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  • Secrets of Sicily – 9 Days
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Overview

Regular departures every Tuesday from Palermo.

Detailed Itinerary

Individual arrival to the hotel in the charming city of Palermo (optional private transfer on request). Dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.

After breakfast in hotel, the morning will be spent visiting Monreale, its huge Norman Cathedral, proclaimed the Eighth Wonder of the World, and its splendid Cloister in Arab-Norman style: admirable masterpiece of art, sculpture, and semiprecious stones marquetry! Later you will discover the stunning Palermo, one of the richest towns in the island for its history and art. Palermo stands on a bay dominated by Mount Pellegrino. While the Baroque predominates, there is a profusion of different architectural styles reflecting the city’s multicultural past. Visit of the wonderful eclectic Cathedral, the astonishing Martorana Church and the amazing Cappella Palatina, admirable example from an historical and an artistic point of view, and a prove of how different cultures and religions can coexist. During the day, you will have a stop to enjoy a typical lunch with local food. Along the path you will admire the famous Teatro Massimo and the debated fountain in Pretoria Square, adorned with 16th century sculptures. Dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.

After breakfast transfer to Cefalu, charming Medieval town situated at the northern coast of Sicily. Visit of its stunning Norman Dome, free time to stroll through the town or to visit the famous and well-known Mandralisca Museum. You will have a stop to have lunch in a famous restaurant. Arrival in Catania to visit Catania’s historical centre stated UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its original Baroque style and its unique streets built with black lava stone. The colour scheme of the city centre buildings is black and dark grey, relieved with white limestone details around doors and windows. The effect is extremely elegant! The walking tour will start from the scenic Duomo Square with its magnificent Cathedral and the famous “Liotru” statue, antique lava-stone elephant, symbol of the city. Not far from here we will reach University Square and we will have a walk along the splendid baroque Via Dei Crociferi, the most representative 18th century street in Catania, where we will admire the famous S. Benedict Monastery, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continuing the visit enjoy a break in a historical bar of the city centre to taste the typical “granita & brioche”. Dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.

This morning after a short visit of the famous “pescheria” (the ancient fish market) in Catania, the tour will continue with an excursion to the Mount Etna, the highest (c. 3350m) volcano in Europe and one of the largest and most active in the world, nowadays UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its regional park protects 59.000 hectares of unique geology, flora and fauna, villages and farms, and traditional methods of forestry, beekeeping, wine manufacture, stonework and carpentry. Views of stunning landscapes will amaze you heading to Rifugio Sapienza. You will reach the “Crateri Silvestri”, small volcanic cones now inactive, surrounded by ancient lava flows. The view beyond the mountain’s hundreds of subsidiary cones and craters, can extend across the whole of Sicily, the Aeolian islands and Calabria. The spectacle is unique! You will have the chance to enjoy the local homemade honey and some typical products of the area. The tour continues towards Taormina, where you will have lunch in a lovely restaurant in the historic centre of the city. Taormina is a charming town renowned for its magnificent position above the sea commanding a celebrated view of Etna. Visit of Taormina’s fascinating Greek theatre which will leave you breathless for its commanding view on Giardini Naxos Bay and the Etna Mountain! Free time for a nice walk among the picturesque Medieval typical narrow streets, to go shopping and looking around the local handicrafts. Back in Catania for dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.

Your holiday will continue with the Aeolian Islands extension without a tour leader. After breakfast, you will have free time to enjoy the beautiful Catania. Its city centre is declared UNESCO World Heritage site for its stunning beauties, the late Baroque architecture and the unique lava stone buildings. In the late morning, private transfer to Milazzo. Boarding on the hydrofoil for Lipari Island. Arrival at Lipari Island and transfer to 4* hotel. Free afternoon. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

