Sicily Tour

Arrival in Catania

We meet at the AJet counter in the international terminal of Sabiha Gökçen Airport, 3 hours before the flight. After check-in we board AJet special flight VF5547, departing at 06.00 for Catania. We land at 06.40 local time. Our waiting vehicle takes us on a Catania city tour, covering the Duomo, the Elephant Fountain (Fontana dell'Elefante), Piazza Repubblica and Via Etnea. Free time follows, then we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Cefalu and Palermo

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra Cefalù and Palermo tour (100 Euro).

Cefalù, on Sicily's north coast, is a seaside town of cobbled lanes, colourful squares, golden beaches and Mediterranean views. Its landmark cathedral, with Norman architecture and Byzantine mosaics, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Our next stop is Palermo, the island's capital, shaped by Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs and Normans. We see Palermo Cathedral, the Quattro Canti and the Teatro Massimo opera house. We then transfer to our hotel in Catania. Overnight at the hotel.

Siracusa and Noto

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra Syracuse and Noto tour (75 Euro).

Our first stop is Syracuse, founded as a Greek colony in the 8th century BC. Once one of the most important cultural and trading centres of the Mediterranean, it is also known as the birthplace of Archimedes. Its most striking quarter is the island of Ortigia, with narrow stone lanes, graceful squares and Baroque buildings, alongside ancient temple ruins, historic fountains and seaside promenades.

Our second stop is Noto, the "capital of Sicilian Baroque", rebuilt in golden limestone after the great earthquake of 1693. With its churches, aristocratic palaces, ornate balconies and wide squares, the historic centre feels like an open-air museum, and Noto Cathedral, with its broad staircase and Baroque details, is the town's symbol. Noto is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. We then transfer to our hotel in Catania. Overnight at the hotel.

Etna, Savoca and Taormina

After breakfast at the hotel, guests who wish can join the optional extra Taormina, Savoca and Etna tour (75 Euro).

The first stop is Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, where old lava flows and extinct craters mark its slopes. We then visit Savoca, the mountain village where Francis Ford Coppola filmed The Godfather, stopping at the historic Bar Vitelli and walking the lanes around the Church of Santa Lucia.

We end the day in Taormina, high above the Ionian Sea, exploring its Greco-Roman theatre, boutique-lined historic streets and Corso Umberto with its harbour views.

At the time set by our guide we transfer to the airport. After check-in and passport control we board AJet special flight VF5548, departing at 20.40 for Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. We arrive at 01.05 local time, and our tour ends.