Highlights
- Happy by day two or we'll bring you home with a full refund
- Guided tour of Agrigento’s ancient Greek ruins in the Valley of the Temples, one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites - entrance fees included
- Visit Palermo, Sicily’s capital with its gorgeous medieval and baroque centre, Italy’s finest outside of Rome
- Visit stunning Taormina, one of Italy’s most beautiful and stylish hilltop towns
- Guided tour of Piazza Armerina’s Roman villa, remarkably preserved with stunning frescoes and ancient mosaics - entrance fees included
- Enjoy authentic Sicilian food at a farmhouse
- Visit Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe
- Guided tour of Monreale Cathedral with the world’s finest medieval mosaics – entrance fees included
- Visit Siracusa, one of the ancient Greek empire’s richest cities and home of Archimedes
- Seven nights in 4-star accommodation inclusive of all local taxes, plus breakfast and dinner
- The Signature Tour option includes all of the above as well as:
- Experience Palermo’s vibrant markets, in the company of a knowledgeable local. Taste the delicious street food and discover the heritage of the flavours of Sicily
- Sample the unique wines of Mount Etna and enjoy traditional Sicilian hospitality and an unforgettable lunch amidst the glorious surroundings of an historic winery
- Relax and unwind with an aperitivo, whilst soaking up the spectacular views of Taormina
Inclusions
- The price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single and sea view rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
- Return flights
- Seven nights’ accommodation
- Daily breakfast, dinner and one light lunch at a rural restaurant
- All local taxes and transfers
- All tours as mentioned,
- Entrances to Valley of the Temples Villa at Piazza Armerina and Monreale
- The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
1
You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Catania. On arrival a coach will take us to the hotel, where we stay for three nights with breakfast and dinner. Depending on the date of departure you will stay at either the Kaos Hotel or the Hotel Baia di Ulisse.
2
This morning we visit what can truly be described as one of the wonders of the ancient world: the amazing Greek remains in the Valley of the Temples. There are six of them in total, situated largely on a ridge looking out to sea. Visible for miles and standing proud as they do, they must have made a statement of sheer absolute power and confidence to any passing mariner or shepherd, leaving none in doubt as to who were the masters. The best of them, Concordia, similar in design to the Parthenon in Athens, is almost perfectly preserved, with just the roof missing. With its wonderful tapering columns and beautiful light golden colour it is absolutely captivating. One can only wonder as to what was going through the builders’ minds thousands of years ago, toiling under a hot sun whilst creating a masterpiece. We enjoy a guided tour of the site and you may also visit the excellent museum, displaying finds from both the temples and surrounding area, including a unique collection of vases. We also visit Agrigento itself, awash with medieval atmosphere, swimming in tiny stepped streets and quiet shady piazzas overlooking the blue Mediterranean in the distance. We return to our hotel during the afternoon to relax.
3
Today we visit the north coast of the island and during our journey we will experience some wonderful scenery. A rugged wild landscape, scorched by the sun and remarkably empty of both man and beast. Firstly we visit the magnificent Benedictine Abbey at Monreale, founded in the 12th century. Still used today, it boasts outstanding medieval mosaics covering almost the entire interior, depicting stories from the Old Testament. If you can manage the steps to the roof you will have a superb panoramic view of Palermo below, the surrounding countryside and onwards to the sea. The cloisters are another highlight, surrounded by columns, no two of which are alike, almost Moorish in appearance. During the afternoon we visit Sicily’s capital, Palermo, which under Saracen and Norman rule became one of the most important cities in Europe, famous for the wealth of its court and as a great centre of learning. Today it has more of a 17th century appearance and during our visit we will pass the Norman Palace, a gorgeous former Royal residence, now the seat of the regional government and see the Cathedral dating from the 10th century. We return to our hotel for dinner. Signature Experience: Soak up the unique atmosphere of Palermo and embark on a food adventure through the city’s markets. Pass stalls laden with fresh fruit and vegetables and great trunks of tuna as we learn about the heritage and ingredients of some of Palermo’s most popular street food. Along the way sample typical delights such as arancini and sweet cannoli – simply delicious.
