Mediterranean Pearl is an 8-day itinerary designed to discover the charm of Sicily, from Catania to Palermo. The tour takes you through spectacular natural landscapes, cities rich in history, and some of the island’s most important archaeological sites, with stops including Mount Etna, Taormina, Syracuse, Agrigento, Erice, and Cefalù. An experience that combines culture, traditions, authentic flavors, and breathtaking views, offering an unforgettable journey into the heart of the Mediterranean.
Arrival in Catania and transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Etna – Taormina – Half board at hotel. Excursion to Mount Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. We reach an altitude of 1,900 meters to enjoy the view of the extinct craters and Monti Silvestri. Option to take an excursion to the summit at 3,000 meters (with guide to be paid locally): the cable car will take you to 2,600 meters, from there 4×4 vehicles will take you to 3,000 meters to admire the still-active craters. In the afternoon, departure for a visit to Taormina with its ruins, whose colors contrast with the blue of the sky and sea.
Catania – Syracuse – Half board at hotel. Departure for Catania, visit to the historic center and fish market. Continue to Syracuse, the homeland of Archimedes. Visit to the famous Neapolis archaeological site, where you will see the Greek theater, Roman amphitheater, latomie of Paradise, and the Ear of Dionysius. In the afternoon, visit to Ortygia, the physical and spiritual heart of the city with a predominance of medieval buildings and some Baroque palaces and churches. Visit to the 7th-century cathedral that contains a Greek temple within. Visit to the Palace and Fountain of Arethusa.
Piazza Armerina – Agrigento – Breakfast at hotel. Departure for a visit to Piazza Armerina and the Villa del Casale, a fabulous villa with thirty rooms decorated with 3,500 square meters of mosaics. Continue to the Valley of the Temples with its fabulous ruins and almost intact temples. Arrival at hotel, check-in, dinner and overnight stay.
Selinunte – Erice – Breakfast and departure for a visit to the archaeological site of Selinunte. In the afternoon, visit to the small medieval village of Erice, about a hundred kilometers from Palermo. Here you will find Pepoli Castle and the Castle of Venus, which contains ruins dedicated to the goddess Venus Erycina. Arrival at hotel, check-in, dinner and overnight stay.
Cefalù – Palermo – Half board at hotel and departure for Castelbuono, a town founded by the Byzantines. Visit to the historic center with its numerous churches and the Ventimiglia Castle, tasting of local products. Arrival in Cefalù. Visit to the Cathedral and Duomo.
Palermo – Half board at hotel. City tour with panoramic bus tour of the center. Visit to a typical market, visit to the imposing cathedral, the Norman Palace, and the Palatine Chapel, which preserves sumptuous Byzantine mosaics, the oldest of which date back to the 12th century. Visit to Monreale. In the afternoon, visit to Mondello and Monte Pellegrino. Free time.
Departure – Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport. Departure
