This eight day travel package that takes you to the very heart and soul of Sicily is adequately named the "Meraviglia of Sicily", which translates to the "Wonder of Sicily." Begin your travels in Catania before visiting the coastal city of Siracusa to admire Greek and Roman architecture and then spend the night in the enchanting town of Ragusa.
This 8-day, custom-crafted vacation package includes:
Take in the stunning mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale, the majestic Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, the historical architecture of Palermo, the monastery of Monreale, the ruins of Segesta and Erice, and the charming fishing village of Cefalu'. Round out your trip with a stop in Taormina with a chance to see the famous Greek Theater and impressive Mount Etna. The wonders of Sicily are sure captivate your heart.
You'll arrive on your own to Catania and make your way to the hotel. In the afternoon meet and greet with your tour escort and your group. You'll enjoy a welcome cocktail and dinner together before retiring for the night.
Breakfast will be had at the hotel, before departing for Siracusa, a beautiful city on the coast rich in Greek and Roman history. You'll visit its archeological park where you'll see the Greek Amphitheater, The Ear of Dionysus, Minerva's Temple and the Roman Theater. The tour will continue to the Island of Ortigia, the old baroque city center of Siracusa built by the Aragonians. You will admire the Cathedral and the Fountain of Aretusa. At the end of the tour free time for lunch on your own in Ortigia Island. Transfer to Ragusa, a beautiful town built in two sections: the “new part", constructed after the 1693 earthquake that completely devastated the surrounding area, and the "old part", called Ragusa Ibla, which is a wonderful and well known example of Baroque architecture and art. Before retiring to the hotel for dinner, you will enjoy a typical aperitif and a tasting of local products while overlooking the main square and the majestic Cathedral of Ragusa Ibla. Dinner and overnight at your Hotel in Ragusa.
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Caltagirone, the center of Sicily's ceramic industry, to visit a ceramics laboratory and showroom. Next, travel to Piazza Armerina to visit the famous Villa Romana del Casale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses the world's largest collection of late period Roman Mosaics. Typical lunch in a local restaurant to taste the delicious specialties of the area. The tour then moves on to Agrigento, where you will visit the Valley of the Temples. This collection of temples represents some of the best examples of Ancient Greek architecture outside of Greece, with the temples of Juno, Hercules, Zeus, Concord and Castor and Pollux. Dinner and overnight at your Agrigento Hotel.
After breakfast, you'll head to Palermo, where you'll have free time for lunch after checking in at the hotel. In the afternoon, the tour will continue to Monreale, where you'll visit the hilltop Cathedral with its beautiful 12th century gold mosaics and the Benedictine monastery. Be sure to enjoy the breathtaking view of Palermo and the surrounding area as well. Afterwards, you'll return to Palermo for a sightseeing tour of the Capital of Sicily, viewing wonders of art and architecture, such as the Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral, the Opera house and Praetorian Square. The night will end with dinner at a local restaurant and a good night's sleep at your Hotel in Palermo.
You'll enjoy a breakfast buffet before leaving for Segesta, another beautiful archeological site, home of the majestic Doric Temple and other Greek ruins. The tour will continue towards Erice, an enchanting medieval town on Mount Erice famous for its Phoenician and Norman ruins. Don’t forget your camera to take pictures of the breathtaking views over the city of Trapani, the salt works on the coast, and the Egadi Islands. Free time for lunch in Erice before continuing the panoramic tour to Trapani to see the salt windmills still working along the coast. At the end of the day return to Palermo, where you'll enjoy dinner and spend the night at your hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll make our way to the charming sea town of Cefalu’. You'll discover the quaint city center of this old fishermen's village and visit the Norman Cathedral, with its beautiful mosaics, and the medieval wash-house built in the rock. The tour will continue to the “Parco dei Nebrodi”, a beautiful natural park where you'll stop for a characteristic lunch at the Miraglia Forest. In the afternoon we’ll drive to Cesarò and Randazzo where you’ll be able to admire Mount Etna from an unusual point of view. Arrival in the evening in Taormina, a beautiful medieval town between Mount Etna and the blue sea, where you will have dinner before a good night's rest.
After breakfast, you'll have the morning to yourself to relax with a delicious Sicilian granita, write your postcards or take the cable car down to the beach. If you're interested, you might like to go on an optional excursion to Mount Etna (optional activity not included). If the weather conditions permit it, you'll reach the 1,800 meter level of the highest active volcano in Europe from which you'll admire an amazing panoramic view of the Ionian Sea. In the afternoon you'll spend time in Taormina where you can enjoy some free time shopping for handmade lace, ceramics, coral jewels and local food and sweets in the many small shops on Corso Umberto or, if you would like, you could visit the famous Greek Theater (on your own, not included). Return to your hotel for a farewell Dinner with your tour party and overnight in Taormina.
After breakfast at the hotel, the tour and our services will end.
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