Sicilian Paradise (2024)

Day 1

Welcome to your tour with Europamundo!We will leave Palermo, following the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Beautiful landscapes. CEFALU, a charming coastal city. Its Norman cathedral with its original architecture and mosaics has been declared a World Heritage Site, the historic center is of great beauty with its small streets, its views over the sea and its commercial and tourist life. After lunch time we continue towards the interior of the island. CASTELBUONO, a small and picturesque town between mountains that shows us the tranquility of the inland towns, with its walls, castle and picturesque streets in the center. We continue again along the coast towards TINDARI, at the top of a mountain, dominating the sea, stands the Sanctuary of Tindari, a famous pilgrimage site, with its relic of the Black Madonna and its great views. Very close to the sanctuary are the remains of the ancient Greek polis. We continue to MILAZZO, a port city full of life in front of the volcanic Aeolian Islands.

Day 2

We will have a day full of emotions. We will visit two of the islands of the AEOLIAN archipelago, declared World Heritage Sites for their continuous volcanic activity. We will take a ferry to LIPARI, the largest of the Aeolian Islands and the most pleasant city of the archipelago, with its historic center, its castle and its tourist life. Time for lunch and a walk. After that we will take another ferry that in less than 30 minutes takes us to VULCANO, where we will be impressed by the smell of sulfur that permeates the entire island and the active fumaroles. On this island, dominated by its crater, we will admire its hot water beaches. We recommend trying baths in the sulfurous thermal waters (its mud is considered very beneficial for the skin). Don´t miss this unique experience. After that we return by ferry to Milazzo (just over an hour´s journey) and from there continue towards TAORMINA, arriving at the end of the day.Note: In summer or on special dates, accommodation may be provided in Messina instead of Taormina.

Day 3

At the foot of the Etna volcano, the beautiful city of TAORMINA was defined by Churchill as the most beautiful place on earth. Time to stroll through the old town full of life, its Greek theater dominating unforgettable landscapes. After that we continue our route towards the center of the island. CALTAGIRONE, a city declared a World Heritage Site for its great Baroque legacy. We include a ride on a tourist train to listen to the explanations of the city and learn about its main points. The city is the center of ceramics in Sicily, as witnessed by its numerous shops and workshops and some of its emblematic places, the best known, the staircase of 142 steps, each decorated with different tiles. After lunch time we continue to the VILLA ROMANA DEL CASALE (admission included), a World Heritage Site. Villas, in the Roman Empire, were the symbol of agrarian exploitation. El Casale not only it has the architectural configuration of the 4th century been preserved, but, due to their abundance and quality, the mosaics that adorn almost all the rooms are the most beautiful in the Roman world. Crossing the mountainous center of the island we continue to PALERMO, arriving at the end of the day.

Day 4

Today with a local guide we will have a city tour of Palermo. We will admire the cathedral with its mix of styles and its royal tombs inside (admission included); the Norman Palace (the former royal palace), its fountains, its markets and gardens. During the visit we will also go to MONREALE, its cathedral (admission included) has been declared a World Heritage Site for its impressive golden mosaics that cover the interior. Free time in the afternoon.Note: Sometimes, if the number of travelers is very limited, the visit may not be private but rather carried out with a regular excursion provided by local companies.Our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful and lasting memories.Please, check the time of your flight in case you might need an additional night.