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6-Day Guided Tour from Catania to Palermo

The 6-day Italy tour which begins in Catania and ends in Palermo takes travelers to the central region of Sicily. The tour includes four main activities which are to visit ancient Syracuse Greek and Roman sites and to study the Baroque buildings of Noto and to experience Modica's traditional chocolate and to view the Villa Romana del Casale mosaics. Tour the famous Valley of the Temples and taste Sicilian wine in Marsala while you discover the Norman cathedrals and lively streets of Palermo and Monreale.

The complete guided small-group Italy tour offers travelers a genuine Sicilian experience which includes historical sites, cultural attractions, Italian food, and beautiful natural scenery. The program suits people who want to experience both adventure activities and genuine local cultural experiences.

Durations
6 days
Cities
Catania Noto Modica Piazza Armerina Agrigento Marsala Palermo Syracuse

6-Day Guided Tour from Catania to Palermo

The starting location for your journey begins at Your Hotel in Catania which is situated at Catania in Italy. The guests will reach the hotel in Catania through individual transportation. The guests will have their own dinner before they spend the night at the hotel.

The group will leave the hotel after breakfast to travel to Syracuse which contains the most stunning Greek colony in Sicily and the World Heritage Site. The entrance to the site will begin at the Archaeological Park of Neapolis which includes the Greek Theatre and Roman Amphitheatre and Latomie of Paradise and Ear of Dionysius.

The group will continue their journey to explore the beautiful Ortigia island which serves as the historic heart of Syracuse. The Cathedral in Ortigia stands as a majestic structure which rules the square with its commanding presence. The façade achieves a strong Sicilian-Baroque design yet it reveals no signs that this structure originated as a Doric temple. A wide terrace extends from Piazza Duomo to the waterfront which encircles Arethusa's Fountain, one of the most renowned freshwater sources from ancient Greek times. Free time for lunch.

The group will travel to Noto, which serves as the capital of Sicilian Baroque architecture because of its beautiful 18th century buildings which UNESCO designated as a World Heritage Site. The Baroque design of Noto creates a street pattern which produces an "open city" feel while it serves as a perfect architectural example of 18th century theatrical design which uses local limestone that the sun has turned to gold. Noto’s Baroque style combines graceful curved shapes with floral patterns and architectural elements to create a visual experience that extends through its palaces, gardens, church facades, and monastery decorations. The group will explore Palazzo Nicolaci Villadorata, which showcases an elegant Baroque architectural design through its main noble residence. The group has free time to explore the town. The group will travel to Ragusa for dinner and later stay at the hotel for the night.

meals Breakfast & Dinner

The Sicilian Baroque architectural style reaches its peak in the historic center of Ragusa Ibla which will be visited today. The location functions as the filming site for the Police Inspector Montalbano television series which now exists as one of Italy's 44 World Heritage Sites. This precious ancient town contains more than 50 churches and numerous Baroque architectural masterpieces. The Cathedral located at Dome Square will capture your attention and you will enjoy visiting the first garden of four main gardens in Ragusa. The garden provides a beautiful view point which extends across the distance of 383 meters above sea level.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site designates Modica as a destination because it contains a collection of Baroque architectural masterpieces. The town invites visitors to explore its narrow streets which lead to Sabadì, one of the leading chocolate makers whose Modica chocolate products have achieved nine consecutive years of championship wins. The multisensorial chocolate tasting experience allows you to explore the typical Sicilian scents which include local nepitella wild mint and orange blossom honey and raw PGI Sicilian lemon and PGI Sicilian red orange. The local specialties will be served to you while you relax in the beautiful Orti di San Giorgio, which consists of seven gardens that create a magical atmosphere. You will have your lunch in a beautiful environment which offers an impressive view.

The day continues to the beautiful city of Piazza Armerina for a visit to Villa Romana del Casale which holds UNESCO World Heritage Site status because it contains beautiful polychrome mosaics. The Roman Senatorial aristocracy owned this villa which displays both mythological and historical elements.

meals Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The tour will begin at Agrigento to explore the Valley of the Temples which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pindar called the city "the most beautiful city of mortals". The ancient Greek city of Agrigento which became one of the richest cities on the island shows its ancient wealth through its collection of 5th century Doric Temples. The ancient Akragas ruins will be visible among the hundred almond trees that surround the site. The three temples which you will visit are the Temple of Hera and the Temple of Concordia and the Temple of Heracles.
The next stop will be Marsala which is a charming town that became famous when Garibaldi landed there in May 1860. The Mediterranean city of Marsala extends from its oceanfront to its land area while its color palette includes five colors which are bright yellow and intense blue and strong red and dazzling white and natural green. The city center provides an opportunity to explore on foot before you join the guided tour which takes you through the Florio Cellars. The visit starts at the giant vats which were constructed during the 19th century and are still operational for Marsala wine refinement. The tour proceeds through three barrel chambers which measure 165 meters in length and contain 104 arches that support 1.400 small barrels and 600 larger barrels and different capacity vats which store approximately 5.500.000 liters of aging Marsala wines. The barrel vault tour will take you through a thirty-minute journey which ends at the dining space of Donna Franca and Duca Enrico inside the restored ancient tuff stone floor area. A light lunch will provide you with a delicious meal and a wine tasting experience that will create lasting memories.
The tour will continue to the Salt Road which leads to a location where salt marshes created one of the earliest salt extraction operations in existence. The route connects Trapani to the Mediterranean Sea.

meals Breakfast& Lunch

The group will travel to Monreale after they have eaten breakfast at the hotel. The group will explore the Monreale Cathedral which received the title of Eighth Wonder of the World and the Cloister which displays Arab-Norman architectural style and exhibits exceptional art and sculpture and semi-precious stone marquetry which constitutes a masterful artistic achievement. 

