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Itinerary
Day 1 Palermo
Arrival in Palermo Apt or Railway station or Pier and collect your car or meet your driver for your private transfer. Arrival to your hotel in Palermo. Time to settle in and welcome dinner in a typical local restaurant.
Overnight stay in Palermo at Quintocanto Hotel - 4* or similar.
Day 2 Palermo Marsala Palermo
After breakfast embark on a walking tour through the center of Palermo and feel like you are visiting an open-air museum. Marvel at a range of different architectural styles and see the Capo street markets that are a true mix of culture, customs, and food traditions.
Taste five local food specialties and a drink to wash them down tastefully. Blend a historical and foodie walking tour into one. See and learn about historical landmarks, including Opera dei Pupi (traditional puppet theater), Piazza Beati Paoli, the Cathedral, the Quattro Canti, and the Pretoria fountain en route.
Walk through the bustling Capo Street Market, offering a wide selection of local meats, seafood, produce & Sicilian bites. Then, taste some local specialties from Palermo. Tuck into some sfincione (dough topped with onion, bread crumbs, tomato, and oregano), panelle (fried chickpea flour), crocché (potato croquettes), arancine (rice croquettes stuffed with meat or butter), and cannolo (crunchy shell with sweet-cheese). Refresh yourself with a drink, to close off your tour in style. Afternoon depart to Monreale,
Visiting the Cloister of Santa Maria La Nuova in Monreale means discovering the best Italy has to offer, a place recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Cloister belonging to the complex of the Benedictine abbey of Santa Maria la Nuova, founded in 1174 on the orders of Norman king William II, is a magnificent example of Byzantine architecture in Sicily. Square in shape, it is the linchpin of the entire abbey complex built around it. It is cadenced with arches supported by little columns decorated with mosaics with geometric and floral motifs. The wonderful decorations on the capitals depict scenes from the Old and New Testament as well
as animal figures and floral motifs.
Overnight stay in Palermo at Quintocanto Hotel - 4* or similar.
Day 3 Palermo Erice Marsala Agrigento
Departure for Erice, a magnificent medieval city in a spectacular setting. Walk through the streets of the center of the town and visit the Pasticceria Maria Grammatico, an old pastry shop that offers recipes from the Antico Convento. We suggest to try some of the typical local delights such as almond pastries filled with candied lemon, Cannoli, Zibbibo (local wine) and the famous “brutti ma buoni” (“ugly but tasty”) biscuits.
Proceed to Marsala, the city renowned for its production of the wine of the same name. Visit winery and wines tasting paired with local products. Free time to stroll through the centre of the old town. Then proceed to Agrigento. Check in at your hotel.
Overnight stay in Agrigento at Hotel Della Valle - 4* or similar.
Day 4 Agrigento Syracuse
After breakfast guided tour of the amazing Valley of the Temples, testament to the ancient Greek civilization in Sicily. Lunch in typical restaurant. We suggest to proceed to Piazza Armerina, where you can admire the Villa Romana del Casale, (entrance fee not included) built in the 4th century AD and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List for its splendid mosaics, still in perfect condition, covering some 3,500 square metres, with depictions of heroes and gods, scenes of hunting, games and everyday life.
Departure for Syracuse and have a dinner – in the historical town centre of Ortigia – of some traditional dishes and local wines in a typical local restaurant.
Overnight stay in Syracuse at Grande Albergo Alfeo - 4* or similar.
Day 5 Syracuse Ragusa Modica Syracuse
Departure for Ragusa to visit the city built in a region that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its Sicilian style baroque architecture. The city is divided into two parts: the old city (called Ibla) and the new city. Proceed to Modica the the ancient capital of the county which once again is full of amazing examples of architecture that pay homage to the old Sicilian baroque style, where you will have a visit and tasting at the old pastry famous for chocolate.
Overnight stay in Syracuse at Grande Albergo Alfeo - 4* or similar.
Day 6 Syracuse Mount Etna Taormina
After breakfast tour of the city, one of the most important and strategic political centres in ancient Greece, visit the archaeological park and walk around the heart of the old city – Ortigia. Departure for the Etna area, stopping en route to visit of wineyard, where prestigious wines are produced, a real find in terms of wines from Etna. There will be a tasting accompanied by local product. Spend the night in Taormina
Overnight stay in Taormina at Grand Hotel Excelsior - 4* or similar.
Day 7 Taormina
In the morning, a guided tour to discover Taormina, the small medieval village called "the pearl of the Ionian Sea". Every Church, every street, and every building are full of the colors, people, and magic that make Sicily famous. The most remarkable monument of all is the Ancient Greek Theater, set in a breathtaking location with an unbeatable view of Mount Etna and the beautiful coastline of the Ionian Sea.
During this walk you will visit the famous Ancient Theatre, the beautiful Palazzo Corvaja, the Odeon - a small Roman theater, the church of Saint Catherine, Vicolo Stretto - the narrowest street in Taormina, Corso Umberto - the fashionable and charming main street, and Piazza IX Aprile - the main square with a magnificent view of the majestic profile of Etna and the coast of the Bay of Giardini Naxos stretching up the hill to the Greek Theater.
Stop at the beautiful studio where our ceramist meticulously works on original pieces with decorations and chromatic sensuality, where light has no edge and colors like yellow, blue, green and cobalt express Sicily in all its shades. Taste the best granita in town at the colorful Bam Bar ( or equivalent) and enjoy the refreshing tastes of lemon, strawberry, coffe and many others depending of what the season offers.
Overnight stay in Taormina at Grand Hotel Excelsior - 4* or similar.
Day 8 Taormina
After breakfast, ends of the tour.
Accommodation
Hotel Quintocanto
Palermo
The Quintocanto is located in the heart of the historic centre of Palermo, in the Quattrocanti, surrounded by the most fascinating architectural beauties of the city. Reaching the hotel will be easy for those who travel on foot or by public transport, and also for those who prefer to move by car. In fact, for all hotel guests access to the ZTL is free on check-in and check-out days, showing the reservation. The Quintocanto Restaurant and SPA can be easily reached by walking along the Corso Vittorio Emanuele lounge, closed to traffic, or by public transport.
Grand Hotel Excelsior Taormina
Taormina
The Excelsior Palace Hotel Taormina has been welcoming guests since 1904, just a few meters from the city center, situated on a picturesque promontory that offers a stunning view. Genuine hospitality and a warm welcome, combined with a unique elegance and culture make this historic 4-star hotel in Taormina center one of the most attractive in all of Sicily. Ideal for a family holiday, romantic getaway or business trip, the Excelsior Palace Hotel is the perfect location for business meetings, weddings and events in Taormina .
