CHARMING SICILY

Day by day

The itinerary

1. Day 1 · Palermo

   Day 1: Palermo (Arrival)

   Day Program: Arrive in Palermo and be warmly welcomed, then transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is left open for you to slow the pace after travel—either relax at the hotel or begin discovering Palermo on your own. If you choose to go out, the city’s atmosphere is best experienced simply by walking its streets and taking in the character of this historic Sicilian capital at your own rhythm. No scheduled activities today, just an easy landing into the destination. Accommodation (Hotel Options): Palermo — 4★ Plaza Opera / 4★ Hotel Villa Franca (or similar) Meals: ---

2. Day 2 · Palermo

   Day 2: Palermo (City Highlights – Small Group Tour)

   Day Program: Today, explore Palermo’s history and culture on a small group tour focused on the city’s most significant highlights. Walk through the city center and admire Palermo’s striking Baroque and Norman-Arab architecture as your route connects major landmarks. See Piazza Pretoria, famously known as the “Square of Shame,” featuring a remarkable marble fountain with nude statues. Continue to the Praetorian Palace, home to the Town Hall, and then visit the Royal Palace, including the Palatine Chapel, renowned for its golden mosaics. You will also see the Martorana Church and Palermo Cathedral, both showcasing an extraordinary blend of Muslim, Norman, and Christian influences. Along the way, enjoy a classic Sicilian taste with a cannolo or a refreshing granita. Accommodation (Hotel Options): Palermo — 4★ Plaza Opera / 4★ Hotel Villa Franca (or similar) Meals: Breakfast

3. Day 3 · Palermo

   Day 3: ERICE & MARSALA (SMALL GROUP EXPERIENCE)

   Day Program: Start the day early and meet at Piazza Verdi (no hotel pick-up). Travel to Erice, a medieval town perched on a hilltop, known for its narrow cobbled streets and long-standing spiritual associations dating back to ancient times. As you explore, you’ll notice why Erice is also celebrated for its pastry tradition—its marzipan and almond treats are a local specialty. Later, enjoy a light lunch at a Sicilian olive oil farmhouse, tasting local products and flavors. In the afternoon, drive along the Salt Road, where sea salt is still harvested using ancient Phoenician traditions. Continue to Marsala, a town famous worldwide for its wine, and visit a local winery for a tasting before returning to Palermo later in the afternoon. Accommodation (Hotel Options): Palermo — 4★ Plaza Opera / 4★ Hotel Villa Franca (or similar) Meals: Breakfast, Light Lunch

4. Day 4 · Palermo

   Day 4: Palermo (at Leisure)

   Day Program: Spend the day entirely at your own pace. You can choose to stroll through Palermo’s lively markets, admire its churches, or simply relax and enjoy the Sicilian lifestyle without a fixed schedule. Optional day tours are available for travelers who wish to explore further, but nothing is pre-set—today is designed for flexibility and personal preference. Accommodation (Hotel Options): Palermo — 4★ Plaza Opera / 4★ Hotel Villa Franca (or similar) Meals: Breakfast

5. Day 5 · Taormina

   Day 5: Palermo → Agrigento → Taormina (Private Transfer + Guided Valley of the Temples)

   Day Program: Depart Palermo with your driver and cross through the heart of Sicily toward Agrigento. On arrival, visit the legendary Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a two-hour walking tour of the ancient ruins. Your guided visit includes the Temples of Hera, Concordia, Hercules, and Zeus, with insight into Agrigento’s historical importance and its mythic founding story linked to Daedalus and Icarus, as well as its later flourishing as a center of art and philosophy. After the visit, continue east by private transfer to Taormina, a charming hilltop town overlooking the Ionian Sea, and settle in for the evening. Accommodation (Hotel Options): Taormina — 4★ Rivage (or similar) Meals: Breakfast

6. Day 6 · Taormina

   Day 6: TAORMINA (AT LEISURE)

   Day Program: Enjoy a full day at leisure to experience Taormina at your own pace. You may choose to spend time walking along Corso Umberto, take in the atmosphere of the town, and plan the day around what interests you most. If you’d like, you can include a visit to the ancient Greek Theatre, or simply slow down and enjoy the coastal setting in your own way. The day remains open, giving you complete freedom to shape it. Accommodation (Hotel Options): Taormina — 4★ Rivage (or similar)Meals: Breakfast

7. Day 7 · Taormina

   Day 7: Taormina (at Leisure)

   Day Program: A second full day is kept open for independent discovery. You can continue exploring Taormina at your own rhythm, revisit Corso Umberto, and spend relaxed time around the town’s viewpoints and streets. If you prefer a calmer day, you can dedicate time to unwinding and enjoying the beaches of Isola Bella, or simply focus on local cuisine in one of the town’s many cafes and restaurants. No scheduled services—today is intentionally flexible. Accommodation (Hotel Options): Taormina — 4★ Rivage (or similar) Meals: Breakfast

8. Day 8 · Taormina

   Day 8: Taormina → Catania Airport (Departure)

   Day Program: After breakfast, private transfer from your hotel to Catania Airport for your onward flight, concluding your Sicily journey. Accommodation: --- Meals: Breakfast