GUARANTEED DEPARTURE ON 3 DECEMBER 2024.
A magical journey to celebrate the Immaculate Conception.
Organized group itinerary with stays in 4* hotels to discover the most
significant places on the island.
Individual arrival to your hotel in Catania (optional private transfer on request). Dinner on
your own and overnight in hotel.
Meal: Dinner
After breakfast in hotel departure to Syracuse to visit the most beautiful and greatest Greek colony in Sicily and World Heritage Site! The visit will start with the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, with its Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Latomie of Paradise and the Ear of Dionysius. Proceeding on and visit of the splendid Ortigia, a small island which is the historical centre of Syracuse. In Ortigia you will admire the beautiful Cathedral which dominates the square with its authoritative presence. The façade is a powerful Sicilian-Baroque composition, but it gives no hint that this building was once a Doric temple! From Piazza Duomo you will reach a wide terrace on the waterfront surrounding the famous Arethusa’s Fountain, one of the most famous fresh-water sources of the Greek world. Free time for lunch. Departure to Noto, the capital of Sicilian Baroque, famous for its fine buildings of the early eighteenth century and declared UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inspired by Baroque ideals of “open city”, Noto is a rare masterpiece and the clearest example of theatrical tastes in 18th century architecture whose local limestone has been burnt gold by the sun. Noto’s Baroque is a game of elegant curves, floral weaves, perspective views, palaces and gardens, capitals and ornaments that adorn the facades of churches and monasteries. Free time for a walk along the town. Transfer to Ragusa for dinner and overnight in hotel
Today visit of Ragusa Ibla and its historical centre cradle of Sicilian Baroque. Used as a location of the extremely popular Police Inspector Montalbano Tv series, it is today stated among the 44 Italian World Heritage Sites. This little precious ancient town hosts more than 50 churches and many Baroque architectural treasures! You will be fascinated by its Cathedral, situated in the beautiful Dome square and you will love the “Giardino Ibleo”, the oldest of the four main gardens in Ragusa… At 383 meters above sea level, from this beautiful garden you can admire a spectacular panorama! The tour proceeds towards Modica chest of innumerable Baroque architectural treasures and for this reason stated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking along the tiny streets of this charming town, you will have a stop to visit Sabadì, one of the most renowned chocolate manufacturers whose chocolate has been awarded as the best Modica chocolate in the last 9 years! You will enjoy a multisensorial chocolate tasting discovering the authentic Sicilian perfumes… the local nepitella (wild mint), the orange blossom honey, the raw PGI - quality Sicilian lemon and the PGI – quality Sicilian red orange is just some of the many flavours you can taste! Then you will enjoy some local delicacies under the shadow of the amazing Orti di San Giorgio: 7 gardens suspended between light and beauty. A breath-taking panorama will be the setting of your relaxing lunch! The day goes on to the charming Piazza Armerina to visit the famous Villa Romana del Casale, UNESCO World Heritage Site, to admire the splendid polychrome mosaics! This majestic villa, belonged to a member of the Roman Senatorial aristocracy, hosts prestigious mosaics representing mythological and historical episodes and scenes of hunting and entertainments: you will love it! Departure to Agrigento. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
This morning the tour continues in Agrigento visiting the famous Valley of the Temples stated World Heritage Site. As one of the most prosperous of the ancient Greek cities on the island, Agrigento presents a remarkable series of Doric Temples of the 5th century. Among hundreds of almond trees, you will admire the rests of the ancient Akragas. You will see the “Temple of Hera”, the “Temple of Concordia” and the “Temple of Heracles”. Proceeding on, visit of the charming and well-known town of Marsala, where Garibaldi went ashore in May 1860. You will walk through the streets of the centre where you overlook ancient noble palaces, monuments and impressive baroque churches. After that, exclusive guided tour inside the historic Florio Cellars. The visit starts in front of the majestic giant vats, built at the end of the 19th century and still used for the refinement of Marsala wine, and it continues inside the 3 fascinating barrel chambers. After a thirty-minute tour through the barrel vaults, you will reach the avant-garde tasting rooms named Donna Franca and Duca Enrico. You will enjoy a delicious light lunch and a memorable wine tasting experience! The tour will continue visiting the popular Salt Road: here the salt marshes have given rise to one of the oldest salt-extracting industries in the world! Between Trapani and Marsala, the Salt Road is now protected for its interesting birdlife, and as an important site of industrial archaeology. Transfer to Palermo, accommodation in hotel, free dinner and overnight.
