Taormina - Isola Bella

Full day excursion to the famous town of Taormina. Visit of its monuments and the Greek Theatre – one of the few examples and best preserved of Hellenistic theatre in the world and time for shopping along “Corso Umberto”.
We will then take traditional wooden boats out to the beach of Isola Bella and along the Ionian coast with its sea grottoes. Seafood lunch by the sea in a reputed “trattoria.”

After lunch we will be taken back on boat while giving a look to some grottoes along the coast. We also take in the extraordinary lava formations of the Alcantara river gorge at the base of Etna, where you can admire the amazing effect created by the contact of hot lave with cold water.
But Taormina also deserves a by night visit: sunset at the Greek-Roman theatre, shopping along Corso Umberto and dinner in a former Dominican convent which has been turned into a luxurious hotel with stunning views and excellent restaurant.
Travel Sicilia

Mount Etna

Meeting with  guides who are experts on Mount Etna, and depart for a trip up the most active volcano in Europe by off-road jeep, travelling past lava caves, and extinct craters into the eerie Valle del Bove, filled up by centuries of lava flows.
We also take in the extraordinary lava formations of the Alcantara river gorge at the base of Etna, where you can either simply visit the canyon, or, more adventurously, take a “Canyoning” experience** down the river rapids. Provided by neoprene suit, helmet and life jacket, to take part to this activity you need to be reasonable fit.
We will lunch on a variety of traditional local dishes, accompanied by an excellent Rosso dell’Etna wine.
Back to your Villa at sunset.
Except for winter months, we can also reach 2.900 mt. a.s.l. and come in touch with the main crater and the very deep essence of the volcano.
Travel Sicilia

Per chi invece non volesse proseguire nel pomeriggio con la visita del museo, è previsto un lunch in agriturismo de charme, con la possibilità di una cooking lesson pomeridiana
Travel Sicilia

Salt pants

Visita guidata della famosa cittadina di Erice, che sorge sulla vetta di un monte isolato a 750 mt dal mare, che domina la città di Trapani.
La cittadina è una meravigliosa sintesi di arte, storia e paesaggio, essa infatti conserva praticamente intatto il suo centro medievale, perfettamente integrato con la morfologia del monte ed armoniosamente fuso con la splendida natura circostante.
Innumerevoli i monumenti da visitare – più di sessanta chiese, il magnifico giardino del Balio, ed i 2 bellissimi castelli del Pepoli e di Venere, quest’ultimo costruito sui resti di un templio alla dea Venere.
Per colazione, suggeriamo gli assaggi di salato e dolce presso una rinomata gastronomia locale.
Subito dopo colazione, attraversando la magnifica via del sale, con le saline a perdita d’occhio sullo stagnone ed i suoi tipici mulini, si arriva all’imbarcadero storico da dove partono i battelli che collegano l’isoletta di Mothia, sede della fondazione Withaker, alla terraferma.
Pip Withaker, esponente di una delle più importanti famiglie di coloni inglesi in Sicilia, acquistò l’isola nel primi del sec. XX e ne fece il più importante centro di raccolta di reperti fenici, nonché la sede di un importantissimo museo ornitologico.

Per chi avesse la voglia di proseguire la giornata, lezione di cous-cous in un baglio( tipica costruzione siciliana) appartenente ad una famiglia dell’aristocrazia locale e cena in un’ammaliante atmosfera etnica
Travel Sicilia

Welcome to SICILY in COMPANY
or “how to explore Sicily in affordable luxury”.
A selection of tours specially designed for small groups of 10-14 individual travelers, created to give you an in-depth experience of particular aspects of Sicily, as you travel in affordable luxury.

Following you will find “A Taste of Sicily” on the east coast, a 8 days itinerary that will take place in
September 18-25 (registration for this tour must be by April 10th)
and

If interested, please ask us to receive booking form and condition.
Enjoy!

