Day 1: Arrive Palermo — The Mediterranean’s Crossroads
Arrive Palermo. Afternoon visit to the Palatine Chapel (1140) with its glittering Byzantine mosaics and Islamic muqarnas ceiling, the Cathedral, and Quattro Canti. Evening street food walk through Ballarò market. Overnight Palermo.
Day 2: Monreale, Erice & Marsala
Morning: Monreale Cathedral’s golden mosaics. Continue to Erice, a perfectly preserved medieval hill town at 750m with cobbled streets, Norman castle, and the legendary Maria Grammatico pastry shop (almond pastries unchanged for centuries). Panoramic views stretch to the Egadi Islands. Afternoon: Marsala wine tasting at Florio Cellars. Overnight Marsala area.
Day 3: Agrigento — Valley of the Temples
Full day at the Valley of the Temples, one of the world’s greatest archaeological sites. Walk among eight monumental Doric temples from the 5th century BC. The Temple of Concordia is one of the best-preserved Greek temples anywhere. The fallen Telamon at the Temple of Zeus communicates the sheer scale of ancient ambition. Stay for sunset — the golden light on honey-colored limestone is unforgettable. Overnight Agrigento.
Day 4: Piazza Armerina to Baroque Sicily
Morning: Villa Romana del Casale — 3,500m² of the world’s finest Roman mosaics. Afternoon: drive to Ragusa Ibla, then to Modica for chocolate (the Aztec-influenced, cold-processed variety). Continue to Noto, the “stone garden” of Sicilian baroque. Overnight Syracuse.
Day 5: Syracuse — Greek Glory
Morning: Neapolis Archaeological Park — Greek Theatre (5th century BC), Roman Amphitheatre, Ear of Dionysius. Afternoon: Ortigia island old town — Temple of Apollo, Cathedral (built around a Greek temple, columns still visible), Arethusa Spring with its papyrus. Overnight Syracuse.
Day 6: Mount Etna Summit
Drive north to Etna. Cable car and 4×4 to summit craters at 3,350m. Walk the rim among fumaroles and steaming vents with a volcanologist. Afternoon: wine tasting at a volcanic vineyard. Continue to Taormina. Evening: farewell dinner with Etna views. Overnight Taormina.
Day 7: Taormina & Departure
Morning: Taormina’s Greek Theatre overlooking the sea and Etna. Stroll Corso Umberto, swim at Isola Bella. Transfer to Catania Airport for departure.
