SICILY: A BLOOMING LAND IN THE SHADOW OF A VOLCANO

Tour start date(s):	06-05-2025, 14-10-2025
Duration:	8 Days / 7 Nights
Location:	Palermo - Monreale - Cefalù - Castelmola - Taormina - Mount Etna - Savoca - Messina - Noto - Syracuse - Hotel on the sea coast of Taormina - Catania
Price (including tax):	DBL 1950 USD ; SNGL 2640 USD

Since ancient times, the beauty of Sicily has inspired poets, writers, and artists. As Goethe said, Sicily is the key to understanding Italy. In this tour, you will be able to touch the culture, history, traditions, and gastronomy of this hospitable and vibrant island, the largest in the Mediterranean!

Imagine a bar at the corner of a shady square, where elderly men, holding their cigars, weave stories like knots on an old ship's rope. The aroma of strong Sicilian espresso blends with the sharp scents of orange orchards. You walk along narrow streets where the walls of ancient buildings are soaked in history like manuscripts. We will stroll through the evening Palermo, taste the local street food (the best in Italy!), listen to street musicians, marvel at the lace-like baroque architecture of Noto, climb the summit of the smoking Etna volcano, drink almond wine, admire the golden cathedral in Monreale, and walk through the elegant Taormina...

Welcome to Sicily, the key to Italy and the cradle of civilization!

WHY CHOOSE THIS TOUR:

• Eleven (!) excursions with a licensed guide are included in the tour.
• We will spend one night in Palermo and take a stroll through the evening capital of Sicily.
• A welcome dinner in the center of Palermo on the arrival day.
• A visit to the UNESCO monument – the golden Norman cathedral in Monreale.
• SICILIAN PARADISE – Cefalù with its postcard views.
• CLIMBING THE ETNA VOLCANO, the highest and most active volcano in Europe.
• A visit to SAVOCA, where we will uncover the secrets of the Sicilian MAFIA.
• TASTING of olive oil, wine, and honey on the slopes of Mount Etna.
• We will walk through elegant TAORMINA and enjoy views worth a MILLION dollars.
• The island of ORTIGIA in Syracuse and its legends.
• A visit to NOTO – a UNESCO World Heritage site, a baroque jewel, a city of a stone garden.
• A tasting of almond cookies in Noto.
• A tasting of famous almond wine in Castelmola.

Day 1: Palermo – the pulsating capital of Sicily

Arrival at Palermo Airport (Sicily). Please arrive by 2 pm. Meeting at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Palermo (8 km). Meet the guide at the hotel and take a walk through evening Palermo. We will see the Palermo Cathedral, founded in the 12th century on the site of a mosque. It harmoniously combines Norman, Catalan, and Gothic styles and also shows traces of Islamic influence. Sicilian emperors and kings were crowned here. The archbishop who began building the cathedral wanted to create a cathedral that would outshine the one in Monreale... The next day, you will see the Monreale Cathedral and decide for yourself who won the Cathedral Game. We will visit the lyrical Massimo Theatre, the third largest after the theaters in Paris and Vienna, a triumph of the Liberty style. To build the theater, several churches were demolished, and the locals say that the ghost of Saint Agatha still haunts the area.

We will finish our fascinating walk with a welcome dinner in the heart of old Palermo, where we will enjoy local cuisine and celebrate our first day on hospitable Sicily!

Overnight at a hotel in Palermo.

Day 2: The Golden Cathedral of Monreale and Sicilian Paradise – Cefalù

Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting with the tour guide in the hotel lobby and departure with luggage. Transfer 12 km. The Monreale Cathedral is a 12th-century Arab-Norman cathedral that tourists come from all over the world to see! We will witness the extraordinary golden glow that characterizes the cathedral's stunning mosaics. This effect was what the creators of the cathedral aimed to achieve in the 12th century to show the divine presence. We will see how these mosaics were created and uncover the secrets of the ancient craftsmen.

Our next stop is the charming town of Cefalù. The name "Cefalù" comes from the ancient Greek word "Kephaloidion," meaning "head" or "rock," referring to the nearby La Rocca mountain, which resembles the shape of a head. The nature surrounding Cefalù, the mountains, and the azure sea rightfully earned Cefalù its second name: Sicilian paradise.

Overnight at a hotel by the sea on the eastern coast of Sicily.

Day 3: Taormina – the pearl of the Ionian Sea and Castelmola

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Taormina (7 km), which the locals affectionately call the pearl of the Ionian Sea. As Guy de Maupassant said, if you only have one day in Sicily, spend it in Taormina... We will walk along the main street of the city – from the Messina Gate to the Catania Gate, and you will understand why this street is the most beloved in Sicily. It is full of boutiques and restaurants for every taste. Together with the guide, we will see the Corvaja Palace with its Arab tower, ancient churches, and the narrowest street in the city, Viccolo Stretto. In front of the Taormina Cathedral, we will encounter the unusual symbol of the city – the crowned centaur-maiden. From the elegant Piazza IX Aprile (the name will be explained by the guide), you will be treated to one of the most beautiful panoramas in the world.

After the tour, you will have time to visit the Greek Theatre (optional) and have lunch. The best arancini (rice balls with meat ragout) can be eaten right here in Taormina!

Then, we will head to Castelmola (7 km), an ancient town perched on top of Mount Tauro, hanging over the Ionian Sea. We will stroll around the Piazza San Antonio, paved with mosaic tiles made from lava stone, see the ruins of the 12th-century Norman Castle, ancient churches, and visit a unique bar where you can taste the famous almond liqueur served in a glass with a phallic theme.

Overnight at a hotel by the sea on the eastern coast of Sicily.

