SICILY: 8 DAYS CIRCUIT

Arrival at the hotel in Catania on your own (on request possibility of private transfer). In the afternoon, brief briefing with our escort-guide, dinner and hotel accommodation.

Breakfast at the hotel and continuation to Syracuse, a UNESCO heritage site, where we will visit the most beautiful and powerful Greek colony in Sicily, with its archaeological park of Neapolis. Our visit will start with the splendid Greek Theater, the Roman Amphitheater, the Latomias del Paraíso and the Ear of Dionysus. The tour continues with the historic center of Ortigia, where we will be enchanted by the beautiful Piazza Duomo and its Cathedral, whose façade in perfect Sicilian Baroque style was in the past a sacred temple in the Doric style. Then, walking through the charming streets of the center we can admire the famous fountain of Arethusa, of mythological memory. Free lunch. Our day will continue in the direction of Noto , capital of the Sicilian Baroque called "stone garden", with its precious buildings in the style of the 18th century and considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Inspired by the baroque ideals of the “open city”, Noto is a clear example of the theatrical tastes of eighteenth-century architecture. We will take a walk through the streets of the center to admire the great creativity of the local mestranzas. Noto's Baroque is a game of elegant curves, floral patterns, perspective foreshortenings, palaces and gardens, capitals and puttos that adorn the facades of churches and monasteries. We will visit the Nicolaci Villadorata Palace, a wonderful stately residence in the purest Baroque style, once the residence of Don Giacomo Nicolaci, a man of great culture. Free time for a walk. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Ragusa.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Ragusa Ibla , the cradle of the late Baroque with its beautiful churches and the Ibleo garden. Known thanks to Commissioner Montalbano's television series, Ragusa appears today among the 44 Italian sites listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This wonderful old city has more than fifty churches and many baroque-style palaces.

Next, we will stop in Modica , chest of innumerable Baroque churches and architectural treasures and therefore declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. During the visit, we will stop at one of the most important chocolate shops in this city, Sabadì, whose chocolate has received worldwide recognition in the last 9 years. We will enjoy a multi-sensory chocolate tasting discovering the authentic Sicilian perfumes... the local nepitella (wild mint), orange blossom honey, PGI quality Sicilian lemon and PGI quality Sicilian red orange are just some of the many flavors that let's try! The visit to the Palazzo Castro Grimaldi will follow, a fascinating 17th century palace with a spectacular view of the city of Modica. Entering the palace will be like going back to 1903, the year when time seems to have stopped. The unchanged appearance of the house, the original furnishings and collections preserve the memory of the families who lived here, telling the lifestyle of the Modican aristocracy. We will return to the present among the freshness of the Orti di San Giorgio, seven gardens suspended between light and beauty. Tasting the typical local dishes, we can enjoy the wonderful panorama.

In the afternoon we will move to Piazza Armerina to visit its splendid Villa Romana del Casale, from late Roman times and considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This majestic villa, which belonged to a component of the Roman aristocracy, has a monumental entrance and houses a precious collection of polychrome floor mosaics that represent hunting and leisure scenes, mythological episodes and historical representations. Transfer to the hotel in Agrigento, dinner and accommodation.

Our circuit begins today with a visit to the famous "Valle dei Templi " mentioned by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, where among the almond trees are the remains of the ancient city of Akragas, called by Pindaro "the most beautiful city". of human beings". There you can admire the "Tempio di Giunone", the "Tempio della Concordia" and the "Tempio di Ercole". A journey through mythology, history and nature... Leaving Agrigento, we will continue to discover the charming city of Marsala , in whose port Garibaldi landed in May 1860. Marsala is a Mediterranean and modern city, overlooking the sky and earth, characterized by many colors: yellow from the tuff, blue from the sea, red from the sunset, white from the salt and green from the vines. We will take a walk through the streets of the center where there are noble palaces, monuments and imposing Baroque-style churches. We will continue with a guided visit to the Florio Cellars , a journey that begins in front of the majestic giant vats, built at the end of the 19th century that are still used for the aging of Marsala wine, and continues inside the 3 fascinating 165-meter barrels and interspersed with 104 arches, under which are lined up 1,400 barrels and some 600 vats of different capacities where, in silence and stillness, some 5,500,000 liters of Marsala are kept. After a tour of the barrel rooms where the old tuff floor was restored, we will enter the tasting room for lunch and a taste of local wines. We will continue with a tour along the Ruta del Sal : you will be able to enjoy some of the oldest salt flats in the world. Between the coasts of Trapani and Marsala, the "Stagnone" lagoon and islands are a nature reserve of great environmental value and its warm waters are home to many species of fish, crustaceans and rich aquatic vegetation. In recent years, the salt mines have once again represented one of the oldest salt extraction industries in the world. In the afternoon, transfer to Palermo, dinner and hotel accommodation.