A Taste of Sicily – The East coast
2010 September 18-25
7 nights – 8 days
GROUP TOUR  MAX 14 pax

DAY 1) Independent arrival at Catania airport and transfer * by private car to Taormina. Accommodation in 5-star hotel and time to relax
-6pm- Aperitif with the tour leader, followed by welcome dinner.D
NOTE
*We can include transfer in\out  the airport  and a welcome by a hostess who will accompany you to the car. If interested, this will be organised as soon as we have flight details  and  party numbers.
DAY 2) Breakfast, followed by a walk around the town of Taormina, including its magnificent, and well-preserved Greco-Roman theatre, guided by an art history expert. We will then take traditional wooden boats out to the beach of Isola Bella and along the Ionian coast with its sea grottoes. Seafood lunch by the sea in a reputed “trattoria.”
-Afternoon: Return to Taormina with free time for shopping, relaxing and dinner.
Dinner (not included in price) at a restaurant of your choice (we can help you make your selection). B,L
NOTE
It is also possible, during the theatre season, to help you get tickets for a performance at the Greco-Roman theatre.

DAY 3) Meeting with  guides who are experts on Mount Etna, and depart for a trip up the most active volcano in Europe by off-road jeep, travelling past lava caves, and extinct craters into the eerie Valle del Bove, covered by centuries of lava flow.
We also take in the extraordinary lava formations of the Alcantara river gorge at the base of Etna, where you can either simply visit the canyon, or, more adventurously, take a “canyoning” experience down the river rapids.
We will lunch on a variety of traditional local disse, accompanied by an excellent Rosso dell’Etna wine.
Dinner of choice in a recommended restaurant. Back to your hotel at sunset. B,L
NOTE
**In order to take part in this activity you need to be reasonably fit. You  will be provided with a neoprene suit, helmet and life jacket.
Quotation on request.

DAY 4) We leave Taormina for the province of Siracusa, visiting the city of Catania en route, where a local guide will accompany us on a walk through its fascinating Baroque centre, and bustling fish market.
Trattoria lunch.

After lunch, we continue into the countryside of Siracusa, where we stay in a beautiful 18th-century “baglio” (manor house) belonging to a local noble family who, as well as offering hospitality to guests from around the world, raise horses of Olympic standard.
Surrounded by magnificent countryside, and with a typical ‘Italian’ garden, we stay here for 4 nights.
Welcome dinner of typical local dishes prepared by the owner. B,L,D

DAY 5) After breakfast we leave for the legendary city of Siracusa. Guided tour of the archaeological site and of the historic centre on the delightful island of Ortygia, connected by a bridge to the mainland.
Right on the Piazza del Duomo in the core of Ortygia is an outstanding 18th-century palace, where we are invited for brunch and a tasting of wines produced by the owners. The ‘padrone’ called by the New York Times ‘the last Leopard’ after Lampedusa’s famous novel, will show us his private collection of ancient prints before hosting the wine-tasting.
We return to the villa in the late afternoonm for a cooking lesson “Pizza e altro” with a chef, and for dinner we will eat the pizzas we have made!
B,L,D

DAY 6) – ore 9:00 We head to the zone of Ragusa to the Institute of Culinary Art, where we get the chance to actively help in the production of the famous local cheeses, as well as to taste local wines and cheeses, and to take part in a cooking course on Sicilian cuisine.
In the afternoon, we visit the historic towns of Ibla and Modica, making time in the latter to sample the famous local chocolate, made according to an ancient Aztec method imported by the Spanish.
Return to the villa and dinner. B,L,D

DAY 7) We go to the famous Baroque city of Noto, known as the ‘garden of stone’ and listed, along with other nearby Baroque towns and cities, as a UNESCO World Heritage site. An art expert will guide us around its myriad treasures, but there will be time too to taste the unique toasted almond “granite” and other delicious iced desserts or typical local stuffed pizza.
Back to the villa for a farewell dinner. B,L,D

DAY Transfer to Catania’s  airport for departure.

NOTE:
- Transfer to airport is not included and can be booked throughout Travel   Sicilia
-A packed lunch will be provided based on the time of departure.
-Please inform us of any dietary requirements, allergies or food intolerances in advance
B= breakfast  L =lunch  D= dinner (meals included)

PRICES

September 18-25: Price per person in double room € 1880,00
Single supplement € 93,00 per day
Registration for this tour must be by February 10th

