Palermo, Monreale, Segesta, Erice, Selinus, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Syracuse, Catania, Aci Castello, Aci Trezza, Acireale, Etna Mount, Taormina
DAY 1
PALERMO Arrival in Palermo and transfer to the Villa. Check-in. After dinner nice walk along the streets of Palermo by night. Palermo Arab-Norman buildings have no equal on the planet, and the entire city is a treasure trove of museums and Baroque oratories. Its outdoor markets, such as raucous Vucceria, evoke North Africa and are still dominated by the influence of the Arabs who departed centuries ago. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
DAY 2
PALERMO Breakfast. In the morning visit to the city, including the Cathedral, built in the Sicilian-Norman style; the Church of St. John of the Hermits, built with the help of Arab architects; the Palace of the Normans, where you can admire dazzling mosaics considered the finest in Europe. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon guided visit of the town of Monreale, in the province of Palermo, it was a pleasure resort of the Norman kings, to whom it owes its foundation. Visit to the Cathedral, famous for its beautiful mosaics and for its cloister. Dinner and overnight stay hotel.
DAY 3
SEGESTA-SELINUNTE Breakfast. Departure for Segesta and guided visit of the Doric Temple that stands alone, on hill, surrounded by a deep ravine, in a suggestive landscape. Continuation to Erice, a small and very charming medieval town, situated 750 m. above the sea. Guided visit of the Church, built with stones quarried from the ancient temples. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, driving along the Salt Way, stop in Selinus and guided visit of the archaeological site, which holds the huge ruins of temples with their enormous platforms, wrecked by earthquakes. Arrival in Agrigento. Check-in at the Villa and dinner. Overnight stay.
DAY 4
AGRIGENTO-PIAZZA ARMERINA Breakfast. In the morning visit to Agrigento, discovering the Valley of the Temples. Walking along the Sacred Way, guided visit of the Temple of Concord, which is the most massive, majestic and best preserved; the Temple of Hercules, the oldest of the Agrigento temples; the Temple of Jupiter which was supposed to become the largest temples in the ancient world, but was never ended and the Temple of Castor and Pollux. Lunch on your own on the way to Piazza Armerina. Arrival and guided visit of the Roman Villa of Casale, famous for its picturesque mosaic floors in a wide range of colours with a sort of North African influence. Check-in in a wonderful monastery in the centre of Piazza Armerina. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 5
SYRACUSE Breakfast. Departure for Syracuse, situated at the head of a beautiful bay in one of the most beautiful place in the Greek Sicily. In the morning, guided visit of the archaeological site, including the Greek Theatre, with the seats hewn out of the rock; the Roman Amphitheatre, surrounded by pines and oleanders; the Paradise Quarry with the famous Ear of Denis, an artificial ear-shaped grotto. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, it is possible to take a memorable boat ride (7 km) from the Marina di Siracusa that steams along the banks of the river Ciane to the spring of Fonte Ciane. The Fonte is venerated as the place where Pluto plunged into the earth following the abduction of Persephone. Some call this area the papyrus cathedral. Check-in at the Villa, dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 6
CATANIA-TAORMINA Breakfast. Departure for Catania and Taormina passing through two fishing villages, Aci Castello and Aci Trezza. Offshore, the Cyclops' Reefs raise from the sea. They are supposed to be the rocks hurled by the Cyclops Polyphemus after Ulysses had blinded him by thrusting a blazing stake into his single eye. Short stop in Acireale. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon arrival in Taormina, which stands in a wonderful site at an altitude of 250m. Visit to the Greek Theatre where, from the upper tiers there is an admirable view between the stage columns of the coastline and Etna; the Public Gardens, a terraced garden of flowers and exotic plants. Free time. Check-in at the Villa, dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 7
ETNA-TAORMINA Breakfast. Departure for the highest active volcano in Europe, Etna Mount. Excursion by coach to Piano Provenzana at 1.800 m., where the surfaced road ends. Along the way we will admire grown fields and grapes. Lunch on your own. Return to Catania and free afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 8
DEPARTURE Breakfast. In the morning transfer to Palermo. Passing through Messina, Tindari. Short stop in Cefalu'. Arrival in Palermo and transfer to the airport.
Accommodation in our wonderful Villas and ex-Monasteries, comparable to ***/**** star hotels Daily breakfast and dinner Sightseeing tours and guided visits by our art historian guides as per program 24 hour ZefiroWorld telephone assistance One person free for every 25 paying people
Luxury coach tour English speaking tour escort Beverages and lunches Entrance fees Bus driving and parking permits Tips, personal extras and everything not mentioned in "Included in the price"
(min. 25 pax)
