Relaxed arrival at the airport, transfer to the hotel in Palermo (half board)

Today we take a look at the Arab-Norman side of Palermo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site:

• Palazzo dei Normani
• Cappella Palatina
• Palermo Cathedral
• Palermo San Giovanni degli Eremiti
• Palermo chiesa di San Cataldo
• Palermo Arab Market Ballaro
• Palermo Chiesa della Magione
• Palermo Chiesa dello Spasimo (roofless market)

Then lunch at a street food in Palermo.

In the afternoon visit to the cathedral in Monreale – also Arab-Norman UNESCO World Heritage Site

In the evening Movida of Palermo:

• Berlin Cafe Pub
• Birra e Basta
• Bocum Mixology
• Malox

Palermo Chiesa della Magione

Drive to Erice with a visit and walk through the city and a taste in Arabic tradition: almond biscuits.

We will visit San Vito Lo Capo afterwards. Every year in September, the Cous Cous World Festival takes place there. We’ll try cous cous today – and then enjoy it.

• Palermo 4 Canti (Barocco)
• Palermo, dai Quattro Canti ai quattro quartieri del centro storico …
• Palermo Chiesa del SS Salvatore (Barocco)
• Chiesa SS. Salvatore – Amici dei Musei Siciliani
• Palermo Casa Professa (Barocco Siciliano with marble inlays)
• Palazzo Conte Federico, meeting with Contessa Federico
• Palermo Teatro Massimo (Art Nouveau)

Afternoon free. In the evening: Dinner in a typical fish restaurant

Today we take a tour to the villas of Bagheri. One of them is known for its monster statues:

Palazzo Butera

The Palazzo is owned by the Lancia family. This family belongs to the great princely houses in the former Kingdom of Sicily, along with the Alliata, Filangeri, Gravina, Moncada, Notarbartolo, Paterna, Spucches, Stagno, Tomasi di Lampedusa, Valguarnera and Ventimiglia. According to the famous novel “The Gattopardo” these are sometimes referred to as “The Leopards”.

Villa Palagonia

An unusual baroque castle became known mainly because of its statues. These monsters with human faces gave him the name Villa dei Mostri. In his Italian journey, Goethe wrote an impressive description of this pleasure castle on the date of 9 April 1787.

Villa Valguarnera

Unlike most villas in Bagheria, this property was never used for agricultural purposes, but only as a luxurious alternative to the City Palace in Palermo. In 2016, Dolce & Gabbana have shot an advertisement for a perfume here.

In the afternoon continue towards Aspra and visit the Ponte degli Innamorati (“Bridge of Love”)

Himera was a mixed Chalcolidic-Doric colony that dates back to around 648 BC. founded by Zankle and the Myletids expelled from Syracuse on the north coast of Sicily. The place was the only ancient Greek colony on the north coast of Sicily. The great year of Himeras was 480 BC. Chr .: Called by the tyrant Terillos threatened by Theron von Akragas, the Carthaginians landed at Himera – supposedly in agreement with the Xerxes attacking in the east – but were crushed by Theron in league with Gelon from Syracuse. The remains of the victory temple can still be seen.

Continue to an idyllic farm in Scillato. Everything is organic and is cast with an ancient aqueduct, which is also very interesting to look at. There are all kinds of fruits here and every month one or more different fruits for picking and eating directly – or to bring them home.

• February/March : Almonds Blossom + Orange Blossom and Oranges to eat
• March: Plum Blossom (Fuchsia) + Lemon Blossom + Apricot Blossom + Oranges + Lemons to Eat
• April: Small almonds with the whole zest to eat (special) + oranges + lemons to eat
• May : Cherries to eat + apricots to eat
• June: Apricots to eat + plums + small pears + small apples
• September: Grape harvest (from 20.09.2017 with different dates) + Lotus fruits + figs + cactus figs + nuts + chestnuts
• October: Olive harvest + saffron harvest (from 20.09.2017 with different dates) + lemons to eat + lotus fruits + nuts + chestnuts
• November: Olive harvest + oranges + lemons to eat + pomegranates

Continue to Cefalu, Arab-Norman UNESCO World Heritage Site. We take a walk and visit the cathedral. The construction of the Cathedral of San Salvatore in Piazza Duomo began under the patronage of Roger II in 1131. The consecration of the church did not take place until 1267. The three-aisled column basilica shows style features of Arab-Byzantine-Norman art. Two massive bell towers flank the facade. Inside, the cathedral is equipped with elaborate gold mosaics. In 1988, parts of the internationally acclaimed film “Cinema Paradiso” were shot in Cefalu, directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. We give the opportunity for a romantic dinner in Cefalu “on your own” on the beach.

Birds and crickets set the tone for the idyllic and unique Madonie Nature Park 🙂 First we visit Castelbuono, a village built around a castle. Here you will cook the typical cakes “Manna” and “Mannettino” for this area. Through cork oak forests we follow the famous mountain rally route Targa Florio to a rustic Sicilian farm.

Away from the usual tourist trails, we experience the production of ricotta with a shepherd in the mountains and spend relaxing hours with a delicious lunch with numerous typical Sicilian specialties at the “Gelso” (a traditional farm):

In the afternoon drive to Polizzi Generosa, the birthplace of fashion designer Domenico Dolce. Tour of the city and the small Dolce & Gabbana studio in Polizzi (only from the outside).

Transfer to the airport and departure from Palermo