After breakfast, full day excursion to Lipari & Salina islands. Leaving the harbour, the boat will skirt Lipari coast, and you will have a view of the Castle of Lipari, the Monte Rosa and Canneto. You will have time to swim in the crystalline blue water of Pumice Cave beach. Proceeding on to Salina, the captain will show you the famous Acquacalda bay. First stop will be on Santa Marina Salina the biggest town of the island. Our tour goes on along Salina east side, visiting from the sea, Malfa village, Capo faro town and its Malvasia wineries; you will also stop inside the Pollara bay, famous for the movie "Il Postino" - shot by Massimo Troisi. The boat will then stop in the charming fishermen's village Lingua where you will have free time to visit the island, its Lago Salato or enjoy typical restaurants. On our way back we will visit the most beautiful grottos in Lipari, and you would have time for a swim in Vinci beach, in front of the Faraglioni. Back to Lipari in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in hotel and departure from Lipari harbour for a full day excursion to Panarea & Stromboli. Before leaving Lipari, the boat will stop at Cave of pumice to enjoy an unforgettable swim. The excursion will then continue to Panarea, where you will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful bay of Cala junco, above which lies the prehistoric village of Cape Milazzese, and swim in Zimmari beach. Proceeding on, the boat will skirt among the small islands nearby and you will have a stop in the charming Cava degli Innamorati. In Panarea, you will have free time to have lunch, take a stroll through the elegant streets, or visit the prehistoric village and have a nice swim. In the afternoon the excursion will continue to Stromboli. The first stop will be Ginostra, a fascinating small fishing village. Once on the island, dinner and free time to stroll, take a swim or doing shopping. In the warmer time of the year, among dips and long swims, it will be possible to enjoy stunning beaches and volcanic caves. Back to the boat at sunset, you will admire Strombolicchio, a gigantic rock and the Sciara del Fuoco, a stunning volcanic explosion of reddish lapilli creating lava rivers reaching the sea!

Breakfast in hotel, transfer to Lipari harbour to take the hydrofoil for Milazzo. Once arriving in Milazzo, there be a driver waiting for you for a private transfer to Taormina, defined by Goethe as the "paradise on earth". Free day. You can enjoy the Medieval village visiting its historical monuments or doing shopping buying some of the local handicraft products. As an alternative you can relax by the sea and enjoy the colours and scents of its Mediterranean vegetation... We suggest visiting Isola Bella, one of the most enchanting beaches in Sicily, also called the "Pearl of the Mediterranean" thanks to its location and vegetation: a perfect mix of tropical plants and local flora! Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Breakfast in hotel and end of services. Private transfers or excursions available. Goodbye Sicily!

Inclusions

THE RATE INCLUDES:
SICILY
• Multilingual Tour leader and professional travel guide* (English, Italian or Spanish) from the 2nd day to the evening of the 4th day, local guides or audio-guides where necessary.
• Deluxe bus from day 2 to day 4
• Whisper kit Crystal Sound for the whole trip: the latest generation, fast and light. It transmits the driving voice up to 150 meters away.
• Accommodation in charming 4 stars hotels mostly located in the city centre, international breakfast included:
Palermo city centre: Mercure Palermo Centro 4*/ Ibis Styles Palermo Cristal 4* or similar.
Catania city centre: Il Principe Hotel 4*/ Romano House Hotel 4* or similar.
Taormina: Villa Diodoro Hotel 4*/ Hotel Caparena Wellness & SPA 4* or similar.
• 5 international breakfasts, 3 lunches and 1 in hotel to have a taste of Sicilian traditional cuisine.
• Visit of the main suggestive Unesco World Heritage Sites: Monreale, Palermo, Cefalù, Catania city centre, Etna.
• Tasting of Sicilian typical products:
Catania (day 3): tasting of Sicilian “granita & brioche”
Etna (day 4) visit of a beekeeping honey company and honey tasting
• Private transfer Milazzo Harbour-Taormina hotel
*Monolingual departures during high season

PRIVATE EXTENSION TO AEOLIAN ISLANDS
• Accommodation in charming 4 stars hotels, mostly located in the city centre, international breakfast included:
Lipari: Hotel Bougainville 4* or similar
• 3 international breakfasts, 2 dinners and 1 lunch and beverages not included (packed lunch instead of dinner on the
day of Panarea and Stromboli excursion)
• Private transfer Catania Hotel - Milazzo Harbour
• Private transfer Lipari Harbour – Lipari Hotel
• Hydrofoil back and forth Milazzo - Lipari – Milazzo
• 1 boat excursion in group (10/20 pax) Lipari - Salina or Vulcano
• 1 boat excursion in group (10/20 pax) Panarea- Stromboli
• Aeolian Islands city taxes

Exclusions

• Guides to Aeolian Islands
• Transfers in/out
• Meals not included by the program
• Beverages with meals
• Entrance fees at monuments/museums
• City taxes (where compulsory)
• Anything not specified under “The rate includes”

Notes

Accommodation in charming 4 stars hotels mostly located in the city centre, international breakfast included:
Palermo city centre: Mercure Palermo Centro 4*/ Ibis Styles Palermo Cristal 4* or similar.
Catania city centre: Il Principe Hotel 4*/ Romano House Hotel 4* or similar.
Taormina: Villa Diodoro Hotel 4*/ Hotel Caparena Wellness & SPA 4* or similar.
Lipari: Hotel Bougainville 4* or similar.

