Tour of Sicily ‘Isla Bonita’ Winter 2024/2025

It has the richest heritage of history and art in the world. Mount Etna, the highest volcano in Europe
Taormina, the ‘pearl of the Ionian’, one of the most famous ancient cities built on a spectacular rocky plateau. Siracusa, colony of ‘Magna Graecia’, more powerful and larger than Athens. Palermo, the capital of Sicily and famous for its Arab-Norman monuments
Agrigento with the Valley of the Temples, a Unesco World Heritage site

 

Tour Schedule:
February 17 – March 03 and 17 – Monday/Monday – Palermo/Palermo

Day 1 – Monday (Palermo)

Arrival in Palermo.
Transfer as a group with the other participants to the hotel. Overnight stay.

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Day 2 – Tuesday (Palermo – Monreale – Palermo)

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, depart for Monreale and visit the Benedictine Cloister and the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Europe. Return to Palermo for a short panoramic bus tour. Lunch at the hotel or in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, walk through the historic centre of the Sicilian capital. We visit its main monuments such as the Palatine Chapel, Palermo Cathedral, the famous Piazza Pretoria, and the Quattro Canti. Overnight stay in a hotel in Palermo.

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Day 3 – Wednesday (Palermo – Erice – Trapani – Agrigento)

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Erice, a medieval village located 750 metres above sea level. Continuation to the western part of Sicily for a panoramic visit of Trapani with its salt mines. We visit the sea salt production area surrounded by the mills that produce Trapani’s famous salt. Lunch in a restaurant. After lunch, departure for Agrigento: ‘The most beautiful city of mortals’ where, even today, ten Doric temples can be admired rising in the valley. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel

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Day 4 – Thursday (Agrigento – Piazza Armerina – Caltagirone – Catania)

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the visit with local guide of ‘the Valley of the Temples’. Continuation to Piazza Armerina: visit with local guide of the splendid Villa Romana del Casale, where you can admire the precious mosaics depicting the customs and traditions of the time. Lunch at a local agriturismo. Continuation to Caltagirone, ‘Capital of Ceramics’ for a visit to a ceramics workshop. Continuation to Catania. Dinner and overnight stay in a hotel.

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Day 5 – Friday (Catania –  Siracusa – Noto – Catania)

Breakfast at the hotel and in the morning departure for Syracuse, where you will visit the Archaeological Park with the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Ear of Dionysius among the Latomie. Afterwards, a visit to the island of Ortigia, the historic centre of Syracuse, where you can admire the Temple of Athena, transformed into a Christian cathedral, the legendary Arethusa Spring, and the Temple of Apollo. Lunch. In the afternoon, if conditions permit, we will take a mini cruise on board a boat. Continue to Noto, the capital of Sicilian Baroque, where you can admire the completely renovated cathedral and stroll through its streets full of architectural treasures. Return to Catania. Overnight stay in a hotel in Catania.

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Day 6 – Saturday (Catania – Etna – Taormina – Catania)

Breakfast at the hotel and, weather permitting, departure for Mount Etna, the highest and still active volcano in Europe (3,345 metres): the coach will reach Rifugio Sapienza at 1,800 metres. Free visit to the extinct craters, the famous Crateri Silvestri. A splendid variety of flora and beautiful moonscapes can be admired along the way. For centuries, the volcano has created a place where nature, culture and history have combined to create a unique place in the world. Possibility of taking a funicular and/or a 4×4 jeep up to 2,800 m (not included). We will have lunch in a rural house at the foot of Mount Etna, where we will sample wines and typical products.

Continuation to Taormina, situated on the top of the picturesque rock of Mount Tauro (204 m) and free time for shopping, to discover the city’s romantic narrow streets, or to visit the famous Greek Theatre with its magnificent views of both Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea. Return to Catania for a panoramic tour. This city, the most important on the east coast, is characterised above all by its volcanic stone buildings. Accommodation in a hotel.

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Day 7 – Sunday (Catania – Messina – Cefalù – Palermo)

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for Messina for a panoramic visit of the city. Continue on to Cefalù: a picturesque village by the sea that presents itself to visitors with a wonderful artistic spectacle of lights and colours. Lunch in a restaurant. Free time for a stroll. Don’t forget to visit the splendid Norman cathedral from 1131 and the medieval laundry. Transfer to your hotel in Palermo. Accommodation in Palermo.

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Day 8 – Monday (Palermo)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport. End of our services.

 

 

Info:

• Operator: Ulisse Viaggi e Turismo
• 📱 +39 091517880
• ✉️ booking4@ulissetouroperator.com
• 🔗 Website