Italy Sicilian Panorama

Enjoy a relaxing overnight flight to Sicily.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Taormina. Enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Morning walking tour of Taormina’s charming city center including the Greek/Roman amphitheatre, with its spectacular view of Giardini Naxos and Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe. Drive to Mount Etna and visit the Sylvester Craters, where you can enjoy the best views, as you drive through the fertile slopes and villages that sit on the ancient volcanic eruptions. On the way back to Taormina, we offer a once in a lifetime experience. You may take an optional “Godfather” tour featuring the authentic villages chosen by Francis Coppola for most of the scenes in the Godfather movies. This is a good way to explore the real untouched Sicilian countryside, local lifestyle and culture. (B)

Today drive to Siracusa for a guided tour of this venerable city, including the Archaeological Park, Greek Theater, Latomia del Paradiso and Cave of Dyonisius’ Ear. This evening savor a special Sicilian dinner with wine in a restaurant characteristic of this region. (B,D)

Depart for Agrigento, a hillside town famous for its magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a guided tour of the valley, dating back to the 5th century B.C. The poet Pindar described the site “as the most beautiful city built by mortal men”. The Doric style temples, all constructed within a century, face east, a standard criteria for both Greek and Roman temples so the statue of the god housed in each temple faced the rising sun. The best temple is that of Concordia (similar in design to the Partenon in Athens) which is an almost perfectly preserved condition. Your local guide will highlight the history and architecture of Concordia and of the other temples that are part of this archaeological treasure-trove. After visiting the Valley of the Temples, resume travel to Palermo, where you arrive in the evening in time for an enjoyable and relaxing dinner at your hotel. (B,D)

Drive to Segesta, a large archaeological zone, with a magnificent Doric Temple, 420 B.C to 430 B.C., located within a beautiful and natural setting that ranks as one of the best-preserved Greek architectural sites. Continue to the sea town of Marsala, re-discovered in the 18th century by English merchant John Woodhouse and known for its sweet wines. Visit a wine cellar and sample some Marsala during a special wine tasting session. Drive along Trapani’s coastline and stop for a special Sicilian lunch in a restaurant and return to Palermo. (B,L)

Enjoy a morning tour of Palermo, a city full of character, features Quattro Canti – a splendid example of Spanish Baroque architecture, the Palace of the Normans and its superb Palatine Chapel, the Cathedral, and the famous Benedictine Abbey of Monreale. Here you will admire a 12th century cathedral, housing very fine mosaics representing a complete cycle of the Old and New Testaments. Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or take an optional tour to the picturesque fishing village of Cefalù. In the evening enjoy a special dinner at local restaurant. (B,D)

Enjoy this special day dedicated to one of the most famous social phenomena in Sicily. We will depart to the inland of Sicily, to the area of Corleone, known for being the birthplace of Mafia phenomena. Firstly, we will participate in an interesting cooking lesson: we will be able to prepare some of the most genuine and traditional Sicilian dishes. After the cooking lesson, enjoy this special lunch. After lunch, we will experience an interesting LECTURE on Mafia. One of the inhabitants of Corleone, born in the UK, will present a fascinating discussion on the topic of the Sicilian Mafia but also explaining the origins and the way how Corleone inhabitants has taken to eliminate organized crime. Return to Palermo. Enjoy an arrivederci to your travel companions during a festive farewell dinner at your hotel. (B,L,D)

You will be transferred to Palermo airport. (B)