Sicily Discovery & MasterExperience!

 

Programme & Itinerary

11 Days / 10 Nights

 

www.ItaliaSpeciale.com

 

DAY ONE

 

Welcome to Sicily! Palermo

 

• Arrival and meet up at Palermo Airport
• Transfer to our charming accommodation in the very heart of Palermo welcomed by our wonderful Hosts in Palermo at
  • B&B Ad Hoc: https://www.adhocrooms.it/
• Check in and time at leisure
• Dinner and evening in Palermo

 

DAY TWO

 

Palermo Quarters & Foodie – Monreale – Palermo by night / Opera

 

• This morning, after breakfast, our journey of discovery starts with a guided walking experience through the fascinating quarters of Palermo, a true cultural immersion in its history spanning over 2700 years!
• Our walk will include Palermo’s mesmerizing architecture and heritage from the Phoenicians to the Romans, from the Byzantine influence to its Arab and Norman domination
• Drive to and typical lunch in nearby Monreale
• Visit of Monreale and its stunning Norman-Byzantine Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an amazing example of that artistic and architectural fusion of cultures that Sicily is famous for
• Late afternoon Aperitivo followed by dinner in Palermo or an evening at the Opera (dependant of the Theatre Season Calendar)

 

 

 

 

DAY THREE

 

Private Siclian Cooking Class I in Palermo with Markets - Cefalù Palermo  

• This morning, a very special treat…sleeves up for a hands-on Cooking Masterclass with Chef to disclose the some of the secrets behind a few Sicilian staple dishes!
• Let your Host guide you through the typical and busy markets of Palermo before moving on to your very own Cookery Masterclass
• Your class will cover the most delicious Sicilian preparations and recipes under the guidance of our passionate Chefs, followed by lunch to sample the fruits of our labour!
• After lunch, we would recommend setting off to visit the charming town of Cefalù, where Greek and Norman architecture, history and culture blend in a marvellous way
• A walk along the cobbled streets and alleys dominated by the towering rock and the Norman Cathedral accompanied by an aperitivo in Piazza
• Return to Palermo, maybe visit an Art Gallery or enjoy an opera at the imposing Teatro Massimo

 

 

DAY FOUR

 

Corleone & Mafia Myth & Legend – Agriturismo Farm Residence

• 09:30: After breakfast, we say goodbye to our hosts in Palermo and start a very special day ahead through Sicily
• Our first destination is the famous (or infamous?!) town of God Father memory Corleone  for a true in-depth experience of Sicily’s mafia between myth, legend and reality
• Arrival in Piazza Falcone Borsellino to meet with our local guide and start our personal Walking Tour
• Introduction to Corleone’s intriguing Mafia origins with several famous stops along our walk throughout its fascinating historical old town
• We will then take off an a panoramic drive to reach Corleone’s highest mountain point and visits to several Norman and Arab sites
• Lunch will be at a local restaurant, with the most welcoming hosts
• After lunch, we head towards your Agriturismo Farm Residence Il Bevaio di Corleone  ( http://www.ilbevaiodicorleone.it/ )
• Check into your eco-friendly bungalow for a bit of relax
• Dinner at Il Bevaio di Corleone

 

 

 

DAY FIVE

 

Farm day & Harvests – Cooking Masterclass II – Cycling / Hiking / Spa

 

• After breakfast, walk with your Host through the estate garden, orchard and fields to pick the ingredients for your Cookery Class with the local Chef
• Lunch to sample the fruits of your labour!
• After lunch, afternoon at leisure to relax in the spa or meet your Cycling Instructor or Hiking Instructor for a nice experience around Corleone and its beautiful landscape on an e-Bike or walking the trails
• Dinner at Il Bevaio di Corleone

 

 

DAY SIX

 

Agrigento & Temple Valley – Ragusa

Sports-car option

 

• After checking-out and saying goodbye to your Hosts, destination today is Sicily’s Southern Coast to reach Agrigento and Ragusa, among Sicily’s most important cultural and historical experiences!
• Take the chance to make your drive today special behind the wheel of an Italian sports car waiting for you nearby!
• A Greek settlement dating back millennia, Agrigento was among the wealthiest colonies of Magna Graecia
• Highlights guided visit through Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, a breathtaking visit of Sicily’s most notable Temples, Churches and Acropolis
• We recommend an excellent lunch with locally caught fish at one of Agrigento’s best restaurants, well known by the locals!
• Our destination this afternoon is the beautiful Baroque town of Ragusa
• After we have checked into our Hotel, a late afternoon at leisure in Ragusa Ibla

 

DAY SEVEN

 

Ragusa – Private Mediterranean Fishing Experience

 

