Enchanted Sicily

We will arrive in Palermo and head to the hotel (private transfer available upon request), eager to explore this captivating city! In the evening, we will meet our guide for a briefing and will have dinner at our leisure, before resting at the hotel.

After breakfast, an exciting morning awaits us in Monreale, where we will visit the stunning Arab-Norman Cathedral, known as the eighth wonder of the world, and the beautiful Cloister, a marvelous masterpiece of art, sculpture, and inlay of precious stones! We will then proceed to Palermo ! The city lies at the foot of Mount Pellegrino on a promontory described by Goethe as the most beautiful he had ever seen. In Palermo, more than anywhere else in Sicily, historical eras revealed by different architectural styles overlap. Its millennia-old history has bestowed upon it an artistic and architectural heritage that ranges from the remains of the Punic walls to Art Nouveau villas, noble palaces, and seventeenth-century squares, to Baroque churches and neoclassical theaters. As a residence of emirs and kings, Palermo preserves monuments from the Arab-Norman period including the beautiful Cathedral, the Martorana Church, among the most enchanting Byzantine churches of the Middle Ages in Italy, and the Palatine Chapel, the highest historical-artistic example of coexistence between cultures, religions, and seemingly irreconcilable ways of thinking, as they were involved in the wise management of power by Roger II, with Byzantine, Muslim, and Latin craftsmen. Along the way, a stop is planned for a typical lunch with local products. Afterwards, you will have the chance to admire the splendid Teatro Massimo and the controversial Pretoria Fountain, adorned with sixteenth-century sculptures and located at the edge of the ancient Kalsa district, then we will return to the hotel for the overnight stay.

This morning we will depart for Cefalù, a medieval village by the sea with its magnificent Norman Cathedral. We will get lost in its streets and, for those who wish, there will be a chance to visit the Mandralisca Museum. After lunch in a renowned restaurant, we will head towards Catania. Here, we will dedicate ourselves to visiting its historic center and its Baroque architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will cross Piazza del Duomo, to admire the lava stone Elephant and stroll through Via dei Crociferi. We will also take a break to enjoy the typical granita with brioche. Finally, we will settle into a hotel in Catania for the night.

After breakfast, we'll kick off our day with a visit to the historic 'pescheria' in Catania. Next, we'll set off for Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. We'll take a stroll in the Etna Park, marveling at its diverse flora, and make our way to the Silvestri Craters, a true natural spectacle! We can't wait to taste the local honey and typical products of the volcano. After lunch at a local restaurant, we'll head to Taormina to explore its captivating Greco-Roman theatre. Then, we'll have some free time to wander through the medieval alleys, shop, and discover local crafts. Our day will wrap up with a panoramic view of the Riviera dei Ciclopi. Once we return to Catania, dinner will be at your leisure and we'll spend the night in a hotel.

Our tour of Sicily will end here. After breakfast, we will make arrangements to return to our hometowns!