From Catania to Taormina!

We'll arrive in Catania and head straight to our hotel (private transfers available upon request), eager to explore this captivating city! In the evening, we'll meet our guide for a briefing and enjoy some free time for dinner, before settling down for the night at the hotel.

This morning we set off for Syracuse, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to visit the largest and most powerful Greek colony in Sicily: the Neapolis Archaeological Park, which includes the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, and the Latomie del Paradiso, as well as the impressive Ear of Dionysius. We continue our tour with the historic center of Ortigia, where you will be enchanted by the harmony of the buildings in Piazza Duomo, especially the Cathedral, whose facade, a splendid example of Sicilian Baroque, conceals the columns of what was once a sacred Doric temple. Strolling through the delightful narrow streets of the center, we will approach the harbor, where the famous Arethusa spring is located, of mythological memory. Lunch is on your own. In the early afternoon, we will move towards Noto, the capital of Sicilian Baroque known as the "stone garden", full of magnificent buildings and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inspired by the ideal of an "open city", it is a rare masterpiece that represents the clearest example of the theatrical tastes of eighteenth-century architecture. We will walk through the streets of the center to admire the skill and ingenious flair of the local craftsmen. We will visit the Nicolaci Villadorata Palace, a wonderful noble residence in pure Baroque style once home to Don Giacomo Nicolaci, a man of great culture. Free time for a walk. Transfer to Ragusa with dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will continue towards Ragusa Ibla the cradle of late Sicilian Baroque with its beautiful churches and the Iblean Garden. Made famous by the TV series Inspector Montalbano, Ragusa is now listed among the 44 Italian sites designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. This wonderful ancient city has over fifty churches and numerous baroque-style palaces. Next, we will stop at Modica, a treasure trove of countless Baroque architectural gems, also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. During the visit, we will stop at one of the most renowned chocolate shops of the Iblean town, Sabadì, whose chocolate has received international awards in the last 9 years. Afterwards, we will enjoy the coolness of the Orti di San Giorgio, seven gardens suspended between light and beauty. Tasting the typical local dishes, we will enjoy the view in front of us. We will then proceed towards Piazza Armerina, and the afternoon will be dedicated to visiting the splendid Villa Romana del Casale, a late-imperial era site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A majestic villa that perhaps belonged to a member of the Roman senatorial aristocracy, it features a monumental entrance and an unparalleled mosaic expanse with scenes of hunting and leisure, and episodes related to mythology and everyday life. Transfer to the hotel in Agrigento, dinner and overnight stay.

Our tour begins today with a visit to the famous Valley of the Temples declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. We will admire the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concordia, and the Temple of Hercules. A journey through mythology, history, and nature. After leaving Agrigento, we will move on to discover the delightful town of Marsala, where Garibaldi landed in May 1860. Marsala is a modern Mediterranean city, straddling sea and land, characterized by the colors of yellow tuff, blue sea, red sunset, white salt, and green vineyard. We will walk through the streets of the center where ancient noble palaces, monuments, and imposing baroque churches stand. We will continue with a guided tour inside the historic Florio Winery, a journey that begins in front of the majestic giant pines, built at the end of the 19th century and still used for the aging of Marsala, and continues inside the 3 fascinating barrel rooms, 165 meters long and interspersed with 104 arches. After a tour through the barrel rooms, where the ancient tuff floor has been restored, we enter the avant-garde tasting rooms where we will stop for lunch and a tasting of local wines. Next, we will move along the famous Salt Road to admire the Stagnone islands and the salt pans... a lagoon that is also a nature reserve. The shallow and warm waters are home to many species of fish, mollusks, and crustaceans, as well as a rich aquatic vegetation. Even today, the Salt Pans represent one of the oldest salt extraction industries in the world! In the evening, we will check into a hotel, dinner on your own, and overnight stay in Palermo.

