Sicily. Palermo: taste, antiquity, and the western coast

Day's program:

• Free walk around Palermo
• Historical center: Cathedral, Quattro Canti, Pretoria Fountain, Massimo Theatre
• The districts of Kalsa, Marina, and the old streets of Palermo
• Evening wine bar with Sicilian wines
• Dinner at your preference

Description:

Palermo is a city of contrasts, where Norman, Arab, Byzantine, Spanish, and Baroque traditions coexist in a vibrant urban environment. The walk takes you through the central streets, the Cathedral, Quattro Canti, the Pretoria Fountain, the Town Hall, and the Massimo Theatre. In the historic districts, palaces, churches, old facades, small squares, and the everyday life of Sicilians remain untouched by tourist façades. In the evening, enjoy a wine bar featuring a selection of Sicilian wines.

Day's program:

• Monreale Cathedral
• Benedictine Cloister
• 12th Century Mosaics
• Ballarò Market
• Palermo Street Food: arancini, cannoli, cheeses, sausages, panelle, or pani ca meusa
• Capuchin Catacombs (optional)
• Dinner at your preference

Description:

Monreale is one of the main monuments of Norman Sicily, located on the slopes of Monte Caputo above Palermo. The 12th-century cathedral houses one of the largest mosaic cycles in the world, while the Benedictine cloister features a bright courtyard with columns, intricately carved capitals, and delicate Arab-Norman ornamentation. After visiting Monreale, explore Ballarò Market and Palermo's street food: cheeses, sausages, arancini, cannoli filled with ricotta, and local specialties that are best enjoyed in the old town. Optionally, visit the Capuchin Catacombs, suitable only for those who prefer such an experience.

Day's program:

• Transfer to Agrigento
• Valley of the Temples
• Temples of Concordia, Juno, Hercules, and Zeus
• Lunch with regional cuisine
• Scala dei Turchi
• Swimming or photo stop by the coast
• Dinner at your preference

Description:

Agrigento — the ancient part of Sicily with a rare scale of space: temples stand on the ridge of a hill, above olive trees and the line of the sea. The main highlight is the Valley of the Temples with the Temple of Concordia, one of the best-preserved Doric temples in the world, as well as the temples of Juno, Hercules, and Zeus. After lunch — Scala dei Turchi near Realmonte: a white limestone cliff with soft steps created by wind and water. Depending on the weather — a stop by the sea for swimming or a photo opportunity.

Day's program:

• Borgo Parrini
• Castellammare del Golfo
• The Salt Lakes of Trapani and the Salt Museum
• Erice
• Venus Castle (optional)
• Wine tasting (upon request)
• Dinner at your preference

Description:

Western Sicily combines vibrant small towns, sea views, and medieval architecture at its best. The first stop is Borgo Parrini, a small town with mosaics and facades in the spirit of Gaudí; then — Castellammare del Golfo with a viewpoint over the port and bay. In Trapani — salt pans, windmills, and a salt museum. The day concludes in Erice, a stone town on top of a mountain with narrow streets, views of the salt lakes, Trapani, and the Egadi Islands. Upon request — wine tasting at an authentic winery.

Day's program:

• Marsala
• Historic center and Republic Square
• Motya Island and salt pans (optional)
• Lunch with local cuisine
• Donnafugata tasting (upon request)
• Dinner at your preference

Description:

Marsala — the western point of Sicily with a historic center, baroque architecture, and a wine tradition known far beyond the island. In the center — Republic Square, Palazzo VII Aprile, the Cathedral of Tommaso Becket, and the old quarters around the San Pietro Monastery. Optionally — the island of Mozia in the Stagnone lagoon: Phoenician past, archaeological excavations, and salt pans opposite the coast. Upon request — tasting at Donnafugata, one of the iconic names in Sicilian winemaking.

Day's program:

• Cefalù: cathedral, historic center, Mandralisca Museum, Arab washhouse
• Beach walk depending on the weather
• Or Etna: southern slope of the volcano, craters, and lava fields
• Winery on the slopes of Etna (upon request)
• Helicopter flight around Etna (optional, seasonal and weather permitting)
• Dinner at your preference

Description:

The day can be structured in one of two formats. The first option is Cefalù, a seaside town with a 12th-century cathedral, Byzantine mosaics, the Mandralisca Museum, and a medieval Arab washhouse. The second option is Etna: ascent to the southern slope of the volcano, lava fields, craters, and a dramatic change of landscapes from green slopes to volcanic wasteland. Lunch and tasting at a winery near Etna are available upon request; optionally, a helicopter tour of the volcano is possible in season and with suitable weather.

Free morning for a stroll, coffee, or last-minute shopping. Then, transfer to Palermo Airport.