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 semi-precious 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. Ruggero II employed Bizantyne, Muslim and Latin workers. 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, situated in the ancient Kalsa area and adorned with 16th century sculptures. Dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.
After breakfast transfer to Cefalù, 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 Refugio 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. The day will end with an overview of the beautiful Riviera dei Ciclopi. Back in Catania for dinner on your own and overnight in hotel.
Breakfast in hotel and end of services. Goodbye Sicily!
Meal: Breakfast
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Agrigento.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/The-Cathedral-of-Palermo-is-an-architectural-complex-in-Palermo-Sicily-Italy.-.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cathedral-of-monreale-palermo.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Mount-Etna.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Taormina.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Taormina-1.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Cathedral-of-Monreale.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Traditional-fishing-boat-near-windmill-at-Saline-dello-Stagnone-Marsala-Sicily-Italy.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Saline-of-the-Laguna-Marsala-an-ancient-salt-pans-which-are-still-in-use-today-and-salt-treatment-infrastructure-with-a-museum.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Cellar-in-Marsala.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ancient-greek-theater-in-Syracuse-Parco-Archeologico-della-Neapolis-Sicily-Italy-Unesco-world-heritage-list.jpg)
![](https://globalgroupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Noto.jpg)
Multilingual Tour leader and professional travel guide (English, Italian or Spanish) for the whole tour (from the 2nd day to the evening of the 7th day), local guides or audio-guides where necessary.
Deluxe bus from day 2 to day 7.
Whisper kit Crystal Sound for the whole trip: the latest generation, fast and light. It transmits the driving voice up to 150 meters away.
7 international breakfast, 5 lunches in famous restaurants and 2 dinners in hotels to have a taste of Sicilian traditional cuisine.
Visit of the main suggestive Unesco World Heritage Sites: Syracuse, Noto, Ragusa, Modica, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Monreale, Palermo, Cefalù, Catania city centre, Etna Tasting of Sicilian typical products:
Modica (day 3): visit of the well-known chocolate manufacturers Sabadì with tasting;
Marsala (day 4): visit of the famous Florio wine cellar and wine tasting
Catania (day 6): tasting of Sicilian “granita & brioche”
Etna (day 7): visit of a beekeeping honey company and honey tasting.
Transfers in/out
Meals not included by the program
Beverages
Entrance fees at monuments/museums
City taxes (where compulsory)
Anything not specified under “The rate includes”
Accommodation in charming 4 stars hotels mostly located in the city centre, international breakfast included:
Catania city centre: Il Principe Hotel 4* / Romano House Hotel 4* or similar.
Ragusa city centre : Mediterraneo Palace Hotel 4* or similar.
Agrigento: Baia di Ulisse Wellness & SPA 4* or similar.
Palermo city centre: Mercure Palermo Centro 4* / Ibis Styles Palermo Cristal 4* or similar.
- Supplement for Pre-night/Post-night in hotel in Catania (Bed and Breakfast treatment) available on request.
- Transfers Catania airport/hotel in Catania available on request.
- Assistance – Medical Expense Reimbursement – Luggage insurance – Travel Cancellation Expenses Insurance: on request.
EXTRA FEES ENTRANCES TO BE CONFIRMED:
Syracuse Archeological Park AUD 41 p.p.
Syracuse Cathedral AUD 12 p.p.
Noto Palazzo Nicolaci AUD 12,00 p.p.
Piazza Armerina Villa Romana AUD 30 p.p.
Agrigento Valley of the Temples AUD 37 p.p.
Monreale Cathedral AUD 15,00 p.p.
Monreale Cloister AUD 17 p.p.
Palermo Cappella Palatina AUD 38 p.p.
Palermo Martorana Church AUD 5 p.p.
Taormina Greek theatre AUD 30 p.p.
For organizational reasons or due to force majeure the itinerary may be modified.