DISCOVER SICILY

It's more than an island! Discover Sicily and discover a magic world. The world's first multicultural society, Sicily is Italy's (and Europe's) most historically cosmopolitan region, having been ruled by Asians, Africans and Europeans. Sicily is black and white and a million shades of gray. The island is a unique place full of art, archaeology, history, folklore and breathtaking scenery. And, of course, great food.

This enchanting land where Archimedes taught and Saint Paul preached was a Greek colony, a Roman province, an Arab emirate and a Norman kingdom. The Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese and Jews made Sicily their own, leaving behind an eclectic history that you can still touch today.

Sicily is Europe, Africa and Asia on one island. Greek tyrants, Arab emirs, Norman knights, Byzantine bishops and Holy Roman Emperors made Sicily the place it is. Experience their legacy in Phoenician settlements, Punic cities, Greek temples, Roman amphitheatres, Norman-Arab castles and Aragonese churches. Thirty centuries of history expressed in the Classical, the Romanesque, the Gothic, the Baroque...

The capital Palermo is a memorable city with an unrivalled display of Norman art and architecture and Baroque churches, combined with a warren of medieval streets and markets.

A skirt around the foothills, and even up to the craters of Mount Etna shouldn't be missed. It is Europe's highest active volcano. Just at its feet, lies the chic resort of Taormina, one of the most beautiful and romantic small towns in Italy, who inspired many persons as D.H. Lawrence and Goethe.

The coastline below the town is unquestionably appealing, a mixture of grottoes, rocks, caves, sandy beaches and small fishermen's villages. The south coast's greatest draw are Greek Temples at Agrigento, in the famous Valley of Temples, declared World Heritage Site by Unesco, and the areas of Selinunte and Segesta.

Another highlight of Sicily are the Aeolian Islands, seven little volcanic islands surrounded by a warm and deep sea in an out-of-time atmosphere recalling a history of sea-adventures going back 5000 years (that's how long man's presence on these islands dates back): the main island Lipari, the green landscapes of Salina, the wild nature of Alicudi and Filicudi, the sophisticated Panarea and the charming Vulcano and Stromboli.

In the shadow of Mount Etna

Taormina 7 nights packages

Taormina, one of the most beautiful and romantic small towns in Italy, who inspired many persons as D.H. Lawrence and Goethe.

It was here, in romantic Taormina, that a self-exiled D.H. Lawrence was inspired to write Lady Chatterley' s Lover, one of the most passionate and erotic love stories of its era. Taormina has endlessly winding medieval streets and tiny passages, each with its own secrets great restaurants, cafés and ice cream bars.

Some of these intriguing places are secluded gardens hidden by stone walls, others are set on terraces overlooking the coast or in more public but equally pleasant squares. Taormina is beautiful by day but in the evenings its atmosphere is simply enchanting, whether you stroll the illuminated streets or indulge in the view of the coast over a delicious dinner.

Then there's the rarer spectacle of Mount Etna's nocturnal fires as lava flows along the snow-covered slopes of Europe's greatest natural wonder, leaving a stream of steam and light in its wake.

During this week you will have the opportunity to see really close the biggest active volcano of Europe and the visit the Alcantara river, which did its bed on the lavical ground, made wonderful narrow gorge, a real natural sanctuary.

A car will pick you up from the hotel.

A skilled escort will be at your disposal during the tour, making the tour both extensive and easy.

During the lunch break you can taste some typical local dishes.

Within its eternal stone walls, old Taormina has fascinating archaeological monuments and medieval homes like Palazzo Santo Stefano. Magnificent views of the sea complete the picture. The most famous is the view overlooking the Greco-Roman amphitheatre, one of Sicily's largest, with Mount Etna and the sea in the background.

You will enjoy of the magic view from your Hotel, superbly situated high above the Ionian Sea in a unique position in the historical centre of medieval Taormina, surrounded by its own extensive, subtropical, shady terraced gardens with palms, pine trees and old cypresses.

The charming Hotel overlooks the Bay of Naxos in a quiet and panoramic position amidst one of the most scenic natural locations of Sicily, from where you can simultaneously see the neighbouring botanical gardens “Duchi di Cesarò”, the ancient Greek-Roman Theatre, the Cape of Taormina, the beautiful Bay of Naxos and the majestic silhouette of Mount Etna.

On some clear days you can overlook the whole southern coastline of Sicily as far as Catania, Augusta and Syracuse. The location is convenient and central, just a 2 minute’s walk to the botanical gardens and the traffic free “Corso Umberto”, whilst the bus-terminal and the cable-car to the enchanting bays of Mazzarò beach and of Isola Bella are only a 10 minute’s walk away.

This 7 nights packages are a great opportunity to live an unforgettable Italian holiday.

Day-by-day itinerary with detailed information on all the venues is available upon request by contacting: info@italiantreasures.uk.com

COST OF TRIP: € 900.00 per person

GROUP SIZE: Minimum of 2 participants

TOUR FEATURES:

•HOTELS:

•Welcome drink

Hotel ****

7 Nights accommodations Double room sea view

•Breakfast

•Car rental Fiat Grande Punto or similar

•Private guided tour on Etna Volcano and Alcantara Gorge