After breakfast at the hotel, the morning will be dedicated to discovering Monreale where we will visit its magnificent Arab-Norman cathedral, defined as the eighth wonder of the world, and the beautiful Cloister, a masterpiece of the art of carving hard stones. Next, we will admire the wonderful treasures of Palermo . The city is located at the foot of Mount Pellegrino on a promontory described by Goethe as the most beautiful he had ever seen. In Palermo, more than anywhere else in Sicily, historical eras with their different architectural styles overlap. Its artistic and architectural heritage includes the remains of the Punic walls, Art Nouveau villas, noble residences, 17th century squares, baroque churches and neoclassical theatres. Residence of emirs and kings, Palermo preserves monuments from the Arab-Norman period, including the beautiful cathedral, the Martorana church , one of the most fascinating Byzantine churches of the Middle Ages in Italy, and the Palatine Chapel , considered to be the best example of fusion between different cultures and religions since under Ruggiero II there were Byzantine, Muslim and Latin workshops. Gastronomic surprise at the famous Antica Focacceria San Francesco . Free lunch. Next, we can admire the Teatro Massimo and the Plaza Pretoria fountain, adorned with sculptures from the 16th century and located in the old district of Kalsa. Dinner and hotel accommodation.

After breakfast, we will transfer to Cefalù , a beautiful coastal town with an impressive view of the Mediterranean Sea and an imposing Norman cathedral. Walk through the streets of the center and the possibility, for those who wish, to visit the famous Mandralisca Museum. The circuit will continue to Catania where, after a break for lunch, we will visit the historic center of the city, whose Baroque style has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Countless riches hidden in this splendid city, whose late baroque architecture is unique thanks to the use of volcanic rocks. We will cross the wonderful "Piazza del Duomo", with its splendid cathedral and its stone elephant, symbol of the city. We will continue with the University square and the baroque Crociferi street where the famous Monastery of San Benedicto is located, known for the Romanzo “Storia di una Capinera” by Verga and a World Heritage Site. Stop at a bar in the city to enjoy the typical granita with brioche. Dinner and hotel accommodation.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will quickly visit the historic " pescheria " (old fish market) before leaving to discover Mount Etna , the highest active volcano in Europe (3,350 meters) declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Etna Park, with its 59,000 hectares, boasts a varied flora and fauna with many protected species. Today vineyards, olive groves, pistachio trees, hazelnut trees and fruit orchards that surround the volcano, testify to an agricultural vocation of the territory that is characterized by the presence of local varieties. Interesting landscapes can be admired arriving at the Rifugio Sapienza. From there we will reach the "Crateri Silvestri", extinct volcanic cones surrounded by lava flows. The panorama, whose beauty can be enjoyed through the multitude of volcanic cones and craters, is a truly exclusive spectacle. Next, the possibility of visiting a beekeeping company and a rustic winery with a tasting of honey and typical craft products of the area. Departure to Taormina , famous for its natural landscape, its marine beauties, its historical monuments and its unforgettable panorama with a privileged view of Etna. Free time for lunch. Next, visit the fascinating Greek-Roman theater from which we will enjoy an impressive view of the Gulf of Naxos. Free time to stroll through the medieval alleys where you can buy the typical craft products of the island (lace and embroidery, ceramics, coral jewelry and splendid lava stone work, perfumes, sweets and much more...). The day will end with a panoramic visit of the marvelous Riviera of the Cyclopes. Return to the hotel in Catania. Dinner and accommodation.

Breakfast at hotel and end of services.