Grand Tour of Sicily – 10 nights

Day 1: Palermo
After morning arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Balance of the day is at leisure. Your Sicily tour starts at 6:00 Pm meeting your tour Director in the Lobby for a welcome drink followed by welcome dinner nearby the Hotel*. (D)
*3 nights Hotel Mercure Excelsior or similar

Day 2: Palermo
This day will be dedicated to a guided tour of the capital of Sicily, Palermo. A cosmopolitan city, where they live in harmony a mosaic of cultures which make the town a mystical and exotic at the same time. Our tour begins moving to Monreale, for a visit of the famous Benedictine Abbey, dating from the twelfth century, which houses beautiful mosaics representing a complete cycle of the Old and New Testament, and the Cloister. Than we continue to the center of Palermo with a visit to the Cathedral, Quattro Canti, the churches of San Cataldo and La Martonara, the famous local flea-market “Mercato del Capo” ending at the Massimo Opera House, considered the 3rd largest theatre in Europe. (B)

Day 3: Palermo – Cefalù
This morning visit at Palazzo Abatellis is a palace in Palermo, located in the Kalsa quarter. It is home to the Galleria Regionale della Sicilia, the Gallery of Art for the Sicilian region. Than continue to the untouched and chromatic fisherman’s village of Cefalù. Visit the Norman cathedral and the historical center including the famous “lavatoio”, still active in the 1950’s.
An enjoyable and relaxing lunch wait you by the corniche of this beautiful medieval town. Return to Palermo. (B)

Day 4: Palermo – Segesta – Erice – Trapani
Journey to the western corner of Sicily. Stop in Segesta, visit the unique greek theatre that has been carved on top of sagest mountain and the Doric temple (the oldest and best preserved one in Sicily). Continue to Erice, for a visit of the so called Umbrian village of Sicily, an incredible hill top town that overlooks the Egadi islands. Return to the coastline along Trapani’s coastline to admire the ancient Salt flats. Visit an ancient wind mill and tasting of local sea salt. In the afternoon we continue along the coast back towards Trapani to check in at the hotel*. Evening at leisure (B,D)
* 1 night Hotel La Gancia or similar

Day 5: Trapani – Marsala – Agrigento ( Greek temples UNESCO site )
Departure for Agrigento. Quick stop will be near the sea town of Marsala, re-discovered in the 18^th century by English merchant John Woodhouse and known for its sweet wines. Visit a local cellar and sample some Marsala with a short wine tasting session. Arrival in Agrigento and explore with your on site guide the ancient greek city Akragas, a hillside town famous for its magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a guided tour of the valley, dating back to the 5^th century B.C. The best temple is that of Concordia (similar in design to the Parthenon in Athens) which is in an almost perfectly preserved condition. After visiting the Valley of the Temples, we visit the Archeological Museum in Agrigento, check in at your hotel in Agrigento. Dinner included at the Hotel*. (B,D)
* 1 night Hotel Colleverde Park or similar

Day 6: Agrigento – Piazza Armerina – Ragusa
Departure for Ragusa. On route stop in Piazza Armerina (1h30” driving from Agrigento) to visit the Villa Romana del Casale. Lunch break at the self service restaurant by the archeological park entrance. Continue than to Ragusa Ibla (1h30” driving from Piazza Armerina), the beautiful golden hue of Ragusa is unmistakable as you enter this wonderfully constructed Baroque city. (B)
* 1 night at Hotel Artemisia or similar

Day 7: Ragusa Ibla – Modica – Taormina (Baroque valley UNESCO site )
Visit of the lower and old part of Ragusa Ibla dramatically situated within a jumble of houses and churches clinging onto the side of a most dramatic gorge.
Continue for a drive through a dramatic landscape to the town of Modica. Recognized as one of Europe’s tallest bridges, which joins the old and new centers, Modica is also known as the town of “one hundred churches” and for the beauty of its Baroque architecture. Lunch at local trattoria Osteria dei Sapori Antichi suggested, then enjoy a tasting session of the most traditional Chocolate at Bonajuto Pasticceria.
Depart to your Hotel in Taormina (3 nights). Free time for an enjoyable and relaxing dinner. (B, L)
*4 nights at Hotel Ariston & Palazzo Santa Caterina or similar

Day 8: Taormina (tour & wine tasting dinner on Mt. Etna Volcano)
Explore the slopes of Mt. Etna with our optional tour that also includes an interesting honey-tasting session in Zafferana. Not at all, there are 2 stages, first stop is Refuge Sapienza, 6000ft, this is included! Here is a beautiful spot to experience the Volcano, with shops and restaurants. eruptions if any usually they are on the north east bank, they are not affecting our tour! From this point Refuge Sapienza if you wish to reach the 9600ft you need to move by cable car, than from this point up to 10400ft by Four-wheel bus truck ( there is an extra charge of 40€/45€ to do that round trip – it takes 2 hours for a round trip – you spend 45 min at the summit and there is a short tour provided by the Alpine local guide).
Continue climbing to 6,000 feet, where you can enjoy the best views, as you drive through the fertile slopes and villages that sit on ancient volcanic eruptions.
On the way back to Taormina, stop at famous winery Gambino for a wine tasting followed by lunch at the terrace of this incredible location, facing the Ionian sea and Calabria, immersed into the chestnuts forest and surrounded by vineyards of Nerello Mascalese and Nero d’Avola grapes. Return to Taormina early afternoon, balance of the day at leisure. (B,L)

Day 9: Taormina & “Godfather” tour
Walking tour of Taormina. Taormina is one of the best Mediterranean attractions, considered the pearl of the Ionian Coast for its beautiful views, surrounded by lush subtropical vegetation, such as colorful bougainvillea, surrounded by medieval palaces of great value and by the imposing Greek-Roman Theatre. The center of life is focused at the Piazza 9 Aprile, where you’ll find restaurants, pizzerias, cafes, and shops that will satisfy every person’s search for La Dolce Vita. The balance of the day is at leisure.
Late afternoon we offer a once in a lifetime experience! The “Godfather” tour, featuring the authentic villages chosen by Francis Ford Coppola for most of the scenes in the Godfather movies. This is a good way to explore the real untouched Sicilian countryside, local lifestyle and culture. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a fashionable restaurant. (B)
**An Optional tour is available after the morning tour: to be paid on spot locally.
Cooking class Program: Meet our Chef and follow him to the local market. During the welcome meeting you will receive a book with the description of the recipes, customized apron and hat.  Starts a 3 hours cooking course, followed by lunch.

Day 10: Taormina – Siracusa half day
Move to Siracusa. Visit the Archeological park with its stunning Greek theatre. Continue to Ortygia, the old centre of Syracuse, with more than 2,500 years of history. Highlights of this visit include Tempio di Apollo, one of the first great Doric temples built in Sicily; the Duomo, an impressive cathedral with a Baroque facade and Doric columns once part of an earlier Greek temple, Arethusa’s Spring and the oldest Jewish ghetto. Free time for lunch on your own. Return to Taormina. Afternoon at leisure. Tonight farewell dinner at local exclusive restaurant. (B,D)

Day 11: Catania Airport – Departure  (or extend your stay)
Morning transfer to Catania Airport for your return flight home. Meals and refreshments served on board. (B)