Cannoli è arancini in Sicily

Day 1 Flight to Palermo

Day 2 In Palermo (walking tour and market)

We start our trip with a full day in Palermo, a busy, but walkable town with so many things to see and eat. We’ll have a guided walking tour through the old town, which will give us an insight into Sicilys colourfull past. It was one of the richest cities in Europe from the 9th to the 12th centuries. Today, the city maintains a sense of cultural diversity and is famous for its art, music and food. Don’t miss to wander through colourful markets and try the unique street food of Palermo.

overnight Palermo

Day 3 Palermo to Cefalu and Castelbueno

Leaving Palermo this morning, we’ll take a bus along the spectacular northern coastline to the picturesque fishing village of Cefalu. Here, we’ll stop to explore the town and have the opportunity to go for a swim or hike up to the temple of Diana. A place the film industry fell in love with and certainly one to remember is Cinema Paradiso. From Cefalu we will take the bus to Castelbueno, a small medieval village nestled in the Madonie Park with a delightful historic center that captivates from the first moment.

overnight in Castelbueno

Day 4 Walk in Madonie Park

Today we will do a nice hike in the Park Madonie The Madonie park has six impressive mountains (over 1500 meters above sea level) and the reserve extends for 35000 hectares. The highest mountain is Pizzo Carbonara which is second only to the Etna volcano. The Madonie Park offers an incredible environment which is suitable for anyone who wants to relax and enjoy the calm of the nature. Thanks to many wonderful routes varying in difficulty and length, walking and hiking are strictly recommended. The park is also considered as a botanic paradise and the wildlife is characterised by the most important nesting birds and mammals which can be found in the island.

around 12km, 4 hours

overnight Castelbueno.

Day 5 visit Taormina and walk to Castelmola

Leaving the mountains behind us we take the bus to Giardini Naxos and visit Taormina this afternoon. Taormina is nestled on the top of Mount Tauro, a natural terrace overlooking the sea. Its wonderful location and natural beauty make it the “Pearl of the Ionian Sea” and it is certainly the most famous and important tourist center in all of Sicily. We also have the option to walk up to Castelmola, smaller and less touristic with an awarding view.

overnight in Giardini Naxos by the sea

Day 6 visit and walk Mt. Etna (3403 m)

We can’t leave Sicily without a visit to Mt. Etna, one of the most monitored volcanoes in the world. There are various options to visit the volcano, but it is certainly worth hiking past several old lava flows and to be rewarded with a dramatic panorama of the volcanic landscape and old craters. In the afternoon we might have time to visit a wine cellar, as this area is famous for its wines.

overnight Giardini Naxos

Day 7 train to Syracusa

today we take the train to Syracusa, where we’ll visit Neapolis Archaeological Park and its famous Greek theatre. We’ll then walk over to Ortygia Island, the historical centre of the city and home to many landmarks such as the Fonte of Aretusa, Temple of Apollo ruins, Maniace Castle, and the narrow streets of the Jewish Quarter. There are many tasty, little places to enjoy our lunch, have a coffee or just watch the world go by.

overnight Syracusa

Day 8 bike trip to Noto

we bike to Noto this morning, the most beautiful Baroque city in Sicily. The town was destroyed after an earthquake in 1693 and rebuilt again. One of my favourite towns in Sicily with tasty Ice cream. We will take the, very slow train back to Syracusa.

aroud 40km, 3 hours

overnight Syracusa

Day 9 departure day