Semi Escorted
Arrive independently at your hotel in Palermo for check-in (optional private transfer on request). In the evening, meet the tour leader and your travel companions for a short briefing. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, the morning will be spent visiting Monreale, its huge Norman Cathedral is proclaimed as the Eighth Wonder of the World and its splendid Cloister in Arab-Norman style is an admirable masterpiece of art, sculpture and semi-precious stone marquetry! Later, discover the stunning Palermo, one of the richest towns in the island for its history and art. Palermo stands on a bay dominated by Mount Pellegrino, a headland described by Goethe as the loveliest he had ever seen. While the Baroque predominates, there is a profusion of different architectural styles reflecting the city's multicultural past. Visit the wonderful eclectic Cathedral, the astonishing Martorana Church and the amazing Cappella Palatina, admirable examples from an historic and an artistic point of view and a prove of how different cultures, religions and way of thinking apparently incompatible can coexist. During the day, stop to enjoy a typical lunch with local food. Along the path you will admire the famous Teatro Massimo and the debated fountain in Pretoria Square, situated in the Ancient Kalsa area and adorned with 16th Century sculptures. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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After breakfast transfer to Cefalù, a charming Medieval Town situated at the northern coast of Sicily. Visit of its stunning Norman Dome, enjoy some free time to stroll through the town or to visit the famous and well known Mandralisca Museum. Enjoy a stop to have lunch in a famous restaurant. Upon arrival in Catania, visit Catania's historical centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its original Baroque style and its unique streets built with black Lava stone. The colour scheme of the city centre buildings is black and dark grey, relieved with white limestone details around doors and windows. The effect is extremely elegant! The walking tour will start from the scenic Duomo Square with its magnificent Cathedral and the famous 'Liotru' statue, antique Lava stone Elephant, which is a symbol of the city. Not far from here we will reach University Square and take a walk along the splendid Baroque Via dei Crociferi, the most representative 18th Century street in Catania, where we will admire the famous St. Benedict Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continuing the visit, enjoy a break in a historical bar of the city centre to taste the typical 'Granita & Brioche'. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, after a short visit of the famous 'Pescheria', which is the Ancient Fish Market in Catania, the tour will continue with an excursion to the Mount Etna, the highest (3,350 metres) Volcano in Europe and one of the largest and most active in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its regional park protects 59,000 hectares of unique geology, flora and fauna, villages and farms and traditional methods of forestry, beekeeping, wine manufacture, stonework and carpentry. Views of stunning landscapes will amaze you heading to Rifugio Sapienza. You will reach the 'Crateri Silvestri', small Volcanic cones now inactive, surrounded by ancient Lava flows. The view beyond the mountain's hundreds of subsidiary cones and craters, can extend across the whole of Sicily, the Aeolian Islands and Calabria. The spectacle is unique! You will have the chance to enjoy the local homemade Honey and some typical products of the area. The tour continues towards Taormina, where you can enjoy lunch in a lovely restaurant. Taormina is a charming town renowned for its magnificent position above the sea commanding a celebrated view of Etna. Visit Taormina's fascinating Greek Theatre, which will leave you breathless for its commanding view on Giardini Naxos Bay and the Etna Mountain! Enjoy some free time for a nice walk among the picturesque medieval typical narrow streets or to go shopping and looking around the local handicrafts. Return back to Catania for dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Your holiday will continue with the Aeolian Islands extension without a tour leader. After breakfast, you will have free time to enjoy the beautiful Catania. Its city centre is declared UNESCO World Heritage Site for its stunning beauties, the late Baroque architecture and the unique Lava stone buildings. In the late morning, take a private transfer to Milazzo. Boarding on the hydrofoil for Lipari Island. Upon arrival at Lipari Island, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion to Lipari and Salina Islands. Leaving the harbour, the boat will skirt Lipari Coast and you will have a view of the Castle of Lipari, the Monte Rosa and Canneto. You will also have time to swim in the crystalline blue water of Pumice Cave Beach. Afterwards, we continue on to Salina, the Captain will show you the famous Acquacalda Bay. First stop will be on Santa Marina Salina the biggest town of the island. Our tour goes on along Salina east side, visiting from the sea, Malfa Village, Capofaro Town and its Malvasia wineries. You will also stop inside Pollara Bay, famous for the movie 'Il Postino' shot by Massimo Troisi. The boat will then stop in the charming fishermen's village of Lingua where you will have some free time to visit the island, its Lago Salato or enjoy one of the typical restaurants. On the way back, we will visit the most beautiful Grottos in Lipari and take some free time for a swim in Vinci Beach, in front of the Faraglioni. Back to Lipari in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Depart from Lipari Harbour for a full day excursion to Panarea and Stromboli. Before leaving Lipari, the boat will stop at the Cave of Pumice to enjoy an unforgettable swim. The excursion will then continue to Panarea, where you will have the opportunity to visit the beautiful Bay of Calajunco. Above it lies the prehistoric village of Cape Milazzese. Enjoy a swim at Zimmari Beach before continuing on. The boat will skirt among the small islands nearby and will stop in the charming Cava degli Innamorati. In Panarea, you will have some free time to enjoy your packed lunch, take a stroll through the elegant streets or visit the prehistoric village and have a nice swim. In the afternoon the excursion will continue to Stromboli. The first stop will be Ginostra, a fascinating small fishing village. Once on the island, enjoy some free time for dinner and to take a stroll, swim or do some shopping. In the warmer time of the year, among dips and long swims, it will be possible to enjoy stunning beaches and Volcanic caves. Back to the boat at sunset, admire Strombolicchio, a gigantic rock and the Sciara del Fuoco, which is a stunning Volcanic explosion of reddish lapilli creating Lava rivers reaching the sea! Meals: Breakfast, Packed Lunch
After breakfast, transfer to Lipari Harbour to take the hydrofoil for Milazzo. Upon arrival in Milazzo, there will be a driver waiting for you for a private transfer to Taormina, defined by Goethe as the 'paradise on earth'. The day is free at leisure. You can enjoy the medieval village, visiting its historical monuments or do some shopping to but some of the local handicraft products. As an alternative you can relax by the sea and enjoy the colours and scents of its Mediterranean vegetation. We suggest a visit of Isola Bella, one of the most enchanting beaches in Sicily, also called the 'Pearl of the Mediterranean' thanks to its particular location and vegetation, a perfect mix of tropical plants and local flora! Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, the tour services will come to an end. Private transfers or excursions are available. Meals: Breakfast
Tour Prices are per person twin share in Australian Dollars. Conditions apply and group tours are subject to change and availability. Prices are subject to currency fluctuations. (ds)
