Palermo and Sicilian Baroque Self Drive

Welcome to Sicily, upon arrival at Palermo Falcone Borsellino International Airport make your own way to the car rental office to pick up your vehicle and discover the beautiful city located on the northwestern coast of the island of Sicily, known for its rich history, architecture, and cultural heritage.

Overnight in Palermo

In the morning after breakfast, today you will visit Palermo-You begin with the Teatro Massimo, the third biggest opera theatre in Europe. Then you enter the popular market “Il Capo”, which looks like an African souk; at the end of the visit to the market, you will taste in a bar the typical Sicilian “Arancina”, a speciality of the local street food. You will continue the visit in the old part of the city with the Cathedral, the Royal Palace and the Palatine Chapel. Proceed to Monreale, famous because of its Cathedral with polychrome mosaics on a golden background, representing scenes of the Old and the New Testament. You will end the visit with the cloiste. In the afternoon enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy, so close to the centre of Palermo. You will reach Mondello beach in 30 minutes from the centre of the city. Mondello was (and still nowadays is) a fisher village, that at the beginning of the XX century was chosen by the rich families of Palermo as a seat for their summer holidays. For this reason, you will admire a lot of villas built in liberty style, and another interesting liberty building, the “Stabilimento Balneare” (the bathhouse), erected on stilts on the water, that hosts also one of the best restaurants in Palermo. Mondello beach is half-circular shaped, between two promontories (Monte Pellegrino and Capo Gallo) and the colour of the sea will astonish you. Depending on the weather and the sea conditions you could also swim (from May to the end of October). A stroll along the sea promenade (with the palm trees) is a “must”. In the main square, you will have the opportunity to taste on your own the specialities of the Sicilian Street food or an ice cream. Back to Palermo city centre.

Overnight in Palermo

Today we recommend a visit to Marsala Stagnone, Erice and Segesta. Drive to Marsala, famous for its salt works and wine production. Make a stop at the Riserva dello Stagnone, a magical place with a striking natural landscape of rare beauty due to its white salt pans and windmills. Continue driving to Erice, a medieval town atop Monte San Giuliano. Here, you can admire the exterior of the Norman Castle and the Cathedral. Meanwhile, we suggest you take a break at a bakery to taste Erice's typical almond pastry. Proceed to Segesta, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Sicily, where you should visit the Doric Temple. Its majestic appearance and dominant position bestow great nobility upon the landscape.

Overnight in Palermo

After breakfast depart for Ragusa, en-route making a stop in Agrigento to explore the wonderful and well-known Valley of the Temples. Here, you can admire the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concordia (one of the best-preserved Doric temples in the entire Greek world), the Temple of Hercules, and the Temple of Castor and Pollux. Then continue on to Ragusa. Ragusa's historic center is known as \"Ibla.\" This area is characterized by numerous churches and palaces in the Baroque style, as well as the characteristic domes that dominate the city. Ragusa has been included in the UNESCO list, with 18 sites declared as World Heritage Sites.

Overnight in Ragusa

Today we suggest a visit to Modica and Noto and Ragusa. You can discover the lesser-known parts of Sicily which are dominated by sumptuous and majestic Baroque style buildings. Many of the buildings are known for being featured in the television series \"Il Commissario Montalbano.\" Your visit should start in the historic center of the city of Ragusa known as \"Ibla\" which is adorned with numerous Baroque churches, palaces and characteristic domes that dominate the city's skyline. Ragusa has rightfully earned its place on the UNESCO list with 18 sites declared as World Heritage Sites. Next, visit Modica, another UNESCO World Heritage city famous for its chocolate and stunning architecture. We recommend wandering through the alleys, always moving upwards. Once you reach the highest part of the hill you will be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of the city. Continue to Noto, included by UNESCO in the list of World Heritage Sites in 2002. Noto is a captivating town with its own unique Baroque charm.

Overnight in Ragusa

Today is another free day to explore Sicily, perhaps swim on the beach or visit Etna and Taormina. We recommend a visit to Mount Etna, the highest peak in Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe. The territory surrounding the volcano constitutes the \"Park of Etna,\" one of the largest protected areas in Italy. You will be astonished by the great variety of vegetation and landscapes that you will encounter along the way before reaching the \"Silvestri Craters\" (approximately 1,900 meters). Or visit the charming town of Taormina. We recommend exploring on foot, to see the many beautiful old buildings, including the 15th-century Palazzo Corvaja, and an ancient Greco-Roman theatre—the second-largest classical theatre in Sicily. Discover the medieval area of the town with its narrow streets and old shops.

Overnight in Ragusa

Today we suggest visit Cefalù, one of the top tourist destinations in Sicily. Cefalù, a medieval fishers’ village, on the slopes of a promontory, hosts as well a Unesco World Heritage site, the Arabic-Norman Cathedral, that looks like a fortress. The cathedral was erected by the Norman, King Roger II, as its own burial seat (no longer used for this purpose); for this reason, the polychrome mosaics on a golden background were positioned just in the apse and not on the sides of the cathedral. Then spend time walking the narrow streets and admire the medieval washhouses, still used until the 50s’.  You may also want to visit the Mandralisca Museum, home to the “Portrait of Unknow Man” by the famous Sicilian painter Antonello da Messina. End the day back in Palermo.

Overnight in Palermo

Today return the vehicle to the car rental agency back at Palermo Falcone Borsellino International Airport before checking in for your onward flight.