REAL SICILY
Overview
Sicily – where have you been all our lives? We’re taking you across this idyllic island, from the ancient streets of Catania to the mountainside charms of Taormina, where we’ll enjoy some cooking classes and take a ride down Mt Etna. What’s next? How about some more UNESCO heritage sites, some spectacular beaches, and a valley of ancient archaeological wonders? This one finishes on a high in Palermo, a colourful tumble of a city with some of the best food in Italy.
Included/Excluded
Day 1Start Catania
Catania
Day 2Catania to Taormina
Catania
We’ve got more spectacular Sicilian towns to explore today, as we head from Catania to Taormina.
Taormina
Uniquely perched on the side of a mountain, this elegant resort town is the perfect place to live the good life in Italy. We’ll waste no time admiring the gorgeous panoramas, as we take the cable car that connects the town’s historic centre with its awesome beaches. After sunning ourselves for a bit, why not opt for a cooking class with some local masterchefs, learning how to whip up local delicacies like Arancini & Cannoli? It’s the perfect way to impress everyone when you get back home.
Day 3Taormina
Taormina
Today we’ve got an unmissable optional for you. Sicily’s stupendous stratovolcano Mt Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe. And what better way to experience this majestic monster than on an adrenaline filled ride, as you pass vineyards and orchards spread across the fertile slopes? You won’t find views quite like this anywhere in Europe. Whether or not you opt for the tour, you’ll have a free afternoon to explore Taormina – lazing on the beach, checking out the Roman theatre or sitting and drinking a spritz as life lazily moves by. It’s a hard life.
Day 4Taormina to Syracuse via Noto
Taormina
See ya, Taormina – it’s time to visit some historical hotspots. Next stop, Syracuse.
Syracuse
We’ll have some free time to check out the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Syracuse. Famed for its rich Roman and Greek history, with ancient amphitheatres and architecture everywhere you look, this place was even mentioned in the Bible (how’s that for history creds?).
Noto
Our next outing is to Noto, home to some of Sicily’s most impressive historic architecture. We’ll check out the Corso Vittoria Emanuele and other legendary landmarks, and then it’s off to an organic farm for a Tastes of Sicily experience – the freshest Sicilian ingredients, brought to us direct from farm to table. Just what the doctor ordered!
Syracuse
And after a long day, it’s time to hit the hay. ’Til tomorrow, friends.
Day 5Syracuse to Cefalù via Valley of the Temples
Syracuse
Heading from Syracuse we’ll arrive in the Valley of the Temples, the perfect base to explore another ancient wonder…
Valley of the Temples
We won’t be leaving Italy without a tour of the Valley of the Temples. This mystical valley is a treasure trove of historical and archaeological heritage. We’ll discover ancient temples, sanctuaries and a necropolis. It’s a spectacular testament to Sicily’s ancient history (and natural beauty).
Cefalu
Arriving in Cefalù we’ll enjoy another included dinner of Sicilian delicacies. What a day – and we’re not done yet.
Day 6Cefalù
Cefalu
Day 7Cefalù to Palermo
Cefalu
It’s time to end on a high, as we make our way towards Sicily’s sizzling capital.
Palermo
Palermo is vivacious, colourful and boasts a thriving culinary scene, but it’s also been plagued by organised crime for decades. Today on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® experience, you can join a walking tour through the historic centre, learning about the history of the Mafia in Palermo and how the civil antiMafia movement was formed. We’ll round things off with a farewell dinner at Al Fresco, AKA the ‘bistro of second chances’.
Day 8End Palermo
Palermo
