Whispering Sicily

Traveling through Sicily means to live an unforgettable experience. You can appreciate the Sicilian people soul and go back to the Norman Times visiting Palermo and Monreale. From Segesta to Selinus and Agrigento, where temples whisper you the history of the old Magna Grecia, you will reach the city of Aretusia – Syracuse - where you will be fascinated by the inebriating scents and colors of the Mediterranean sea. From the cave of Polyphemus to the romantic burg of Taormina, you will know the power of the smoky Volcano Etna and, finally, you will greet this wonderful Island with a farewell hug from the harbor of Palermo.

1^ST DAY: PALERMO Arrival Palermo and transfer to the Villa. Check-in. After dinner nice walk in the streets of Palermo by night. Palermo's Arab-Norman buildings have no equal on the planet, and the entire city is a treasure trove of museums and baroque oratories. Its outdoor markets, such as raucous Vucceria, evoke North Africa and are still dominated by the influence of the Arabs who departed centuries ago. Return to the hotel and overnight.
2^NDDAY: PALERMO Breakfast. In the morning visit of the city, including the Cathedral, built in the Sicilian-Norman style; the Church of St. John of the Hermits, built with the help of Arab architects; the Palace of the Normans, where you can admire dazzling mosaics considered the finest in Europe. Free lunch. In the afternoon guided visit of the town of Monreale, in the province of Palermo, was a pleasure resort of the Norman kings, to whom it owes its foundation. Visit to the Cathedral, famous for its beautiful mosaics and for its cloister. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
3^RD DAY: SEGESTA-SELINUNTE Breakfast. Departure to Segesta and guided visit to the Doric Temple that stands alone, on hill, surrounded by a deep ravine, in a suggestive landscape. Continuation to Erice, a small and very charming medieval town, situated 750 m. above the sea. Guided visit to the Church, built with stones quarried from the ancient temples. Free lunch. In the afternoon, driving along the Salt Way, stop in Selinus and guided visit of the archaeological site, which holds the huge ruins of temples with their enormous platforms, wrecked by earthquakes. Arrival at Agrigento. Check-in at Villa and dinner. Overnight.
4^TH DAY: AGRIGENTO-PIAZZA ARMERINA Breakfast in the hotel. In the morning visit of Agrigento, discovering the Valley of the Temples. Walking along the Sacred Way, guided visit of the Temple of Concord, which is the most massive, majestic and best preserved; the Temple of Hercules, the oldest of the Agrigento temples; the Temple of Jupiter which was supposed to become the largest temples in the ancient world, but was never ended and the Temple of Castor and Pollux. Free lunch on the way to Piazza Armerina. Arrival and guided visit of the Roman Villa of Casale, famous for its picturesque mosaic floors in a wide range of colours with a sort of North African influence. Check-in in a wonderful monastery in the centre of Piazza Armerina. Dinner and overnight.
5^TH DAY: SYRACUSE Breakfast. Departure to Syracuse, situated at the head of a beautiful bay in one of the most beautiful place in the Greek Sicily. In the morning, guided visit of the archaeological site, including the Greek Theatre, with the seats hewn out of the rock; the Roman Amphitheatre, surrounded by pines and oleanders; the Paradise Quarry with the famous Ear of Denis, an artificial ear-shaped grotto. Free lunch. In the afternoon, it is possible to take a memorable boat ride (seven km) from the Marina di Siracusa that steams along the banks of the river Ciane to the spring of Fonte Ciane. The Fonte is venerated as the place where Pluto plunged into the earth following the abduction of Persephone. Some call this area the papyrus cathedral. Check-in at Villa, dinner and overnight.
6^THDAY: CATANIA-TAORMINA Breakfast. Departure to Catania and Taormina passing through two fishing villages, Aci Castello and Aci Trezza. Offshore, the Cyclops’ Reefs raise from the sea. They are supposed to be the rocks hurled by the Cyclops Polyphemus after Ulysses had blinded him by thrusting a blazing stake into his single eye. Short stop in Acireale. Free lunch. In the afternoon arrival in Taormina, which stands in a wonderful site at an altitude of 250m., wonderful natural terrace overlooking the sea and facing Etna. Time at leisure. Check-in at Villa, dinner and overnight.
7^TH DAY: ETNA-TAORMINA Breakfast. Departure to the highest active Volcanoes in Europe, Etna Mount. Excursion by coach to Piano Provenzana at 1.800 m., where the surfaced road ends. Along the way we will admire grown fields and grapes. Free lunch. In the afternoon visit of the romantic Taormina, including the Greek Theatre, where from the upper tiers there is an admirable view between the stage columns of the coastline and Etna; the Public Gardens, a terraced garden of flowers and exotic plants. Return to the Villa for dinner and overnight.
8^TH DAY: DEPARTURE Breakfast. In the morning transfer to Palermo. Passing through Messina, Tindari. Short stop in Cefalù. Arrival in Palermo and transfer to the airport.