Art and photo tour of spactacular Sicily

Day 1 - CATANIA AIRPORT - CATANIA SIGHTSEEING

Arrival in Catania airport and transfer to Catania .

We will have a walk from Elefant Fountain in front of Sant’Agata church along the Via Etnea , the main city street . We will see the baroque palaces and you will arrive till Bellini Park where there is the conservatory tour with our tour escort of this town. Transfer to Hotel Alexander in Giardini Naxos. Overnight.

Day 2 - EXCURSION TO ETNA VOLCANO

Breakfast in hotel and departure to Volcano Etna , the highest and most  active volcano in Europe .
We will arrive before 7:00 PM at Crateri Silvestri and we will take a walk to see the creaters and then we can admire this spectacular dark and barren landscape . Some of us may decide to proceed and climb by cablecar and then jeep to reach the summit of this wondeful volcano (Euro 55,00 pp to pay on the spot), or we can enjoy some time to paint and photograph  the scenery. On to the hotel Alexander. We will enjoy a Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant in the surroundings.
Come back to hotel for overnight.

Day 3 - TAORMINA

Breakfast in hotel and excursion to Taormina ,  situated on a plateau on the slopes of the steeply dropping Monte Tauro, dominating the Ionian coast from Capo Sant’Andrea to Capo Taormina. Possibility to visit the Greek-Roman theatre, the 2nd largest classical theatre in Sicily.  We can sit on the balcony and admire the beautiful panoramic overview of the sea and paint or take photos.

On to the Hotel Alexander for the overnight.

Day 4 - SIRACUSA

After breakfast departure to Siracusa for a guided tour of this town and its archeological park.
This is one of the most interesting archaeological sites of the island. Guided tour at the Archeological Park, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Greek Theatre, the Ear of  Dionysus, the Cave of the Cordari, and the Island of  Ortigia, the most ancient nucleus of the city with its stunning cathedral.
Time at your leisure
Check in at Hotel Panorama. Overnight.

Day 5 - SIRACUSA

Breakfast followed by a half day excursion along the River Ciane, where we will be able to admire the vegetation and animals of this wonderful place.
In the evening we will see the theatrical production of  “Electra” .
On to the hotel Panorama for overnight.

Day 6 - NOTO EXCURSION

Breakfast and overnight in Siracusa.
the day will be dedicated to the visit of the baroque city of Noto, famous for the cathedral.
During our walk in the streets of Noto, we will be astonished by the various balcony styles and especially of the several under-balconies.

Day 7 - PIAZZA ARMERINA - AGRIGENTO

Breakfast in hotel and departure to Piazza Armerina .
We will visit the Villa Romana del Casale, ancient Roman Villa rich with well preserved mosaics . On to Agrigento , known for the Valley of the Temples.
Allocation in hotel Del Viale- overnight.

Day 8 - AGRIGENTO

After breakfast we will go to the beautiful Valle dei Templi,  where we can admire the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concorde — one of the best preserved doric temples in the whole Greek world–, the Temple of Ercules and the Temple of Castor and Pollux. We will walk in this valley rich with history and temples. We will have time to paint or take photos .
From here we will have an enchanting view .
On to the hotel Del Viale for overnight.

Day 9 - AGRIGENTO-SELINUNTE-SEGESTA-PALERMO

Breakfast in hotel and departure to Selinunte to visit the Archeological Park . On to Segesta to see the Doric temple and the theatre.
On to Palermo and overnight in hotel Crystal Palace.

Day 10 - PALERMO

Breakfast and overnight in the hotel.

Full day visit of Palermo and its most important monuments, Cathedral , Palazzo dei Normanni (ancient Royal Palace ) , Cappella Palatina , San Giovanni degli Eremiti. We will also tour its old city center with the Theatre of Politeama and Massimo , Piazza della Vergogna and i Quattro Canti. 

Return to the hotel for overnight.

Day 11 - MONREALE AND MONTE PELLEGRINO EXCURSION

Breakfast in the hotel.
Full day excursion to Monreale and  Monte Pellegrino where there is the Sanctuary of Santa Rosalia , patroness of the city who freed the people from the plague. We will have a view of the wonderful Palermo gulf and  then on to the hotel. 
Overnight in Hotel Crystal Palace.

Day 12 - PALERMO - MONTALBANO ELICONA

After breakfast departure to Montalbano Elicona , a village which became famous in 2015 for being recognized as one of the Most Beautiful Borgos in Italy.
Here we can enjoy a walk through the alleys before joing the Castle Svevo-Aragonese and its Chapel in Byzantine style, in which are preserved the remains of the alchemist, doctor, reformer and  sometimes heretic Arnaldo da Villanova are saved. He used to come here to Sicily, especially to Montalbano, together with the Stupor mundi Federico II.
Montalbano has also a symbol of the Stone Ages thanks to the megaliths, situated on the Argimusco Plateau, which probably in the past were used to celebrate rituals or study of the stars and nature. A stop in Montalbano Elicona is like a throwback, a walking in the Middle ages. Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant.
Overnight in Hotel Federico II.

Day 13 - MONTALBANO ELICONA - CATANIA

Breakfast in hotel.
Departure to Catania stopping to Messina to visit this nice town and possibility to taste a local granita.
Overnight in hotel Garden in San Giovanni La Punta/Catania.

Day 14 - CATANIA AIRPORT

Early transfer to Catania airport for our flight back home full with wonderful memories of this spectacular country.