Tour of Sicily and Calabria

Departure is an exciting time for many travellers. It marks the beginning of an adventure. Today you will start to be part of a community, which will give you a rewarding travel experience. You will have the opportunity to turn a simple trip into an opportunity for personal growth, cultural enrichment, Globest welcomes you to PALERMO. After your welcome at the airport, we will head to the hotel to present the rich and exciting program of the week. Typical dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we will leave for Monreale, a wonderful Arab-Norman town located a few kilometers from Palermo. Guided tour of the Norman cathedral, considered one of the most beautiful in the world for its polychrome mosaics, executed on a gold background (entrance included). At the end of the visit, we will return to Palermo to dedicate the rest of the day to visiting the capital of Sicily. The city of a thousand faces, crossroads of peoples, amalgam of different cultures and traditions, beautiful and charming, Palermo was Phoenician, Greek and Roman capital, Arab capital, land of conquest for Normans, Swabians, French and Spanish. The testimonies of its glorious past we will see in the grandeur of its artistic and architectural heritage. We will visit with the local guide the Norman Palace, also known as Royal Palace (outside); the Cathedral; the ” Quattro Canti “; the ” Cape Market” . Lunch with Palermitane specialties. In the late afternoon return to hotel, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we will leave for Agrigento to visit the archaeological park of the Valley of the Temples (entrance included), which covers an area of about 1300 hectares, where there are the remains of more than ten Doric style temples, as well as three sanctuaries, a large concentration of pagan and Christian necropolis, fortifications, part of a Roman Hellenistic quarter built on a Greek plant; two important meeting places: the lower and upper Agora. Relax for lunch. Afterwards, we will start through a panoramic road, towards Caltanisetta and Enna, in the heart of Sicily. We will reach the region of Catania, where we will stop in Hotel to have dinner and stay overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. morning dedicated to the excursion on Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. arrived at the refuge wisdom, it will be possible for those who wish to make the excursion (for a fee) to the summit craters of Etna
First using the cable car of Etna, which from 1900 meters will lead us to 2500 meters, reached 2500 meters, the tour will continue aboard special vehicles “jeep 4×4” until reaching 2900 meters. After the excursion on Mount Etna, we will descend towards the vineyards of Zafferana Etnea and a renowned farm will welcome us for the visit of its cellars, a tasting of wines and local products and then a typical lunch. In the afternoon we will visit Taormina, a beautiful pearl set on the east coast of Sicily, land of the Greeks and Romans, which offers a breathtaking spectacle between nature, history and culture. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast we will leave for Messina to cross the strait by ferry and go from Messina to Villa San Giovanni without an escort. At the landing, you will meet the Calabrian escort who will stay with you until departure from Naples. In the middle of the morning, we will arrive in Reggio Calabria, one of the most beautiful cities of Calabria, lying on the Strait of Messina and tip of the boot of Italy. We will visit the seafront Falcomatà, one of the most beautiful walks on the sea in Italy, the Aragonese Castle and the National Archaeological Museum that houses the Bronzes, found in the seabed of Riace (from which the Bronzes of Riace). In the afternoon we will continue to Scilla, one of the most beautiful and famous villages on the Tyrrhenian coast of Calabria, perched on a picturesque and panoramic rocky promontory overlooking the sea dominated by the imposing Ruffo castle (outside). We will visit the small seaside village of Chianalea characterized by the houses that emerge directly from the rocks close to the sea and addossate to each other. We will arrive in the evening at the hotel area Palmi, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning dedicated to the visit of Tropea, the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, it is a charming seaside resort capable of surprising and enchanting built on the edge of a promontory that reflects itself in the crystal clear sea of the Costa degli Dei. The historic centre is splendid, with its 18th century urban structures, picturesque alleys, baroque palaces, large courtyards and majestic portals. In the afternoon we reach Pizzo Calabro,
In the afternoon we will reach Pizzo Calabro, an ancient fishing village perched on a promontory of tuff along the Costa degli Dei will capture your imagination with its timeless charm and rich history. Walk in the old town. Tasting of the famous homemade ice cream from Pizzo: «il Tartufo», hazelnut ice cream with a heart of melted bitter chocolate, all covered in chocolate powder! Arrival in the evening at the hotel in Vibo Valentia, dinner and overnight.

Breakfast in the hotel and departure for Stilo, ancient village among the most beautiful of Italy. Climbed on Mount Consolino, it is arranged in steps and has noble stone buildings, small squares, stairways and alleys between characteristic dark stone houses. Attention: you will have to walk for about 1 km. Lunch in a «farm». In the afternoon, continue to Serra San Bruno, a small mountain village in the heart of the Parco delle Serre, surrounded by dense beech, fir and oak woods famous for the Certosa, the first monastery of the order of the Carthusians. The Charterhouse is a place of silence and prayer, where monks live in seclusion and follow an austere and rigorous rule. It is not possible to visit the interior of the monastery, but you can access the museum of the monastery (entrance included), which tells the history and life of the monks through photos and objects. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we will visit Paola, a town overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and surrounded by wonderful mountain landscapes, among the most famous of the Riviera dei Cedri that gave birth to San Francesco di Paola, patron saint of Calabria. We will visit the Saint’s birthplace. We will continue to Altomonte, medieval village at 496 meters above sea level, with a splendid view of the mountains of Pollino, Sila, the plain of Sibari and the Ionian Sea. The shape of its old town is reminiscent of an Arab city, with narrow alleys and steep stairs (expect 15 minutes walk to reach the center). Lunch in Altomonte. After the visit we will continue to the region of Naples, accommodation in hotel, dinner and overnight.

On this day of return, nostalgia for the places visited and enthusiasm for returning home mix. We will accompany you to the airport to help you with the boarding logistics. Today we close a chapter and open a new one, we will say goodbye, but you are part of our community, you will carry with you the promise of new future adventures even more extraordinary.  While you wait for your flight, reflect on the extraordinary experiences you have experienced during your journey: from delicious dishes to natural wonders discovered along the way. You will prepare to face the daily routine with new energy. Good return home.