SENSATIONAL SICILY – 16 days/15 nights
Day 1
Arrive into Palermo
Exploring the city – majestic Sicilian regional capital, with its ancient theatres, characteristic streets and the Capo market)
Highlights:
- Cathedral and Palatine Chapel in Palermo
- Catacombs of Cappuccini in Palermo
- The Capo Market in Palermo
Overnight in Palermo
Day 2
Drive from Palermo to Trapani via Monreale (Highlight Cathedral and Cloister of Benedictines) to Trapani
Overnight at Corte del Sale in Trapani
The towns of Erice, Marsala and Trapani (with ferries for the Egadi islands) are a short drive away, as are the island of Mozia, the ancient salt pans with their characteristic windmills, the beaches of Marsala and San Vito Lo Capo, the Zingaro and the Stagnone nature reserves and the temples of Segesta and Selinunte.
Day 3
Morning: Explore Trapani
Highlights:
- Chiesa e Monastero di San Francesco d’Assisi, Mazara del Vallo
- Cattedrale di San Lorenzo
Afternoon: San Vito lo Capo – Cous Cous Fest
More than just a food festival, Cous Cous Fest is a celebration with music, street performers, and exhibits all held in honour of a simple food called couscous. Local and regional restaurants sell samples of their unique couscous dishes from booths, while drums and guitars from street bands provide a backdrop.
Day 4
Visit Mazara del Valo (approx. 1 hour drive from Trapani)
Highlights:
- Cattedrale San Salvatore
- Teatro Garibaldi
Day 5
Take the ferry to Egadi Islands (run regularly between Trapani and the islands, or between the islands themselves)
Egadi Islands offers clear blue water, along with numerous activities. Levanza is the quieter, less populated of the two islands. Here you can enjoy well-marked hikes with clear views, or swimming and snorkeling in the sea. Favignana is the larger and busier island, where you can visit the town center. Bus services are available. Restaurants on both islands are known for having excellent fish dishes.
Day 6
Explore Segesta & Erice (full day)
Highlights:
- Medieval village of Erice
- Teatro Greco di Segesta, Calatafimi-Segesta
- Doric Temple of Segesta
A stunningly well-preserved ancient temple in a picturesque setting, Tempio di Segesta has survived nearly 2,500 years seemingly unaffected by the ravages of time. Sitting on a hill just outside the site of the ancient city of Segesta, this Doric temple was built sometime in the late fifth century BCE. Several things suggest that the structure was never actually completed, such as the unfluted columns and the lack of any evidence that it possessed a finished roof. The building also appears never to have had a cella, a small inner chamber usually found in Hellenic temples. The origins of the temple remain a mystery, as it was constructed in an area that was not mainly populated by Greeks. Be sure to bring your camera and wear a pair of comfortable shoes, as the terrain is a bit steep and bumpy on the way up.
Day 7
Visit to a winery – Donna Fugata in Marsala
Day 8
Day at leisure.
Day 9
Travel to Agrigento via Villa Romana (stop here and do a tour with private English speaking guide for 2 hours)
Day 10
Explore Valley of Temples
Day 11
Travel to Siracusa via Caltagirone, Palazzolo Acreide & Ragusa (UNESCO World Heritage site in recognition of its Sicilian style baroque architecture) and continue to Giardini Naxos in the afternoon
Days 12-Day 15
Staying in Giardini Naxos and exploring the area from there.
Day 16
End of program – we hope you loved Sicily as must as we do.
OPTIONAL TOUR
Full-Day Panarea & Stromboli tour from Palermo Rate approx. $160.00 per person
Day trip from Taormina to Panarea and Stromboli in the Aeolian Archipelago Leave Taormina by coach and travel by motorboat around the UNESCO-listed islands Enjoy free time to explore the tiny island of Panarea Spend time at leisure on Stromboli island and discover black lava-sand beaches See Stromboli’s volcanic activity at Sciara del Fuoco from a viewpoint on the water