Day 4: Conquering Mount Etna and Catania – the city of the sphinx

After breakfast, at 9:00 am, we depart from the hotel by bus. We arrive at Mount Etna (55 km). To the ancient Greeks, Etna was the home of giants and monsters. We ascend to a tourist viewpoint at 1900 meters, where we will enjoy breathtaking views. You will have the chance to visit souvenir shops selling lava-made products and try a fiery liqueur with red orange peel and hot pepper – Etna Fire.

Lunch at the volcano's summit (optional) or the chance to ascend to 3000 meters – cable car plus jeep for an additional fee, where you can see the traces of the latest eruptions. Afterward, we descend the slopes of the volcano and stop for a tasting of wines, olive oil, and unique honey from Mount Etna. You will also have the opportunity to buy local delicacies.

We then drive to Catania (15 km), the largest city on Sicily's eastern coast. Our excursion begins at the historic fish market, where you will immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of a real Italian market that has been open for over 300 years. We will visit the Catania Cathedral, where the tomb of the great Bellini and the relics of Saint Agatha, the city's patron saint, are kept. We will also view (from the outside) the Ursino Castle, which was the residence of the Aragonese kings and the scene of a royal kidnapping. The ancient Roman amphitheater dating back to the 2nd century BC is also quite fascinating. After the excursion, the guide will talk about a local delicacy – a Saint Agatha-themed pastry and show you where to try it.

Overnight at a hotel by the sea on the eastern coast of Sicily.

Day 5: Messina – the gates of Sicily and following in the footsteps of The Godfather in Savoca

After breakfast, we depart from the hotel with the guide by bus. We travel to Messina (50 km), known as the Gates of Sicily. Founded by the ancient Greeks in the 8th century BC, Messina has a rich ancient heritage and is one of Sicily's oldest cities. In Messina, we will visit the magnificent cathedral, the astronomical clock, which was the most accurate timekeeper in Sicily until the mid-19th century. Messina's astronomical clock is the largest in the world!

We then travel to Savoca (42 km). Afterward, we will take a stroll through picturesque Savoca (75 km), where Francis Ford Coppola filmed many scenes from his famous movie "The Godfather." We will visit the Vitelli Bar, where Michael Corleone met the father of his future wife, Apollonia, and the Church of Saint Lucia, where the famous wedding scene was filmed.

The guide will reveal the real story of the Sicilian mafia, detailing the modern mafia and the mafia clan wars over territory control. Return to the hotel (30 km).

Overnight at a hotel by the sea on the eastern coast of Sicily.

Day 6: Ortigia Island in Syracuse and Noto – the "stone garden" city

After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Ortigia Island (120 km), which we reach via a bridge directly from Syracuse. We will land at the island's central market, where the guide will talk about local delicacies, and you will have the chance to taste oysters with a glass of prosecco, wonderful cheeses from Ragusa with black pepper and pistachios, and almond cookies (extra). After replenishing ourselves, we will walk along the island's oldest street to the Temple of Apollo, visit the cathedral, the magnificent 15th-century Church of Saint Lucia, and hear the legend of the beautiful nymph Arethusa, who was saved from the love of the river god Alpheus through divine intervention by being transformed into a life-giving spring.

Free time at the Ortigia promenade, where the guide will show you the best seafood restaurants (tuna tartare, swordfish rolls, baby fish croquettes, local white wine, and charming views of the bay). We will walk in front of the Byzantine General Maniace Castle, take photos, and continue our journey to Noto (40 km).

Noto is located in the picturesque Azinaro Valley, among groves of old olive trees, almonds, and citrus trees. The city is known as the "stone garden" for the beauty of its ornate and unique facades, balconies, arches, and windows.

We will walk through the Royal Gates, adorned with Bourbon symbols, see the Cathedral, and admire the array of churches and aristocratic villas. Don't forget to try almond wine.

Overnight at a hotel by the sea on the eastern coast of Sicily.

Day 7:

Breakfast at the hotel. A free day at the sea or an optional boat tour along the coast of Taormina (payment on site).

Overnight at a hotel by the sea on the eastern coast of Sicily.

Day 8: Departure

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Catania Airport (65 km) according to your flight schedule (for any flight, nighttime flights from 10 pm to 6 am – an additional $25 per person).

Hotels along the route:

• 1 night: Ibis Styles Palermo Cristal or similar.
• 6 nights: Park Hotel Silemi in Letojanni or similar.

The package includes:

• Accommodation at hotels: 1 night in Palermo and 6 nights at a resort on the eastern coast of Sicily with breakfast.
• Welcome dinner in Palermo on the arrival day.
• 11 excursions along the route.
• Entry ticket to the Monreale Cathedral.
• Transfers as per the program (for ANY flight arrival and departure. Night flights from 10 pm to 7 am – additional $25 per person).
• Escort by a licensed Russian-speaking guide.
• Wine, olive oil, and honey tasting on the slopes of Mount Etna.
• Tasting of famous almond wine in Castelmola.
• Tasting of almond cookies in Noto.
• Headsets for the entire tour.

The package does not include:

• City taxes at hotels (paid in cash upon check-in, from 3 to 5 euros per person per night).
• Tips for the guide.

Extra night cost (upon request, availability not guaranteed):

• Hotel in Palermo: ½ DBL-BB $95. SNGL-BB $165.
• City tax to be paid at the hotel upon check-in.

Airport-hotel transfer: $85 for a car (3 people) or $134 for a minivan (6 people).

Hotel on one of the seaside resorts on the eastern coast of Sicily (such as Letojanni):

• ½ DBL-BB $105. SNGL-BB $176.
• City tax to be paid at the hotel upon check-in.

Transfer from hotel to airport: $120 for a car (3 people) or $156 for a minivan (6 people)