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, we'll dedicate the morning to exploring the wonders of Monreale. Here, we'll visit the imposing Arab-Norman Cathedral, often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world, and the stunning Cloister, a remarkable masterpiece of art, sculpture, and inlaid precious stones! Our journey continues to Palermo. Nestled at the foot of Mount Pellegrino on a promontory that Goethe described as the most beautiful he had ever seen, Palermo is a city where different historical eras and architectural styles overlap more than anywhere else in Sicily. Its rich history has gifted it an artistic and architectural heritage that ranges from the remains of Punic walls to Art Nouveau villas, noble palaces, seventeenth-century squares, baroque churches, and neoclassical theaters. Once the residence of emirs and kings, Palermo preserves monuments from the Arab-Norman period, including the beautiful Cathedral, the Church of the Martorana, one of the most fascinating Byzantine churches of the Middle Ages in Italy, and the Palatine Chapel, the highest example from a historical-artistic point of view, of the coexistence between cultures, religions, and ways of thinking that were apparently irreconcilable. Along the way, we'll stop for a typical lunch with local products. Later, you'll have the chance to admire the magnificent Teatro Massimo and the controversial Fountain of Piazza Pretoria, adorned with sixteenth-century sculptures and located on the edge of the ancient Kalsa district. Enjoy a free evening and overnight stay at the hotel.

This morning, we're setting off towards the enchanting seaside town of Cefalù. This medieval gem overlooks the Mediterranean and is adorned with a Norman-era Cathedral. We'll stroll through the town center, and if you wish, you can visit the renowned Mandralisca Museum. We'll pause for lunch at a well-known restaurant. Our tour will then continue to Catania, where we'll explore the city's historic center and its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Baroque architecture. This captivating city is full of hidden treasures, its late-Baroque architecture made unique by the use of lava stone. We'll cross the picturesque Piazza del Duomo with its stunning Cathedral and the lava stone Elephant (the city's symbol), and continue to Piazza Università. As we wander through the city center, we'll visit the beautiful Via dei Crociferi, the Baroque heart of the city and home to the Monastery of St. Benedict, made famous by Verga's novel 'Storia di una Capinera'. We'll stop at a bar in the historic center to taste the typical granita with brioche. We'll then check into our hotel, where you'll have a free evening and overnight stay.

Today we will make a quick visit to the historic “fish market” (ancient fish market) before setting off to discover Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Etna Park with its 59,000 hectares is unique for its extremely varied and rich flora and the protected species that inhabit it. Today vineyards, olive groves, pistachio groves, hazelnut groves, and orchards surround the volcano, bearing witness to a widespread agricultural vocation of the territory characterized by the presence of local varieties. The first glimpses of interesting landscapes can be seen arriving at the Sapienza Refuge. From there we will reach the Silvestri Craters, volcanic cones dating back to 1888 now inactive, surrounded by more recent lava flows. The view that can be enjoyed through the multitude of craters is truly a unique spectacle! During the morning we will have the opportunity to taste local artisanal honey and various typical products of the area. Lunch stop at a delightful restaurant. Continuation to Taormina, famous for its natural landscape, marine beauties, its historical monuments, and its unforgettable seascape with a privileged view of Mount Etna! Visit of the fascinating Greco-Roman theater from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Naxos. Free time to stroll along the delightful medieval alleys of the center and go shopping taking advantage of the countless shops that offer the best products of the island's craftsmanship. Accommodation in hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.

This morning we set off for Castelmola, just beyond Taormina, perched on a hilltop overlooking the Ionian Sea. A small village characterized by picturesque narrow medieval alleys, squares, and ancient churches, officially recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy! You will visit the highest point, following a delightful trail from the main square, Piazza Sant'Antonino, with its extraordinary mosaic of white stone alternating with lava stone, to the ruins of the Castle of Mola, of Greek-Byzantine origin. We will continue to Savoca, perched on a rocky hill, included in the circuit of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Nestled in the lush expanse of the Valle d'Agrò, Savoca preserves in its territory traces of medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque origin. We will visit the famous open-air set of the film “The Godfather” by Francis Ford Coppola and, strolling through the delightful little streets, we can stop in front of the famous bar “Vitelli”. We will find ourselves catapulted into one of the most famous scenes of the movie, when the character played by Al Pacino meets the father of his future bride and asks for Apollonia's hand. Continuing the walk through the narrow streets of the village, you will reach the church of Santa Lucia, chosen to shoot the wedding scene. Return to Taormina and free afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, a free day in Taormina, described by Goethe as “a patch of paradise on earth”. You can enjoy the medieval village, its historical monuments, the colors and scents of the Mediterranean vegetation, moments of relaxation by the sea, and shopping for local handicrafts. A visit to Isola Bella, one of the most enchanting beaches in Sicily, nicknamed the “Pearl of the Mediterranean”, is recommended due to its unique location and the lush vegetation that characterizes it. A perfect blend of tropical plants and local flora! Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

The tour of Sicily is coming to an end. After breakfast, we will return to our respective hometowns.