MICE in Sicily

Arrival at Palermo Airport. Meet your private assistance and coach and transfer to the hotel for check-in. After freshening up meet your guide for a panoramic tour of this iconic city. Palermo was founded in the 8th century BC by Phoenician tradesmen around a natural harbour on the north-western coast of Sicily. Palermo reflects the diverse history of the region in that the city contains many masterpieces from different periods, including Romanesque, gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture as well as examples of modern art. Its most important attractions are Teatro Massimo, The Cathedral, The Theater Politeama, Cappella Paltina, Chiesa e Chiostro di San Giovanni degli Eremiti and Palazzo Reale or dei Normanni. Dinner at a local restaurant in Palermo followed by the typical Puppet Show at a Teatro dei Pupi (Puppet theatre). The Opera dei Pupi is a marionette theatrical representation of Frankish romantic poems such as The Song of Roland or Orlando furioso that is one of the characteristic cultural traditions of Sicily. The Sicilian marionette theater Opera dei pupi was proclaimed in 2001 and inscribed in 2008 in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists. Overnight. (D)

After breakfast meet your tour assistant and coach and depart for Corleone Corleone is a town in the Palermo province, lying on a sandstone area. The town is rich of cultural and artistic sites. A lookout tower built between the 11th and 12th century known as Saracena offers the opportunity to admire the Cascata delle Due Rocche which is a sheer drop along the course of the Corleone river, the Castello Sottano and the Castello Soprano Corleone is which is linked to the Sicilian Mafia. The Corleonesi is the name given to a faction within the Sicilian Mafia that dominated Cosa Nostra in the 1980s and the 1990s town of Corleone. The Corleonesi coalition managed to take over the Sicilian Mafia. Lunch at an Agriturismo (local farm) with tasting of local products. After lunch proceed for Agrigento. Check-in at the hotel. This evening enjoy the local specialties for dinner at the hotel Overnight. (B/L/D)

After breakfast at the hotel check-out departure for Agrigento. Upon arrival meet your local guide to discover Agrigento and Valle dei Templi. Amongst the numerous captivating sights is the Cathedral, with one of the façades on Via del Duomo still bearing the remains of the Norman times, the 16th century Church of San Calogerso, Piazza Aldo Moro where the lovely Via Atenea begins, Palazzo Celauro where Goethe sojourned during his Grand Tour, the Franciscan Church of the Immacolata (Blessed Virgin), Piazza del Purgatorio which is overlooked by the splendid façade of San Lorenzo. The archaeological area known as the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world and a UNESCO world heritage site since 1998. Lunch at leisure. Departure for Catania. Upon arrival panoramic sightseeing tour of Catania. Catania is located on the east coast of Sicily facing the Ionian Sea is well known for its historical earthquakes. Catania has had a long and eventful history having been founded in the 8th century BC. In 1434, the first university in Sicily was founded in the city. In the 14th century and into the Renaissance period, Catania was one of Italy’s most important cultural, artistic and political centres. The city has a rich culture and history, hosting many museums, restaurants, churches, parks, and theatres. Catania is well known for its street food. This evening you will sample the street food and enjoy some wine in one of the local bars. Overnight. (B/D)

After breakfast at the hotel, you depart by coach for Mount Etna. Meet your local guide in Giarre for your discovery of Mount Etna with a ride on the funicular. Mount Etna is Sicily’s tallest peak. Although capped with snow for much of the winter, it is one of Europe’s most famous active volcanoes. Reach ‘Rifugio Sapienza’ by coach, local lunch at a restaurant in the Rifugio, after lunch depart to Taormina. Perched on a rocky spur at about 200m height, Taormina occupies a fabulous position, overlooking the sea and right opposite Etna volcano. The town centre, now reserved for pedestrians, radiates from the main thoroughfare Corso Umberto I, from which it is possible to reach all, or almost all of the main sights. Greek Theatre, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, Palazzo Corvaja, Naumachie, Piazza Duomo, Piazza IX Aprile. Return back to Catania. Dinner at leisure. Overnight (B/L)