SMALL GROUP ESCORTED TOURS
PRIVATE GUIDED TOURS
OUR SERVICES
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Sicily History and Cuisine
Small Group Tour - 8 Days/ 7 Nights |
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ITINERARY |
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Day 1 |
Arrival in Palermo airport and welcome by our driver. Private transfer to Palermo city and check in at a four star hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight. (BB) |
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Day 2 |
After breakfast in
hotel, departure for a Baglio (typical ancient Sicilian fortress) for a
cooking class. This was recently restored and converted into a charming and exclusive little
farm-hotel surrounded by palm trees, olive trees and vineyards. The chef at Baglio will teach guests how to prepare some of the most representative recipes of the culinary tradition of the province of Trapani. All participants will help prepare the dishes for the dinner. At the end of the cooking lesson lunch
at the Baglio. In the afternoon, transfer to Erice, a nearby medieval town, located at the top of the homonymous mountain set 751 meters
above sea level and overlooking the whole Western region, the Mediterranean Sea and the Egadi Islands. Walking visit of its characteristic historical centre. Back to the hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight. ( BB, L). |
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Day 3 |
After breakfast in the
hotel, departure to Agrigento to visit the beautiful Valley of the
Temples, one of the most representative sites of Greek civilization in the Mediterranean area. Visit to the Temple of Hercules, the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Castor and Pollux and the wonderful Temple of Concord. Lunch on your own in Agrigento. In the afternoon, travel to Piazza Armerina, a small town in the south-central part of the island, and visit to the Villa Romana del Casale, a Roman country villa of the 3rd century, famous for its precious mosaics. Transfer to a charming Hotel near Modica . Check in. Typical dinner in a characteristic restaurant. Overnight at the Hotel. ( BB, D). |
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Day 4 |
Breakfast
in hotel, then visit to the baroque town of Modica in south Sicily.
Taste the delicious chocolate which locally is still manufactured has
it was 500 years ago. Transfer to Siracusa, a prominent Ancient Greek settlement in Italy. Visit to the archaeological zone: the Greek Theatre, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Ear of Dyonisus and the Latomie. Stroll through the historical center on the Ortigia Island to admire the Cathedral, the Aretusa fountain and the ancient streets. Time for shopping. Transfer to Taormina. Check in at the hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight. ( BB). |
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Day 5 |
All day on your own in
Taormina . Stroll through the historical centre of this beautiful town, famous for its Greek-Roman Amphitheatre and its enchanting view of the Ionic Sea and Mt. Etna. Taormina has been an exclusive Sicilian hotspot, since the beginning of the 19th century, and is where many noble and rich families of Northern Europe spent winter due to its mild climate. Nowadays, Taormina is famous for its "dolce vita" life style, its beautiful beach, and its shops. Or optional excursion to Etna with a lunch at Tenuta S. Michele ,an ancient estate located on the slopes of the volcano Etna. The farm, which belongs to the noble family of the Baron Scammacca del Murgo, is surrounded by extensive vineyards and has a panoramic view of both
Mt. Etna and the sea. Mt. Etna is the highest volcano in Europe. The climate and the volcanic soil help give wines a unique mineral taste typical of the region around Mt. Etna. In Tenuta San Michele they produce some of the
best wines of the area: Etna Rosso, Etna Bianco and the extraordinary Murgo Brut. Wine tasting and guided visit to the wine cellar with a member of the family. Back to Taormina for free time. Dinner on your own. Overnight. ( BB). |
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Day 6 |
Morning: breakfast in hotel. Transfer to Polizzi, a small village not far from Palermo, surrounded by cheerful countryside and green pastures. Polizzi lies in the Madonie Mountains' Natural Park. This internal region between the Northern Coast and Central Sicily has a wealth of ancient small villages, where many people still live according to the Sicilian traditions. Visit the ancient village rich in historical and artistic attractions. During the walk through the town's medieval streets, guests will have a break for a sampling of typical sweetmeats. In Polizzi guests will have a half-day cooking class in a Farmhouse or a nice restaurant . Transfer in Cefalù known for it's long golden beach as well as for other monumental and artistic "jewels." The Norman Duomo, initiated under Roger II in 1131, preserves precious mosaics which adorn the apse and a representation of Christ Pantocrator. In the same period the Osterio Magno was the probable residence of King Roger II. Of great interest is the striking medieval wash-house and the Mandralisca Museum, the latter preserving the famous portrait of an unknown man by Antonello da Messina. A visit to Cefalù can not exclude a stroll along the lanes in the historical center where you can linger amongst the numerous shops of ceramics and souvenirs. Check in at a nice hotel. Time for rest. Dinner on your own . Overnight. ( BB, L). |
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Day 7 |
After breakfast in hotel, transfer to
Palermo for a full-day visit to this ancient town that has been a crossroads for civilization in the Mediterranean for ages and ages. Before the visit of the town we will meet our chef, Vincenzo, and we will venture to one of Palermo’s markets were we will purchase all the ingredients to prepare our meal. Along the way, we will also taste some of Palermo’s most typical foods , such as “ panelled” and “ pane con la
milza”. This hands on cooking class begins at 10am and ends at 1:30 pm. The lunch that you have prepared will be served with the right Sicilian wine. The afternoon is dedicated to a visit and seek out signs of Palermo and its ancient "grandeur": the Norman Palace and the Palatine Chapel, the church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Cathedral, Quattro Canti square. Transfer to Monreale, ancient village near Palermo, famous for its wonderful Norman Cathedral and the adjoining cloister, architectural masterpieces of King Roger II. Return to Palermo, with time for a stroll through the city. Check In at the hotel 4*. Dinner on your own and overnight. ( BB, L). |
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Day 8 |
Breakfast in hotel. It s time to say goodbye. Transfer to the airport in Palermo, assistance with check-in and departure. |
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INCLUDED |
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PRICES $3,500 p.p. - Double room occupancy $4,000 p.p. - Single room occupancy
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