Every day

PALERMO MONREALE walking tour

Half day excursion in Palermo from 08.30 am to 130 pm. On request it can be extended for the whole day
Price Euro 75 per person (half day). Euro 150 per person (full day).
Lunch Euro 20 per person Admission fees not included. Minimum 2 participants

Visit the monuments which have made the capital of Sicily famous throughout the world. Located within walking distance of each other, the Quattro Canti ("four corners", the Pretoria Fountain, better known as the "fountain of shame", the Norman Cathedral and the Royal Palace adorn the historic center of Palermo. Then, we drive by minibus to Monreale, medieval town known for its Arab-Norman cathedral built in the twelfth century. The mosaics which adorn the interior of the cathedral with biblical scenes and the area covered by them, make it second only to the majestic Cathedral of Santa Sofia in Istanbul. Worth visiting the adjoining Benedictine cloister of the same period. 

Return to hotel for 13:00 approx. (end of the half day excursion)

On request lunch in a restaurant in the heart of Palermo 

Optional extension: After lunch, visit the Catacombs of the Capuchins, where in a maze of corridors are held about 8,000 bodies, embalmed and more or less well preserved, dating from the XVII, XVIII and XIX century. Then, we go up to Monte Pellegrino to visit the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia, patron saint of Palermo, built in the grotto where the legend tells that the Saint lived and died in the twelfth century. From the lookout, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Conca d'Oro and views of "the most beautiful promontory in the world" (Goethe). 

Return to the hotel at about 630pm  

Monday to Friday

COOKING LESSONS

Full day excursion from Palermo. Approx from 09:00am to 4pm
Price Euro 70 per person inclusive of lunch and drinks. Minimum 6 participants

9:00 We walk to one of the most colorful historical markets of Palermo: "The capo market". Immersed in an explosion of vegetables and fruit , we will purchase the necessary ingredients for the preparation of our lunch. The menu will vary with the changing seasons and therefore will always be different! Then, departure for the charming farmhouse, not far from Palermo, where the chef will be waiting for the short "hands-on" cooking lesson. You'll work together in a fun "rural" atmosphere and cook your own lunch. At the end of the lesson you'll be given a book of typical Sicilian cuisine and a certificate of participation.

Return to the hotel at 16:00 approx.

MARSALA - SELINUNTE

Tuesday  

MT ETNA AND TAORMINA

Full day excursion from palermo from approx 6:30am to 730pm
Price Euro 80 per person.
Lunch Euro 20 per person.
Admission fees not included.
Minimum 6 participants.

6:30 a.m. Departure from Palermo. During the journey of two and a half hours through the interior parts of Sicily you can admire the wonderful scenery of Madonie and Erei Mountains and the breathtaking view of Enna, the highest provincial capital of Italy located at 1000m asl 
Mount Etna, with its 3340m / 12,000 feet above sea level, is the highest active volcano and the largest in Europe. We'll drive up the southern side until you reach Rifugio Sapienza at 1926m / 5906 feet. stroll through the spectacular lunar landscape of the Silvestri Craters formed in 1892. 
Optional lunch in a restaurant with panoramic view. Drinks included
After lunch, we reach the town of Taormina, which is situated on a plateau on the Monte Tauro, dominating the Ionian coast. A pleasant walk will allow us to visit the beautiful Greek theater, Palazzo Corvaja (seat of the first Sicilian parliament in 1411) and then, continuing along the Corso Umberto reach the lovely Belvedere, Leisure time for shopping 

Return to the hotel at 19:30 approx.

Wednesday

CEFALU' AND SANTO STEFANO DI CAMASTRA   

Half day excursion from Palermo from approx 8am to 13pm
Price Euro 50 per person.
Admission fees not included.
Minimum 6 participants.

