5 Days Tour – Palermo

The Tour starts in the Airport/Port of your arrival. We will welcome you on board of our comfortable 56 seats Iveco Magelys bus. First stop at the Hotel in Palermo or nearby, to drop off luggage and relax after the long trip. It may be possible to have a quick visit of the city during the night, before overnight stay.

The morning of the second day will be spent visiting Monreale, its huge Norman Cathedral, proclaimed the Eighth Wonder of the World, and its splendid Cloister in Arab-Norman style: admirable masterpiece of art, sculpture, and semi-precious stones marquetry! Later, bus transfer to the stunning Palermo, one of the richest towns in the Island for its history and art. Palermo stands on a bay at the foot of Mt. Pellegrino, a headland described by Goethe as the loveliest he had ever seen. While the Baroque predominates, there is a profusion of different architectural styles reflecting the city’s multicultural past: Punic walls, Art Nouveau villas, noble residences, XVII century squares, including an elegant opera house. You will visit the wonderful Arab-Norman Cathedral, the astonishing Martorana Church and the amazing Cappella Palatina, mirable example from an historical and an artistic point of view, of how different cultures, religions and way of thinking can coexist. Ruggero II in fact employed both Bizantyne, Muslim and Latin workers. Continuing your walk you will admire the Teatro Massimo and the fountain in Pretoria Square, situated in the ancient Kalsa area and adorned with XVI century sculptures. In the afternoon you will continue to Marsala in whose port Garibaldi landed in 1860. Bus transfer to hotel in Marsala.

The tour will continue along the charming and well-known Salt Road in Marsala: the west coast of Sicily with many salt marshes, which have given rise to one of the oldest salt-extracting industries in the world. Between Trapani and Marsala they are now protected, in part because of the interesting birdlife, and also as important sites of industrial archaeology. Departure to Selinunte to visit the largest Archaeological Park in whole Mediterranean and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by a splendid landscape near the African Sea, you will walk among the rests of the ancient Greek city. Bus transfer to Agrigento and visit of the Valley of the Temples, UNESCO World Heritage Site, where among hundreds of almond trees, the rests of the ancient Akragas rise. It was defined by Pyndar “the most beautiful city of mortals”. Once one of the most prosperous of the ancient Greek cities on the island, Agrigento presents a remarkable series of Doric Temples of the 5th century. You will see the “Temple of Hera”, the “Temple of Concordia” and the “Temple of Heracles”. Bus transfer to hotel and overnight.

On the fourth day you will reach Piazza Armerina, where you will admire the splendid polychrome mosaics of the famous Villa Romana del Casale, UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex includes some of the most extensive and most beautiful Roman mosaics known. This majestic villa, belonged to a member of the Roman Senatorial aristocracy, hosts prestigious mosaics representing mythological and historical episodes and scenes of hunting and entertainments. Later, bus departure to Ragusa Ibla and visit of its historical centre, cradle of Sicilian Baroque, with its Cathedral, situated in the beautiful square of the Dome and the “Giardino Ibleo”, stated among the Italian World Heritage Sites. This little precious ancient city hosts more than 50 churches and many Baroque architectural treasures. Bus transfer to Catania by Bus.

Depending on the flight departure time, possibility to go for an extra excursion in Palermo, to have some free time or visit some other sights of the city. After the visit bus transfer to the Airport/Port.