Sicily Grand Tour, Self-drive
from £2,145

Sicily Grand Tour, Self-drive

holiday package
Created: Saturday, December 21, 2024
Ref ID: 17191705
Total price from £10,087
Created: Saturday, December 21, 2024
Itinerary
Tours
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Discover the beauties of Sicily during this eleven days self-drive tour that includes also excursions with a private guide. Immerse yourself in rich Greek and Roman history, culture and architecture. Drive through several UNESCO Heritage Sites and unique towns, and admire splendid views and art masterpieces. Climb the magnificent Mt Etna volcano with an expert guide and enjoy lunch with the stunning views from the volcano.


TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Palermo: the second largest historical centre in Europe with its largest number of UNESCO sites. It’s a city that has experienced centuries of dizzying highs and crushing lows. One will find crumbling staircases as well as Italy's largest opera house. Architecture in the city reflects the city's periods of Arab, Norman, and Spanish rule.

Taormina: a charming town located on a rocky plateau of Mount Tauro overlooking the Ionian Sea, at a height of about 250 meters. Taormina boasts a rich artistic, historical and cultural heritage that with its healthy climate and beautiful natural scenery, has attracted visitors since the middle of the eighteenth century.

Syracuse: a city notable for its rich Greek and Roman history, culture, and architecture. The birthplace and home of the pre-eminent mathematician and engineer Archimedes. This 2,700-year-old city played a key role in ancient times when it was one of the major powers of the Mediterranean world.

Agrigento: is best known as the city of temples, with its vast archaeological park that retains a string of five Greek temples and the ancient city walls that surrounded the place that was named Akragas.


Day 1: ARRIVAL PALERMO

Arrive at Palermo Airport and pick up the car. Reach your hotel in Palermo and check in. In the afternoon meet your private guide at the hotel and enjoy an unforgettable tour of the historical city center of Palermo. As part of your tour, you’ll visit the golden interior of the Capella Palatina, a spectacular private chapel built by the Norman King Roger II and decorated with ornate mosaics. Featuring both Arab and Byzantine influences, this chapel is one of Palermo’s most spectacular jewels. You will also get the opportunity to visit the Cathedral, a real amalgam of architectural styles, it’s believed that even before the existing cathedral was created, the site was previously home to a Roman temple, a Byzantine Basilica and later even a mosque. The tour will end with a visit to the beautiful La Martorana Church. 

Overnight in Palermo.

Day 2: PALERMO – TAORMINA (270km – 3.5hrs)

After a tasty breakfast, drive to your next hotel in Taormina. In the afternoon, meet your private guide in the hotel to enjoy a walking tour of the little city. The tour will take you through the highlights of the town, including a visit to the stunning Greek theatre and ancient Roman Odeon. You’ll be able to soak up the views from the Piazza IX Aprile and visit the beautiful Duomo as you explore. At the end of the tour, you’ll taste the famous “granita with brioche” in one of the oldest bars of the city.

Overnight in Taormina. 

Day 3: TAORMINA – MT ETNA – TAORMINA (110km – 2.2hrs)

Wake up to a rich breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy a day exploring Mount Etna with a local volcanologist as you traverse the mountainside learning about the volcanology of the region and enjoying some wonderful views. This adventure tour will take you through the pine forests of the lower slopes to visit a range of ancient and modern lava flows and give you a unique glimpse into the somewhat precarious existence of living on the slopes of an active volcano.  Your driver will take you to a local winery for a tasting lunch paired with a selection of local wines. 

Overnight in Taormina.

Day 4: TAORMINA – SYRACUSE (120km – 1.5hrs)

Have a delicious breakfast at the hotel, and make your own way to the next destination: Syracuse. In the afternoon, meet your private guide in the hotel for your private walking tour of Ortigia, the jewel of Sicily’s southeast which offers a fascinating window into ancient Mediterranean history that you’ll be able to explore with your guide.

Overnight in Syracuse.

Day 5: SYRACUSE

Delight in a tasty breakfast at the hotel. Today you’ll have a free day to relax. We suggest spending some hours at the beautiful beaches of “Fontane Bianche” or “Arenella”, both with spectacular white sand and crystalline water. For sunset we suggest reaching Marzamemi, the old fishing village. The village is washed by the Ionian Sea and the level is lower than the sea. Enjoy an aperitif or dinner there with unspoiled views of small boats bobbing in the water.

Overnight in Syracuse. 

Day 6: SYRACUSE – NOTO (40km – 0.6hrs)

After breakfast at the hotel, reach your next hotel in Noto. Enjoy your morning at leisure. In the afternoon, you’ll meet your private guide at the hotel to discover the beauty of this stunning old city. Noto boasts beautiful Baroque architecture, including the reconstructed 18th-century Noto Cathedral. Across the street is the Palazzo Ducezio, now the town hall, with the Hall of Mirrors embellished by gilding and stuccos. The city is atmospheric and amazing for a leisurely stroll.

Overnight in Noto. 

