Sicily's Natural & Historic Delights

Day 1  Palermo    
Fly to Palermo and pick up your car, before exploring some of the city’s historic monuments. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Palermo Cathedral is a beautiful example of architectural styles evolving through the course of time. As evening approaches, Ballarò Market’s lively street food vendors offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy local Sicilian delicacies.    
     
Day 2  Palermo to Taormina    
Start your journey east along Sicily’s beautiful northern coast. Stop off in the coastal city of Cefalù, home to a 12th Century Norman Cathedral, a fortress style structure with elaborate Byzantine mosaics and soaring towers. If the sun is shining, the golden sands of the picturesque half-moon beach and the nearby bays surrounding Cefalù present an inviting opportunity for a swim before driving onwards to Taormina.    

Days 3-4  Taormina  
Part of the historical Grand Tour from the 17th Century and with history dating back to the 4th Century BC, Taormina offers a treasure-trove of stories. Along the coast, secluded bays with rugged white cliffs overlooking the glistening Ionian Sea are there to be admired and explored. The following day, perhaps spend it hiking nearby Mount Etna, which dominates the landscape. At 3,329m it’s Italy’s highest mountain south of the Alps, as well as the largest active volcano in Europe.    

Day 5  Taormina to Syracuse    
Enjoy a relaxing morning on the beach or take a stroll through the town before driving south to Syracuse. Home to stunning coastal views, the town itself features the fascinating Neapolis Archaeological Park, complete with a Roman theatre. Discover the ancient world firsthand, in the very city where the brilliant Archimedes was born.    

Days 6-7  Syracuse    
Spend two days exploring the stunning beaches along the coast from Syracuse.  A short drive brings you to the small village of Cassibile and the nearby Cavagrande del Cassibile Reserve. Here the river has created a series of deep canyons with idyllic, unspoilt natural lagoons, perfect for cooling off in the hot sun.    

Day 8  Fly home    
Following a relaxed morning, drive to Catania to drop off your car before flying home.