Today, you will have a driver solely for the transfer from Palermo airport to your booked hotel in Palermo.

Punta Raisi - Transfer from Palermo airport to your hotel in Palermo. It is recommended to choose a hotel in the city center, as it offers more opportunities for shopping and dining at one of the many traditional Sicilian restaurants. The travel time from the airport to the center of Palermo is approximately 45 minutes.

Guided Tour of Palermo with a Local Guide

Chiesa Inferiore - On the second day, enjoy a morning guided tour of Palermo. Meet at the hotel reception at 10:00 am with a local specialized guide. The walking tour will begin at Palazzo dei Normanni, exploring its historical urban development. Along the ancient Cassaro axis, discover traces of the Phoenician settlement, the Cathedral, the hybrid styles of the San Cataldo and Martorana churches, and the artistic masterpieces from the Spanish rule. The tour continues to the famous Opera House Teatro Massimo, showcasing both 19th-century urban renovation and the new era of hope known as the Spring of Palermo, marked by its reopening in 1997. The tour will proceed through the narrow streets of ancient Arabic city markets like “Capo.” At 1:00 pm, the tour guide will bid farewell, offering advice for your free lunch and other sites to visit, such as the Mafia Museum.

Cattedrale di Palermo - The Cathedral of Palermo was founded by Gualtiero Offamilio, the town’s archbishop from 1169 to 1190. Originally a mosque during Islamic times, it was converted into a cathedral by Roberto the Guiscardo after Palermo’s conquest. Its unique features include inlays and architectural and sculptural elements that reflect the influence of Romanesque art and early Gothic decorative styles in Sicily, expanding the Arab-Norman syncretism with new elements in a unique and diverse composition and exhibition of Mediterranean arts.

The building underwent a late-18th-century renovation based on a project by Ferdinando Fuga. This period saw the creation of the Norman-Swabian royal and imperial sarcophagi in the first two chapels of the right aisle, preserving the remains of Roger II and his daughter Constance, Emperor Henry VI, Frederick II, and his wife Costanza D’Aragona.

Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (La Martorana) - The contrast of blue skies with the dark grey habits of the monks creates a striking coloristic effect. The traveler and merchant Ibn Jubayr remarked in 1185 that the “Church of the Ammiraglio is one of the most magnificent Christian monuments, beyond words to describe, surrounded by silence as it is the most beautiful monument in the world.” He was deeply impressed by the gold and colors of the mosaics.

The mosaic cycle, covering the vaults and arches of the original Byzantine church’s Greek cross, is among the world’s most significant. It culminates naturally in the dome, featuring the full-length enthroned figure of Christ Pantocrator, making a blessing gesture with his right hand and holding the Gospel in his left. The Earth is depicted as a stool beneath his feet.

Church of St. Cataldo - Patricolo’s 1882 renovation work unfortunately demolished the palace, isolating the small church. It has been open to the public for only a century, previously reserved for the Knights of Jerusalem’s ceremonies. The heavily restored exterior is a rectangular structure of tufa blocks with three blind arches containing single-lancet windows on each façade. The central apse slightly protrudes on the eastern side, topped by a finely carved cornice. A narrower rectangular drum runs along the entire roof length, with three windows on each long side and one on the short sides, topped by three cupolas, now a symbol of Palermo. Originally faced with opus signinum, they are now painted red. The archdiocese has entrusted the church to the Palermo section of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Capo Street Market - The aromas, attractions, and merchants make this place a must-visit. It is bustling and challenging to navigate, but enjoyable.

Hotel Pickup at 09:00 am for a Visit to Segesta, Erice, and Mozia Saltpans and Windmills

Tempio di Segesta - Depart Palermo at 09:00 am, arriving in Segesta at 10:30 am. Segesta, one of the three cities founded by the Elymians, whose origins, according to myth, trace back to the Trojans. Mostly integrated with Greek culture in its architecture, the city flourished during Classical times, later becoming a Muslim community site and then a Norman stronghold. Here, admire a majestic Doric temple set amidst stunning scenery of rocks and vineyards, then reach the Acropolis, where a charming ancient theater still stands. Enjoy a breathtaking view of the temple below and the surrounding landscape. A short walk leads to the remains of the first Muslim mosques in Sicily and a Medieval fortress.

Erice - Erice, an ancient fortified settlement enclosed by massive city walls of Phoenician origin. Its strategic position, highlighted by monumental city gates, brought wealth and prestige over the centuries, as evidenced by numerous Norman architectural remains. Aragon and Spanish influences permeate the narrow alleys of the urban layout. Stroll through the shady streets, savoring delicious local pastries following monastic traditions, and enjoy a stunning view of the beautiful maritime landscape below. The driver will take you to the highest part of Erice, to the Castello di Venere, providing a paper guide of the village. The meeting point is Porta Trapani, near the Cathedral, making it easier to visit downhill.