Day 7: NOTO – RAGUSA – MODICA – NOTO (120km – 2hrs)

After breakfast at the hotel, reach Ragusa. An expert guide will wait for you to introduce you to this Baroque town. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1693, the rebuilt Baroque town of Ragusa is one of the most beautiful in Sicily. Wandering the alleys, you’ll find elaborate churches and streets lined with the grand mansions of noble families. In the afternoon reach Modica, the city of the famous chocolate, where your guide will wait for you. You’ll start your visit at one of the stunning viewpoints for some wonderful views of the town’s steep hillsides, blanketed by sepia toned buildings and imposing Baroque façades before descending on foot through the warren of steps to the heart of the town. As you stroll along the elegant main street, famous for its wealth of chocolate shops, your guide will take you to one of the town’s oldest chocolatiers for a short demonstration and tasting experience.

Overnight in Noto. 

Day 8: NOTO – AGRIGENTO (200km – 3hrs)

After breakfast at the hotel, reach your next destination, Agrigento. After check-in free time for lunch. In the afternoon, your private guide will meet you at the Valley of the Temples. You’ll be able to enjoy a gentle stroll through the archaeological area and learn about the ruins of what was once the great city of Akragas, founded in 581 BC. Today, the area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes a grid of ancient streets as well as the five massive Doric temples from which the valley takes its name. You’ll see the two spectacular temples within the site, the Temple of Concordia and the Temple of Juno. 

Overnight in Agrigento.

Day 9: AGRIGENTO

After breakfast, enjoy your free day in Agrigento. We suggest reaching the famous “Scala dei Turchi” beach or having a walk in Marsala, Trapani and Erice, other beautiful destinations of North Sicily.

Overnight in Agrigento. 

Day 10: AGRIGENTO – PALERMO (130km – 2hrs)

After breakfast, enjoy your last day in Agrigento and take your time before reaching Palermo for the last night.

Overnight in Palermo.

Day 11: PALERMO DEPARTURE

Have your last Sicilian breakfast before reaching the airport and returning the car.

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Italy. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sun glasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.

Total price from £10,087

Members price from £4,290

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English
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Included

TOUR GUIDE: 

  • Operated with private English, Spanish, French, German or Italian-speaking local guides (Day 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8)

ACCOMMODATION:

  • 10 night’s accommodation

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1 Palermo 

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro or similar 4*

Day 2-3 Taormina

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Villa Angela or similar 4*

Day 4-5 Syracuse

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Una One or similar 4*

Day 6-7 Noto

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Villa Favorita or similar 4*

Day 8-9 Agrigento

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Baglio della Luna or similar 4*

Day 10 Palermo

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro or similar 4*

CAR HIRE OPTIONS

Car Group B = Lancia Ypsilon


MEALS:

  • 10 Breakfasts
  • Granita and Brioche tasting (Day 2)
  • Lunch with wine tasting  (Day 3)

TRANSPORT:

  • 4x4 car (Day 3)

CAR HIRE: 

  • 11-day car hire
  • Pick-up and drop-off from Palermo or Catania Airport
  • Unlimited mileage 
  • All insurances: SCDW, PAI, TP
  • Tax
  • Domestic one-way fee (except to/from Sardinia or Sicily) 
  • Airport and railway surcharge 
  • Road Tax (VRF) 
  • Additional driver 
  • Grace period 29 minutes

ENTRANCE FEES & ACTIVITES:

  • All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: Palermo guided tour (incl. entrance to Cappella Palatina and Martorana Church) (Day 1), Taormina guided tour (incl. entrance to Greek Theatre) (Day 2), Mount Etna tour with an expert guide (Day 3), Ortigia guided tour (incl. Syracuse Dome entrance fee ) (Day 4), Noto guided tour (Day 6), Ragusa and Modica guided tour (incl. chocolate tasting experience) (Day 7), Agrigento guided tour (incl. Valley of the Temples entrance fee) (Day 8)


Excluded
  • Visa fees
  • Domestic flights
  • International flights
  • Drinks during meals (unless specified otherwise)
  • Optional tours (if any)
  • City tax not included, payable on the spot
  • Any visit not mentioned in the program
  • Porterage and gratuities
  • Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the program
  • Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any)
  • Travel Insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.

EXCLUSIONS AND REQUIREMENTS CAR HIRE

  • Fuel and refuelling charge
  • Windscreen protection (WDW)
  • Administration fee (in case of damage, fines, etc)
  • Road side safety net (RSN)
  • Delivery and collection
  • No show fee
Accommodation

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS


Day 1 Palermo 

  • Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro or similar 4*

Day 2-3 Taormina

  • Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Villa Angela or similar 4*

Day 4-5 Syracuse

  • Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Una One or similar 4*

Day 6-7 Noto

  • Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Villa Favorita or similar 4*

Day 8-9 Agrigento

  • Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Baglio della Luna or similar 4*

Day 10 Palermo

  • Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Mercure Palermo Centro or similar 4*

CAR HIRE OPTIONS

  • Car Group B = Lancia Ypsilon


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