Starting at 8:00. After about an hour we reach the city of Cefalù, located in the shadow of the castle-shaped head (Rocca), which gives its name to the city. We walk through "Porta Terra" one of the ancient city gates. Adjacent to it is the baroque church of Santa Maria della Catena, which incorporates part of the ancient walls. Continuing to walk through the narrow medieval streets we meet l 'Osterio Grande", fortified building probably of Norman origin, which appears to have been the residence of King Roger. From here we reach Piazza Duomo, where, overlooking the whole town, stands the imposing Norman cathedral. Beautiful mosaics decorating the inside, your eyes are immediately attracted by the majestic image of Christ Pantocrator, one of the most spectacular examples of Byzantine mosaics in Sicily. Then, in "Via Vittorio" we will see the "medieval washhouse" carved into solid rock. Departure for S. Stefano di Camastra, after about half an hour. we get to the village famous worldwide for its art of pottery, tradition handed down by local artisans from the XV century. Leisure time for visiting and for shopping.

Back to the hotel at about 1pm

AGRIGENTO - PIAZZA ARMERINA

Full day excursion from Palermo from approx 830am to 630pm
Price Euro 80 per person. Lunch Euro 20
Admission fees not included.
Minimum 6 participants.

Departure around 8.30. After a journey of about two hours through the valley of the Platani river we arrive in Agrigento, Here we visit the Valley of the Temples and admire one after another, the temples of Juno, of Concord and Hercules built during the fifth century BC and declared World Heritage by UNESCO.
Optional lunch in a restaurant with panoramic view on the temple of Concordia. 
After lunch in just one hour, we reach the famous Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina, one of the most important archaeological sites of Roman times. The almost 3500 square meters of polychrome mosaic covering the floor of the Villa, almost intact, have earned the Roman residence registration in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among others admire the corridor of the great hunt, the famous room of girls in bikini and erotic scene. 

Return to the hotel at approx. 630 pm

PALERMO BY NIGHT

Evening tour. Approx from 10pm to 12 pm 

After dinner driving tour that will allow you to admire the main monuments of Palermo lit up. . Return to the hotel around midnight 

Friday

Marineo, Ficuzza (Corleone) Piana degli Albanesi

9:00 a.m. Departure from Palermo. After about an hour we arrive at Marineo, charming mountain village near Palermo. Pleasant walk iup to the castle from XIV century located in a strategic position and overlooking the valley,

Lunch in a typical Sicilian farmhouse (with drinks included) a few km from Marineo. Opportunity to ride on horseback. 

After lunch we reach the famous nature reserve of Ficuzza in territory of Corleone, where you can admire the old hunting residence of the Bourbons kings . Then, we continue to Piana degli Albanesi famous for its community of Albanian descent. See the lak. take a walk in the town and taste the famous cannoli with ricotta. Do not forget your camera! 

Return to the hotel around 5.00 pm

BAGHERIA AND CACCAMO

half day excursion from palermo from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Price Euro 50 per person inclusive of lunch and drinks
Minimum 6 participants.

8:30 am departure from your hotel for a pleasant tour to discover some of the most beautiful parts of the province of Palermo. In just 20 minutes we get o the beautiful 18th c. villas of Bagheria, birthplace of the famous painter Renato Guttuso. We continue our trip to Caccamo, known for its castle,

Return to the hotel to 13:30 approx. 

SEGESTA, ERICE AND TRAPANI

Full day excursion from Palermo from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm
Price Euro 60 per person
Lunch: Euro 20 per person
Minimum 6 participants.

Departure from Palermo at about 8:30 am. After a journey of about an hour and a half, you will arrive at the ancient city of Segesta, built strategically on a high floor probably between the fifth and fourth centuries BC Here you can visit the theater quite well preserved and the magnificent Doric temple of the fifth century. a.C 
After about 40 minutes, it will lead to the salt pans of Trapani, now a nature reserve. The landscape is characterized by pink mirrors of water, separated by small strips of land and dominated by windmills. 
You then go up to Monte San Giuliano to reach the medieval town of Erice. You enter through the Porta Trapani, one of three gates that still exist and you will admire the nearby church and the fourteenth-century bell tower. A walk through the winding "vanedde" (streets) of Erice is a unique experience that will lead you to the Norman Castle, also called the Castle of Venus because it built on the site of the ancient temple of Venus, which offers a splendid view over Trapani, the western coast and islands Egadi. 

On request lunch in a restaurant in the heart of Erice 

Back to the hotel around 18:30