Scenic Sicily - Extension to Enticing Northern Italy

Say goodbye to Rome as we make our way to the airport for our flight to Sicily.

Upon arrival at Catania Airport, you will be met and drive north, along the coast, to the world famous hill-top resort of Taormina. After checking-in to our hotel and some time to relax, tonight we will enjoy a welcome drink and get-together, followed by dinner in a local restaurant/trattoria.

This morning we will visit Taormina's greatest tourist attraction, the Teatro Greco, a Greco-Roman theatre built into the rocky hillside. Although generally known as the 'Greek' Theatre, Taormina's historic open-air theatre owes much of its present appearance to the Romans. Designed with an unsurpassable backdrop of blue sea, coastline, distant smoking Etna, and inland mountains, we will wander around the theatre complex, the stage and backstage areas, as well see panoramic views from the curving rows of seats.

After some free time to get some lunch, we will depart by coach for a guided excursion to Mount Etna which is among Europe’s tallest, and the world’s most active, volcanoes. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013, the volcano has shaped Sicilian history and continues to impact life on the island today. We will ascend the volcano by coach to Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza, some 6,200ft above sea level. For those who wish to ascend further to around 8,200ft there is the option of a cable-car/funicular, payable direct.**

Back at the hotel, the evening is at leisure.

(**The cable-car/funicular does not take you as far as the crater of Mt Etna, which is further uphill)

We depart after breakfast towards Agrigento, one of Sicily's finest ancient cities. On the way we will stop at Piazza Armerina, a pretty and historic town nestled in the heart of Sicily. Whilst here, we will visit the truly astonishing classical mosaics at the Villa Romana del Casale, an important UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to it containing the most complex and largest collection of Roman mosaics in the world - there are 3,535 square metres of them!

Afterwards, we continue to our hotel in Agrigento. Once checked-in, we'll rejoin for dinner together this evening in a local restaurant.

We depart after breakfast for a guided tour of the Valley of the Temples, Sicily's most enthralling archaeological site. A magnificent collection of seven ancient Greek temples from the 6th and 5th centuries BC, the most well-preserved of them is the Temple of Concordia. This striking temple is arguably the best-preserved in the world outside the Hephaistion in Athens.

From here we will head north to Monreale, a historic hill-town just outside Palermo, a picturesque place most famous for the fine mosaics in the town's great cathedral. Monreale's Norman cathedral and cloisters are frequently cited as the island's greatest Norman buildings. The upper part of the cathedral's interior is completely covered in gleaming gold mosaics and on our tour of the cathedral, you'll get to appreicate the more than 6,000 square metres of mosaic that adorns its walls.

Later, we continue to Palermo, the island's capital city and to our hotel for the next 3 nights. The evening is at leisure in Palermo.

This morning we will head out to discover the historic city of Palermo. Nestled on the west of the island, it is the island of Sicily's capital and most populous city - the 5th most in Italy!

First up is the Teatro Massimo, Sicily's premier opera/concert theatre. With its stunning interiors and detailed exterior, it lives up to its name - the biggest theatre - as it is indeed the biggest in Italy, and one of the largest in Europe. Renowned for its excellent acoustics, it holds over 1,300 seats. A guided visit and backstage tour will reveal the famous theatre's splendour and secrets. 

Then we will visit the Palazzo dei Normanni (Royal Palace) and the Cappella Palatina. Home to Sicily's regional parliament, this venerable palace dates back to the 9th century. However, it owes its current look, and name, to a major Norman makeover, during which spectacular mosaics were added to its royal apartments and magnificent chapel, the Cappella Palatina. Visits to the apartments take in the mosaic-lined Sala dei Venti, and Sala di Ruggero II, the 12th-century bedroom of King Ruggero II.

The rest of the day and evening is at leisure for you to discover Palermo at your own pace.

This morning we have a treat in store - a guided visit and tour of one of Palermo's historic open-air markets. A Palermitan street market is a cacophony of sights, sounds and scents and the tradition dates from the 9th century Saracen rule of the island, which explains their striking similarity to Arab souqs. They are a great place to soak up some local atmosphere even if you don't actually buy anything, but you'll have to know where to find them, hidden as they are from the main streets - that's why we recommend you tag along on this tour.

Tonight we will enjoy dinner together in a local restaurant, our last night on the island.

Today we will sadly say goodbye to Sicily. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Palermo Airport for your onward flights home