The price includes:
•    Mini bus  Mercedes Sprinter 2007  16 seats,  fuel, parking, tolls.
•    Tour leader throughout (excluding the day on Etna)
•    3 nights double room in 5* hotel
•    4 nights  in a double room in a private 5* residence
•    Aperitif and welcome dinner in hotel.
•    6 visits with local guides (Taormina, Catania, Siracusa, Modica,Ibla and Noto)
•    1 excursion in boat and lunch on Isola Bella.
•    1 excursion in Jeep on Mount Etna with lunch in an agriturismo.
•    1 visit, light meal and wine tasting in a historic palazzo in Siracusa.
•    1 cooking- and cheese twisting- lesson, and tasting at Ragusa.
•    1 lunch in a Trattoria
•    1 tasting of local specialities
•    1 cooking lesson ‘pizza e altro’ with chef, including dinner
•    Medical insurance
•    Agency fees and VAT

Price does not include:
•    Flights
•    Transfer to and from Catania airport
•    Meals when  not specified and extra drinks
•    And  anything else not mentioned as inclusive. (B,L,D).

2.    After breakfast, meet your guide  for a walking  visit of the old Historical fresh fruit and food market, one of  the biggest and oldest in Europe. For lunch, we will suggest to have a taste of “popular street food” in a charming “friggitoria”!
In the afternoon, visit of the Botanical Garden and the harbor quarter with its “Piazza marina”
Dinner on your own in local fresh fish restaurant personally selected by Travel Sicilia.

3.    Meet your guide and drive to the medieval town of Erice. Snack on your own tasting typical local delicatessen.
Drive to Marsala to visit  the amazing salt pans and the tiny island of Mothia – At sunset, arrival to Bonagia and cous-cous lesson in noble family  historical summer  mansion where the owner will introduce you to the secret of this old Arab recipe. At the end of the lesson and the dinner, visit to their wine cellar.

4.    Free morning at leisure and shopping – Lunch  on your own in a suggested restaurant. At 03.30 meet your guide for a walking tour to discover more about Palermo – Aperitif and dinner in a charming  Cultural Centre and restaurant  that take place in an historical building  recently restored.
Visit to the Spasimo and its garden in a fascinating atmosphere.

5 Meet your guide  and visit to San Giovanni degli Eremiti Church and its   magnificent cloister  and to the Cappella Palatina . Lunch on your own. After lunch, drive to  Monreale  to discover the magnificent Norman Arab cathedral decorated with golden moisaics.
Aperitif in a suggestive and important “Palazzo” of Palermo, considered one of the most impressive in Sicily, where the famous scenes of the movie “the Leopard” where shut.
Dinner on your own in a suggested restaurant .

Options:  According to the Opera House calendar or the Sicilian Puppet Theatre, it would be interesting to assist to one of those events.

6 Drive to Segesta to admire one of the best preserved Greek Temple in the world. Lunch in a very charming  farm house belonging to an old aristocratic family.
The origins of this family can be traced back to the XIII century.
The present owner attends to grape-growing in his vineyards extending over about 100 hectares.
Surrounded by green hills entirely cultivated, you will have a genuine lunch and wine tasting of the
farm wines and oil and again you will come in touch with the famous Sicilian welcoming.
Back to hotel – dinner  on your own in a suggested restaurant .

7 Meet you guide  to complete your tour of Palermo – Visit to Villa Niscemi and the Chinese Palace, an “exotic folly” built for the pleasure of the Borbon King. –  Lunch at Mondello’s local restaurant right  on the beach.  Back to hotel and time for leisure.
Farewell dinner in a historical “Palazzo” of the 19th century surrounded by rich collections of precious objects and important  furniture.

8    Transfer to Palermo’s airport

This tour has been quoted on the basis of  8 participants.

Price per person € 2.400,00  includes:

•    Private transfer from\to airport
•    7 night accommodation in Hotel 4 stars in B&B
•    English speaking Driver&Escort
•    Bus 8 seats for whole period
•    Gasoline, tolls and parking included
•    7 nights Hotel**** accommodation in b&b
•    2 dinner in historic house
•    1 dinner in restaurant in town
•    1 lunch in restaurant
•    1 lunch & wine tasting  in Farm house
•    1 visit & drink in historical private Mansion in Palermo
•    1 cous cous cooking lesson & dinner
•    4 full day guided tours
•    2 half day guided tours
•    VAT
•    Agency fee

This itinerary is subject to variations depending on opening times, weather conditions and other events.

Price is calculated on the basis of 8 persons; for less or more participants it will be recalculated.

