Embracing Sicily Private Tour - 8 Days / 7 Nights
Palermo, Corleone, Marsala, Agrigento, Valley of the Temples, Siracusa, Taormina
EXPERIENCE SICILY AND ITS CULTURE ON A PRIVATE TOUR!
Travel from coast to coast and then into the central mountains of Sicily to learn firsthand about its history and culture. Travel from the Greek ruins of Agrigento to Corleone and Taormina, to experience all of the faces of this island.
DAY 1: Welcome to Sicily
Arrive at the Palermo airport and take a transfer to your hotel in the historic center. Dinner included. D
DAY 2: Palermo - Cefalu' - Palermo
Buffet breakfast at enjoy a morning tour of Palermo, a city full of character, features Quattro Canti – a splendid example of Spanish Baroque architecture, the Palace of the Normans and its superb Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral, and the famous Benedictine Abbey of Monreale. Here you will admire a 12th century cathedral, housing very fine mosaics representing a complete cycle of the Old and New Testaments. In the afternoon depart to the picturesque fishing village of Cefalù and visit to the famous Cathedral as well as the tine and quaint streets in the historical center. Back to Palermo. In the evening, enjoy a festive dinner with delectable cuisine and sparkling in a fashionable restaurant. Overnight. B,D
DAY 3: Palermo - Corleone - Palermo
Buffet breakfast at your hotel and enjoy this special day in the heart of Sicily. We will depart in the morning to the inland of Sicily and specifically to the area of Corleone, made popular because of the famous Godfather movie. We will firstly participate to an interesting and accurate cooking lesson: we will be able to prepare some of the most genuine and traditional Sicilian dishes (only for who desires to participate to the cooking lesson). After the cooking lesson, enjoy this special lunch. After lunch, back to Palermo. Rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation. B,L
DAY 4: Segesta and Seaside Marsala
Buffet breakfast at your hotel and journey to Segesta, a large archaeological zone, with a magnificent Doric Temple, 420 B.C to 430 B.C., located within a beautiful and natural setting that ranks as one of the best-preserved Greek architectural sites. Continue to the sea town of Marsala, re-discovered in the 18th century by English merchant John Woodhouse and known for its sweet wines. Visit a wine cellar and sample some Marsala during a special wine tasting session. Drive along Trapani’s coastline and stop for a special Sicilian lunch in a restaurant and return to Palermo. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at hotel B,L,D
DAY 5: Greek Ruins in Agrigento and Taormina
Buffet breakfast at your hotel and depart for Agrigento, a hillside town famous for its magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a guided tour of the valley, dating back to the 5th century B.C. The poet Pindar described the site “as the most beautiful city built by mortal men”, The Doric style temples, all constructed within a century, face east, a standard criteria for both Greek and Roman temples so the statue of the god housed in each temple faced the rising sun. The best temple is that of Concordia (similar in design to the Parthenon in Athens) which is an almost perfectly preserved condition. Your local guide will highlight the history and architecture of Concordia and of the other temples that are part of this archaeological treasure-trove. After visiting the Valley of the Temples, resume travel to Taormina, where you arrive in the evening in time for an enjoyable and relaxing dinner at your hotel. B,D
DAY 6: Mount Etna
Buffet breakfast at hotel and morning walking tour of Taormina’s charming city center includes the Greek/Roman amphitheater, with its spectacular view of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. Enjoy the excursion to Mount Etna, till 1800 meters and visit the Sylvester Craters where you can enjoy the best views, as you drive through the fertile slopes and villages that sit on ancient volcanic eruptions. Enjoy a wine tasting at a local cellar and a delicious lunch to discover the real organic Sicilian cuisine. Tonight you may experience dinner on your own in one of the many colorful restaurants of Taormina. B,D
DAY 7: The Splendor of Siracusa and "Godfather tour"
Buffet breakfast at your hotel and experience an included excursion to Syracuse. A guided tour of this venerable city highlights the Archaeological Park, Greek Theater, Latomia del Paradiso and Cave of Dyonisius’ Ear. Then you will have a once in a lifetime experience. We will have the “Godfather” tour featuring the authentic villages chosen by Francis Coppola for most of the scenes in the Godfather movies. This is a good way to explore the real untouched Sicilian countryside, local lifestyle and culture. Back to Taormina. This evening savor a special Sicilian farewell dinner with wine in a restaurant characteristic of this region. B,D
DAY 8: Ciao Sicilia!
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before your transfer to the Catania airport. B
B= Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Included:
- Accommodation with buffet breakfast in 4-star hotels
- 2 dinners at hotels
- 2 hours cooking class at a local restaurant followed by lunch
- 1 Mafia lecture in Corleone area
- 2 dinners at local restaurant in Palermo
- 1 wine tasting at a local cellar in Marsala area
- 1 lunch at a local restaurant/cellar in Marsala area
- 1 lunch at a local restaurant/cellar in Etna area
- 1 granita tasting at a local bar in Savoca
- 1 farewell dinner at a local restaurant in Taormina
- Entrance fees at the following sites: Palermo Cathedral / Palermo Palatine Chapel / Monreale Cathedral / Monreale Cloister / Segesta Temple / Agrigento Valley of the Temples / Taormina Greek theater / Syracuse archaeological park
- Transportation by luxury minivan or car
- English-speaking tour escort at disposal during the whole itinerary
- Local English-speaking guides for the visit of the following monuments / sites:
- a) Palermo & Monreale (max. 06 hours)
- b) Valley of the Temples in Agrigento (max. 02 hours)
- c) Syracuse (max. 4 hours)
HOTELS
Palermo: Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa / Hotel Porta Felice /Hotel Eurostars Centrale
Taormina area : Hotel Miramare / Hotel Caparena / Hotel Monte Tauro
*Hotels can be substituted with similar*
RATES & HOTELS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DEPENDING ON DATES, HOTELS AVAILABILITY AND RATES OFFERED
For 4 people or more please ask for group rates