9 Days/ 8 nights

Palermo (4 nights), Taormina (2 nights), Syracuse (2 nights)

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Agrigento: Valley of the Temples
• Palermo: The Sicilian capital and capo market
• Monreale: Dome and the golden mosaics
• Segesta: Doric Temple
• Erice: Castle built on the remnants of Venus Temple
• Piazza Armerina: Ancient mosaics in the Roman Villa
• Taormina: World-renowned Mediterranean resort town
• Syracuse: Archaeological Park and Ortigia Island
• Ragusa & Modica: Baroque Sites

Day 1: Saturday (Palermo) Arrival to Palermo. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Palermo.

Day 2: Sunday (Palermo – Agrigento – Palermo)
After breakfast, drive through the interior of Sicily to reach the Archaeological Park of Agrigento. On arrival, independent visit of the Archaeological Museum (Admission fee: not included). Then visit the finest of all ancient Greek sites—the complete Doric Temples (Admission fee: not included). Transfer to Palermo. Overnight in Palermo.

Day 3: Monday (Palermo and Monreale)
After breakfast short drive to Monreale, to see where the Arab-Norman art and architecture reached the pinnacle of its glory with the Duomo (Admission fee: not included). Then transfer to Palermo and walking tour of the city center. Then short stroll will continue through Via Maqueda with the external view of Massimo Theater (The Opera House). The visit will end in Piazza Politeama, from there you will have the opportunity to return to your hotel (walking distance). Afternoon and evening at leisure. Overnight in Palermo.

Day 4: Tuesday (Palermo – Erice – Segesta and Lunch in Olive oil Factory – Palermo)
After breakfast early departure to tour western Sicily and reach Erice uptown. Later, a light-lunch in a local winery-farmhouse including tasting of mixed local product such as cheese, salami, olives, local bread combined with their production of olive oil and wine. In afternoon, continue onto Segesta, to visit the unfinished Doric temple (Admission fee: not included). Later return to Palermo. Overnight in Palermo.

Day 5: Wednesday (Palermo – Piazza Armerina – Taormina)
After breakfast departure for Piazza Armerina. Upon arrival, visit the amazing Roman Villa of Casale (Admission Fee: not included) in Piazza Armerina. In afternoon, continue to Taormina, the world famous resort town of Sicily. Overnight in Taormina.

Day 6: Thursday (Taormina at leisure)
Breakfast at hotel. Free time to explore city. Taormina is a hill-village with a glossy sheen of glamour. Corso Umberto is pedestrian and ideal for strolling and window-shopping. Taormina has a huge range of bars, cafes and restaurants where you can while away pleasant hours while admiring the views. Overnight in Taormina.

Day 7: Friday (Taormina – Syracuse)
After breakfast depart for Syracuse, founded by colonists from Cornith in 735 B.C. and once the most important competitor to Athens. On arrival visit through the Archaeological Park (Admission fee: not included) highlights the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Paradise Quarry. Then stroll through the streets of Ortygia Island, the heart of the city center. In afternoon, transfer to Syracuse hotel.  Overnight in Syracuse.

Day 8: Saturday (Syracuse – Ragusa – Modica – Syracuse)
Breakfast. Departure for Ragusa. The city is situated in the Iblean mountains and along with Ragusa, it is part of the UNESCO Heritage Sites in Sicily. Upon arrival, walk through the historical town of Ragusa Ibla which highlights the wide array of Baroque architecture in Sicily, including several stunning palaces and churches. Light lunch in a local trattoria. Short drive to Modica, a small village famous for the chocolate. Return to Syracuse. Overnight in Syracuse.

Day 9: Sunday
After breakfast transfer to Catania airport (CTA).