Sicily & Aeolian Islands Tour

Individual arrival to the hotel in the charming city of Palermo (optional private transfer on request). Dinner on your own and overnight in Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro 4*/ Ibis Styles Palermo Cristal 4* or similar.

After breakfast in hotel, the morning will be spent visiting Monreale. Later you will discover the stunning Palermo, one of the richest towns in the island for its history and art. Visit of the wonderful eclectic Cathedral, the astonishing Martorana Church and the amazing Cappella Palatina. During the day, you will have a stop to enjoy a typical lunch with local food. Along the path you will admire the famous Teatro Massimo and the debated fountain in Pretoria Square. Dinner on your own and overnight in hotel Mercure Palermo Centro 4*/ Ibis Styles Palermo Cristal 4* or similar. (B, L)

After breakfast, transfer to Cefalu, a medieval town on Sicily's northern coast. Visit the Norman Dome and enjoy free time to explore or visit the Mandralisca Museum. Lunch will be at a renowned restaurant. Continue to Catania to visit its UNESCO-listed historic center, known for Baroque architecture and streets of black lava stone. The walking tour begins at Duomo Square with its Cathedral and the "Liotru" statue, followed by University Square and Via dei Crociferi, home to the UNESCO-listed S. Benedict Monastery. Enjoy tasting a traditional “granita & brioche” at a bar. Dinner is at leisure, followed by an overnight stay at Hotel Il Principe Hotel 4*/ Romano House Hotel 4* or similar. (B, L)

Breakfast and departure for a quick visit of a historic "pescheria" (ancient fish market) before reaching Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe (3.350 m), and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there, proceed to Crateri Silvestri, volcanic cones dating to 1888, now inactive but surrounded by more recent lava flows. Afterwards, visit of a beekeeping farm, to see the honey extraction laboratory and taste of home-made honey and typical products of the area. Proceed to Taormina, famous for its natural landscape, marine beauties, historical monuments and an unforgettable view of the sea and Etna. Free time for lunch. Visit of the fascinating Greco-Roman theatre, with a breathtaking view of the Naxos Bay. The day will end with a beautiful panorama of the stunning Riviera dei Ciclopi. Return Catania for overnight stay at Il Principe Hotel 4*/ Romano House Hotel 4* or similar. (B, T)

Breakfast in the hotel and day at leisure to enjoy Catania city center. Its city centre is declared Unesco World Heritage site for its stunning beauties, the late-Baroque architecture and the unique lava stone buildings. The tour continues without a tour leader. Private transfer to Milazzo in the late morning. Transfer by hydrofoil to the island of Lipari. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Hotel Bougainville 4* or similar (B, D)

After breakfast, full day excursion to Lipari & Salina islands. Leaving the harbour, the boat will skirt Lipari coast making for nice views of the Castle of Lipari, the Monte Rosa and Canneto. Swim stop in the crystalline blue water of Pumice Cave beach. Proceeding on to Salina, the captain will show you the famous Acquacalda bay. First stop will be on Santa Marina Salina the biggest town of the island. The boat will then stop in the charming fishermen's village Lingua for free time to visit the island, its Lago Salato or enjoy typical restaurants. On the way back to Lipari visit beautiful grottos with time for a swim in Vinci beach, in front of the Faraglioni. Dinner and overnight in Hotel Bougainville 4* or similar. (B, D)

After Breakfast, full-day excursion to Panarea and Stromboli. Before leaving Lipari, short stop at the pumice caves. Continue to Panarea, opportunity to visit the bay of Calajunco, and swim in Zimmari beach. Proceeding on, stop in the charming Cava degli Innamorati. In Panarea, free time to have lunch, consider visiting the prehistoric village of Cape Milazzese or going for a swim. In the afternoon the excursion will continue to Stromboli. The first stop will be Ginostra, a fascinating small fishing village. Dinner and free time in Stromboli. Back to the boat at sunset, admire Strombolicchio, a gigantic rock and the Sciara del Fuoco, a stunning volcanic explosion of reddish lapilli creating lava rivers reaching the sea. Overnight at Hotel Bougainville 4* or similar. (B)

Breakfast in the hotel and transfer to the port to leave for Milazzo by hydrofoil. Private transfer to Taormina, famous for its natural landscape, marine beauties, historical monuments and an unforgettable view of the sea and Etna. Time at leisure to stroll along the charming medieval streets of the center and go shopping, buying some of the best home-made products of the entire island. Consider visiting Isola Bella, one of the most enchanting beaches in Sicily, also called the "Pearl of the Mediterranean" due to its particular location & vegetation. Dinner and overnight stay in Villa Diodoro Hotel 4*/ Hotel Caparena Wellness & SPA 4* or similar (B, D)

Breakfast in hotel and end of services. (B)