Mozia - Visit Mozia, located in the middle of a lagoon archipelago. Founded by the Phoenicians at the end of the 8th century BC, the ancient prosperous city thrived on its craft activities until sacked by Dionysius, tyrant of Syracuse, in 397 BC. The landscape around Mozia is characterized by the historical use of saltpans and windmills over the centuries. Bathed in the soft hues of sunset, this magical scenery will leave you enchanted. Return to your hotel in Palermo, with the journey taking 2 hours.

Hotel Pickup at 09:00 am for Transfer to Taormina with a Visit to Piazza Armerina Villa Romana of Casale

Villa Romana del Casale - Pickup at 09:00 am, arriving in Piazza Armerina at 11:00 am. Villa Romana of Casale, originally owned by a powerful Roman family, dates back to the 4th Century A.D. This majestic Imperial villa, located in the Province of Enna (perhaps the most “Roman” place on the Island), is a magnificent rural abode, renowned for its captivating mosaics, considered the most beautiful and best-preserved of their kind. These precise yet moving images are a significant adornment to the remains of this extravagant residence, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Depart from Piazza Armerina, take a lunch break, and in 30 minutes, arrive at a cellar with a restaurant. The driver can make a reservation, but prior communication is necessary. Arrive in Taormina before 5:00 pm, marking the end of the driver’s service for the day. A tour guide is recommended for this visit, available for an additional cost of €120.00.

Taormina - End of service at your hotel in Taormina at 5:30 pm. It is recommended to book a hotel by the sea to enjoy unique atmospheres. Many are unaware that Taormina is not directly on the sea, but it can be reached by car or funicular in 10 minutes. The most picturesque hotels by the sea below Taormina are located in the village of Mazzarò, with the best reviews for these hotels: Voi Grand Hotel Atlantis Bay, Belmond Villa Sant Andrea, Grand Hotel Mazzarò Sea Palace.

Free Time to Explore Taormina and Relax

Taormina - Today, enjoy free time to explore Taormina and relax. Known as the Pearl of the Ionian Sea, its streets, architecture, squares, and monuments create a unique atmosphere. Many remnants of a rich and complex past are found near the majestic Greek-Roman theatre. Founded by Andromaco in 358 BC, Taormina developed around an Agorà, whose ruins, still visible along the street leading to the theatre, were the site of the Roman Forum. Nearby, admire the ruins of sacred and public monuments (the Aphrodite’s Temple, the Roman Thermal Baths, and the Odeon). The majestic “Naumachia” wall rises past Umberto I boulevard, not far from the Agorà. This wall is a monumental Roman terrace that once bordered a large water pond.

Transfer from Taormina to Catania Airport with a Visit to Mount Etna

Craters Silvestri of Mount Etna - Today marks your last day in Sicily, and the driver will accompany you to the airport. If time permits and your flight departs in the afternoon, a visit to Mount Etna can be arranged. Some places are undoubtedly among the most enchanting on earth, and while Mount Etna’s interior resembles hell, its exterior is akin to Paradise” (P. Brydone). Mount Etna is Europe’s highest volcano and one of the world’s most active. Its impressive size (over 3327 meters high), spectacular eruptions, and fiery lava flows have always intrigued scientists and visitors worldwide. Since 2013, Mount Etna has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List for its globally significant geological features. Travel times for this experience are: from Taormina to the volcano, 70 minutes; walk around the Silvestri crater, 30 minutes; transfer from Etna to Catania airport, 70 minutes.

Fontanarossa - Conclude your Sicilian experience with arrival at Catania airport.

• Complimentary bottled water
• Exclusive private tour
• Local guide in Palermo for a 3-hour cultural walk
• Comfortable transport in an air-conditioned minivan
• Transportation in a private vehicle

• Food and drinks
• anding and/or facility fees
• entrances to museums, palaces, monuments, theaters and archaeological sites

Enjoy a private 7-day tour of Sicily with a personal chauffeur, featuring visits to Palermo, Cefalù, Taormina, Syracuse and the Etna volcano. This tour also includes a winery visit for lunch and a tasting of Etna wine.

This tour is tailored to your needs with a driver who specializes in getting you around. Your driver will provide basic information about historical sites, point out major attractions, share interesting facts, and ensure you’re well-informed. He’ll make sure you have ample time at all the stops and do his best to fulfill special requests so that your Sicilian adventure is both unforgettable and enjoyable. However, it is important to note that the driver is not a licensed tour guide and, thus, can’t escort you inside monuments. If you require a licensed local guide, an additional fee will be charged, and we will organize a licensed guide to meet you at each location.

• Our driver will meet you at your Residence, Hotel or B&B. He will be your driver in the tour, asking him if he wants any breaks for a coffee break or a toilet break.
• Clients Safety. We believe in your safety. You won’t find worn or unsafe tires on our cars, you won’t see inoperable lighting, you won’t hear grinding brakes or a suspension system that sounds as if it’s going to fall to pieces. They are trained to drive safetly throught the narrow streets of Sicily and the winding roads on the Sicily.
• Our fleet has all Mercedes vehicles, Class E cars, Van V Class luxury and Sprinter luxury.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.