4
We leave Agrigento and take the drive to the small town of Piazza Armerina, where one of the most amazing archaeological discoveries of the last century was made: a 4th century Roman villa, possibly owned by one of the joint Emperors, which explains its size and richness of decoration. Buried for centuries, you can still see the remains of pastel-coloured frescoes on the walls, but the mosaics, showing animals and hunting scenes, are simply the finest we have from Roman antiquity. This palatial building, complete with its baths, illustrates with great clarity the evident high standard of living of the Roman elite. We have a guided tour of the villa before continuing our drive to Taormina. Taormina is one of the most beautiful towns on the island towering 250 metres above the sweeping coastline below, where we have a choice of three hotels in three different locations, staying for four nights with breakfast and dinner Neighbouring Taormina is Giardini Naxos, a charming typically Sicilian town with a seashore lined by seafood restaurants and fishing boats drawn up onto the beach and the beautiful family run fourstar Hotel Sant’Alphio Garden, situated just a few minutes’ walk from the sea itself. This hotel sits in a very picturesque spot with views of nearby Taormina and Mount Etna. In Taormina itself, you can choose the four-star Hotel Excelsior Palace, a classic building, over a hundred years old, which during its long history has welcomed guests as diverse as the King of Italy to Antonio Banderas! It is superbly situated on a promontory with panoramic views of the sea to one side and Mount Etna on the other, set in its own lush, extensive landscape gardens and yet centrally located in the old town. Finally, just eight kilometres north of Taormina, built in Sicilian style and set into the coastal cliff itself, overlooking the stunning Bay of Taormina, is the luxurious, four-star Hotel Baia Taormina. It is a member of ‘Charming Hotels – Independent Luxury Hotels of the World’ one of the world’s most stylish hotel chains. This superb hotel with its stone-faced walls, terracotta tiles and wide arches has a wonderful welcoming atmosphere. Outdoor pools are open summer months, weather permitting.
5
This morning we are free in Taormina, one of the smartest and most exclusive small towns in Italy – it has everything! Retaining much of its medieval charm, wonderfully situated on a high balcony, facing Etna and overlooking the sea, it is renowned for its beautiful gardens and charming atmosphere. Today, its main street is lined by smart, designer boutiques and exclusive jewellers, with the tiny side streets, some of which are so narrow you can touch both sides at once, leading to intimate piazzas, lined with atmospheric family-run restaurants. As you would expect in a country so famous for its cuisine, speciality food shops are everywhere, selling fresh pasta, olives, Sicilian wine and the local Marsala. Taormina’s greatest claim to fame is its amazing theatre, a legacy of the ancient Greeks and still in use today. Wonderfully preserved with its panoramic view of Etna in the background; to attend one of the occasional classical music concerts in this most special of venues must rank as one of life’s more pleasurable moments. This afternoon you are free to explore as you wish. Signature Experience: Quintessential to the Italian lifestyle, the aperitivo is the moment of the day to relax with a drink. We’ll do this in style with a delicious array of delicacies, whilst enjoying the sensational views over Taormina and the surrounding coastline.
6
Today we take the drive to Siracusa, once one of the richest and most beautiful cities in the ancient world, even rivalling Athens. Its most famous resident was Archimedes, that genius of a man who, whilst in the bath discovered the principle of displacement, ran through the streets naked, exclaiming “Eureka” (I’ve found it!) in a story that has entered folklore. Today the city is one of Sicily’s most attractive, a wonderful collection of limestone buildings, dating mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries. There is an extraordinary Baroque Cathedral incorporating an ancient temple, with a lovely interior, and just opposite is the Bosco Palace. The old port area is extremely attractive and very traditional, full of small fishing boats unloading their catch. You will be free to explore the old town at the eastern end of the city, called Ortygia; actually an island, connected to mainland by three bridges. You will have the option to take a boat trip around the bay before returning to the hotel.
