CLASSICO SICILIA - 8 Days / 7 Nights

Our self-drive tours offer the chance to see the jewels that Sicily has to offer. Your route will take you to imposing temples and dramatic scenery and offer you a taste of the different influences that have breathed over this enchanting island.

Catania - Syracuse - Agrigento - Palermo - Taormina - Catania

DAY 1 UK • SICILY • SYRACUSE
Depart the UK on your direct Gatwick / Manchester service with Air Malta or your indirect service with Alitalia via Rome or Milan. On arrival, you will be met by our representatives and collect your car from Avis and make your way to Syracuse for a 2 night stay.
Mileage: 35 Miles
Hotel: Best Western Hotel Palace Siracusa, Syracuse

DAY 2 SYRACUSE
Spend the day discovering one of the most beautiful cities famed for its Grecian temples. Visit the Temple of Apollo, the Duomo on the Ortigian Peninsular and the Piazza Archimede named after Syracuse's famous Greek inhabitant. For the sights, head for the impressive theatre hewn out of rock at the Parco Archeologico is a must. Alternatively leave the city and head for the historical town of Noto with its 17th century baroque buildings and monuments.
Hotel: Best Western Hotel Palace Siracusa, Syracuse

DAY 3 SYRACUSE • AGRIGENTO
Today you check out of your hotel for your journey to Agrigento. On the way stop Ragusa town split in two by a powerful earthquake in 1693. Continue onwards to the Piazza Armerina and the Villa Romana del Casale. This Imperial Roman villa, built in the 4th century, was "preserved" by mud for 700 years and offers fabulous mosaics. Your city for tonight is Agrigento, located on a hill and which was once an important city in the Greek world and is famed for its temples on the cities outskirts.
Mileage: 139 Miles (via Ragusa)
Hotel: Hotel Jolly Della Valle, Agrigento

DAY 4 AGRIGENTO • PALERMO
Check out of your hotel for your journey to the capital Palermo. Visit the "Valle dei Templi" a hilly ridge that overlooks the sea and visit the Tempio della Concordia, built in 430BC and one of the best preserved temples of the Greek world. After your visit, drive along the west coast of Sicily to see the quaint villages of Marsala & Erice. In Marsala take the time to try the sweet dessert wines famed in this area then head inland to Erice, a curious town, built by the Elymians, it is surrounded by forests and vineyards, the fortified town is set on a hilltop some 750 meters above land. On to Palermo for a 2 nights stay.
Mileage: 174 miles (via Trapani)
Hotel: Hotel Astoria Palace, Palermo

DAY 5 PALERMO
A day of choices. Choose to explore the capital of Sicily, Palermo.The city has numerous things to see and do. It offers a rich mixture of Arabic, Byzantine, Norman and Spanish influences. Sights include the Oratories of Ste Zita, San Domenico and San Larenzo with stuccowork, , Palazzo dei Normanni a grand medieval palace, San Giovanni degli Eremeti a church which was formerly a mosque and the Duomo.  If you want something more contemporary head for the lively Vucciria market. In the afternoon you could decide to visit the enchanting villages of Monreal and Segesta.

In Monreale visit the beautiful 12th century Norman church covered in golden Byzantine mosaics, then head to Segesta, a Trojan settlement with a remarkably intact temple built in 425BC.
Hotel: Hotel Astoria Palace, Palermo

DAY 6 PALERMO • TAORMINA
Ater checking out of your hotel, drive along the coast towards the resort of Cefalu, which boasts a lovely sandy beach as well as an impressive 12th century cathedral with Roman, Byzantine and Islamic influences, which overlooks the town. Then carry on to Santo Stephano di Camastra renowned for its hand painted ceramics of every size shape and colour, then end you day in Taormina and your final 32 nights of your tour.
Mileage: 182 miles (via Messina)
Hotel: 2 nights at the Hotel Excelsior Palace, Taormina

DAY 7 TAORMINA
No visit to Sicily would be complete without a visit to its most famous volcano. Mount Etna rises from the surrounding area to a height of 3,350 (10,990ft) metres above the sea. Whether you take the cable car to the top or enjoy a rail side ride around its base. Later visit the Teatro Greco where concerts are held in July and August. Alternatively return to Taormina and take in its bars and cafes, indulge in the towns many boutiques and craft shops, or relax on the beach at the picturesque Mazzaro bay.
Hotel: Hotel Excelsior Palace, Taormina

DAY 8 TAORMINA • CATANIA • UK
Check out of your hotel and make your way to Catania Airport and your direct Gatwick / Manchester service with Air Malta or your indirect service with Alitalia via Rome or Milan to the UK.
Mileage: 43 Miles

Please note all mileage are quoted for guidance purposes only

Make more of your stay
Either before or after your tour ? Simply choose from the range of accommodation that we can offer, decide on how many nights you would like to stay. Add car rental prices if you would like a car for your additional stay "click here for details"

Upgrade your car?
Whilst the car we have selected for your journey is adequate for your tour you may wish to upgrade your car to give you more room or for a special occasion possibly a convertible. Please see our car rental prices "click here for details"

What is included
Return air travel
8 Days Car rental from AVIS in a Group B, air - conditioned car.
Accommodation in 4 star hotels with en-suite facilities on bed and breakfast basis
Guide book on Sicily
Car Parking where it is mentioned as included

What is not included
Regional UK Air Supplements, Gratuities, Personal expenses, excursions.