Sicily Private Journeys Palermo to Catania

Upon arrival at Palermo airport, meet with your English-speaking driver and transfer to your country resort/farmhouse located in the Palermo area. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to visit Palermo, a town known for its rich history and art. Visit the beautiful cathedral and the Palace of the Normans with its superb “Palatina" Chapel; enjoy a panoramic tour of the historical center (the "Quattro Canti", the Opera House, the Pretoria Square); and we also suggest that you visit the nearby town of Monreale, where you can admire the splendid cathedral with its 12th-century mosaics that represent a complete cycle of the Old and New Testament, and the Cloister of the Benedictines Abbey with its Moorish architecture. Overnight in your country resort/farmhouse in the Palermo area. 

After breakfast, visit the town of Palermo, if you did not have time yesterday; or, you can visit Cefalù, a charming coastal town and former fishing village that houses the breathtaking Norman Cathedral. The cathedral is famous for its mosaic of Christ Pantocrator, a stunning Byzantine mosaic that’s considered to be one of the most important pieces of religious artwork in Sicily. Take a stroll to the city center and down the main street to reach the cathedral and the medieval wash-house built into the rock. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure to relax at a cafe of your choice for lunch. Back to your country resort/farmhouse for dinner and overnight. (B,D) 

After breakfast, depart for Agrigento. We suggest driving through Segesta to visit the Doric Temple, set against a beautiful backdrop of breathtaking natural scenery. Then continue to Erice, a medieval town full of myth, history, and art on the summit of Monte San Giuliano. Explore its winding lanes, inner courtyards, and cobbled streets before taking a break for lunch. Continue to Selinunte, the largest archaeological park in the Mediterranean with five impressive temples atop an acropolis. Overnight in your country resort/farmhouse in the Agrigento/Sciacca area. (B) 

After breakfast, visit the magnificent Valley Of Temples of Agrigento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to Piazza Armerina in the inland of Sicily to visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the internationally renowned Villa Romana del Casale, the richest, largest, and most complex collection of late Roman mosaics in the world. Dinner and overnight in your country resort/farmhouse in the Piazza Armerina area. (B,D)

After breakfast, depart for Ragusa, where you can visit the enchanting historical centre of Ibla with its stunning baroque palaces and churches. Together with the other seven cities in the Val di Noto, Ragusa is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you’re staying in Ragusa for the night, you can visit Modica, a small Baroque town rich with beautiful churches and famous for its chocolate. Overnight in your country resort/farmhouse in either the Ragusa or Syracuse area. (B) 

After breakfast, visit Syracuse, the most beautiful Greek colony of Sicily. Explore the Neapolis archaeological park, boasting the famous Latomie of the Paradise, the Greek Theatre, and the Ear of Dionysus. Continue to the island of Ortigia, the small, old baroque city center of Syracuse, where you can admire the cathedral, built on the site of the Temple of Minerva, the legendary Fountain of Arethusa, and the Temple of Apollo. Continue to Catania for dinner and overnight in your country resort/farmhouse in the Mount Etna area. (B,D)

After breakfast, weather permitting, you can take an excursion to Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. Cross a fascinating landscape to reach a height of 1900 meters to visit the Sylvester Craters, where you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Ionian Sea. Continue to Taormina, a charming city called "the pearl of the Ionian Sea", founded in 400 BC and overlooking the sea and the peak of Mount Etna. Visit the beautiful Greco-Roman theatre and enjoy time at leisure to shop for handmade lace, coral jewels, ceramics, homemade sweets, and preserves down “Corso Umberto” or simply wander through the narrow streets. Back to your country resort/farmhouse and overnight in the Mount Etna area. (B) 

After breakfast, transfer to Catania Airport and drop your car off at the car rental offices. (B)