Semi Escorted
Welcome to Sicily! Individually arrive at your hotel in the picturesque Seaside Village of Aci Trezza on your own, beautifully set on the Ionian Sea and dominated by the striking Cyclops Rocks (Private Transfer is available on request). After check-in, enjoy some free time to settle in and explore the Seafront Promenade and the Village’s charming streets, where breathtaking views, Fishermen’s Boats and small local eateries create an authentic atmosphere. Dinner at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
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, nowadays 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. Enjoy views of the stunning landscapes that will amaze you before heading to Rifugio Sapienza. You will reach the 'Crateri Silvestri', which are 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 will have lunch in a restaurant in the historic centre of the city. Taormina is a charming town renowned for its magnificent position above the sea commanding a celebrated view of Etna. Visit of 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, to go shopping and looking around the local handicrafts. Afterwards, return back to Catania for dinner on your own. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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Today is dedicated to the Feast of Saint Agatha, the third most famous Religious Festival in the World, which transforms Catania into a Triumph of spirituality, Folklore and Centuries old tradition. The City comes alive with lights, colours and scents while the Fercolo of the Saint is carried in Procession by the faithful. We will closely experience the moving streams of devotees following the Fercolo in Procession, wearing the traditional white sack, some of them carrying lit candles on their shoulders as a sign of devotion. Guided visit of Piazza Duomo, with its Cathedral dedicated to Saint Agatha, symbol of the devotion of the people of Catania and the Amenano Fountain, which recalls the power of the City’s Underground River. We will admire the lava stone Elephant, the historic symbol of Catania and the imposing candelore, gilded wooden structures carried on the shoulders of the faithful. Walking through the streets of the City Centre, we will visit beautiful Via dei Crociferi, the Baroque heart of the City, where the Monastery of Saint Benedict is located, made famous by Verga’s novel Storia di una Capinera. Stop in one of the most renowned bars in the historic centre for a light lunch, tasting typical Catanese Rosticceria and a traditional sweet of the Festival, the 'Minnuzze della Vergine' (small Cassatine). The afternoon is free to follow the Procession, admire the decoration of white Carnations adorning the Coffin of Saint Agatha and discover the goldsmith’s treasures kept in the Saint’s Silver Reliquary. Beautiful and engaging is the Festive atmosphere that fills the streets of the historic centre, pervaded by the scents of freshly crystallised Nougat and Cotton Candy. Return to the hotel for your overnight stay. Dinner is free at leisure. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, we depart to Syracuse, the Ancient Greek City founded in the 8th Century B.C., now a UNESCO World Heritage Site! The visit will start with the Archaeological Park of Neapolis with its Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre and the Latomie of Paradise, the Limestone Quarries used as Prisons and Natural Theatres. Not to be missed is the Ear of Dionysius with its surprising acoustic properties and Mythological legends. Afterwards, we continue to Ortigia, the historic centre of Syracuse with Piazza Duomo and the majestic Cathedral, built on a Doric Temple dedicated to Athena. Walk along the picturesque streets to the Fonte Aretusa, a place of Greek myths and legends. After lunch in a typical restaurant, in the afternoon we will continue towards Noto, the Capital of Sicilian Baroque, a 'stone garden' and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inspired by the ideal of an 'Open City', it is a rare masterpiece and the clearest example of the theatrical taste of 18th Century architecture We will walk among elegant Palaces, Churches and Monuments, appreciating the skill of the local craftsmen and the urban scenery that has made the City famous throughout the World. We return to Catania for our overnight stay. Dinner is on you own tonight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, walk through the streets of Aci Trezza, a Fishing Village made famous by Giovanni Verga through I Malavoglia, to admire the lava stone sea stacks linked to the legend of the Cyclops Polyphemus. Aci Trezza is famous for its authentic atmosphere and traditions connected with Fishing. After lunch in a typical restaurant, transfer to Acireale, a splendid Baroque Town, to experience its famous Carnival, one of the most beautiful and oldest in Italy. The streets of the Town Centre come alive with allegorical floats, masks, music and street performers. One of themost eagerly awaited events of the Acireale Carnival is undoubtedly the parade of floats, true masterpieces ofingenuity and art, representing satire, fantasy and local culture. These structures, often gigantic, are animated by complex mechanisms that allow the figures to move, creating a spectacular and surprising effect. An immersive experience among colours, lights and tradition. Afterwards, return to the hotel for your overnight stay. Dinner is at leisure. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Casteldaccia in the Western part of the Island for a visit to the Duca di Salaparuta Wineries, founded in 1824. Here, we will discover the Sicilian Winemaking tradition and taste fine Wines accompanied by typical Sicilian specialities for a light lunch experience combining tradition and innovation. In the afternoon, arrival in Palermo, a City where styles and cultures blend among Monuments, Churches and historic Markets. Guided visit of Palermo Cathedral, an imposing building that bears witness to centuries of Norman and Arab history. We will admire the Church of the Martorana, a Byzantine masterpiece with Ancient mosaics of extraordinary beauty and the Palatine Chapel with its golden mosaics telling Biblical stories and its refined Arab Norman Art. We will walk through the historic streets to the Teatro Massimo and the Fountain of Piazza Pretoria, adorned with elegant 16th Century Statues. Check-in at the hotel for your overnight stay. Tonight, dinner at leisure in Palermo. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, the morning is dedicated to discovering Monreale, a jewel of Norman Art. We will visit the imposing Cathedral, described as the 8th Wonder of the World with splendid golden mosaics entirely covering the walls and depicting the most important Biblical scenes. The Cloister of Monreale, with its elegant columns and carved details, is a masterpiece of harmony and tranquillity, a symbol of Medieval artistic perfection. Afterwards, we return to Palermo to continue the visit of the City. Walk through the historic Markets, Baroque views and emblematic Monuments with a stop for lunch to taste typical Palermo Street Food. Enjoy free time to further explore the City Centre and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a City rich in history, art and tradition. Dinner at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast in hotel, your services end. Farewell to Sicily, taking with you unforgettable memories of nature, history, art, culture and gastronomy. Individually transfer to the airport for your onward journey. 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)
