Historic Sicily on the Steps of Goethe, Sicilian wine and food (P-22a)

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 and wine tasting

Segesta, Erice and wine tasting

Agrigento and Temple Valley

Piazza Armerina

Taormina

Etna and Alcantara

Catania

Tour Program:

DAY 1    Palermo Airport Arrival – Palermo visit with Arab-Norman Itinerary

Early morning arrival at Palermo Airport, meet and great with our Tour Leader and transfer by private car/minivan to the center of Palermo where we start the private guided visit on the steps of J.W. von Goethe:  Botanical Garden, Villa Giulia, Piazza Marina. Along the panoramic road to Monte Pellegrino and visit of the pilgrimage Church of St. Rosalia. Drive to the hotel, check in and 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 is 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 – Wine Tasting –  Palermo

Buffet Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast transfer 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. Transfer to a Wine Cellar near Monreale. Guided wine tasting and transfer 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 – Wine Tasting – Trapani

 After breakfast transfer with our Tour Leader and private car/minivan to Segesta where the today’s private guided visit starts with the Temple of Segesta. Transfer by shuttle bus to Monte Barbaro; the ancient city of Segesta with important excavations, archaeological finds and the ancient theater. On request we also visit the Sanctuary of Contrada Mango. Time for lunch in Sagesta and 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 on the Egadi Islands; a dream ! A walk in the narrow streets, alleys and churches will make you happy. Transfer to a Winery nearby and wine tasting. Transfer to the hotel in Trapani or near Trapani. Dinner at your own and overnight at the hotel in Trapani or nearyby.

DAY 4    Trapani –  Agrigento – Temple Valley – Agrigento

Buffet Breakfast at the hotel and 2 1/2 hour’s drive to the city center of Agrigento where 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 and 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, afterwards transfer to our hotel in Agrigento. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel in Agrigento

DAY 5    Agrigento – Piazza Armerina – Sicilian lunch with Wine Tasting – Catania

Buffet Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast we will move to Piazza Armerina in Central Sicily. 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. Lunch at a renowned Sicilian restaurant with wine tasting. Transfer to the hotel in Catania. Dinner on your own and overnight at the hotel in Catania.

DAY 6    Catania – Taormina – Catania

 Buffet Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast drive to Taormina. The cable car takes you directly from Porta Catania to the center of Taormina, a splendid city with its amazing 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: 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, Clock Tower. Time for lunch in one of the charming restaurants, time for some shopping. Transfer by cable car back to our car/minivan and 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 – Lunch in Alcantara – Gorges of Alcantara – Catania

After a rich buffet breakfast at the hotel 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 TL between old lava flows and the extinct craters. Transfer to a Farmhouse/Bakery near the Gorges of Alcantara. Typical Sicilian Lunch in the Garden of a Baker in the Alcantara Valley, possibility to cook Italian cookies in the baker’s oven; you will have fun! Transfer to the Gorges of Alcantara and visit, than drive 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 our local guide and Catania private guided walking tour: Elephant Fountain, Palazzo Comunale, Badia di 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

All 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

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

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
• Wine Tasting in a Wine Cellar near Monreale
• Wine Tasting in a Wine Cellar near Trapani
• Sicilian lunch – 3 course without drinks near Piazza Armerina
• Entrance fee Botanical Garden in Palermo
• Entrance fee Cathedral/Cloister in Monreale
• Entrance fee Segesta
• Shuttle bus in Segesta
• Archeological Area in Agrigento
• Entrance Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina
• Entrance fee Greek Theater in Taormina
• Lunch at the Farmhouse/Bakery and cookies baking in the Alcantara Valley
• 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