Price does not include: entrance tickets, free meals and whatever not mentioned in “price includes”

The programmes which we offer are exclusive and attempt to include, apart from the better known Sicilian locations, also elements which lead to a better understanding of the thousands of years of history which have passed over this island.
Obviously we are ready to consider all types of programmes, keeping in mind that our aim is to create “ad hoc” itineraries and always to offer something different with particular attention to the quality of the service.

2) Meet your  D&E for a guided visit to the treasures of Taormina. We could allow you to visit the sets of the famous movie “The Godfather” and then reach by boat a charming little restaurant right on the sea in front the “Isola Bella” where fresh fish meals will be served.
Afternoon at leisure
Dinner on Your own – We will be pleased to show you our personally selected list of restaurants.

3) Today will be entirely dedicated to visit the highest and active volcano in Europe: Mount Etna.
Meet your expert guide at your hotel and departure  by Jeep 4WD for a full day excursion that will take you to explore the volcano in its caves and around old extinct craters. You will admire both grotesque and fascinating  landscapes and taste a large variety of local seasonal products like Etna’s  red wines and excellent meats and cheeses.
Back to your hotel at sunset
Dinner in Hotel

4)Meet your D&E  and transfer to Brucoli, nearby Siracusa. Along the way we will visit the black lava baroque town of Catania  and we will be guests for lunch in one of the most beautiful historical private palace of the town.
After lunch we will soon reach your next accommodation in an elegant exclusive private dwelling of the 18th century recently restored.
Surrounded by an immense farm and a marvelous Italian style garden, this property host a horse breeding of excellent descend.
Welcome dinner at the Villa with family traditional and excellent meals.

5) Today we will visit the mythological town of Siracusa, its astonishing beauty archaeological site and the historical centre “Ortigia”.
In Ortigia we will also meet for lunch the charming owner of the most important palace in town.
The New York Times described him as “…the last Leopard…” as in the famous novel of T.Lampedusa. We will be welcome at the first floor of his house to admire import private collection and then in the cellar where he will let us taste the best of its own wine productions and local seasonal light meal.
OPTION:
According to the period of the year we could have the exiting experience of floating on the Ciane river and have a brunch served while admiring the lush green vegetation of papyrus.
D.O.C wines and a taste of typical summer food will be served.
Back to your Villa, where previously agreed dinner will be served.

6) This area is known as Val di Noto or Baroque Valley so today we will visit the area of Ragusa where, besides the amazing architecture, we will experience a taste lab and learn how to combine local d.o.c wines with local d.o.p cheeses. If interested, after the lab we can propose a cooking class with lunch at the end of the lesson. (to be agreed and quoted)
In the afternoon visit to the  town of Ragusa Ibla, declared  in 2002 world heritage from UNESCO.
Exclusively for us, the doors of the Cathedral of St.George and of minor churches normally closed to visitors will be opened so we will enter the secrets of this real  reserved town.
Back to your villa at sunset and dinner.

7) Morning guided visit of the famous town of Noto, also known as the Stone Garden for the precious carved white stones that decorates buildings and churches. Walking along the main road we cannot miss our last taste of Sicily, the refreshening almond “Granita” (slush).
Back to your villa and transfer to the airport to depart.

Price per person calculated on the basis of 8 persons since € 2.650,00

Price includes:

•    Mini bus  Mercedes Sprinter 2007  16 seats and  English speaking Driver&Escort  for the whole tour.
•    3 night accommodation hotel 5 stars (double del luxe room)
•    Welcome dinner in 16th century monastery
•    Half day  guided visit of Taormina and lunch on the sea shore, boat shuttle service.
•    Full day excursion to Mt.Etna and lunch in farm house
•    3 night in exclusive private Villa + 3 dinner included. (double room de luxe)
•    Lunch in private noble historical mansion in Catania
•    Half day guided tour of Siracusa and brunch+wine tasting in private noble dwelling
•    Taste lab and visit of Ragusa Ibla.
•    Half day guided visit of Noto
•    Transfer in\out the airport.
•    Full insurance cover during transportation
•    Agency fees and VAT
Price does not include:
•    Tickets to museums and archaeological sites(free over 65 years) and what is not mentioned as “price include”
•    Meals where not specified.

