Vantage World Travel

Sicily Luxury Tour - 9D/8N

Enjoy in 9 days this beautiful island in a superior way. Sicily (Italian and Sicilian: Sicilia) is an autonomous region of Southern Italy in Europe. Of all the regions of Italy, Sicily covers the largest surface area with 25,708 km² and currently has five million inhabitants. It is also the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, though several much smaller islands surrounding it are also considered part of Sicily. It is considered to be highly rich in its own unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, cuisine, architecture and even language. The Sicilian economy is largely based on agriculture (namely orange and lemon orchards); this same rural countryside has attracted significant tourism in the modern age as its natural beauty is highly regarded.[3] Sicily also holds importance for archeological and ancient sites such as the Necropolis of Pantalica and the Valley of the Temples.

Included: Accommodation (based on double occupancy) - 9 breakfasts - Transfer from the Airport of Palermo to the hotel in Palermo 1st day - Private car and driver – Guide speaking English from the 2nd day to 8th day - Transfer from Taormina to Catania airport the last day - Full day excursion with a guide in Palermo / Monreale - Half day excursion with a guide in Valley of the temples Syracusa/Piazza Armerina - Cooking class at the Madonie park - Oil tasting followed by a lunch - Cooking class in an ancient Palace - Chocolate demonstration - Private visit of palazzo beneventano - Dinner in a sea restaurant in Syracusa - Private jeep excursion + lunch in a winery - Visit palazzo Biscari - Dinner in a restaurant near Taormina - Taxes and Vat.

Not included: Entrance fees to museums and other attractions - Drinks during Dinner/Lunch - Meals not mentioned - Tips.

Accommodation: All accommodations in superior Hotels as mentioned in superior rooms.

Departures: Daily.

Note: on request we can reserve restaurants / visit of ancient palaces / cooking courses

Day by day Itinerary:

• Day 1 Palermo - Arrival in Palermo airport and transfer to your hotel: Grand Hotel Villa Igiea. Dinner at leisure (try one of our suggested restaurants!). Overnight at the villa. (BB)
• Day 2 Palermo - Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Depart to Monreale where you will visit the cathedral. Return to Palermo where you will continue your guided tour of the city. The visit includes the Palatine Chapel, the church of St. John of the Hermit, then stroll through il mercato della Vucciria. Lunch and dinner at leisure. Overnight in Palermo. (BB)
• Day 3 The Madonie Park And Cefalu’ - Transfer to Parco delle Madonie, passing through central Sicily from Catania towards Palermo. Arrival in Polizzi Generosa. Have a half-day cooking lesson at the home of an authentic Sicilian family. The host will demonstrate how to prepare homemade pasta and some special sauces. Lunch with our new friends. Afternoon : depart for Cefalù. Back to Palermo. Dinner on your own. Overnight (BB, L)
• Day 4 Palermo – Segesta – Marsala – Mazara - Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Leave for Segesta to visit the ruins of the Greek temple, on the slope of Mount Barbaro. Continue to Erice, a nearby medieval town, located 751 meters above sea level which overlooks the whole Western region, the Mediterranean Sea and the Egadi Islands. Visit to the Antique Convent Pastry Shop, one of the most renowned Sicilian bakeries. Transfer to Fontanasalsa , a Village on the Western coast and stop in a Baglio for a Typical lunch and Oil tasting. Continue to Mazara del Vallo. Check into your hotel. Kempisky 5* in room with a superb view on garden. Dinner at leisure. (BB, L)
• Day 5 Agrigento –Modica and the Patrician cuisine - Buffet breakfast at the hotel. We will visit the Valley of Temples. You will have a private guided tout, with a specialized guide, and the rest of the day is free. The archeological ruins of the Greek domination are numerous Juno, Jupiter, Castor and Pollux, Hercules, Vulcan and Esculapio. Lunch at leisure. Continue to Modica. Check in at the hotel palazzo faille 4* or similar. Late afternoon: participate to a cooking class at the palace’s restaurant. Dinner at the Palace, comprised of dishes prepared during the lesson. (BB, D)
• Day 6 Piazza Armerina / Caltagirone / Modica - Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Piazza Armerina. Lunch on your own. Afternoon: back to Modica the ancient capital of Contea. Take a guided stroll through the area and stop at the Antique Pastry Shop Bonajuto, where the Ruta family is famous for their chocolate, a delicacy they continue to prepare in the same style once used by the ancient Aztec people. Along with chocolate, enjoy their peperoncino, vanilla and cinnamon, which help lend their desserts their typical Ragusano flavor. Dinner at leisure and overnight. (BB)
• Day 7 Siracusa - Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Transfer in Siracusa, situated on the eastern coast of Sicily. Accommodation at Grand Hotel (4 stars), an old patrician mansion, pleasant and comfortable or similar. Guided city sightseeing: Siracusa, splendid and magnificent, in the classic age was the richest and the most powerful among the Hellenic towns in Sicily and some archeological ruins testify the former glory: the impressive Greek Theatre, the Jerone’s Altar and the ruins of the Apollo, Jupiter and Athena Temples. Lunch at leisure. Don’t forget this memorable day will have a visit in a marvelous private palace : Palazzo beneventano where the baron will receive us to say welcome in Syracusa. Dinner in a restaurant facing the port. Overnight in Siracusa. (BB, D)
• Day 8 Siracusa / Taormina (220 km.) - Buffet breakfast at the hotel. In the morning leave by private car and drive along the coast, to the north, to the charming Taormina. Stop in Catania, the second biggest town in Sicily, a true lively town with a Baroque-style charm. Lunch at leisure. Transfer in Taormina and accommodation at San Domenico Palace (5 stars), which originally was a monastery, situated on a natural terrace overlooking the sea. Dinner in a nice restaurant near Taormina. Overnight in Taormina. (BB, D)
• Day 9 Taormina - Buffet breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast , depart for your “Special morning on Mt. Etna” one of our unique excursion. You will see the highest active volcano in Europe. You will see Mount Fontane ( view of Valle del Bove) ; the Thieves Cave ( Grotta dei Ladroni ) ; Extinct craters of Sartorius Mounts ; the Lava flow from 2002 eruption. Following our excursion we’ll continue our drive to Tenuta San Michele, an ancient estate located on the slopes of the volcano Etna. Wine tasting and guided visit to the wine cellar with a member of the family. Lunch at the farm. Drive back to Taormina. In the afternoon you will have free time to wander this famous resort town which offers also historical and cultural attractions. Overnight at the hotel. Dinner on your own. (BB, L)
• Day 10 Taormina - Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Departure.

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