9 days / 8 nights in half board basis 

Operated on Tuesdays from April 12th – October 19th 2022

Day 1: Palermo: Meeting with the tour leader at the hotel in Palermo in the late afternoon (possibility of private transfer as an optional service). Dinner and overnight stay.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Monreale – Palermo: Breakfast in the hotel and departure to visit Monreale, with its impressive Arab-Norman Cathedral and stunning Cloister. Return to Palermo. This city preserves monuments of the Arab-Norman period, including the beautiful Cathedral, the fascinating Byzantine Church of the Martorana and the Palatine Chapel, a higher example from the historical-artistic point of view of the coexistence between cultures and religions. Along the visit stop for a food surprise in a local bakery. Dinner and overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Palermo – Cefalù – Catania: Breakfast in the hotel and departure to Cefalù, a beautiful medieval maritime village with its Norman Cathedral. Time at leisure to visit the famous Mandralisca Museum. Proceed to Catania, visit to the old town center and its baroque architecture, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a walk in the center, passing through the old ‘pescheria’ (old fish market) to reach the scenic Piazza del Duomo with its stunning Cathedral and the lava stone Elephant (symbol of the city). Stop in a delicious co.ee bar to taste the local granite with brioche. Dinner and overnight stay In Catania.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Catania – Etna – Taormina – Catania: Breakfast in the hotel, and departure for a quick visit of a historic “fishmonger” (old fish market) before reaching Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe (3.350 m), and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Etna Park, covering 59.000 hectares, is home to extremely varied and rich flora, along with many protected species. The first glimpses of captivating landscapes can be seen when approaching Rifugio Sapienza. From there, proceed to Crateri Silvestri, volcanic cones dating to 1888, now inactive but surrounded by more recent lava flows. The view that can be enjoyed through the multitude of volcanic cones and craters extends to the Aeolian Islands and Calabria, making it a truly unique sight to behold. Afterwards, visit of a beekeeping farm, to see the honey extraction laboratory and taste of home-made honey and typical products of the area. Proceed to Taormina, famous for its natural landscape, marine beauties, historical monuments and an unforgettable view of the sea and Etna. Visit of the fascinating Greco-Roman theatre, which o.ers a breathtaking view of the Naxos Bay. The day will end with a beautiful panorama of the stunning Riviera dei Ciclopi. Return to the hotel in Catania. Dinner and overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Catania – Lipari: Breakfast in the hotel and day at leisure to enjoy Catania city center. The tour continues without a tour leader. Private transfer to Milazzo in the late morning. Transfer by hydrofoil to the island of Lipari. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Lipari – Salina – Lipari: Breakfast in the hotel. The day will be dedicated to discover the most beautiful coves of Lipari and the verdant Salina. After leaving Lipari Castle, Monte Rosa and Canneto, the first stop will be at Santa Marina di Salina where the most important municipality on the island can be toured. Continue to the eastern side of the island to admire the crops of Malvasia grapes, the village of Capo Faro and the town of Malfa. Stop for a swim in the beautiful bay of Pollara, made famous by Massimo Troisi’s film “Il Postino: The Postman”. On the way back the most beautiful caves of Lipari can be admired and time at disposal for a final swim at the Vinci beach, in front of the Faraglioni. Return to Lipari in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Lipari – Panarea – Stromboli – Lipari: Breakfast in the hotel and departure for the port of Lipari for a full-day excursion to Panarea and Stromboli. Before leaving Lipari, there will be a short stop at the pumice caves. Proceed to Panarea, to visit the Cave of Lovers and the prehistoric village of Capo Milazzese. Time at leisure for lunch. The boat then continues to Stromboli, passing through the little islands surrounding it, and discovering from the sea the village of Ginostra. On Stromboli time at leisure. Return to Lipari and overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Packed lunch

Day 8: Lipari – Taormina:

Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to the port to leave for Milazzo by hydrofoil. Private transfer to Taormina, famous for its natural landscape, marine beauties, historical monuments and an unforgettable view of the sea and Etna. Time at leisure to stroll along the charming medieval streets of the center and go shopping, buying some of the best home-made products of the entire island. Dinner and overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9: Taormina: Breakfast in the hotel and check-out (possibility of private transfer as an optional service).

Meals: Breakfast

Price Includes:

• 2 nights in a 4 * hotel in Palermo
• 3 nights in a 4 * hotel in Catania
• 3 night in a 4 * hotel in Lipari
• 1 night in a 4 * hotel in Taormina
• 8 Breakfasts
• 7 dinners in the hotel or at a local restaurant (drinks not included) – a packed lunch instead of a dinner is scheduled for the day of the excursion to Panarea and Stromboli
• Typical product tastings: Palermo (2nd day): gastronomic surprise with street food tasting;
• Catania (3rd day): “granita and brioche” tasting; Etna (4th day): Visit to a honey factory tasting typical Etna products
• Multilingual tour leader from day1 to day 4
• Local guides or audio guides when necessary
• Visit of Monreale, Palermo, Cefalù, Catania old town centre, Etna
• Tickets NOT included – To be paid on site or pre-paid purchasing the privilege package

Unescorted extension to the Aeolian Islands

• 1 group excursion by boat, without guide, from Lipari to Salina or Vulcano
• 1 group excursion by boat, without guide, from Panarea to Stromboli entrance taxes for the Aeolian Islands
• Tickets of the part in Sicily NOT included – To be paid on site or pre-paid pre-paid purchasing the privilege package
• Excursions may be modified according to weather conditions and the availability of local service providers
• * individual arrival and departure transfers are NOT included*
• Transport by air-conditioned bus from the 2nd day until the 4th day

Unescorted extension to the Aeolian Islands

• Private transfer from port of Milazzo to Taormina hotel
• Private transfer from Catania hotel to Milazzo port
• Transfer from the Port of Lipari to Lipari hotel
• Hydrofoil round trip Milazzo / Lipari / Milazzo
• Private transfer Milazzo Pier-Hotel in Taormina day 8th INCLUDED

FOR ORGANIZATIONAL REASONS OR DUE TO FORCE MAJEURE THE ITINERARY MAY BE MODIFIED Aeolian Islands’ excursions are subject to confirmation and might be replaced with similar ones, in accordance with weather conditions.

*Package descriptions and pricing are subject to change without notice.

Contact Us at 800-621-2259 or info@tourcrafters.com to book today!