Tour of Sicily and Aeolian Islands

1ST DAY/TUEASDAY: PALERMO (HOTEL IN PALERMO). 

Arrive independently to the hotel in the charming city of Palermo (optional private transfer on request). In the evening you will meet our tour-leader and your travel companions and enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight in hotel.

2ND DAY/WEDNESDAY: MONREALE AND PALERMO (HOTEL IN PALERMO).

After breakfast in hotel, the morning will be spent visiting Monreale, its huge Norman Cathedral, proclaimed the Eighth Wonder of the World, and its splendid Cloister in Arab-Norman style: admirable masterpiece of art, sculpture, and semi-precious stones marquetry! Later we will discover the stunning Palermo, one of the richest towns in the Island for its history and art. Palermo stands on a bay at the foot of Mt 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: Punic walls, Art Nouveau villas, noble residences, XVIIth century squares, including an elegant opera house. We will visit the wonderful Arab-Norman Cathedral, the astonishing Martorana Church and the amazing Cappella Palatina, mirable example from an historical and an artistic point of view, of how different cultures, religions and way of thinking apparently incompatible can coexist. Ruggero II in fact employed both Bizantyne, Muslim and Latin workers. Along the visiting day, we will have a stop for a food surprise in a local bakery. Free time for lunch. Continuing our walk we will admire the Teatro Massimo and the debated fountain in Pretoria Square, situated in the ancient Kalsa area and adorned with XVI century sculptures. Dinner and overnight in hotel.

3RD DAY/THURSDAY: MARSALA SALT ROAD AND AGRIGENTO (HOTEL IN AGRIGENTO).

This morning the tour will continue along the charming and well-known town of Marsala, where Garibaldi went ashore in May 1860. Marsala is a Mediterranean modern city, divided between sea and land, featuring unforgettable colors: bright yellow, intense blue, strong red, dazzling white and natural green. It preserves several ruins of Phoenician, Arab and Norman dominations and a wide artistic heritage with sanctuaries and caves, hypogeums, underground roads, necropolis and thermal baths. We will discover the lovely city center and its aristocratic buildings, monuments and imposing Baroque churches. We will proceed to the West coast of Sicily to visit the popular Salt Road; here the salt marshes have given rise to one of the oldest salt-extracting industries in the world. Between Trapani and Marsala, the Salt Road is now protected, in part because of the interesting birdlife, and also as important sites of industrial archaeology. Time for lunch, wine and typical products tastings in a local winery. Transfer to Agrigento and visit of the Valley of the Temples stated World Heritage Site, where among hundreds of almond trees, the rests of the ancient Akragas rise. It was defined by Pyndar “the most beautiful city of mortals”. Once one of the most prosperous of the ancient Greek cities on the island, Agrigento presents a remarkable series of Doric Temples of the 5th century. You will see the “Temple of Hera”, the “Temple of Concordia” and the “Temple of Heracles”. Accommodation in hotel, dinner and overnight.

4TH DAY/FRIDAY: PIAZZA ARMERINA AND RAGUSA (HOTEL IN CATANIA).

Today we will reach Piazza Armerina where we will admire the splendid polychrome mosaics of the famous Villa Romana del Casale, World Heritage Site. The complex includes some of the most extensive and most beautiful Roman mosaics known.This majestic villa, belonged to a member of the Roman Senatorial aristocracy, hosts prestigious mosaics representing mythological and historical episodes and scenes of hunting and entertainments. After free time for lunch, departure to Ragusa Ibla and visit of its historical centre cradle of Sicilian Baroque, with its Cathedral, situated in the beautiful square of the Dome and the “giardino Ibleo”. Used as a location of the extremely popular Police Inspector Montalbano Tv series, it is today stated among the 44 Italian World Heritage Sites. This little precious ancient city  hosts more than 50 churches and many Baroque architectural treasures. We’ll conclude the visiting day with a tasting of local products. Proceed to Catania for dinner and overnight in hotel.

5TH DAY/SATURDAY: CATANIA AND LIPARI (HOTEL IN LIPARI).

Our tour continues with the Aeolian Islands. Breakfast in the hotel and private transfer to Milazzo. Boarding on the hydrofoil for Lipari island. Arrival at the port and transfer to the hotel. Free evening. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

6TH DAY/SUNDAY: PANAREA AND STROMBOLI (HOTEL IN LIPARI).

Breakfast in the hotel and departure from the port of Lipari for the full day excursion Panarea & Stromboli. Before leaving Lipari, stop at Cave of pumice to enjoy an unforgettable swim. Continue then to Panarea, to visit the beautiful bay of Calajunco, above which lies the prehistoric village of Cape Milazzese, and stay in the adjacent Zimmari for another swim.  Then, the tour leaves for a scenic ride between the Isolotti, visiting the Cave of Lovers, to reach the harbour. Here you can have lunch, take a stroll through the elegant streets, visit the prehistoric village and have a nice swim. In the afternoon you will continue to Stromboli. You will stop to admire Ginostra a small fishing village, timeless, then continue to see the Sciara del Fuoco, a steep slope with lava rivers and Strombolicchio, a gigantic rock. Once on the island, dinner and stroll around shops, or the beautiful gardens and take a swim in the blue cobalt sea.  At sunset, the tour returns below the Sciara, to assist from the sea the volcanic explosion in a symphony of reddish lapilli.

7TH DAY/MONDAY: LIPARI AND SALINA (HOTEL IN LIPARI).

Breakfast in the hotel and a full day dedicated to discovering the most beautiful coves of Lipari and Salina. After leaving the Castle of Lipari, the Monte Rosa and Canneto make your first stop at the mine pumice for a bath. Broken wander Acquacalda and you drive to Salina. There will also be able to see St. M. Salina. Free time for shopping. After having skirted the eastern side you will stop for a second bath in the beautiful bay of Pollara, made famous by the movie Massimo Troisi in “Il Postino” and then set off for Rinella, where we prepared a tasting Malvasia. You will then call at Lingua, a small fishing village, where in addition to delightful restaurants and swimming coves where you can visit the salt lake which gave name to this island. On the way back visit the most beautiful caves of Lipari and we will do the last bath in the beach of Vinci, in front of the Faraglioni. Back to Lipari. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

8TH DAY/TUESDAY: LIPARI AND TAORMINA (HOTEL TAORMINA).

Breakfast in the hotel, appointment to the port for hydrofoil boarding directed to Milazzo. Private transfer to Taormina, charming town renowned for its magnificent position above the sea commanding a celebrated view of Etna. Free time for a nice walk among the picturesque Medieval typical narrow streets, go shopping and looking around the local handycraft (coral jewels, precious laces, ceramics, sweets and much more). Dinner and overnight in hotel.

9TH DAY/WEDNESDAY: TAORMINA.

Breakfast in hotel and end of services. Private transfers or excursions available.