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7-Nights Highlights of Palermo & Taormina - Food & Drink from $4,847
Goway Travel
OFFER ID 1722784
Iconic Landmarks Explore the rich heritage of Sicily by wandering through Palermo and Taormina. Savor local delicacies, admire ancient temples, and enjoy a beautiful blend of culture and scenery!
Trip Overview:
This 8-day Italian vacation explores Palermo and Taormina on the island of Sicily. It features first-class accommodations and small group tours.
Your journey begins in Palermo, the Sicilian capital and one of the bedrocks of culture in Southern Italy. The city is arguably best known for its culinary heritage, which you’ll discover on a walking street food tour. Head through the main squares and street markets in the company of an expert guide and visit bakeries, old inns, and street food stalls to enjoy Sicilian treats and experience the city in a way typically reserved for locals. The next day, head to Agrigento to explore the Valley of the Temples, a series of ancient temples founded by the Greeks in the 6th century BC. You’ll stroll along the ruins of this former leading city of antiquity and see various temples dedicated to the Greek pantheon.
Transfer to Taormina, a municipality located on the slopes of Mt. Etna. Discover one of the most attractive tourist cities in Sicily on a walking tour, strolling through the cobblestoned streets against the backdrop of the volcano. Learn about the city’s 2,300-year-old history as you visit old Roman and Greek theatres and see historic landmarks, such as the stone-walled gate Porta Catania. Another day, head into the countryside in a vintage car with a private driver and explore the slopes of Mt. Etna, the tallest active volcano in Europe. See the Silvestri Craters, which resemble a lunar landscape, then visit a top winery in the region to enjoy a wine tasting paired with Sicilian meats and cheeses. You’ll have two more days at leisure in Taormina to discover the culinary scene along the Piazza Aprile or visit another winery or farm to learn about the bounty of the region.
At the end of your stay, connect to Catania Airport to return home.
Highlights:
- Wander Palermo’s vibrant markets, Italy, tasting arancine, panelle, and Sicilian sweets by night.
- Explore Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, marveling at ancient Doric columns under Mediterranean skies.
- Join a Taormina market tour and hands-on Sicilian cooking class, crafting pasta and bread from local wheat.
- Cruise Mount Etna’s slopes in a vintage car, then savour DOC wines and local delicacies at an Etna winery.
- Relax on Taormina’s Ionian terraces, Italy, gazing over the Gulf of Naxos before departing from Catania.
Included Services:
- Private arrival and departure airport transfers
- 3 nights premium accommodation in Palermo
- 4 nights premium accommodation in Taormina
- Small group Street Food Palermo Tour (maximum 12 guests)
- Private Full-Day Agrigento Tour
- Small group Taormina Cooking Class (maximum 15 guests)
- Private Half-Day Vintage Car and Etna Wine Experience
- Private transfer by vehicle from Palermo to Taormina
- Entrance to Valley of Temples and Villa Romana del Casale
- Breakfast daily, Street Food tastings with wine and granita, Etna wine tasting
Excluded Services:
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Meals and beverages not explicitly listed as included
- Gratuities
- Optional excursions
- Items of a personal nature
- Passport & Visa fees, if applicable
7 nights from $4,847 per person
Day 1: Arrive in Palermo
Transfer: Palermo Airportto Palermo
Hotel: Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa (4 Star Rating)
Classic elegance and historical beauty all combine to make the Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa a truly exceptional place to stay on your trip to Sicily. The impressive hotel in the centre of Palermo has a distinctive noble facade which is further complemented by a superb location only footsteps from the squares, parks, shopping streets and cafes. The first thing that guests cannot fail to notice at check-in is the regal splendour of this historical hotel, part of which was originally a convent, and which features many artistic, architectural and cultural influences throughout. As the hotel is near the Quattro Canti Square, guests are in the ideal place to absorb the atmosphere of this a baroque piazza, famous for its towering palm trees and awe inspiring cathedral in the heart of Palermo.