The programmes which we offer are exclusive and attempt to include, apart from the better known Sicilian locations, also elements which lead to a better understanding of the thousands of years of history which have passed over this island.
Obviously we are ready to consider all types of programmes, keeping in mind that our aim is to create “ad hoc” itineraries and always to offer something different with particular attention to the quality of the service.

Teatro Massimo - Palermo

Program:

Day 1st
Arriving at Palermo and meeting with your English speaking Driver&Guide  who will follow you for the whole tour. The program on your first day will be arranged according to the time of your arrival.
Overnight at your accommodation. (4 or 5 stars hotel, charming B&B)
Dinner on your own. We would be pleased to suggest a list of restaurants personally selected.

Day 2nd
Full day guided tour of Palermo.
Walking tour of the centre and its main historical buildings and visit of the food street market, one of the oldest of the Mediterranean area.
For lunch we would suggest to have a taste  of “street food” served in an old and charming “Friggitoria” (deep fried house)
According to the Opera House calendar or the Sicilian Puppet Theatre, it would be interesting to assist to one of those events. Dinner on your own in a suggested restaurant

Option to Day 2nd:

A full day experience with an exceptional “guide and chef for passion” who will lead  you around the heart of the town and to the old food market where, according to the menù of her cookery class, you will buy the ingredients necessary for your exercise. Then you will all move to her mansion,  one of the most beautiful historical “Palazzo” in town, where the lesson and the dinner  will be held.
For lunch you could have a light lunch together or move to your hotel and be back to Palazzo  at about 4 pm.
This option will cost  extra € 195 per person

Day 3rd
8.30 am. Meet your guide and drive to Monreale to visit its astonishing Norman Cathedral.
Lunch in a very charming  farm house belonging to an old aristocratic family just few km away from Monreale.
The origins of this aristocratic family can be traced back to the XIII century.
The present owner attends to grape-growing in his vineyards extending over about 100 hectares.
Surrounded by green hills entirely cultivated, you will have a genuine lunch and wine tasting of the
farm wines and oil and again you will come in touch with the famous Sicilian welcoming.

After lunch, drive to Segesta to visit one of the most beautiful Greek archaeological site and back to your hotel.
Dinner on your own.

Day 4th
Transfer to the east coast of the Island.
On the way to Brucoli, in the area of the worldwide famous town of Siracusa, visit to the Roman Villa del Casale in Piazza Armerina. Entirely restored, the site offers to the visitors the view on hundreds of square meters of precious mosaics
For lunch we will stop in an ancient “baglio”. It is a fortified farm of the XVII century, typical example of old Sicilian latifundium with its perfectly maintained architectural structure.
Here you will enjoy old traditional tastes thanks to the “cooking of the monsù” (the home chef).
After lunch we will drive to reach your next accommodation in an elegant exclusive private dwelling of the 18th century recently restored.
Surrounded by an immense farm and a marvelous Italian style garden, this property host a horse breeding of excellent descend.
Welcome dinner at the Villa with family traditional and excellent meals.

Day 5th
Free time in the morning to enjoy your residence.
At tea time, visit to a famous garden of an old Princess who will be pleased to open her Villa and to take you around the magnificent garden she personally created during the years.
Drive to Caltagirone. Dinner in “Trattoria” and night visit of this special little town famous for its pottery.
Day 6th
Departure by 9.00 am. to Siracusa and visit of Ortigia, the historical centre and heart of the town.
For lunch we will enjoy  the aristocratic charm of a Private 18th century Mansion  in the main square of Ortigia. To meet the owner (according to his availability) will be an unforgettable experience. Visit of the noble floor and its interesting collections.  Brunch and wine tasting of his wines production will be served in the elegant cellar of the building.
After lunch, drive to Noto, declared in 2002 World Heritage site, and famous as “the stone garden” due to the amazing carved stones that decorates churches and important buildings.
Back to your Villa by 7 pm. and dinner.

