Arrival at the airport, transfer to the hotel in the Catania area (half board)

Visit Syracuse, once the most powerful Greek city in Sicily, which was founded in 734 BC. Cicero once hailed it as the most beautiful city of Magna Graecia. Visit to the Archaeological Park with the Greek Theatre, the altar of Hieron, the Roman amphitheatre and the Latomien underground quarries with the so-called “Ear of Dionysius”. Afterwards walk through the old town on the peninsula Ortygia – we visit the cathedral, which emerged from the remains of the Greek Athena temple, and the Arethusa spring. Special Bonus: our guide will show you a painting of Caravaggio… In the afternoon excursion to the enchanting Val di Noto to Noto, which with its churches and palaces of golden sandstone is considered the baroque jewel of Sicily. After the devastating earthquake of 1693, the town was rebuilt uniformly in the Sicilian Baroque. Spectacular aristocratic palaces and streets stretch across the hillside to the Cathedral of San Nicolo.

Drive to Piazza Armerina (UNESCO World Heritage): Visit to the Villa Romana del Casale, one of the most beautiful patrician villas from the Roman Empire (ca. 320 A.D.), whose floor mosaics (more than 3500 sqm) are of exceptional quality and conservation status. In the afternoon we explore in Agrigento the UNESCO World Heritage “Valley of the Temples”, among others the temples of Hera Lakinia, Concordia, Zeus and Heracles. Agrigento, the Greek Akragas, was the last of the Greek colonies founded in Sicily, experienced in the 5th century. Bc was in its heyday and was then one of the largest Greek cities on the Mediterranean. The Doric temples bear witness to the cultural heyday of the Greek colony of Magna Graecia. Special Bonus: We make an “Aperitivo Rinforzato” in the Temple Valley.

Today we go to the west coast of Sicily to the area of Marsala and Trapani, where we visit the salworks with the characteristic windmills and salt basins, as well as to Erice, a beautiful medieval town, which is situated in a spectacular location on the 750 m high Monte Erice. We then visit the magnificent temple in Segesta, one of the best preserved in Sicily, which was built around 420 BC on Mount Barbaro. Power struggles within Sicily left him unfinished. Special Bonus: We try the almond biscuits in Erice. In the evening we reach our hotel.

Morning excursion to Monreale: in 1174 the Norman king Wilhelm II had the Benedictine monastery and cathedral built. Only the beautiful cloister and the south wing are preserved from the monastery. The cathedral, however, is completely intact and Sicily’s greatest building from the Norman period. The unique gold mosaics in the Byzantine style and the huge west portal with 42 bronze image fields with biblical scenes are worth seeing. In Palermo we visit the cathedral from the 12th century. The Cappella Palatina in the former Norman Palace is also outstanding, one of the most beautiful relics from the Norman era in Sicily – many call it the “picture book in gold”. It was exuberantly designed as part of the residence of Roger II in the 12th century. Special bonus: we visit Ballarò, the Arab market and there we will eat the “Arancina”.

Today we drive to Cefalu, a charming town on Sicily’s northern coast, which lies in an incomparable position under a mighty rock. Visit to the Norman Cathedral of San Salvatore from the 12th century with its Byzantine gold mosaics as well as the Arabic washing station. Afterwards there is still time for a stroll through Cefalu before we drive through the centre of Sicily to the hotel in the afternoon. Special Bonus: in Cefalu we will try the real “Cassata” at the cathedral square.

Excursion to Mount Etna (3350 m), with its more than 400 craters the largest volcano still active in Europe. Ascent by bus to the Silvestri craters at an altitude of 1900 m. If weather and volcanic activity allow, possibility of access by cable car and special vehicles (optional, approx. € 70,–) up to approx. 2900 m altitude. Special Bonus: We try delicious honey from Etna area in a beekeeping. Afterwards drive to Taormina, popular thanks to its beautiful location on Monte Tauro: visit of the Greco-Roman theatre, which in fair weather offers a magnificent view of Mount Etna, and time for a stroll through the village. Free day to relax

Transfer to Catania airport and return flight