Catania & Palermo Tour Route V3 (All Tours Included)

We will meet our valued guests at 05:00 in front of the Turkish Airlines (THY) international counters (counters 1–27) at Istanbul Airport, Gate 3, to proceed with check-in. We will depart for Catania on THY flight TK1393 at 07:00 and arrive at 08:25 local time. From there, we will head to Mount Etna by our waiting vehicle. En route, we will have the opportunity to capture stunning photographs of Mount Etna, which embraces us with its lush vegetation and breathtaking scenery. As we ascend Europe's highest active volcano, we will pass the second crater, Silvestri, located at an altitude of 1,800 meters. Don't forget to collect some smoking rock fragments as souvenirs! Continuing our tour through areas formed by lava flows from Mount Etna, we will enjoy many picturesque views ideal for photography. Next, we will travel to Syracuse. In this historic city where the renowned mathematician Archimedes once lived, notable sights include the Arethusa Fountain, the Cathedral, the Diana Fountain, and the Temple of Apollo. After the tour, we will return to our hotel, complete check-in procedures, and enjoy free time. Overnight stay at our hotel.

After breakfast, we begin our full-day tour at the time specified by our guide. On our Savoca, Taormina, and Giardini Naxos excursion, we will visit the iconic filming locations of the world-famous film "The Godfather." Among the highlights are Bar Vitelli and San Michele Church. After strolling through streets that feel straight out of a movie, we head to Taormina, the pearl of the Ionian Sea and Sicily's most beautiful coastal town. With its unparalleled views, its location at the foot of Mount Etna, its charming streets, and its souvenir shops, this delightful city is well worth exploring. Next, we move on to Giardini Naxos, renowned for its colorful streets and volcanic beach. First settled by the Greeks in the 6th century BC, later inhabited by the Phoenicians and Romans, this cultural mosaic offers unforgettable moments. Following the visit, we return to our hotel.

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and head to Catania city center. Our panoramic city tour includes visits to the Duomo Cathedral, Fontana dell'Elefante, Piazza della Repubblica, and Via Etnea. Next, we arrive in Cefalù. In this charming fishing town on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, we will enjoy a pleasant time exploring the 12th-century historic cathedral, the Fishermen's Gate, and its unique streets. After the excursion, we return to our hotel in Palermo.

After breakfast, we depart from the hotel for our tour of Monreale. We visit the Monreale Cathedral, the most significant example of Byzantine architecture in Sicily. Renowned for its 6,500 square meters of glass mosaics, the cathedral is considered one of the masterpieces of Byzantine art and among the finest examples of Norman-period art. Afterwards, we return to central Palermo. Notable sights include Politeama Square, Quattro Canti Square, Via Roma, and Via Libertà. We spend the night at our hotel.

After breakfast, we complete our hotel check-out and head to Erice at the time set by our guide. A typical medieval town with its walls, stone houses with courtyards, and narrow streets, Erice will make you feel as if you have traveled back in time during the free period we spend here. Next, we proceed to Castellammare del Golfo. This small but impressive town near Trapani stands out for its historic character and natural beauty; its long beach and the Aragonese Castle are among the highlights. After the tour, we transfer to Palermo Airport. Following passport control and baggage procedures, we depart on Turkish Airlines flight TK1374 at 19:35, arriving at Istanbul Airport at 23:05 local time. End of our tour.