Taormina & Baroque

Tour program

(Hotel & Rental Car Package - 7 nights)

Day 1: ARRIVE CATANIA (OVERNIGHT IN ACIREALE AREA)
KM 50
Arrival at Catania/Palermo airport, handling of car rental formalities and departure to Adreale area. Hotel accommodation. Free afternoon to explore the surroundings. Overnight in Adreale area.

Day 2: ETNA & TAORMINA (OVERNIGHT IN ACIREALE AREA)
KM 150
Breakfast in the hotel. This day you can decide to visit Etna & Taormina.

Suggested itinerary: In the morning drive to Mt. Etna, the highest peak of 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 about the great variety of vegetation and landscapes that we will meet along the way before arriving at the "Silvestri Craters" (about 1.900 mt). From here on you will have the option to continue the excursion by Jeep. We suggest you to make a stop at a local beekeeper to taste quality honey and to see how he is produced. In the afternoon visit of 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. Re-entry in hotel. Overnight

Day 3: FORZA D'AGRO’ & SAVOCA’s MONTALBANO ELICONA & MEGALITHS OF ARGIMUSCO (OVERNIGHT IN ACIREALE AREA)
KM 60
Breakfast in the hotel. This day you can decide to Savoca, Forza D'Agrò and Montalbano Elicona

Suggested itinerary: Drive to Forza D’ Agrò a charming village sits on a hill overlooking Taormina and the Ionian sea. Visit of the village with its beautiful views, the arch Durazzesco and the church, place chosen for shooting one of the most romantic scenes of the Godfather's movie, the marriage of Michael Corleone. Then drive to Savoca, village famous because here have been shooted some of the famous parts of the movie "The Godfather", directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It is the place where Michael Corleone married Apollonia. The buildings and the monuments of the movie are still here, like the famous Bar Vitelli, the same bar used to shoot The Godfather. Continue driving to the Sicilian hinterland, to the wonderful village of Montalbano Elicona, awarded in 2015 as the most beautiful village in Italy. A labyrinth of small roads conducts to the castle, which dominates the historical centre. You will be enchanted by the splendid views of the luxurious vegetation. Take a small tour of the town and continue to the Magaliths of Argimusco. Here you can see megaliths (rocks) from prehistoric periods and at the same time enjoy wonderful views of Mount Etna, the Aeolian Islands, the unusual mountains Rocca Salvatesta and Montagna di Vernà, cape Tindari, cape Calavà and cape Milazzo. Re-entry in hotel. Overnight in Adreale area.

Day 4: CATANIA, SYRACUSE & RAGUSA (OVERNIGHT IN SYRACUSE/RAGUSA AREA)
KM 165
After breakfast departure to Catania, a city lying on the slopes of Etna, rich in sumptuous and magnificent buildings.

Suggested itinerary: We suggest you to visit the typical fish market (closed Sunday) and to stroll around the city center which, for its historical and typical baroque buildings, has been proclaimed, together with the other towns of the Val di Noto, a World Heritage Site 'HUMANITY' by UNESCO. After visiting the city, continue to Syracuse, one of the most interesting sites on the island, where you can visit the Archaeological Park, famous for its Roman amphitheater, the Greek theater and the ear of Dionysus. Continue your visit by going to the island of Ortigia, the oldest part of the city, characteristic for its narrow alleys, for its sea views and for the wonderful square with its splendid cathedral. On to Syracuse/ Ragusa. Accommodation in hotel and overnight.

Day 5: RAGUSA, MODICA & NOTO (OVERNIGHT)
KM 110
Breakfast at the hotel. Today it will be possible to discover the less known part of Sicily, dominated by the sumptuous and majestic Baroque style of the buildings, characterized by the numerous UNESCO sites and also known for the television series of "Il Commissario Montalbano".

Suggested itinerary: Start your visit from the historic center of the city of Ragusa, "Ibla", characterized by the numerous baroque churches and palaces, as well as by the characteristic domes that dominate the city. Ragusa has become part of the Unesco list, with 18 sites declared World Heritage Sites. Continue to Modica, a UNESCO World Heritage city especially known for its chocolate as well as for its wonderful buildings. We advise you to wander through the alleys, always moving upwards, once you reach the highest part of the hill you can admire a wonderful panorama of the city. Continue your tour by going to Noto, included by UNESCO in the list of World Heritage Sites in 2002. Cross the famous Arco, stroll in the center admiring the wonderful aristocratic palaces with the famous decorated balconies, the sumptuous churches full of decorations, the cathedral with its staircase and the city theater, all built in Baroque style. Return to the hotel and overnight

Day 6: COMMISSARIO MONTALBANO TOUR (CHIARA MONTE GULFI E VITTORIA – PUNTÀ SECCA E SCIELI RAGUSA)
KM 120
Breakfast in the hotel. This day you can decide to visit the iconic places of the television series of "Il Commissario Montalbano".

Suggested itinerary: Drive to to Chiaramonte Gulfi, a beautiful old village called the Balcony of Sicily because of its splendid panoramic position. Walking through the small streets of the historic centre we visit the beautiful church of Santa Maria La Nova (Cathedral Square) and the church of San Giovanni. Chiaramonte Gulfi is famous for the production of the excellent extra virgin olive oil PDO and for the wine Nero d'Avola, Insolia or Cerasuolo DOCG. Then drive to Vittoria, famous for the Cerasuolo wine. Continue driving to Punta Secca district of Santa Croce di Camerina for a short stop to see the city, beach and house of Commissario Montalbano, and on to Scicli, beautiful city known as "VIGATA" name invented by the writer where is the Vigata police station (Commissariato). Overnight .