Supplement for Pre-night in hotel in Palermo on Bed and Breakfast Basis available on request.
Supplement for Post-night in hotel in Taormina on Bed and Breakfast Basis available on request.
Private transfers Palermo airport/hotel in Palermo rates on request.
Private transfers Taormina /Catania airport rates on request.
Assistance – Medical Expense Reimbursement – Luggage insurance – Travel Cancellation Expenses Insurance: on request.

Arrival Day. On request, it is possible to arrange optional HD private excursions to Palermo – Bagheria - Cefalù - S. Vito Lo Capo – Erice – Segesta – Trapani - Selinunte.

Departure Day. On request, it is possible to arrange optional HD private excursions to Savoca - Forza D’Agrò – Etna - Catania.

For organizational reasons or due to force majeure the itinerary may be modified.

Aeolian Islands’ excursions are subject to confirmation, in accordance with weather conditions.

NB: Please note the company is not responsible for any disruption due to weather and sea conditions concerning all hydrofoil and ferry crossings among the islands.

Program Touring / Guide

Escorted Experience

Trip Highlights

Palermo-Catania-Taormina-Lipari-Salina-Panarea-Taormina

Fixed Departure
08 Apr, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,301 P P twin share
AUD 3,963 P P single
AVAILABLE

15 Apr, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,301 P P twin share
AUD 3,963 P P single
AVAILABLE

22 Apr, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,301 P P twin share
AUD 3,963 P P single
AVAILABLE

29 Apr, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,301 P P twin share
AUD 3,963 P P single
AVAILABLE

06 May, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,301 P P twin share
AUD 3,963 P P single
AVAILABLE

13 May, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,301 P P twin share
AUD 3,963 P P single
AVAILABLE

20 May, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,301 P P twin share
AUD 3,963 P P single
AVAILABLE

27 May, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,301 P P twin share
AUD 3,963 P P single
AVAILABLE

03 Jun, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,522 P P twin share
AUD 4,277 P P single
AVAILABLE

10 Jun, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,522 P P twin share
AUD 4,277 P P single
AVAILABLE

17 Jun, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,522 P P twin share
AUD 4,277 P P single
AVAILABLE

24 Jun, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,522 P P twin share
AUD 4,277 P P single
AVAILABLE

01 Jul, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,522 P P twin share
AUD 4,277 P P single
AVAILABLE

08 Jul, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,522 P P twin share
AUD 4,277 P P single
AVAILABLE

15 Jul, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,522 P P twin share
AUD 4,277 P P single
AVAILABLE

22 Jul, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,522 P P twin share
AUD 4,277 P P single
AVAILABLE

29 Jul, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,522 P P twin share
AUD 4,277 P P single
AVAILABLE

05 Aug, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,743 P P twin share
AUD 4,589 P P single
AVAILABLE

12 Aug, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,743 P P twin share
AUD 4,589 P P single
AVAILABLE

19 Aug, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,743 P P twin share
AUD 4,589 P P single
AVAILABLE

26 Aug, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,743 P P twin share
AUD 4,589 P P single
AVAILABLE

02 Sep, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,522 P P twin share
AUD 4,277 P P single
AVAILABLE

09 Sep, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,522 P P twin share
AUD 4,277 P P single
AVAILABLE

16 Sep, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,522 P P twin share
AUD 4,277 P P single
AVAILABLE

23 Sep, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,522 P P twin share
AUD 4,277 P P single
AVAILABLE

30 Sep, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,522 P P twin share
AUD 4,277 P P single
AVAILABLE

07 Oct, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,301 P P twin share
AUD 3,963 P P single
AVAILABLE

14 Oct, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,301 P P twin share
AUD 3,963 P P single
AVAILABLE

21 Oct, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,301 P P twin share
AUD 3,963 P P single
AVAILABLE

28 Oct, 2025

4 Star
AUD 3,301 P P twin share
AUD 3,963 P P single
AVAILABLE

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