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. Lunch in a typical restaurant. 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 Catania for free dinner and overnight in hotel.

After breakfast in hotel departure to 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! After a delicious lunch in a local farmhouse the tour continues towards Caltagirone. This lovely town is known for its colourful ceramics as well as for its natity scenes. It is also known in fact as the “City of CRibs” since during Christmas the streets of the old town are animated by beautiful figurines and handmade artistic cribs. Among the many ancient and modern statues housed in churches, museums and public squares, you will admire the largest crib in Italy. It has over 300 animated characters in pottery dressed in traditional fabric clothes: mountains, water streams and ancient houses, all in human size and in motion. Furthermore, the historic city centre houses the typical Christmas markets selling local food and wine and pottery which will make you experience the magical atmosphere of Christmas! Transfer to the hotel in Agrigento, dinner and overnight.

This morning the tour continues in Agrigento visiting the famous Valley of the Temples stated World Heritage Site. IAs 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. 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. * You will greet the arrival of the new year in the wonderful city of Palermo which, decorated for the occasion with lights and colours, will celebrate the event with music and concerts in the main squares of the city centre.

* Optional New Year's Eve dinner.

We will welcome the first day of the year visiting the famous seaside village Cefalù and then the lovely inland town on the Madonie, Castelbuono! 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. For lunchtime we’ll move towards Castelbuono, where you will taste the famous Fiasconaro panettoni, historical company which has revisited in a Sicilian key the typical dessert of the Milanese Christmas tradition. Ingredients are carefully selected among the PGI and PDO local products such as the Bronte pistachios; the PGI Sicilian red oranges; the delicious Modican chocolate, Avola almonds and the precious Manna (sweet sap extracted from ash trees). In the afternoon you’ll have time to visit the famous Ventimiglia Castle and its charming chapel and to have a walk around to enjoy the local Christmas markets, concerts and exhibitions. Transfer to Catania, accommodation in hotel, free dinner and overnight.

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.

Our special New Year’s Eve Tour comes to an end. Breakfast in hotel and end of services.

Goodbye Sicily!