The audience will discover Palermo which serves as the island's most important historical and artistic town. Palermo exists on a bay which Mount Pellegrino controls, a headland that Goethe described as the most beautiful headland he had ever encountered. The city exhibits Baroque architectural design as its main feature, but it contains various architectural styles which demonstrate the city's historical development through different cultural periods. The city features Punic walls and Art Nouveau villas and noble residences and 17th century squares which include an elegant opera house. The visitor will explore the Cathedral which exhibits delightful architectural elements together with the Martorana Church and the Cappella Palatina which displays historical and artistic value while showing how different cultural and religious and ideological systems can exist together. The monarch Ruggero II hired workers from Byzantine and Muslim and Latin backgrounds to complete his projects. 

The group will stop for a traditional meal which showcases regional culinary specialties. The route will take you to see Teatro Massimo and the disputed fountain which stands in Pretoria Square, an ancient Kalsa district that features 16th century sculptures. The group will eat dinner at their own expense and spend the night at the hotel.

meals Breakfast&Lunch

The Sicilian Secrets short tour ends today at Your Hotel in Palermo, Palermo, Italy 08:00 - 11:00 because breakfast service at the hotel marks the conclusion of all services. 

The itinerary can be changed because of organizational needs or due to unexpected situations.

meals Breakfast

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What's included/Excluded

Accommodation

  •  Accommodation in charming 4 stars hotels mostly located in the city centers of the main Sicilian towns:
  • Catania city centre: Il Principe Hotel 4* – Romano House Hotel 4* 
  • Ragusa: Mediterraneo Palace Hotel 4* or similar
  • Agrigento: Baia di Ulisse Wellness & SPA 4* or similar
  • Palermo: Mercure Palermo Centro 4* – Cristal Hotel Palermo 4* or similar

Guide 

  • Multilingual Tour leader and professional travel guide* (English, Italian, Spanish) for the whole tour (from the 2nd day to the evening of the 5th day), local guides or audio-guides where necessary.

Meals

  • 5 international breakfast, 3 Lunches in exclusive restaurants and 2 dinners in hotels to have a taste of Sicilian traditional cuisine.\
  • Tasting of Sicilian typical products:
  • Modica (day 3): visit of the well-known chocolate manufacturers Sabadì with tasting;
  • Marsala (day 4): visit of the famous Florio wine cellar and wine tasting;
  • Vegan/vegetarian/gluten free meals available on request
  • This tour offers Vegetarian and Vegan food options on request. Simply let Dimensione Sicilia - Dimsi Incoming Operator Srl know the food option that you prefer.

Additional Services 

  • THE RATE INCLUDES
  • Multilingual Tour leader and professional travel guide* (English, Italian, Spanish) for the whole tour (from the 2nd day to the evening of the 5th day), local guides or audio-guides where necessary.
  • Deluxe bus from day 2 to day 5.
  • Crystal Sound Audio Guide Kit
  • Accommodation in charming 4 stars hotels mostly located in the city centre, international breakfast included.
  • 5 international breakfast, 3 Lunches in exclusive restaurants and 2 dinners in hotels to have a taste of Sicilian traditional cuisine.
  • Visit of the main suggestive Unesco World Heritage Sites: Syracuse, Noto, Ragusa, Modica, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Monreale, Palermo.
  • Tasting of Sicilian typical products:
  • Modica (day 3): visit of the well-known chocolate manufacturers Sabadì with tasting;
  • Marsala (day 4): visit of the famous Florio wine cellar and wine tasting;

Transport 

  • Deluxe bus from day 2 to day 5

Flights

  • Flights are not included

Insurance 

  • Insurance is not included.  

Optional 

  • TRANSFER
  • You can book the private transfers:
  • Catania Airport / Catania  Hotel EUR 70 one way (for max 2 people)
  • Palermo Hotel / Palermo Airport EUR 72 one way (for max 2 people)
  • EXTRA NIGHTS WITH ROOM AND BREAKFAST TREATMENT
  • Pre-night in hotel in Catania in BB treatment (bed and breakfast):
  • Classic double room EUR 117 per person per night; Classic single room EUR 188 per night
  • Post-night in hotel in Palermo in BB treatment (bed and breakfast):
  • Classic double room EUR 127 per person per night; Classic single room EUR 195 per night
  • ­­Extra nights are booked in the same hotel of the tour or, if this does not have availability, in a nearby hotel of the same category.
  • Privilege Packages:
  • SILVER – includes: City taxes – All entrances as per program 
  • GOLD – includes: City taxes – All entrances as per program – Private aeroportual transfers in/out
  • PLATINUM – includes: City taxes – All entrances as per program – Private aeroportual transfers in/out - Superior/Deluxe room upgrade

Additional Services 

  • THE RATE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
  • Airport Transfers in/out, Meals not included by the program, beverages, entrance fees at monuments/museums, city taxes (where compulsory), tips and extras in general, anything not specified under “The rates include”.

 

highlights
  • Archaeological Park of Neapolis
  • Latomie of Paradise
  • Ortigia
  • Arethusa's Fountain
  • Noto
  • Palazzo Nicolaci Villadorata
  • Ragusa Ibla
  • Giardino Ibleo
  • Modica
  • Sabadì chocolate manufacturer
  • Orti di San Giorgio
  • Villa Romana del Casale
  • Valley of the Temples
  • Temple of Concordia
  • Temple of Heracles
  • Marsala
  • Florio Cellars
  • Salt Road
  • Martorana Church
  • Cappella Palatina
  • Teatro Massimo
  • Pretoria Square

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