Sicily Tour: Palermo to Taormina
Day 1: Palermo
We'll meet in the evening at the hotel in Palermo and enjoy the first dinner of our tour. Afterwards, we'll head to our rooms and unwind, saving our energy for this incredible tour of Sicily to properly get underway the following morning.
Day 2: Monreale and Palermo
After leaving the hotel, we'll head to Monreale, some 6 miles (10 kilometres) south of Palermo. The origins of this town are unknown, although it is referred to as "the city of the kings" as the Norman monarchy would come here to relax and have fun in the 11th century. You'll have free time to explore the old quarter, where the cathedral really stands out with its clear fusion of Arabic and Norman architectural styles.
Later on, we'll return to Palermo, where we'll wander along its beautiful streets and admire the cathedral's façade, with notable oriental influences. Originally, this was a Byzantine basilica, and these days it is one of the symbols of the island and is even listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The day will come to an end with a delicious dinner and we'll stop in the same hotel as the first night.
Day 3: Erice, Saline della Laguna and Agrigento
This morning we'll make our way to Erice, some 2460 feet above sea level (750 metres). This small, yet beautiful, town is famous for its high walls built in the 6th century BC and for having been inhabited since the Palaeolithic era.
We'll continue our route to a local winery, where we'll learn all about how the wines in this region are made. In addition, we'll do a guided tasting session while enjoying a delicious lunch.
After lunch, we'll get back on the bus and travel to Agrigento; one of the most visited places in Sicily. You'll be able to visit the Valley of the Temples (entrance included) and step back in time to the Roman Ages. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, it is the largest Doric-style temple in the world, with 1300 hectares of archaeological treasures to explore. Finally, we'll have dinner at our hotel in Agrigento.
Day 4: Piazza Armerina and Ragusa
On the fourth day, we'll discover Piazza Armerina, a city in the heart of the island. Here, you'll have the opportunity to visit yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site: Villa del Casale, a Roman villa with over 11,000 square feet (3,500 metres) of mosaics.
Later, we'll visit Ragusa, where we'll explore its charming historical centre and admire its palaces and Baroque churches. The façade of the San Giorgio church and the San Guiseppe church are both must-sees here, as well as the beautiful Iblei gardens. And of course, we'll take some time to admire Cosentini Palace; one of the most interesting palaces in Sicily.
Day 5: Noto and Siracusa
Today we'll head to Siracusa, but first, we'll stop by Noto, an excellent example of a Baroque city and one of the most captivating in Sicily. You'll be able to wander through the Piazza del Municipio and admire the cathedral, the San Domenico church and the Trigona and Villadorata palaces.
Afterwards, we'll continue our journey to Siracusa and visit the archaeological site (tickets included), where you'll see the Roman amphitheatre, the Greek theatre and the so-called "Ear of Dionysuis"; a cave which hides mysterious legends. One legend claims that Dionysius used the cave as a prison for political prisoners, and because of its perfect acoustics, he eavesdropped on their plans and secrets. We'll also visit Ortigia Island, full of beautiful medieval palaces, before making our way to Taormina, where we'll spend the night.
Day 6: Taormina
As the saying goes, 'save the best till last'; so on our final full day of the tour, we'll visit one of the biggest tourist attractions in Sicily: Mount Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in the world and the highest mountain in Italy. If weather conditions allow, we'll climb up nearly 6,000 feet (1,800 metres), enjoying the views of the lava and the contrast with the blue Mediterranean sky.
In the afternoon, we'll return to Taormina and explore the city. Nestled on the beautiful slopes of Mount Taurus, it's a city that you'll remember for years to come. We'll finish the day with dinner at the hotel.
Day 7: Taormina
After having breakfast at the hotel, the time will come for us to say our goodbyes as our 7-day tour of Sicily comes to an end.
Accommodation
On this 7-day tour, you'll stay in the following 4-star hotels, this is subject to change due to availability, but the alternative will be of an equivalent rating:
- Days 1 and 2: Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro
- Day 3: Hotel della Valle
- Day 4: Poggio del Sole Resort
- Days 5 and 6: Hotel Splendid
The price indicated is per person, staying in a double, triple or single room.
