazzi and houses rise from the bottom of the gorge seemingly stacked one on top of the other. Modica is custodian of a 400 year tradition of Sicilian chocolate-making. Being part of the Spanish kingdom for so many years meant that Sicily was often one of the first recipients of the new foodstuffs being brought back from South America. Cacao was one of these and today in Modica cold-worked chocolate is still produced using ancient Aztec technique: hand ground cocoa beans and sugar. Chocolate is often flavoured with chilli pepper, cinnamon or vanilla. This cold-working preserves more nutrients and more flavour than modern chocolate-making methods. Chocolate shops abound and it is possible to watch the “chocolatiers” at work. For the real chocoholic, it is included a sweet experience: put your hands on and make your own choco-bar! A workshop aimed to introduce you to this unique tradition and to discover how homemade chocolate is still produced in the Baroque city of Modica. Lunch will be served at local restaurant. Later, your driver will lead you onto Noto. The town of Noto is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture and not for nothing is this town that gives the name at the Unesco heritage site. In your short stay you will admire the historical centre with old palaces skilfully adorned and the wonderful Cathedral. We then continue to Siracusa. The rest of the day is at leisure. (BB S L)

Ortigia Walking tour + BBQ lunch at Siracusa Countryside

Today meet your guide at the hotel and start your guided walking tour strolling through the streets of Ortigia Island, the heart of the city centre connected to the mainland by Umbertino bridge. Siracusa that belongs to the Unesco heritage, was founded by colonists from Cornith in 735 B.C. and once the most important competitor to Athens. Admire the Dome in Baroque style, the Arethusa Fontain, the Maniace Castle (external view), the Temple of Apollo and the beautiful palaces around Ortygia. Then, transfer to Siracusa Countryside for an authentic experience of a “Sicilian-way” BBQ lunch , with “carne arrustuta” (grilled meat) and typical products. For an extra taste of Sicily, a local farmer will offer you a real demonstration of how to work diligently with milk to create the delicious Ricotta cheese, fresh mozzarella and other typical cheeses. You will definitely enjoy the best cheese-making demonstrations in Sicily. From the first drop of milk to the delicious final products. A local live-band will accompany musically the day. In the afternoon, transfer back to your accommodation in Siracusa. The rest of the day is at leisure. (BB S L)

Siracusa with lunch & wine-tasting at Winery – Taormina

Today we drive to the Etna Natural Park-South Side (Rifugio Sapienza), a beautiful Volcano rich in sounds, perfumes, and colours. On arrival, those interested in experiencing the Etna craters will have the opportunity to explore the Silvestri Craters and also to ascent to the top (by Funivia dell’Etna Cable car company) purchasing cable car tickets (Cable Car Fee: included) on the spot (weather and volcanic conditions permitting) to experience the lava fields and incredible landscape view from Europe’s highest and most active volcano.
• how to ascent to the top up to 2.500 meters from Sapienza we can catch on the first cable car ride (Cable Car fee: not included) up to 2.500 meters (Montagnola). Upon arrival at 2.500 meters you can walk around or hiking or just take a cappuccino at the bar overlooking the area.
• how to ascent to the top from 2.500 meters up to 2.920 meters from the Montagnola (located at around 2.500 meters) you can jump on board on the UNI-MOG (minicoach WD4X4) to reach 2.800 meters with Licensed Etna Guide (Ascent fees: not included). Hiking track 2.920 meters. Area.
Light lunch in a local Winery with wine tastings. Later onto Taormina. Upon arrival accommodation.
The balance of the day is at leisure. (BB S L)

Morning: Half day Godfather visit + afternoon Taormina walking tour

Today you are greeted at Taormina and driven to enjoy the scenes of The Godfather movie. From the coastal road, rich of villas, flowering gardens, and picturesque villages, leads to the historical artist town of Savoca. In a private house in the village Bar Vitelli houses a collection of local artisans’ tools and photographs taken when Francis Ford Coppola shot scenes of The Godfather II. Stroll along the village’s main street past Santa Lucia and San Michele churches for a short view over the valley. Driving away, we’ll find Forza d’Agrò, a charming little village over-looking the Arab-Norman castle of Capo Sant Alessio. In 1990, Al Pacino and Sophia Coppola shot scenes here for The Godfather III. From the main square, a lane meets the circular steps that ascend to the Gothic-Catalan portal in front of the Church of San Agostino. Later we drive back to Taormina. Time at leisure to stroll around and lunch. This afternoon, meet our guide and enjoy a walking guided tour, including a visit at the Greek Theatre. The evening transfer to a local restaurant to enjoy a farewell dinner. (BB D)