Sicily Escapade Escorted Tour
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ESCORTED TOURS - SICILIAN ESCAPADE & THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS From Palermo

The Tour lasts for 9 days and 8 nights and is subject to availability at the time of booking.
PALERMO (1 night) - MONREALE MARSALA (1 night) - MARSALA SALT ROAD - MARSALA - SELINUNTE - AGRIGENTO (1 night) - PIAZZA ARMERINA - RAGUSA - CATANIA (1 night) - LIPARI (3 nights) - PANAREA - STROMBOLI - SALINA - MILAZZO - TAORMINA (1 night). 
 
01 - DAY TUESDAY PALERMO Arrive independently to the hotel in the charming city of Palermo (optional private transfer on request). In the evening you will meet our tour-leader and your travel companions and enjoy a welcome dinner. Overnight in hotel. Meals: D
 
02 - DAY WEDNESDAY MONREALE - PALERMO - MARSALA After breakfast in the hotel, the morning will be spent visiting Monreale, its huge Norman Cathedral, proclaimed the Eighth Wonder of the World, and its splendid Cloister in Arab-Norman style: admirable masterpiece of art, sculpture, and semi-precious stones marquetry! Later we will discover the stunning Palermo, one of the richest towns in the Island for its history and art. Palermo stands on a bay at the foot of Mt Pellegrino, a headland described by Goethe as the loveliest he had ever seen. While the Baroque predominates, there is a profusion of different architectural styles reflecting the city’s multicultural past: Punic walls, Art Nouveau villas, noble residences, XVIIth century squares, including an elegant opera house. We will visit the wonderful Arab-Norman Cathedral, the astonishing Martorana Church and the amazing Cappella Palatina. Along the way, we will have a stop for a food surprise in the famous Antica Focacceria San Francesco. Free time for lunch. Continuing our walk we will admire the Teatro Massimo and the debated fountain in Pretoria Square, situated in the ancient Kalsa area and adorned with XVI century sculptures. In the afternoon we will continue to Marsala in whose port Garibaldi landed in 1860. Visit to a prestigious wine cellar and wine tasting. Dinner and overnight in hotel. Meals: B D
 
03 - DAY THURSDAY MARSALA SALT ROAD - SELINUNTE - AGRIGENTO This morning the tour will continue along the charming and well-known Salt Road: the west coast of Sicily with many salt marshes, which have given rise to one of the oldest salt-extracting industries in the world. Between Trapani and Marsala, they are now protected, in part because of the interesting birdlife, and also as important sites of industrial archaeology. Departure to Selinunte to visit the largest Archaeological Park in the whole Mediterranean and World Heritage Site. Surrounded by a splendid landscape near the African Sea, we will walk among the rests of the ancient Greek city. Free time for lunch. Transfer to Agrigento and visit of the Valley of the Temples stated World Heritage Site, where among hundreds of almond trees, the rests of the ancient Akragas rise. It was defined by Pyndar “the most beautiful city of mortals”. Once one of the most prosperous of the ancient Greek cities on the island, Agrigento presents a remarkable series of Doric Temples of the 5th century. You will see the “Temple of Hera”, the “Temple of Concordia” and the “Temple of Heracles”. Accommodation in hotel, dinner, and overnight. Meals: B D
 
04 - DAY FRIDAY PIAZZA ARMERINA - RAGUSA Today we will reach Piazza Armerina where we will admire the splendid polychrome mosaics of the famous Villa Romana del Casale, World Heritage Site. The complex includes some of the most extensive and most beautiful Roman mosaics known. This majestic villa belonged to a member of the Roman Senatorial aristocracy, hosts prestigious mosaics representing mythological and historical episodes and scenes of hunting and entertainments. After free time for lunch, departure to Ragusa Ibla and visit of its historical centre cradle of Sicilian Baroque, with its Cathedral, situated in the beautiful square of the Dome and the “Giardino Ibleo”. Used as a location of the extremely popular Police Inspector Montalbano Tv series, it is today stated among the 44 Italian World Heritage Sites. This little precious ancient city hosts more than 50 churches and many Baroque architectural treasures. We’ll conclude the visiting day with a tasting of local products. Proceed to Catania for dinner and overnight in hotel. Meals: B D
 
05 - DAY SATURDAY CATANIA - LIPARI Our tour continues with the Aeolian Islands. Breakfast in the hotel and private transfer to Milazzo. We will board the hydrofoil for the island of Lipari. Arrival at the port and transfer to the hotel. Free evening. Dinner and overnight in the hotel. Meals: B D.
 