DAY 7: AGRIGENTO (OVERNIGHT IN SYRACUSE) KM 270

Breakfast at hotel. This day you can decide to visit the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento
Suggested Itinerary: Drive to Agrigento to discover the wonderful and well-known Valley of the temples where you can admire the Temple of
Juno, the Temple of Concordia (one of the best preserved Doric temples in the whole Greek world), the Temple of Hercules and the Temple of
Castor and Pollux.
OR we suggest you to drive to Marzamenti, a delightful seaside village with pastel colors, developed thanks to tuna fishing, where it will be
possible to admire one of the most important and well-preserved tuna traps in Sicily and then in Vendicari Nature Reserve where flamingos,
herons and storks stop during their migratory flows towards Africa Come back to the hotel and overnight.

Day 8: AIRPORT CATANIA THROUGH MARZAMEMI & VENDICARI KM 130

Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to the airport, Release of the car at the car rental desk. Grazie e arrivederci!

RATES PER PERSON IN DOUBLE ROOM STANDARD

The tour includes 7 nights; there is also the possibility of opting for a 14-night tour with a 5% discount on the second week by doubling the overnight stays in each hotel.

The rate includes:

• 3 overnights in a 4-star hotel in Taormina area/Adreale on BB basis
• 4 overnights in a 4-star hotel in Ragusa/Syracuse on BB basis
• If requested Car category C with “PLATINUM insurance” included*

*Full coverage for damages and theft (no deductibles)
*Personal Injury insurance protection
*Road assistance Plus (refund for taxi up to € 120)

Important informations:

• Each rental day is a fraction of 24 hours, the vehicle must be
  returned on time or within the next 59 minutes.
• The pick-up and drop-off of the car at the airport will be during the
  opening hours of the company Noleggiare (Everyday from 08:00 to
  22:30); after these hours the rental company will charge an extra
  fee. Please inquire before booking your flight.

Cancellation policy:

• Cancellations up to 15 days before departure with full refund.
• Cancellations from 14 to 8 days before departure, penalty of 30%
• Cancellations from 7 to 4 days before departure, penalty of 50%
• In case of cancellation within 3 days before departure, penalty of
  100%
• There will be no refund for no shows or voluntary interruption of
  an already started trip

4*selected hotels or similar:

• Adreale : Orizzonte, Wave hotels or similar (*)
• Ragusa/Syracuse: Mediterraneo Palace/Panorama or similar (*)
• Supplement hotel Taormina area: Antares, Caesar Palace,
  Sporting Baia or similar (*)

(*) It could happen and i n case of problems the hotels indicated may
be replaced with others of the same category located in the same
towns or up to 30 km distance where will be possible to realize the
program. In case of hotels full booked we reserve to invert the tour
and/or confirm the booking in a middle-class hotel
The name of the hotel will be sent to you 21 days before the arrival

Special Offer:
5% promotion for bookings until 31.12.25

General Conditions

• Norma Vacanze only deals with the intermediation between the customer and the car rental company. In the event of disputes with the rental company or accidents, the rules established in the contract signed at the airport between the customer and the rental company shall apply, without any involvement of Norma Vacanze.
• Each customer will be able to choose independently whether to follow the suggested itinerary or, instead, to create one according to its needs. However, it is essential to follow the program concerning the cities where to overnight
• The cars are subjected to availability and your category may not be available on all periods. In case the C category will not be available at the time of your booking, a superior category will be offered with a supplement that will be communicated before the confirmation of each reservation.
• Parking in hotel is not guaranteed. It will be possible in the surrounding area
• The rate includes Category C car rental for the duration of your stay with the "Platinum" insurance package;
• The drivers must have the credit card for the check in.
• NORMA VACANZE is not responsible for accidents, delays, damage or loss of luggage or personal items, nor for damage caused by third parties or others such as floods, storms, hurricanes, landslides, earthquakes, political unrest, terrorist attacks, strikes.

Car rental terms and conditions:

The rate includes:

• Category C car, unlimited mileage
  22% VAT
• Airport, railway and automotive charges
• Motor TPL policy - auto civil liability
• Platinum insurance - resets all deductibles for theft and damage. It also covers damage to glass and tyres and attempted theft. Personal Injury Insurance. Road assistance Plus.
• Additional driver

The rate does not include:

• Fuel
• Fines
• Re-notification fees
• Rental to leave in another airport
• Baby Seat
• Satellite Navigator
• Fuel recovery service, an extra charge of €30,00 will be applied if the car is returned with more than 5 litres of fuel missing
• There is a tolerance of 59 minutes, after which a full day will be charged
• At the time of booking, the car group is guaranteed, not the model

Platinum insurance includes:

With Platinum insurance, the amount of the deductible will not be charged. The "Platinum" package clears the deductibles provided for all damages, partial, attempted and total theft, including windows, tyres, damage to the roof, damage to the lower part of the vehicle. Damage to the interior and damage caused by vandalism, riots, etc. are excluded.

The rate does not include:

• City tax to be paid on spot
• Lunches and dinners where not mentioned
• Tips and extras of a personal nature
• Porterage service
• Gasoline
• Motorway tolls
• Parkings
• Tickets for plane, ship, train or bus to reach airport
• Entrance to monuments and archaeological parks
• Anything not expressly indicated in "the rate includes"
• Car must be delivery at the same airport or there will be an additional cost to be agreed with the rental company.
• Each rental day is a fraction of 24 hours, the vehicle must be returned on time or within the next 59 minutes.
• The pick-up and drop-off of the car at the airport will be during the opening hours of the company Noleggiare (everyday from 08:00 to 22:30); after these hours the rental company will charge an extra fee. Please inquire before booking your flight.