Historic Sicily of the times and on the Steps of Goethe (p-22b)

On his trip in Sicily in 1787 Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe said “Italy without Sicily leaves no image in the spirit. Only here is the origin of everything”.

Palermo

Monreale

Segesta, Erice

Agrigento and Temple Valley

Piazza Armerina

Taormina

Etna and Alcantara

Catania

Tour Program:

DAY 1    Palermo Airport Arrival – Palermo visit on the steps of Goethe – Arabic-Norman Itinerary

Early morning arrival at Palermo Airport, meet and great with our Tour Leader and transfer to the center of Palermo where the private guided visit on the steps of J.W. von Goethe starts:  Botanical Garden, Villa Giulia, Piazza Marina. Along the panoramic road to Monte Pellegrino and visit of the pilgrimage, Church of St. Rosalia. Transfer to the hotel and check in, time for lunch on your own. Afternoon private guided visit with an Arabic-Norman itinerary starting from the historic center of Palermo: Royal Palace (external), Palatine Chapel (external), Porta Nuova, the Cathedral, Piazza Bellini, the Byzantine mosaics of the Church of Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio, the 16th Century Fontana Pretoria characterized by life-size marble statues and the Church Saint Cataldo and finally Basilica of the Holy Trinity of the Chancellor, commonly known as Basilica La Magione in the Kalsa District where our guided tour ends(all external visits). Return to the hotel in Palermo. Dinner on your own and overnight in Palermo

DAY 2    Palermo – Monreale –  Palermo

After a rich breakfast at the hotel transfer with our driver/guide to Monreale. The Third and last Norman King of Sicily, King Wilhelm, had the Cathedral and Abbey of Monreale built towards the end of the 12th Century. Private guided visit: Monreale Cathedral and one of the most beautiful Cloister’s in Europe. Time for lunch in Monreale on your own. Afterwards drive back to Palermo. Have a stroll on your own in Palermo. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel in Palermo

DAY 3    Palermo – Segesta – Erice – Trapani

Buffet Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast transfer with our private car/minivan and driver/guide to Segesta where we start the today’s private guided visit with the visit of the Temple of Segesta. Transfer by shuttle bus to Monte Barbaro; the ancient city of Segesta with important excavations, the archaeological finds and the ancient theater. On request we also visit the Sanctuary of Contrada Mango. Time for lunch in Sagesta. Transfer to Erice; from this characteristic medieval village, perched on the top of a 750 meters high mountain, you have a splendid 360 ° view of the Gulf of Trapani and the Egadi Islands; a dream ! A walk in the narrow streets, alleys and churches will make you happy ! Transfer to the hotel in Trapani or near Trapani. Dinner at your own and overnight at the hotel in Trapani/near Trapani.

DAY 4    Trapani –  Agrigento – Temple Valley – Agrigento

After a leisurely breakfast 2 1/2 hour’s drive to the city center of Agrigentowhere the Poet Von Goethe stayed in a small hotel in 1817 which is now a Bed & Breakfast. Private guided visit of the historic city center of Agrigento. Lunch on your own in a restaurant in Agrigento. Transfer to Temple Valley, an UNESCO Heritage since 1997. Through our guide, learn about the characters who made ancient Akragas (Agrigento) one of the most flourishing centers of classical Greek civilization by visiting the Sacred Way admiring the Temple, the Temple of Hera (Juno), the Temple of Concordia, the Temple of Heracles (Hercules), the Temple of Zeus (Jupiter) and the Sanctuary of the Chthonic Divinities where the Temple of Castor and Pollux or Dioscuri is located. Transfer to our hotel in Agrigento. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel in Agrigento

DAY 5    Agrigento – Piazza Armerina – Catania

After breakfast breakfast transfer with our private car/minivan and driver/guide to Piazza Armerina in Central Sicily and private guided visit in Piazza Armerina:  The origins of this city are very ancient: the area was already inhabited by the Greeks. The pride of the town is the Villa Romana del Casale; one of the most famous and admired Roman buildings in the world with its mosaics dating back to the end of the 4th century. A.D. and belonged to a powerful Roman family. Piazza Armerina has one of the largest and richest historical centers in Sicily and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. Time for lunch on your own. Transfer to the hotel in Catania,. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel in Catania.

