Arrival at Catania’s Fontanarossa airport, transfer to and check in at the reserved hotel in the Catania/Acireale  district. Dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast enjoy a guided tour of CATANIA, also known as “the black pearl” after the 1669’s Mount Etna eruption. Our visit includes  the Cathedral named after Sant’Agata (the city’s patron saint), Via dei Crociferi (the Baroque-church street), Via Etnea (connecting the town’s centre to Mount Etna), Castello Ursino (the castle built by the Swabian Emperor Frederick II), and the town’s lively and colourful marketplace. Lunch in a local restaurant. Afternoon departure to TAORMINA to visit its Greek Theatre and enjoy an enchanting view over Mount Etna on one side, and the coastline on the other. Free time to take a stroll along Corso Umberto and its maze of characteristic little streets. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to SIRACUSA, also known as the “white pearl” after its wonderful Baroque-style sandstone buildings. Our tour includes exploring the Archaeological Site of Neapolis (together with its Greek Theatre, the suggestive cave known as the Ear of Dionysius, and the Roman Amphiteatre), the Latomie (the town’s stone quarries), and Ortigia’s town centre (the little island facing Siracusa, corresponding to the Greek ancient settlement). After lunch in a local restaurant, enjoy a visit of Castello Eurialo (this trip depends on the weather) dating back to the 4th century B.C., one of the very few surviving fortifications of the Greek age. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to Mount Etna, referred to by the Classical Greek poet Pindar as the  “Column of the sky” for its impressive size (it is the highest active volcano in Europe). Our tour will depart from Rifugio Sapienza to reach 1905m by cableway and then 2900m by 4x4 (additional fees to be paid on site). Lunch in a traditional restaurant of Mount Etna’s district. Afternoon departure to the Baroque town ACIREALE. After driving along a picturesque coastline we’ll then reach ACITREZZA. The town is renowned for its intriguing views over the offshore Faraglioni dei Ciclopi (the mythical Cyclopes’ Rocks, traditionally  the masses that giant Polyphemus threw against Ulysses’ vessel while the latter was escaping from the Cyclopes’ Island). This small fishing village also inspired Verist novelist Giovanni Verga’s “I Malavoglia” (The Malavoglias’ family), as well as Luchino Visconti’s neorealistic movie “La terra trema” (The earth trembles).  We’ll continue our drive to reach ACICASTELLO and catch  breathtaking views from its Norman Castle’s remains. Built in 1076 with black volcanic rock, and residence of the legendary Admiral Ruggero di Lauria in the 13^th century, the Castle is suggestively perched at the top of a steep hill overlooking the sea. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.   

Breakfast, check out from the hotel and departure to Piazza Armerina for a guided tour  of “Villa Romana del Casale”, one of the most interesting archaeological sites in Italy. The impressive mosaics covering almost the entire surface of the Villa’s pavements, are among the very few extraordinary examples still surviving. Lunch in a local restaurant. Afternoon departure to Agrigento for a guided tour through the Greek incomparable ruins of the so-called Valley of Temples. The sight of these huge Temples in the middle of Agrigento’s almond tree countryside is absolutely amazing! Transfer to the reserved hotel, check in, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast, check out from the hotel and departure to Marsala,  the Arabian “Marsa Allah”, known for its excellent and harmonious wine since 1773. Transfer to ERICE and lunch in a local restaurant. Afternoon visit of its Medieval town centre perched on a suggestive hilltop located at 750 metres above sea level. The town is renowned for its “pipes festival” and local products, including majolica and Arabian-styled carpets. Free time. Transfer to PALERMO, check in at the reserved hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to  MONREALE to visit its attractive Cathedral, a remarkable synthesis of the lively and rich local culture during the Norman Age, and the nearby Cloisters. The town is also famous for its suggestive views over the so-called “Conca d’Oro” (Golden Basin), an enchanting lemon and orange-tree plain. Transfer to PALERMO, Sicily’s wonderful capital city. The town centre is world-known for its characteristic marketplace nicknamed as “Vucciria”, as well as for its Quattro Canti (a crossroad with four particularly decorated corners), its 12^th century’s Cathedral, the amazing Palatine Chapel, the Neoclassic building of the local theatre Teatro Massimo, as well as the original religious centre known as Lo Spasimo. Lunch in a typical local restaurant. Afternoon PALERMO guided city tour. Free time. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport for return flights… “arrivederci”!!!