9 Days/ 8 nights
Syracuse (3 nights), Palermo (3 nights), Taormina (2 nights)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Syracuse: Archaeological Park and Ortigia Island
- Ragusa & Modica: Baroque Sites
- 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
Day 1: Thursday (Syracuse)
Arrival to Syracuse. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Syracuse.
Day 2: Friday (Syracuse)
After breakfast 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. Overnight in Syracuse.
Day 3: Saturday (Syracuse – Ragusa & Modica – Syracuse)
After 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 4: Sunday (Syracuse – 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 5: Monday (Palermo & 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 return to the hotel (walking distance). Overnight in Palermo.
Day 6: Tuesday (Palermo/Erice, Segesta, Olive Oil & Winery/Palermo)
After breakfast morning 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). Overnight in Palermo.
Day 7: 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 8: Thursday (Taormina at leisure)
After breakfast 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 9: Friday (Taormina)
After breakfast transfer to Catania airport (CTA).