Day 7th
Full day excursion to Mount Etna.
Pick up at your villa at 8.30 am. A bus will drive you to Catania centre where you will meet your expert guide and departure with Land Rover 110 (8 pax per car. But if you prefer we can quote this experience with 2 cars to be more confortable)
You will visit the “Bove valley” and properly equipped by the organization descending the  “Thieves Cave” (for all) a 50 mt. tunnel just few meters above the ground level, then walking along the estinguished craters of “Mounts Sartorius” from where you will admire the incredible landscape of the last eruption 2002\3.
Tour will continue to the “Alcantara river gorges”, natural border between Catania and Messina territories.
At the end (or before) of the excursion at the gorges, lunch in a local farmhouse where typical Sicilian   food will be served.
Return to your villa by 7 p.m. and dinner.
Day 8
Transfer to Catania airport. End of our services.

Price per person calculated on the basis of 8 pax since € 1.830,00
Price includes:
•    Mini bus  Mercedes Sprinter 2007  16 seats and  English speaking Driver&Guide for the whole tour
•    Gasoline, toll, full board for the driver and parking
•    3 night accommodation in B&B de charme (double rooms)
•    Lunch and wine tasting  in Farm house nearby Monreale
•    4 night accommodation in private Villa in Brucoli (Siracusa) 4 double rooms half boarded.
•    Brunch and wine tasting in Private noble mansion Siracusa
•    Lunch in Private dwelling nearby Piazza Armerina
•    Visit and refreshment at Princess Garden
•    Dinner in local restaurant at Caltagirone.
•    Full day excursion to mt. Etna including lunch in farm house
•    Transfer in\out the airport
•    Full insurance cover during transportation
•    Agency fees and VAT

Price does not include:
•    Tickets to museums and archaeological sites(free over 65 years) and what is not mentioned as “price include”
•    Meals where not specified.

The programmes which we offer are exclusive and attempt to include, apart from the better known Sicilian locations, also elements which lead to a better understanding of the thousands of years of history which have passed over this island.
Obviously we are ready to consider all types of programmes, keeping in mind that our aim is to create “ad hoc” itineraries and always to offer something different with particular attention to the quality of the service.

“ Sicily has a history and outlook derived not from its modern parent but from its erstwhile foreign rulers from the Greeks who first settled the east coast in the eighth century BC, through a dazzling array of Romans, Arabs, Normans, French and Spanish, to the Bourbons seen off by Garibaldi in 1860. Substantial relics of these ages remain temples, theatres and churches scattered about the whole island. But there are other, more immediate hints of Sicily’s unique past. A hybrid Sicilian language, for a start, is still widely spoken in the countryside; the food is noticeably different, spicier and with more emphasis on fish and vegetables; even the flora echoes the change of temperament– oranges, lemons, olives, prickly pear cacti and palms are ubiquitous. Add to this some tremendous beaches and a dozen or so fascinating offshore islands, and you have enough to keep you busy for a lifetime, let alone a holiday…

Travel Sicilia is the best reference point for an exclusive tour, to visit the beauties of Sicily.

We organize 4 or 5 star tailor made tours aiming to fulfil your requests and wishes, guaranteeing professional advices and top services, from the very beginning – planning – up to the very last moment – departure.

The itineraries you find published in our web site are just ideas and suggestions, a starting point for your tour building. Tailoring and flexibility are our key words!

Tailor made tours: ideas and traces to plan together your tour in Sicily

Hotel booking: these are just some of the many hotels, B&Bs and holiday farms we can propose you

Proposed packages: private tours and tour for groups with prices

Tailor made tours: ideas and proposals to discover the many and interesting aspects of Sicily – art, history, culture, archaeology and old traditions – a good number of itineraries that can be changed and enriched at your best convenience.

Travel Sicilia offers its professional staff, its accurate knowledge of the area and exclusive top services, such as:

* boat trips
* helicopter tours
* Italian and Sicilian cooking classes
* exclusive meals in old historical mansions
* specialized guides and tour leaders
* hiking
* workshop to discover the old Sicilian traditions

Hotel Booking: some of the best hotels, B&Bs, farm houses and apartments that Travel Sicilia has carefully selected to guarantee a wonderful stay to our travellers visiting Sicily. Please not that this is jus a selection and we can find good and charming accommodations anywhere you want to go.

Specialty Tours: Ideas and proposals for those who have specific interests. Also these tours can be modified and enriched according to your wishes and requests, in order to make a perfect holiday.

Proposed Packages: These tours can be taken just the way they are, or can be modified according to numbers of travellers, specific requests or different kind of accommodations. Prices can vary according to booking time and itinerary requested.