Thanks to its geographical position, it has played a role of great importance in the historical events that have had as protagonists the peoples of the Mediterranean. The succession of multiple civilizations has enriched Sicily with urban settlements, monuments and vestiges that make the island one of the privileged places, where history can be relived through the images of signs that time has not scratched and that has been handed down to the present day. Sicily has been influenced by the many ethnic groups that have passed through its territory marking its art and culture: Pieces of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Muslim, Norman, Angevin, Aragonese, Catalan culture ... Each of them has left signs, architectural traces, masterpieces of art, transforming the entire island into an open-air museum unique in the world.
First day – arrival in Palermo
Arrival in Palermo, meeting with the guide and transfer to the hotel. At night, stroll through the fashionable and colorful streets of the Sicilian capital, a cosmopolitan city, daughter of many dominations and always owner of itself.
Second day – Palermo and Monreale
Day dedicated to the guided tour of the capital of Arab and Norman art. We will visit some of the symbolic places of the harmonious coexistence between different styles and cultures. We start the tour in the magnificent Piazza del Duomo, where the largest mosque in the city was transformed into a cathedral in 1185, we will continue the visit with the Royal Palace, or Palazzo dei Normanni, the Palatine Chapel located inside the Royal Palace, the Quattro Canti square, triumph of the Baroque, which marks the center of the old city, crossing two main roads, Cassero and Maqueda.
We will end the morning in the unmissable public markets, Capo, Vucciria and Ballarò, an incredible kaleidoscope of colors and flavors in which to free your senses. Free time for lunch and in the afternoon we move just 5 km, along a wonderful road between orange and olive trees that will lead us to Monreale, which dominates Palermo from the top of Monte Caputo. A magnificent setting for the Cathedral of Monreale, a truly inimitable work of art. After the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, it is the largest set of Byzantine mosaics in the world.
Something that is impossible to describe, we can only leave eyes and senses lost in that immensity of beauty. In the late afternoon return to Palermo to attend one of the thousand fairy tales told by the Sicilian Puppet Opera, an Italian theatrical expression included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Third day – Palermo and its coast
After breakfast we will leave for a short journey along the beautiful Sicilian coast to Cefalu, certainly one of the most beautiful villages on the island, postcard scenery and a UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral. Cefalù is a small town suspended between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Madonie Mountains, a concentration of beauties dominated by the imposing profile of its fortress, which in mythology is none other than the poet Daphnis transformed into stone by the Gods for an unforgiven betrayal.
After the guided tour of the Cathedral and a nice walk along the promenade of the Borgo, it's time to taste the Sicilian specialties in a nice restaurant in the historic center. A coffee and we are ready to take the way back to Palermo, but not before a stop in one of the most important Sicilian wineries to taste some of the most important wines of Sicily. In the late afternoon return to Palermo
For those arriving in Palermo along the north coast road and therefore have already visited Cefalu as per our itinerary From Naples to Sicily, we will anticipate the visit to the Bay of Castellamare and the Zingaro Reserve to today and in the transfer to Trapani we will dedicate more time to Palermo, Segesta and / or Erice.
Fourth day – Travelling from Palermo to Trapani
Free morning and in the early afternoon we will leave for a pleasant and slow transfer to the city of Trapani, passing first through the "Lo Zingaro" Nature Reserve, a bay where nature expresses itself in its maximum beauty and then crossing the promontory of San Vito lo Capo, a real pearl of the Mediterranean, with some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. Interesting are the Sanctuary, the temple of Santa Crescenza and the torrazzo, all in Arab-Norman style, but also the towers scattered along the coastal strip: Scieri, Mpisu and Isulidda.
An endless series of bays and waters enchanted by a thousand shades of blue and green beaches bathed sometimes rocky, sometimes of fine sand up to Trapani, the city between two seas, behind the mountain of Erice and in front of the spectacular panorama of the Egadi islands, a magnificent setting that enchants the eye.
Fifth day – Erice
In the morning, immediately after breakfast, we will climb Mount Erice, by road, or if the weather allows it with a beautiful cable car that takes us directly to the center of Erice. A mountain, a village, a magic that dominates the city and the coast. Glued to the top of Mount Erice, it is one of the most fascinating cities in the entire Mediterranean, a thousand-year history and unforgettable beauty. Defended by ramparts and walls, the city is a labyrinth of cobbled streets and passages so narrow that only one man can pass.