06 - DAY SUNDAY PANAREA - STROMBOLI Breakfast in the hotel and departure from the port of Lipari for the full day excursion Panarea & Stromboli. Before leaving Lipari, stop at Cave of pumice to enjoy an unforgettable swim. Continue then to Panarea, to visit the beautiful bay of Calajunco, above which lies the prehistoric village of Cape Milazzese, and stay in the adjacent Zimmari for another swim. Then, the tour leaves for a scenic ride between the Isolotti, visiting the Cave of Lovers, to reach the harbour. Here you can have lunch, take a stroll through the elegant streets, visit the prehistoric village and have a nice swim. In the afternoon you will continue to Stromboli. You will stop to admire Ginostra a small fishing village, timeless, then continue to see the Sciara del Fuoco, a steep slope with lava rivers and Strombolicchio, a gigantic rock. Once on the island, dinner and stroll around shops, or the beautiful gardens and take a swim in the blue cobalt sea. At sunset, the tour returns below the Sciara, to assist from the sea the volcanic explosion in a symphony of reddish lapilli. Meals: B D
 
07 - DAY MONDAY LIPARI - SALINA Breakfast in the hotel and a full day dedicated to discovering the most beautiful coves of Lipari and Salina. After leaving the Castle of Lipari, the Monte Rosa and Canneto make your first stop at the mine pumice for a bath. Broken wander Acquacalda and you drive to Salina. There will also be able to see St. M., Salina. Free time for shopping. After having skirted the eastern side you will stop for a second bath in the beautiful bay of Pollara, made famous by the movie Massimo Troisi in "Il Postino" and then set o for Rinella, where we prepared a tasting Malvasia. You will then call at Lingua, a small fishing village, where in addition to delightful restaurants and swimming coves where you can visit the salt lake which gave a name to this island. On the way back visit the most beautiful caves of Lipari and we will do the last bath in the beach of Vinci, in front of the Faraglioni. Back to Lipari. Dinner and overnight in the hotel. Meals: B D
 
08 - DAY TUESDAY LIPARI - TAORMINA Breakfast in the hotel, appointment to the port for hydrofoil boarding directed to Milazzo. Private transfer to Taormina, a charming town renowned for its magnificent position above the sea commanding a celebrated view of Etna. Free time for a nice walk among the picturesque Medieval typical narrow streets, go shopping and looking around the local handicraft (coral jewels, precious laces, ceramics, sweets and much more). Dinner and overnight in hotel. Meals: B D
 
09 - DAY WEDNESDAY TAORMINA Breakfast in hotel and end of services. Private transfers or excursions available. Meals: B
 
NB: Please note the company is not responsible for any disruption due to weather and sea conditions concerning all hydrofoil and ferry crossings from the mainland to the islands.
 
 
FURTHER DETAILS:
  • 1-night accommodation in a 4* hotel in Palermo,; 1-night accommodation in a 4* hotel in Marsala, 1 night- accommodation in a 4* hotel in Agrigento; 1-night accommodation in a 4* hotel in Catania; 1-night accommodation in a  4* hotel in Taormina and 3 night accommodation in a 4* hotel in Lipari inclusive of city tax

  • In Catania you will be staying in Il Principe Hotel, Palermo Il Principe Federico II or Cristal Palace, in Marsala, Baglio Basile and in Agrigento Dioscuri Bay Palace Hotel. In Taormina Villa Diodoro and in Lipari Bouganville or Mea. You will be staying in 4 star or similar.

  • 8 American buffet breakfast

  • 8 dinners in hotels or local restaurants (drinks NOT included)

  • 3 Tasting of Sicilian typical products Palermo (day 2) tasting of local street food; Marsala (day 2): visit of a wine cellar and wine tasting; Ragusa (day 4): tasting of local cheese

  • Multilingual escorted tour (day 1-4) Monreale, Palermo, Selinunte, Agrigento,  Piazza Armerina, Ragusa.

  • Multilingual Local guides or audio-guides

  • Group excursion in Lipari – Salina; group excursion in Panarea & Stromboli.

  • Ground transportation by deluxe coach with air conditioning (day 2 to day 8)

  • Private transfer Milazzo Pier-Taormina hotel

  • Transfer Hotel- pier in Catania - Milazzo pier

  • Transfer Lipari Pier- Hotel Lipari

  • Round trip Hydrofoil Milazzo - Lipari - Milazzo

 
EXTRA
  • All lunches 
  • An aeolian island tour guide
  • Beverages.
  • Entrance fees at monuments/museums
  • Transfers in/out
 
 
 
 
 
For A Bespoke Italian Holiday to Sicily
Call 01424 728900 or Send Us an Email
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