Sicily June 5, 2022...12-14 days
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https://grouptoursite.com/tours/sicilianhighlights
Sicily Itinerary Draft June 5, 2022
Day 1: Travel day: Board your overnight flight to Palermo today.
3 Nights in Palermo
Day 2: Arrival in Palermo. Gather with your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Included meals: dinner
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Palermo, Monreale & Cefalù
Included meals: breakfast
This morning, embark on a guided tour of the bayside city of Palermo and the hilltop town of Monreale.
•Visit the architecturally diverse Palermo Cathedral and see the stunning artwork of the Cappella Palatina
•Head to nearby Monreale and enter Monreale Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site that combines Norman, Arab, and Byzantine architectural styles
This afternoon, visit the coastal town of Cefalù and enjoy a guided tour
•Step inside Cefalù Cathedral and see the ancient Roman baths
•View the chiara montano architecture of Osterio Magno and walk through Porta Terra Square
Day 4: Sightseeing tour of Segesta & Erice
Included meals: breakfast
Journey to western Sicily to visit the ancient Greek ruins of Segesta and the well preserved village of Erice
.•Start in Segesta to view a magnificent Doric temple and an ancient Greek theater with a local guide
•Head to Erice, which is perched on the summit of Monte San Giuliano
•Walk past the town's temple and churches, touching upon the role they played in Erice's history
•Try almond wine and pastries during a visit to one of the town's most famous shops
Pozallo Region→ 3 nights
Day 5: Pozallo Region via Piazza Amerina
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
On the way to the Pozallo region, stop for a guided tour of Piazza Amerina, where you’ll view the stunning mosaics in the UNESCO-listed Villa Romana del Casale.
Sit down for an included dinner this evening
Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Valletta
Included meals: breakfast
Take a ferry to Malta and set out to explore the island's capital city of Valletta on a guided tour.
•Enter the Upper Barrakka Gardens for panoramic views of the harbor
•Step inside St. John’s Co-Cathedral and walkthrough St. George’s Square
•Enjoy free time to shop and eat lunch before taking a ferry back to the Pozallo region
Day 7: Modica & sightseeing tour of Ragusa
Included meals: breakfast, wine tasting
Head out into the Sicilian countryside to the hilltop town of Ragusa for a tour with a local guide.
•En route, make a stop in the city of Modica for a tasting at the oldest chocolate shop in Sicily
•Stroll through Ragusa Ibla, the UNESCO-protected old town, past Baroque-style palaces and churches
•Step inside a cheese shop and try a selection of cheeses paired with Cerasuolo di Vittoria wine
Syracuse→ 2 nights
Day 8: Syracuse via Noto village & villa lunch
Included meals: breakfast, lunch
Get to the heart of Sicilian history and cuisine as you travel to Syracuse today• Start off the day in Noto, a quaint city at the foot of the Hyblaean Mountains
•Follow a local guide as they highlight the UNESCO-recognized cathedral and the city's Baroque-style architecture
Stroll along Corso Vittorio Emanuele with your local guide, stopping to sample a sweet Sicilian snack
•Visit Casa Bianca, a rustic villa that’s owned and run by a Sicilian contessa
•Enjoy an authentic family-style meal that show cases many of the region’s delicious and varied flavors
Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Syracuse
Included meals: breakfast
Embark on a guided tour of Syracuse, a city known for its rich Greek history.
•Visit the Greek theater, the most complete ancient Greek theater still in existence
•Tour the massive Paradise Quarry and gardens, featuring the cave that Italian painter Caravaggio dubbed “The Ear of Dionysius” due to its unique acoustics
•Visit the Roman amphitheater, then cross a bridge to the Island of Ortygia to see the Temple of Apollo and Syracuse Cathedral
Taormina Region→ 4 nights
Day 10: Transfer to Taormina & sightseeing tour
Included meals: breakfast, dinner, wine tasting
Travel to Taormina, where a local guide introduces you to this scenic town perched high above the sea.
•Enjoy stunning views of Mount Etna and Taormina Cathedral
•Admire Palazzo Corvaia, seat of the first Sicilian parliament
•Step inside the town’s 2nd-century Greek theater This evening, venture into the foothills
surrounding Mount Etna for dinner and a wine tasting at a local vineyard
Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Savoca & Forzad’Agrò
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Today, delve into the traditional Sicilian villages that served as sets for Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather.
•Visit Savoca and tour the Church of St. Lucia and Bar Vitelli
•Walk through this medieval village & marvel at its 15th-century buildings & panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea
•Continue on to Forza d’Agrò, another “hidden” Sicilian village, where you’ll visit the Church of the Annunciation
Please note: The order of villages visited is subject to change. In the event that the Church of the Annunciation
is closed, it may only be viewed from the outside.
Celebrate your trip at dinner this evening
Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Catania & sunset cruise
Included meals: breakfast
Meet your local guide and set out on a sightseeing tour to discover Catania, which sits at the base of Mount Etna
•Explore Sicily’s World War II history on a visit to the Museo Storico dello Sbarco, an interactive museum featuring striking
photographs and a life-size model of a war-era bunker
•Stroll past the Baroque architecture of the UNESCO-recognized historic center
•See the shops & cafes of Via Etnea and Via dei Crociferi, the grand Teatro Massimo Bellini, & the historic
Palazzo Biscari
End your tour at the beautiful Piazza del Duomo, home of the famous elephant statue, where you will have free time for lunch
This evening, enjoy a sunset cruise with appetizers and drinks served on board. You will also have the opportunity to swim.
Please note: The sunset cruise is weather-dependent. Travelers must bring a bathing suit and towel if they wish to swim.
Day 13: Mount Etna
Included meals: breakfast, lunch, farewell dinner
Head out to discover Mount Etna, Europe’s largest and highest active volcano.
•Board your bus and ascend up to 5,000 feet with a local guide, stopping to snap photos and learn about the mountain’s
long history of eruptions
•Continue up to 6,600 feet and take free time to walk among the volcanic craters
•Peruse the shops before sampling local delicacies at an included lunch
Celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner this evening.
Day 14: Departure Flight Home
Included meals: breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the Catania airport for your flight