Wandering through its typical climbs and descents, from Erice you can see truly unforgettable stretches of the Mediterranean and admire some of the most beautiful sunsets in Sicily. A village with a unique atmosphere, with ancient roots that have their origins in myth and imbue the walls of Erice with legend. Let's slowly explore this charming village with an always fresh air that can give moments to remember forever.
In ancient times, Erice was known for its temple where the Phoenicians worshiped Astarte, the Greeks Aphrodite and the Romans Venus. Mount Eryx served as a reference point for navigators of whom Venus soon became the protector. For lunch we will abandon ourselves to the pleasures of Trapani cuisine between arancini and pane cunzato (bread seasoned with cherry tomatoes, anchovies, pecorino cheese and extra virgin olive oil), a delight and for lovers of desserts not to be missed the Genoese of Erice.
In the afternoon continuing our tour through the paved streets, breathtaking views and the scents of Sicily we approach Porta Trapani and the cable car or our means of transport that will take us back to Trapani. Free evening.
Sixth day – Our proposals:
Giornata libera con il suggerimento di visitare le Isole Egadi o il litorale, le saline e le cantine di Marsala.
Seventh day – Traveling from Trapani to Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples
In the morning we will leave Trapani for Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples. But ours will not be just a day of transfers, just over 30 km inland we meet the Archaeological Park of Segesta, one of the main cities of the Elimi, a people of peninsular culture and tradition that according to ancient tradition, came from Troy. Majestic the Doric Temple on 36 columns and beautiful Hellenistic theater overlooking the Gulf of Castellamare.
In summer the theater resumes its original function and from historical testimony becomes a lively and fertile place where you can attend classical performances and musical concerts of the highest level. We continue our itinerary crossing the island from north to south to the Mediterranean and its enchanted coasts. We meet the sea in Selinunte, the largest Archaeological Park in Europe. A precious gem, harmonious synthesis of history, culture and Sicilianity.
Millennial history, cradle of Homeric heroes, home of the Giants and Gods, a place where you can breathe myth and legend, overlooking a sea of a thousand emerald and turquoise reflections, golden sands and the African wind of the Sirocco, which intones old and new songs, and like the sirens of Ulysses, will make you fall in love with Selinunte.
Stop for lunch in the wonderful seaside village of Marinella and then we immerse ourselves in the magical atmosphere of the Selinunte Park, visiting with our guide, the temples and the most beautiful and important places. In the evening arrival in Agrigento and overnight.
Agrigento, an ancient history that preserves extraordinary archaeological, artistic and architectural riches. Founded in 581 BC, it was one of the most important cities of Magna Graecia in the Mediterranean, known as Akragas. It then became the scene of the struggles between Carthage and Rome for the domination of the Mediterranean, and when it was definitively conquered by the Romans, it acquired the nickname of "Agrigentum".
After having breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the heart of the archaeological area of Agrigento, the area of the Temples is a unique place. The Temple of Zeus was one of the largest Greek temples of antiquity, the oldest is that of Hercules, while the best preserved is certainly the Temple of Concordia but there are countless temples and places in this Valley that are worth knowing told with the voice and steps of those who have always lived this wonder.
Eighth day – Agrigento and its coast
The Valley is reflected on the waters of a coastline of spectacular beauty, a coastline that today will be our destination. Long coasts of white sand, cliffs overlooking the sea, pristine nature reserves, bays with dunes but also many organized beaches equipped with every service all with the same common denominator, a crystal clear sea.
The first village we meet is Siculiana, a picturesque village with multicolored facades. In its territory falls the Natural Reserve of Torre Salsa which preserves one of the most beautiful and wild areas of the coast of Agrigento, here nest the turtles caretta caretta. Its coastline extends for about 6 km and is an alternation of cliffs, dunes and immense and solitary beaches.
Immediately after we arrive at Eraclea Minoa ancient Greek city dating back to the fourth century BC, whose Archaeological Park is a site of great charm also for its strategic position, the site, in fact, offers an exceptional panorama, on one side the blue arch of the gulf and on the other the white rocks of Capo Bianco overlooking the sea, in this area rises the Natural Reserve of the mouth of the River Platani.
Dopo aver pranzato assaporando le tipiche specialità siciliane. Proseguiamo la nostra giornata visitando un luogo imperdibile, la Scala dei Turchi, una parete rocciosa di colore bianco a picco sul mare lungo la costa di Realmonte, 15 km a nord di Agrigento. Già attrazione turistica per la bellezza del mare e per il candore della roccia, deve il suo nome al fatto che discende verso il mare non a picco, ma a gradoni e che quella regione era spesso riparo dei pirati turchi.
