Sicilian Secrets Tour

Itinerary

1st Day/Saturday: CATANIA

Arrival at your hotel in Catania. Meeting with your guide; dinner and overnight at your hotel.

2nd Day/Sunday: ETNA - TAORMINA

After breakfast, departure to Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. We will reach the “Crateri Silvestri”, small volcanic cones now inactive, surrounded by ancient lava flows. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon we will visit Taormina, charming town offering a lovely panorama of the Ionian Sea and Etna, famous for its fascinating Greek theatre, the ancient Cathedral and Palazzo Corvaja. You can take a nice walk among the typical small streets for shopping (coral jewels, precious laces, ceramics, sweets and much more). Back to your hotel in Catania for dinner and overnight.

3rd Day/Monday: SIRACUSA – RAGUSA IBLA – MODICA

Breakfast in your hotel and departure to Siracusa, the most beautiful and greatest Greek colony in Sicily. The visit will start with the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, with its Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Latomie of Paradise and the Dyonisios “Ear” and it will continue with a visit to Ortigia, a small island which is the historical centre of Siracusa. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon, across fascinating landscapes offered by Ragusa countries we will reach Ragusa Ibla, which was entirely rebuilt in Baroque style after the earthquake of 1693. Transfer to Modica to visit the Church of San Giorgio and to taste the delicious chocolate, typical of this city. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Modica.

4th Day/Tuesday: AIDONE/MORGANTINA – PIAZZA ARMERINA – AGRIGENTO

After breakfast in your hotel we will leave to see the statue of the “Venus of Morgantina” carved in the 5th century BC. Transfer to Piazza Armerina where you will have free time for lunch. It will be possible to admire the splendid polychrome mosaics of the famous Villa Romana del Casale, representing mythological and historical episodes and scenes of hunting and entertainments. We will proceed to Agrigento to visit the Valley of the Temples where, among hundreds of almond trees, the rests of the ancient Akragas rise. It was defined by Pyndar “the most beautiful city of mortals.” You will see the “Temple of Hera,” the “Temple of Concordia” and the “Temple of Heracles.” After dinner in your hotel it will be possible to enjoy a panoramic tour of the Valley of the Temples illuminated*. Overnight.

5th Day/Wednesday: SELINUNTE – SALEMI – GIBELLINA

Breakfast in your hotel and departure for Selinunte where, surrounded by a splendid landscape near the African Sea, we will walk among the rest of the ancient Greek city, which today represents the largest archaeological site in the Mediterranean. Free time for lunch. The afternoon will be dedicated to a visit to Salemi, proclaimed the first Capital of Italy in 1860. We will see the Norman Castle erected in the 12th century and the Piazza Alicia, proclaimed the sixth most beautiful square in Europe and where the remains of the Mother Church lie. This Church was destroyed in 1615 by an earthquake and restored in 1968 by a Portuguese architect: today it appears as a magnificent theatre in the open air. We will proceed to Gibellina to visit the “Cretto di Burri” (Burri's Crevice), one of the widest works of contemporary art, whose giant slabs just follow the paths of the town’s streets and alleys. This huge monument of death is what remains today of the old city. We will go back to Salemi passing through the town of Poggioreale, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1968 and where still today the ruins of the city are a real evidence of how life was before that date. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Salemi. After dinner it will be possible to visit the Museum (of Sacred Art, of Risorgimento, of the Mafia) which will be open exclusively for those who travel with this tour. (*)

6th Day/Thursday: SEGESTA – ERICE – MOTHIA - MARSALA

After breakfast at your hotel we will leave for Segesta, to see its famous Doric Temple, unusually
well preserved. We will proceed to Erice to visit this nice medieval town situated in a charming
position, offering a pleasant panorama of the Egadi Islands. Free time for lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the small island of Mothia, situated at the centre of a large lagoon in Marsala, known today as 'Stagnone.” Thanks to its particularly favourable location, in the past it was one of the most prosperous Punic colonies in the Mediterranean. Before returning to the hotel we will stop in Marsala to visit a cellar and to taste the famous strong sweet wine, exported all-over the world. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Salemi.

7th Day/Friday: PALERMO - MONREALE

Breakfast at your hotel and departure for Palermo to visit the capital of Sicily, one of the richest towns in the island known for history and art. We will visit the Cathedral, the Palazzo dei Normanni with its precious Palatine Chapel, the fountain in Pretoria Square, adorned with sculptures. Free time for lunch. We will continue with a visit of Monreale with its huge Norman Cathedral which has been proclaimed the Eighth Wonder of the World, and the splendid Cloister. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Palermo.