DAY 6    Catania – Taormina – Catania

After buffet Breakfast drive with our private driver/guide to Taormina, a beautiful city with its splendid Greek Theater from the 3rd Century BC at the top of the Ionian Sea and with the Etna volcano in the background. The German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was also fascinated by the immense beauty of this place in 1787. Private guided Tour with Greek Theatre from where you have an amazing view of the Ionian Sea with the Etna volcano in the background. Odeon Theater is built with large clay bricks welded with lime and is divided into three parts: the stage, the orchestra and the cavea, Corvaja Palace in Gothic-Cathalan style, the most famous palace in Taormina. Saint Catherine Church built on the ruins of the Greek temple,  Church of San Giuseppe, built between the late 1600s and early 1700s, overlooks Piazza IX April, right next to the Clock Tower. Time for lunch in one of the small restaurants, time for some shopping. Transfer back to the hotel in Catania and time to relax. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel in Catania

DAY 7    Catania – Fish Market – Etna Volcan – Visit of the Gorges of Alcantara – Catania

Buffet Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast we will have a walk through the interesting Fish Market in Catania. Drive to the Etna crater located over 2000 meters and have a walk with our assistant between old lava flows and the extinct craters. Transfer to the Gorges of Alcantara and lunch on your own on the way. Guided Alcantara Gorges visit and transfer to the hotel in Catania. Time for dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel in Catania

DAY 8   Catania – Private guided walking Tour in Catania – Departure

Buffet Breakfast at the hotel. Meet with lur guide and private guided visit in Catania: Elephant Fountain, Palazzo Comunale, Badia di Saint Agata, Via Crociferi and its churches, Piazza Università with Palazzo San Giuliano and University Palace, Piazza Stesicoro with archaeological remains of a Roman Amphitheater. Lunch on your own and time for shopping and to buy the specialties of Sicily. Late afternoon transfer to Catania Airport and end of the trip

Our programs are tailor-made and can be adapted to customer requirements

Our Hotels: Hotel Porta Felice Palermo, Crystal in Trapani, Colle Verde in Agrigento, Romano House in Catania or similar

Package rates in EURO, per person in double room occupancy – 4 Star Hotels

Period 1: until June 29, 2022, August 31 to October 30, 2022

4 passengers EU 1.723,00
6 passengers EU 1.352,00
8 passengers EU 1.166,00
Single supplement EU 378,00
3rd bed reduction on request

Period 2: June 30 to August 30, October 31 to – December 27, 2022

4 passengers EU 1.671,00
6 passengers EU 1.304,00
8 passengers EU 1.121,00
Single supplement EU 348,00
3rd bed reduction on request

The package rate includes:

  • 2 overnight at 4 star hotel in Palermo
  • 1 overnight at a 4 star hotel in Trapani
  • 1 overnight at a 4 star hotel in Agrigento
  • 3 overnights at a 4 star hotel in Catania
  • 7 buffet breakfasts at the hotels
  • Entrance fee Botanical Garden in Palermo
  • Entrance fee Cathedral/Cloister in Monreale
  • Entrance Segesta
  • Shuttle bus in Segesta
  • Archaeological Area in Agrigento
  • Entrance Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina
  • Entrance fee Greek Theater in Taormina
  • Entrance Alcantara Gorges
  • Private Minivan, private driver-guide in Italian or English during the whole tour
  • Driver’s meals and overnights

The rate does not include:

  • Porterage service, tips, personal expenses
  • Not mentioned meals
  • Additional entrance fees
  • Additional guided visits
  • City taxes
  • Travel Insurance and health insurance; advisable
  • Flights
  • All not above mentioned

Important:

We reserve the right to make some changes if necessary, without affecting the program value. Please be in time for the appointment with the guide; maximum waiting time 15 minutes. No refunds in case of non-service due to delay

It is mandatory to wear the mask during the Covid period