Ninth day – Travelling from Agrigento to Ragusa, Modica, Scicli and Syracuse
In the morning departure for Syracuse, the city of the famous mathematician and physicist Archimedes. We will pass through the magnificent coast that is reflected in a cobalt blue sea, crossing ancient fishing villages, and then climb the hills to Ragusa, one of the 8 Baroque cities UNESCO World Heritage Site, the others are Scicli, Modica, Palazzolo Acreide, Catania, Caltagirone, Militello and Noto.
Known in ancient times as "Ibla", Ragusa has two different city centers, one faithfully rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693 and the other built according to the old medieval model. The Baroque route in Ragusa winds through nine main churches (such as the Church of San Giovanni Battista, the Church of San Giorgio, the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli) and seven palaces (including Palazzo della Cancelleria, Palazzo Bertini, Palazzo Cosentini).
A few kilometers from Ragusa we meet Modica, a city that stands on an extensive plateau that was once crossed by two rivers. Between 1700 and 1800 in Modica there were 17 bridges that allowed the crossing of streams, which made it resemble Venice. A break to taste the famous chocolate of Modica and admire the beautiful ceramics before continuing for another stage of our journey, Scicli.
Scicli is a splendid city, from the sumptuous Via Francesco Mormino Penna, to the Madonna del Carmine Church, from the Palazzo Beneventano, to the caves and ancient rock churches, from the Church-Convent of Santa Maria that dominates the whole valley, to the imposing Baroque Palaces, used for some very successful television series. We will enjoy with our guide all the views, stories and myths of Scicli before continuing for our last stop, following the wonderful landscapes of the interior of Sicily arriving in sight of Syracuse in the evening.
Tenth day – Syracuse
Its territory has more than three thousand years of history, witnessed by countless monuments, archaeological sites and museums. To visit it, understand it and really enjoy it, it would take weeks but even on a well-planned day we can enjoy the beauties of the city that rises in the frame of a suggestive natural harbor, closed to the east of the island of Ortigia and to the west by the Epipoli plateau.
We start our day from the old nucleus of the island of Ortigia, from its colorful and noisy Public Market. An open-air spectacle around the Temple of Apollo. Here we can taste the famous Sicilian street food and get lost in the colors of the island's products and in the inevitable chatting / bargaining with farmers and fishermen.
We continue towards the other side of the island, where we find the Castle of Maniace, a remarkable example of military architecture built by Frederick II of Swabia in the first half of the thirteenth century. We return to the center of the island to admire the cathedral, with a Baroque façade that rises above the Dorian temple of Athena of the fifth century BC dominating the beautiful Piazza del Duomo, near which we can visit the Museum of Archimedes.
Syracuse is not only the Island of Ortigia, no less wonderful is the district of Neapolis, where there are the remains of the Greek theater, the Roman amphitheater, the high altar of Gerone, the high altar of the Greek era that has come down to us, the Techno-park of Archimedes and the cave of the Cordari, the most famous among "Latomie" (old pits and / or chains carved into the rock). The rest of the day we leave to you.
Eleventh day – From Syracuse to Marzamemi, Noto and Palazzolo Acreide
Breakfast and departure for another slow day to discover other Sicilian wonders. Half an hour from Syracuse, on a beautiful plateau we meet Palazzolo Acreide, a village much sought after by fashion designers to launch their collections. Palazzolo is a small gem surrounded by exuberant nature, so much so that trekking lovers have made it their ideal starting point for excursions.
We take the sea route, crossing spectacular views, to visit Noto, a great little jewel of Sicilian Baroque. A beautiful village lying on a plateau overlooking the valley of the river Asinaro. The historic center is characterized by a main street, Corso Vittorio Emanuele and three squares, Piazza dell'Immacolata with the homonymous church, Piazza del Municipio surrounded by four buildings, the town hall, the church of the Santissimo Salvatore (1791-1801), the Bishop's Palace and the splendid Cathedral of San Nicolò (1771), which dominates from the top of a scenic staircase, and Piazza 16 de Maio, with the church of S. Domenico (1727) and the convent of the Dominicans. .
In Noto we take all the time to breathe and savor the beauty of the village in an up and down of narrow streets and stairways, the most famous of which, Via Corrado Nicolacci, on the third Sunday of May turns into a riot of colors and floral designs, the famous Infiorata di Noto, made even more fascinating by the profile of the Church of Montevergini, which determines the end of the street and from Palazzo Nicolacci, or Villa Dorata located halfway whose balconies are considered among the most beautiful in the world. 122 meters long by 6 wide of pure spectacle for the senses.