7
Dominating eastern Sicily is Europe’s highest volcano, Etna, and this morning we take the drive to as near to the snow-capped summit as possible. Ascending the winding road, the landscape becomes increasingly eerie and alien, with razor sharp black rocks in contorted formations, and some areas devoid of almost all vegetation. As we near the cable car station itself you can enjoy extensive views over the whole area. Subject to certain regulations you will have the opportunity to take the cable car, jeep and guide to explore even higher levels. We return to our hotel during the afternoon. Signature Experience: End your morning with a tour and lunch at an historic winery on the fertile lower slopes of Mount Etna with breath-taking views over the lush vineyards. You’ll learn about the unique conditions that produce such interesting organic wines. A wonderful lunch will follow, and local dishes will be paired with a perfect selection of robust red and fragrant white wine.
8
At the appropriate time a coach will return us to the airport to take our return flight home after a very varied tour.
4* Hotel Sant' Alphio Garden - Giardini Naxos
Why choose the Hotel Sant’ Alphio Garden? This hotel was carefully selected by our team of experienced Product Managers for it’s ideal location by the seafront which is lined with quaint seafood restaurants and fishing boats drawn up onto the beach. About the hotel The Sant’ Alphio Garden Hotel has a host of fantastic facilities including a restaurant serving local and international cuisine, two bars, an outdoor pool surrounded by shady palm trees and beautiful bougainvillaea and even a poolside bar where you can relax and soak up the sun after a hard day’s sightseeing. The hotel also boasts a private beach just a short walk away and spa with indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and gym (available at extra cost). Rooms are modern, air-conditioned and equipped with private facilities, mini-bar, safe and all have a terrace or balcony affording views over the surrounding area. There is a varied buffet breakfast, and dinner offers a three course meal including starter, main and dessert. This hotel can cater for gluten free diets, just let us know in advance. Location Giardini Naxos is a charming typically Sicilian town on the sea with beautiful beach. The hotel sits in a very picturesque spot with amazing views of nearby Taormina and Mount Etna.
4* Albatros Hotel - Letojanni
The Albatros Hotel is located in the coastal town of Letojanni, just north of Taormina, with direct access to the promenade facing the Ionian Sea. Recently refurbished this hotel features a restaurant and a bar, whilst the air conditioned rooms are contemporary and neutrally decorated.
4* Hotel Excelsior Palace - Taormina
Why choose the Hotel Excelsior Palace? This hotel was carefully selected by our Product Managers as it is superbly situated on a promontory, with panoramic views of the sea to one side and Mount Etna to the other, set in its own lush, extensive landscape gardens, and yet centrally located in the old town. About the hotel Set in a classic building, over a hundred years old, which during its long history has welcomed guests as diverse as the King of Italy to Antonio Banderas! All rooms are air-conditioned and elegantly styled, in keeping with the rest of the hotel, and very tastefully decorated. The large swimming pool, set in the terraced gardens on the end of the promontory, enjoys the same breathtaking views as the hotel itself and has its own bar. The restaurant specialises in international favourites and Mediterranean cuisine. There is a buffet breakfast including pastries, fresh fruit, eggs and traditional Italian coffee. Offered at dinner is a three course meal consisting of a starter, main and dessert. Gluten free diets can be catered for, just let us know in advance. Location The hotel is located in the centre of Taormina on the main street, with delightful views of the Ionian Sea. There are plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants close by. The Greek Theatre and public gardens are easily accessible.
4* Hotel Baia Di Ulisse - Agrigento
Why choose the Baia di Ulisse? Our team of experienced Product Managers carefully selected this hotel due to its stunning coastal location and private beach. This stylish and tasteful hotel is lovingly cared for by its owner with his own antique furniture, fine paintings and exquisite ornaments displayed throughout. About the hotel Set beside a beautiful pine forest which runs down to the hotel’s private beach, San Leone, just a few miles from Agrigento. Dining at the hotel includes a varied breakfast and a three course dinner including dessert. The hotel can cater for gluten free diets, just let us know in advance. Location The town of Agrigento is a few miles away, and the peaceful San Leone beach is just a short walk from the hotel through a small pine forest.
4* Della Valle
The new Della Valle Hotel, under new ownership and now refurbished, is located near Agrigento's Valley of the Temples and offers an outdoor pool (open summer months, weather permitting), as well as a restaurant.