Day 2: Evening Discovery of Palermo's Street Food
Discover Palermo's authentic street food on this unique tour to discover Sicilian culture! The Street food Palermo tour is a small group walking tour through the main squares and street markets of the city centre that allows travellers to taste the best street food in Palermo. Your energetic tour guide will reveal the historic beauty of Palermo, urban legends, folk tales and the most intimate secrets of local cuisine and habits. Along the walk, you will enter places where only real Sicilians go, such as bakeries and old inns to discover the most authentic street food. This tour is not just food! Itineraries are designed to offer travellers a complete overview on the history, arts, food and traditions of Palermo. Don't miss the chance to discover the hidden artistic gems of the markets, that are not always easy to find otherwise!
Day 3: Private Full Day Agrigento Tour
This private tour takes you to the Agrigento and the magnificent Valley of the Temples, a UNESCO Heritage site, erected by the Greeks during the 5th century B.C. The archeological area of Agrigento became one of the leading cities in the Mediterranean region. The temples in Agrigento are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and the area exemplifies Greek architecture and are considered to be among the most extraordinary representations of Doric architecture in the world. During this tour, you will have the opportunity to walk through the valley including the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concord, the Temple of Hercules and more.
Day 4: Palermo to Taormina & Sicilian Cooking Class
Transfer: Palermo to Taormina Area
Hotel: Castello Di San Marco (4 Star Rating)
Castello San Marco Hotel & SPA near Taormina is a historic castle-style stay set right by the Ionian Sea, blending old-world character with modern comfort. Rooms and suites are individually styled, air-conditioned and come with free Wi-Fi, minibars and terraces opening onto gardens or sea views. The property has multiple restaurants and bars, a spa with sauna, Turkish bath and hot tub, plus a pool and private beach area. You can also enjoy outdoor activities like tennis or bike rides. The overall feel is relaxed yet distinctive, ideal for a scenic Sicilian escape.
In this unique small group excursion with a professional chef, start with a walking tour to an open-air typical market of Taormina, and then learn how to cook traditional Sicilian cuisine! During the visit to the market, you will discover various vendors selling local fish, meat, fruits, and vegetables. Then, head to a restaurant where you will receive an apron for your cooking class. Your professional chef will share the history of Sicilian wheat, flours, and Sicilian cooking traditions. Together with the chef and the restaurant staff, you will cook some of the typical dishes of the Sicilian tradition such as fresh bread and pasta. Enjoy your bread with extra virgin olive oil and local cheeses and cured hams. Your lesson will be followed by a lunch to enjoy the dishes prepared from the attendees. At the end of the course, you will receive a diploma signed by the chef.
Day 5: Half Day Mount Etna Wine Experience By Vintage Car
On this half day private tour, you will depart Taormina in a vintage car with a private driver and professional guide for a unique excursion that combines the beauty of the volcano and the experience of local wine production. The first stop will be Mount Etna, the highest volcano still active in Europe. Arrive at the southern face, Rifugio Sapienza, at 1800 meters. Visit the famous Silvestri Craters, now extinct and admire wonderful fauna and flora and the spectacular lunar landscapes. Mount Etna is declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013 and Sicily's most beautiful attraction. Your next experience will be a wine tasting in one of the best wineries and tasting local food.
Embark on a sensory journey celebrating the essence of Sicily. Begin with a fascinating farm tour featuring live bees and honey extraction, followed by a tasting of golden olive oil paired with wood-fired bread. Sample Nocellara dell'Etna olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichokes alongside vibrant flavored oils and fresh pestos. Savor the sweetness of pure honey and delicacies from the beehive. Indulge in a light lunch paired with five exquisite Etna wines, complemented by regional delights like arancini, bruschetta, aged cheeses, and pistachio crostini. End with Sicilian dolcetto and a sip of Etna grappa, for a truly unforgettable gastronomic experience.
Day 6: Full Day At Leisure in Taormina
Day 7: Full Day At Leisure in Taormina
Day 8: Depart Sicily
Transfer: Taormina Area to Catania Airport
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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Mimosa Travels
(951) 587-5505