Twelfth day – Travelling from Syracuse to Catania
Free morning that we suggest to spend in the beautiful and colorful market of the city and before noon departure from Syracuse, along the sea along the coast of the Giants, towards Catania (one hour), the last of the 8 UNESCO World Heritage cities for Sicilian Baroque. Arrival in Catania, accommodation at the hotel, lunch and ready to visit the city.
Thirteenth day – Catania
The city owes its foundation, in 729 BC, to the Greek colonists, called Calcidesi, coming from nearby Naxos. Its name derives from its position lying at the foot of Etna, that is, from the union of the Greek terms katà and aitné (near or leaning on Etna). The city itself seems to connect two forces of nature, perfectly opposite and complementary, the white that cloaks the smoking volcano and the blue of the Mediterranean.
Along its streets life flows above and below the lava stone of Etna with which many buildings, historical and not, are built; in the Greek-Roman ruins that testify to the millennial passage of peoples in this extremely rich area; in Baroque and medieval Catania; in the ferment of its alleys, its historic markets, its Piscarìa, for centuries the beating heart of the people of Catania.
From Piazza Duomo, to the popular markets, from Via Etnea, the street of "walking" and shopping, to the Monastery of San Nicolò, among the largest in Europe, from the Castle of Ursino to the Greek-Roman archaeological route. We will experience Catania and all its nuances accompanied and pampered throughout the day, savoring from time to time the wonders of street food.
Fourteenth day – Taormina
Today we walk along the Etna coast to the wonderful Taormina, the ancient Tauromenion, one of the most beautiful Italian villages, which stands on a natural terrace, which is reflected on one side the Ionian Sea and on the other is lost in the imposing beauty of Etna, the largest volcano in Europe, a few steps from the strait that separates Sicily from the Italian continent,
With its medieval appearance, its ancient Greek soul, the colors and aromas of the Mediterranean vegetation, Taormina is certainly one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is impossible not to be fascinated by the immense beauty of this place and its Greek theater (III BC), symbol of the city. Located in the midst of cypress trees and thorny plants, with the auditorium carved into the rock, the Hellenistic theater of Taormina, transformed into an arena by the Romans, offers spectacular views of the turquoise sea to the Calabrian coast, the city of Syracuse and the smoky peak of Mount Etna.
During the day we can go down to the coast with a short and panoramic cable car and enjoy the spectacle of Isola Bella, a promontory that depending on the tide becomes an island or peninsula and on which the English noblewoman Florence Trevelyan built her home and transformed it into a garden.
In the evening return to Catania, or overnight in Taormina.
Fifteenth day – Catania and the Volcano
Day trip to the slopes of Mount Etna, to discover one of the most beautiful coasts of Sicily and the wonderful cuisine of this island rich and generous with high quality agricultural products expertly transformed into unique dishes.
Etna is often active but unlike volcanoes such as Stromboli, in the Aeolian Islands, the incandescent lava is visible only at certain times, during an eruption. During these periods of activity, from a safe distance or from the foothills it is possible, especially at night, to admire the red tongues of fire.
Arrived at the Rifugio Sapienza, we find bars, restaurants and the Etna cable car station that will take us up to 2500 m above sea level and then with off-road vehicles up to 2900 m above sea level. Once you get off the vehicles the guides will accompany you for a short journey until you see up close some of the side craters still active, you can often see them smoking, you can smell the typical smell of sulfur of a volcano and you can feel the heat of volcanic stones.
At the start we will take care to make you wear the appropriate clothes for this excursion, basically comfortable shoes and a jacket even in summer, a kway in the bag. At that altitude snow is frequently found. The large central crater, however, for security reasons can be visited only at certain times. It will be necessary to inquire at the moment about the possibility of reaching it. Then, in the afternoon, returning we will visit the small farms where we can taste wines, pasta, muesli and the famous Sicilian sweets.
Here ends our travel proposal in Sicily, land of contrasts and millennial cultures, from this proposal choose the parts that you like best, or maybe the entire route, then, from Catania airport you can reach all destinations with a stopover in Rome, Bologna or Milan.
Costo per persona in camera doppia standard con colazione:
minimo 14 persone 3.480,00 €
minimo 20 persone 3.895,00 €
What's included:
What is not included in the cost:
