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Overview
The Mediterranean’s largest island, Sicily, is as culturally rich as it is beautiful. It is home to superb Norman architecture, vibrant Roman floor mosaics, Arab-inspired gardens, and probably the finest Greek temples to be found anywhere in the world. Alongside this, the island has some magnificent natural scenery, from volcanic Mount Etna to quiet beaches in the south. This tour takes you to
the best that the island has to offer.
Itinerary
Day 1: Fly to Catania • Syracuse
Fly from London (regional connections available)
to Catania with British Airways. Transfer to
Syracuse and stay at Grande Albergo Alfeo for
2 nights. (N)
Day 2: Syracuse • Noto
Tour of Syracuse including visits to the Greek theatre, considered one of the most important examples of its kind, the Ear of Dionysius, and the island of Ortygia. Continue to the town of Noto, a Unesco world heritage city due to its magnificent baroque architecture. (B)
Day 3: Catania • Cefalù • Palermo
Morning drive to Catania to view the cathedral and Piazza Stesicoro. Continue to Cefalù to
visit the Norman cathedral with its exquisite
mosaics. Continue to Palermo and stay at the
Hotel Principe di Villa Franca for 2 nights. (B)
Day 4: Monreale • Palermo
Morning drive to Monreale to visit the Norman
cathedral, founded in 1172 and considered a
leading example of Norman-Arab architecture.
Return to Palermo for a city tour including
the magnificent Arab-Norman cathedral, the
Palatine Chapel, located within the Norman
palace and covered in Byzantine-influenced
mosaics, and the historic old town. Afternoon
street food experience; learn how Palermitan
food has been shaped by the region’s history. (B)
Day 5: Erice • Selinunte • Agrigento
Morning visit to the town of Erice, a medieval
town with imposing fortified walls overlooking
the city of Trapani. Continue to the Temple
of Selinunte, an excellent example of Doric
architecture. Stop at Grammatico, the worldfamous
pastry shop, for some marzipan and
biscuit tasting. Drive to Agrigento and stay
overnight at the Hotel Dioscuri Bay Palace
(Superior room). (B)
Day 6: Valley of the Temples • Piazza
Armerina • Taormina
Morning visit to the Valley of the Temples,
one of the world’s most impressive ancient
Greek sites. Afternoon drive to the elegant
resort town of Taormina via Piazza Armerina
to view the Roman mosaics of the Villa Romana
del Casale. Stay 2 nights at the Hotel Caparena
(or similar). (B)
Day 7: Mount Etna
Visit the highest active volcano in Europe,
Mount Etna, for panoramic views. Stop at Barone di Villagrande for wine tasting.
Afternoon guided tour of Taormina. (B)
Day 8: Fly to London
Transfer to Catania airport and fly to London
with British Airways. (B)
