10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS 

Self-Drive

OPERATED DAILY FROM 01 APRIL 2022 TO 22 OCTOBER 2022

Day 1: Palermo: Pickup of our rental car at Palermo airport; rest of the day available for the visit of the head-town of Sicily, rich in history and monuments that reflect the different influences of the various dominations that ruled the island over the centuries. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Palermo- Monreale – Mondello – Palermo (km 50): Breakfast at the hotel, then all day dedicated to the discovery of the treasures of Palermo, on your own or with a private guide: the beautiful Cathedral; the Martorana Church, the Norman Palace with the precious Palatine Chapel, the St John-of-the-Hermits’ Church and St Cataldo’s Church, all being UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In the afternoon we recommend reaching Monreale nearby, to admire the splendid Arab-Norman Cathedral, with its polychrome mosaics and the wonderful cloister. And to end the day, a romantic evening stroll along the Mondello promenade, Palermo’s seaside area made so precious by elegant Art Nouveau villas, restaurants, and street food vendors, where you can enjoy excellent local cuisine. Later in the evening, return to Palermo and overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 3: Palermo – Segesta – Erice – Marsala (km 180): Breakfast at the hotel, then departure for Marsala, the westernmost point in Sicily. Along the way, the Archaeological Park of Segesta is worth a visit, with the suggestive Great Temple, one of the best preserved of ancient times, dating back to the 5th century BC: you can explore it on your own or with an expert local guide. Another stop not to be missed is Erice, a picturesque village perched on top of a mountain, with delightful medieval streets and craft shops. Depending on the time available, you can stop in the village until the end of the day, to gift yourselves with an unforgettable sunset over the sea from above; or you can visit the salt flats of Trapani, with the characteristic windmills, and the interesting Salt Museum, to learn all about the history of salt extraction from sea water. Finally, we reach Marsala, where we spend the night. For dinner we recommend trying “couscous with fish”, a typical Arab dish imported into Sicily.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4: Marsala: Breakfast at the hotel, then the morning will be dedicated to the small and enchanting island of Mozia, located at the center of Marsala’s lagoon. Ancient colony founded by the Phoenicians in the 8th century BC, it preserves a large archaeological site and the interesting Whitaker Museum, which houses ancient objects found on the island and in the surrounding area. In the afternoon, the center of Marsala is worth a visit, with its baroque churches and the contrast between the yellow of the houses, the blue of the sea and the green of the vineyards. In Marsala, in fact, the typical liqueur wine that bears the name of the city is produced. Enology lovers cannot miss wine tasting in a local vinery cellar. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5: Marsala – Selinunte – Agrigento (km 160): Breakfast at the hotel, then departure towards the extensive Archaeological Park of Selinunte, where the remains of an ancient Greek colony open wide, which used to host up to 100 thousand inhabitants: wonderful are the temples dating back to the VI-V century BC. immersed in a suggestive landscape with the Mediterranean Sea in the background. Then we continue to Agrigento. Along the way you can visit the towns of Sciacca and Porto Empedocle, or enjoy a short time just relaxing and having a nice swim in the beautiful beach of Eraclea Minoa. Do not miss a stop at the wonderful white cliff called the “the Turks’ Stairway”. Once arrived in Agrigento, we recommend visiting the Archaeological Park of the Valley of the Temples at sunset, when the heat is fainting and the sun light creates romantic shades, to then enjoy the magical illumination of the temples at night. To end the day, for dinner we suggest trying the Sardinian meatballs, the “macco di fava” (a cream of legumes) or – for the bravest – the “stigghiole” (lamb entrails), typical of the area. Overnight stay at the hotel in Agrigento.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 6: Agrigento – Pizza Armerina – Caltagirone – Ragusa (km 200): Breakfast at the hotel, then we drive towards the interior of the island, in the direction of Piazza Armerina. Here stands the wonderful Casale Roman Villa, an elegant patrician residence of the 4th century, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the richness and quality of its mosaics, among the most beautiful and best preserved of the entire Roman era. We then continue to Caltagirone, known all over the world for the artisan production of ceramics. Here, for those who are interested, we can organize a visit to a ceramist’s laboratory. Finally, we reach Ragusa, the cradle of the late Sicilian Baroque, which houses 18 buildings protected by UNESCO. Do not miss a walk, guided or on your own, in the quarter of Ragusa Ibla, the oldest in the historic center, with its churches, eighteenth-century buildings and the luxuriant Ibleo Garden. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7: Ragusa – Modica – Noto – Siracusa (km 90): Breakfast at the hotel, then full day to devote to the discovery of Sicilian Baroque. The first stop is in Modica, famous not only for its architectural treasures but also for its chocolate, which is still produced here according to the ancient Aztecs’ “cold” recipe: for those who wish, we can organize a visit to a chocolate factory with an inevitable tasting. Then we drive to Noto, the ‘capital of the Sicilian Baroque’, with its richly decorated churches, its magnificent noble palaces and elegant iron-wrought balconies. You must try a typical granita in one of the many bars on the main street, not only to cool off for the heat, but also to discover an unforgettable flavor. Finally we arrive in Syracuse, the largest Greek colony in Sicily. Here you can either walk freely around the islet of Ortigia, the heart of the city, with its splendid Baroque cathedral and the famous Aretusa Fountain, or you can visit the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, where the wonderful Greek Theatre opens wide in particular, still used today for suggestive classical representations of Greek tragedies and comedies. Overnight stay at the hotel in Syracuse.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8: Siracusa – Catania (km 70): Breakfast at the hotel, then departure for Catania. You can visit the center on your own or with a private guide; in both cases, we recommend starting in the morning from the famous “piscaria”, the folkloristic and frenetic fresh fish market, where vendors compete to call customers. Do not miss the nearby Cathedral Square, with its splendid cathedral and the Elephant Fountain, the symbol of the city, and then a walk along Via Etnea, the city lounge, and Via dei Crociferi, lined with richly baroque churches and decorated palaces. In the afternoon you can take a short excursion to the Cyclops Riviera, dotted with lemons, agaves and palm trees, to admire some fishing villages such as Aci Castello and Aci Trezza, or simply to enjoy a little relaxation break on the beach and a refreshing swim in the sea. Overnight stay at the hotel in Catania.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9: Catania – Etna – Taormina – Catania (km 150): Breakfast at the hotel, then departure to discover Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe (3,350 meters). You can drive up to about 2,000 meters freely by car and reach the Silvestri Craters, volcanic cones now inactive surrounded by the most recent lava flows. Those who want to get as close to the top as possible can continue by cable car and then by a 4×4 car, accompanied by an expert mountain guide. The afternoon is to be spent visiting the enchanting Taormina, suspended between rocks and sea, famous for its natural landscape, historical monuments and the unforgettable panorama of the sea with Etna in the background. Here you should not miss the famous ancient theatre, the Cathedral and the medieval Corvaja Palace. At the end, we return to Catania and have an overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 10: Catania: We have breakfast at the hotel and we return the rental car at the airport; then free time until the return flight departure.

Meals included: Breakfast

INCLUSIONS:

• 2 nights in 4* hotel in Palermo
• 2 nights in 3* hotel in Marsala
• 1 night in 4* hotel in Agrigento
• 1 night in 4* hotel in Ragusa
• 1 night in 4* hotel in Siracusa
• 2 nights in 4* hotel in Catania
• 9 breakfasts
• Car rental – terms and conditions disclosed at time of booking (based on car category requested)

NOTES

• CITY TAX NOT INCLUDED AND TO BE PAID ON THE SPOT
• Extras, tips, porterage and everything not expressly listed as inclusion is not included and to be paid on the spot

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