Sicily, Italy with Luxury & Style (10 Days): Sample Itinerary Outline
ID #: DT-I-10-8-4-10-RAIJ
DAY 1: Palermo, Sicily, ITALY
You are met on arrival and taken to your hotel. Palermo is the
cultural and economic capital of Sicily, known for its blend of
architectural styles.
►Suggested hotel:
Grand Hotel Villa Igiea Hilton, Palermo
DAY 2: Palermo & Monreale, Sicily, ITALY
This morning tour Palermo, including its 12th century Cathedral and
Royal Palace, a true masterpiece of Sicilian-Norman architecture
whose construction began in 1185 and lasted almost 700 years.
Examine the exquisite mosaics in the palace’s Palatine Chapel, and
visit the Opera House and the lively Capo Market before lunch. In
the afternoon, it is a short drive to visit the 12th century
Monreale di Cathedral, known for its splendid Byzantine mosaics and
the cloister of the Benedictine abbey.
►Suggested hotel:
Grand Hotel Villa Igiea Hilton, Palermo
DAY 3: Termini Imerese & Cefalu, Sicily, ITALY
This morning drive to the ancient Greek-Roman city of Termini
Imerese. Walk among the ruins of the Roman Forum and Amphitheater.
Visit the Civic Museum with its famous Greek archaeological
collection, and the 18th century church. Proceed to the charming
medieval coastal town of Cefalů built on the site of an ancient
Greek and Sicanian settlement. Visit the medieval wash house and
tour the Norman Cathedral built by King Roger II in 1130. Arrive
back in Palermo by late afternoon.
►Suggested hotel:
Grand Hotel Villa Igiea Hilton, Palermo
DAY 4: Palermo to Segesta, Erice & Agrigento, Sicily, ITALY
Depart Palermo for the abandoned ancient city Segesta, built by the
mysterious Elymis in 500 BC. Tour the majestic Doric temple, one of
the world’s best-preserved Greek architectural sites. Continue to
Erice, a small medieval town offering commanding views from its
2,000 foot location atop Mount Giuliano. Visit Chiesa Matrice, the
town’s main church, the massive Elimo-Punic Walls, and the fragrant
public gardens of the Giardino del Balio. After a typical Sicilian
lunch, continue on to Agrigento and your hotel.
►Suggested hotel: Grand Hotel
Villa Athena, Palermo
DAY 5: Agrigento, Piazza Armerina & Siracusa, Sicily, ITALY
This morning enjoy a walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site,
the Valley of the Temples a magnificent cluster of Greek ruins
overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The temples are the remains of
Akragas, a Greek city built about 582 BC, of a unique amber
sandstone. Explore the Temple of Hera, Temple of Hercules and the
Temple of Concordia, that was converted to a Christian church in the
6th century. Continue to Piazza Armerina for lunch and then visit
another UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, the Roman Villa del Casale.
Dating back to the 3rd century BC, it hosts the biggest display of
Roman polychromic mosaics in the world. End the afternoon with a
scenic drive to your hotel in Siracusa.
►Suggested hotel: Grand Hotel Des
Etrangers Et Miramare, Siracusa
DAY 6: Ragusa & Modica, Sicily, ITALY
This morning drive to Ragusa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an
ornate capital of the Baroque style. Explore the maze of streets and
monuments in this ancient Sicels village that was destroyed by the
1693 earthquake, and then rebuilt by the most famous architects of
the time. After lunch, continue to Modica, another jewel of the
baroque style, exemplified best by its Teatro Garibaldi, Palazzo
Tedeschi, and the Church of San Pietro, which stands at the top of a
monumental Baroque staircase flanked by statues of the Apostles.
Stop for a taste of the famous Modican chocolate before returning to
Siracusa by late afternoon.
►Suggested hotel: Grand Hotel Des
Etrangers Et Miramare, Siracusa
DAY 7: Siracusa to Ortigia & Taormina, Sicily, ITALY
This morning take a walking tour of the classic Greek archaeological
park of Ancient Siracusa. Visit the monolithic Greek Theatre, the
Latomie of Paradise with the Dionysus’ Ear grotto, and the Roman
Amphitheatre. Continue on foot through the narrow streets of the
ancient Greek colony of Ortigia. See the 7th century Duomo, the
Fonte Aretusa, an ancient spring, and the Temple of Apollo. Enjoy
lunch in Ortigia before departing for Taormina.
►Some suggested Taormina hotels (in alphabetical order): Grand Hotel Timeo, An Orient-Express Hotel (V) San Domenico
Palace, Taormina Villa Sant’ Andrea, An Orient-Express Hotel (V)
►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAY 8: Etna, Sicily, ITALY
This morning tour Mt. Etna, the highest and most active volcano in
Europe. Ride the funicular up to 8500 feet, to get a fantastic view
of 10,000-foot Mt. Etna, and the surrounding countryside. After
lunch at Etna, enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Taormina.
►For Taormina hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 9: Taormina, Sicily, ITALY
Enjoy a morning walking tour of Taormina’s old town, with its narrow
streets filled with handicraft, embroidery and antique shops. Visit
the 5th century BC Greek Theater, the public gardens, the 14th
century Palazzo Corvaja, and the medieval St. Nicholas Church. This
afternoon is at leisure to relax shop or explore more of beautiful
Taormina on your own.
►For Taormina hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 10: Taormina, Sicily, ITALY
Today you are taken to the airport for your flight home or on to
your next destination.