• This morning will feature a private fishing experience
• Transfer to Marzamemi to meet our local fisherman and his boat
• Full day at sea, hopefully with a good catch and fresh fish lunch onboard
• Return to Ragusa and a late afternoon at leisure in Ragusa Ibla
• Dinner and evening at leisure in Ragusa

 

 

 

DAY EIGHT

 

Modica & Chocolate Tasting – Noto – Taormina

 

• After breakfast, a guided Walking Tour to explore Ragusa’s mythological aura and the beautiful architecture enjoying the stunning views that Ragusa offers, departure to reach the nearby town of Modica, renowned for its excellent chocolate production
• Possible en-route stop for a lovely local cheese-tasting experience with our great Hosts
• Our  stroll around Modica will be complemented by a local chocolate tasting followed by lunch based on local traditional recipes and native flavours
•  We will then reach the beautiful town of Noto, that will welcome us with its stunning Baroque architecture
• After a short visit, time to reach Taormina  
• Possible en-route stop in Siracusa, the 2,700 year old town founded by the Greeks and the birthplace of famous mathematician and scholar Archimedes
• Extremely rich in history, Siracusa offers an amazing combination of Greek and Roman Amphitheatres and Catholic Basilicas on Ortigia Island
• Carry-on towards Taormina for evening, people watching and dinner

 

 

 

DAY NINE

 

Taormina – Helicopter Experience over Mount Etna, Stromboli Volcano and the Aeolian Islands (Vulcano)*

(approx 1h 35min)

 

• 08:30/08:45: Transfer to Giardini Naxos to meet your private helicopter and Captain awaiting you at the helipad to board
• 09:00: Fascinating fly over Sicily’s most iconic natural active volcanoes and islands: Mount Etna and its several craters, the Stromboli Volcano and the Aeolian Islands with special attention to the island of Vulcano
• Transfer back to Taormina and rest of day at leisure or theatre

*dependant on weather conditions. Timetable and day may vary. Day may be swapped with the following day

 

 

 

DAY TEN

 

 

Mount Etna Hiking or Off-Roading Experience*

(approx 5 hours + Transfers)

 

• 09:00: Your Driver will be waiting for you for your private transfer to reach Mount Etna this morning!
• Meet your Hiking Instructor for an amazing experience on Europe’s largest active volcano climbing as close as possible to the craters after taking the cable car to base or jump in one of our Off Road vehicles
• We will enjoy a frugal lunch at an altitude of up to 2500m as we approach the craters
• Transfer back to Taormina and rest of the day at leisure

*dependant on weather conditions. Timetable and day may vary. Day may be swapped with the previous day

 

DAY ELEVEN

 

Transfer to Catania Airport

 

• Transfer to Catania Airport…Arrivederci Sicily!!

 

 

 

    

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Sicily Discovery & MasterExperience!

History | Art | Culture | Cookery | Foodie

2022

Highlights & What's included for

“Sicily Discovery & MasterExperience”

 

Full Memorable & Unique Proposal: €5985  eur pp

 

• Guests:  min 4 – max 6
• Starting point: Palermo Airport on Day One
• Ending point: Catania Airport on Day Eleven
• Fully escorted by our Leader and Hosts
• Accommodation 3S & 4S  included (please note: the venues listed might be subject to change)
  • 3 nights in the heart of Palermo (www.adhocrooms.it)
  • 2 nights in Corleone (www.ilbevaiodicorleone.it)
  • 2 nights in Ragusa (www.sangiorgiopalacehotel.it)
  • 3 nights in Taormina (www.bbjoansheritage.it/en-GB)

 

• Accommodation type:  Hotels, Luxury B&Bs and Special Venues.
• An exciting and unique journey of discovery through the very best of  Sicily
• Guided walks and Cultural Experiences arranged on a comfortable schedule and roll-out (private vehicle) with personal Guides in: Palermo – Corleone – Ragusa – Modica – Noto
• Foodie Experiences as per the itinerary
• 2 Cookery Masterclasses in Palermo and in the Sicilian countryside
• 8 lunches + 6 dinners with exclusive wines included: All restaurants and venues are highly selected and offer the most special Abruzzo1 & ItaliaSpeciale Experiences!

 

A word on Tipping

At Italia Speciale and Abruzzo1 our mission is to assure only the best experiences possible around Abruzzo and Italy through our highly selected network of Partners and Hosts, all committed to delivering the highest standards of knowledge and service to our guests. We do this by nature and soul, as proud as we are of our proposals and our people. Tips are never expected and always come as a nice bonus for our partners.

A token of gratitude. Ideally your Host should collect €75 eur in cash per guest on Day 3 to cover all tips that deserve to be shared among all Partners.

Tips are not compulsory by any means, and should be given exclusively for high quality service.