Road Trip among the Most Beautiful Villages of North-Eastern Sicily

PROGRAM

Day 1 (Montalbano Elicona and Novara di Sicilia)
The tour will start from the village of Montalbano Elicona with a visit to the Castle of Frederick II, the most significant historical and architectural element of the town, which dominates an irregular and tortuous medieval urban fabric that winds up and down the alleys, adapting to the conformation of the rocky promontory.
Free lunch for participants.
In the afternoon we continue towards Novara di Sicilia. The village is a feast for the eyes! The image of the village comes from the streets made of stone basalt (ciappe), the portals of the cathedral and other churches, the cornices of the balconies, the corbels and underlying supports (cagnò) of the ancient palazzi, all works created between the 16th and 18th centuries. Through the intricate cobbled alleyways (vaelli), cut into mosaics between the old houses clinging to each other on the slope, you can breathe in the mystery of time. Here you will visit the Giorginaro Mill, a 14th-century horizontal-wheel water mill, fully functional, with an explanation and practical demonstration of milling. In the evening, transfer to a b&b, dinner at the participants' leisure and overnight stay.

Day II (Castiglione di Sicilia and Castelmola)
After breakfast, the tour will continue to Castiglione di Sicilia, a characteristic medieval centre located on a hill between Mount Etna and the southern bank of the Alcantara river. It thus appears as a typical highland centre, with the houses arranged along a steep slope. At the highest point, the seats of civil and religious power confront each other. During the morning, an excursion to the Alcantara Gorge will be organised, with characteristic river trekking.
In the afternoon, we set off again for Castelmola, a natural balcony above Taormina. This village is the vertigo of vision: entering its field of vision, in a blaze of prickly pears, is majestic Mount Etna with the villages clinging to its slopes, the Ionian coast, the Gulf of Giardini-Naxos, the Cape of Sant'Alessio, the Strait of Messina and the Calabrian coast. One would never want to come down from this sunny belvedere: a watchful eye on the sea, one's back to the mountain, one's heart inside a ruined castle. Beyond the ancient shade of the almond trees is the entrance to the village, perched atop endless hairpin bends. With its narrow streets intersecting and meeting in the main square, it immediately reveals the medieval settlement. Doors and windows are panelled in Taormina stone, the colours of the houses vary from yellow to beige and antique pink, the pitched roofs still bear 'Sicilian-style' tiles, the street furniture is neat, place names, house numbers and signs are in stone and wrought iron. Awaiting you here will be an aperitif organised in the characteristic and very special Bar Turrisi, an unmissable place where you can sample typical Mediterranean flavours in the company of sculptures representing man's fertility and virility.
In the evening you will be expected at the Hellenia Yachting Club in Giardini Naxos for an overnight stay.

Day 3 (Taormina and Savoca)
After breakfast at the hotel, the morning will unfold in Taormina, perched atop Monte Tauro, a natural terrace overlooking the sea that is a dream for any tourist. A marvellous location and unique natural beauty have earned this town the nickname of Pearl of the Ionian Sea, making it the most famous and important holiday resort, and not only, in the whole of Sicily. Taormina welcomes you at any time of year with its Mediterranean climate, its historical centre rich in monuments and its spectacular Hellenistic theatre that offers a spectacular view of the turquoise sea and a view that stretches as far as the coast of Calabria, the city of Syracuse and the summit of Mount Etna. After a walk along Corso Umberto I, it will be time to visit the Ancient Theatre, one of the most spectacular and best-preserved Greek theatres in the world. In the afternoon, the tour will end in Savoca, the village of the 'seven faces', set of the famous film The Godfather by Francis Ford Coppola. The village welcomes us with its streets paved with basalt blocks of lava stone, its restored houses with Sicilian tile roofs, portals and windows made of local stone, and elegant façades that display the colours of ancient Savoca. A stop at the Vitelli bar is a must, where you can sample the famous lemon granita and 'zuccarata' (typical biscuit).

The fee includes:
- Entrance to the Castle of Frederick II at Montalbano Elicona (ME)
- Visit to the Giorginaro Mill in Novara di Sicilia (ME) with explanation and practical demonstration
- N.1 overnight stay at B&B Il Gattopardo in Novara di Sicilia (ME)
- Ticket for the river terkking at the Alcantara Gorges, which includes: visit to the Botanical and Geological Park, visit to the interior of the Gorges, presence of river assistants, salopettes provided and access to the lifts.
- Aperitif organised at the Turrisi bar in Castelmola (ME)
- N.1 overnight stay at the Hellenia Yachting Hotel**** in Giardini Naxos with breakfast included
- Entrance to the Greek Theatre in Taormina (ME)
- Entrance and lemon granita tasting at Bar Vitelli in Savoca.
- Medical/luggage insurance for each participant valid throughout the Schenghen area.
- VAT, taxes and service charges.

The fee does not include:
- Possible car rental at one of the Sicilian airports
- Meals not mentioned
- Everything not expressly indicated under 'the fee includes'.
- Tips and porterage
- Tourist tax

Supplements/reductions:
- Third bed supplement € 45.00 per person per night
- Fourth bed supplement € 30.00 per person per night
- Extra baby cot on request € 20.00 per night
- Children under 3 years stay for free in their parents' bed

Methods of payment:
 Down payment of 30% on booking.
 Balance within 30 days of departure.

CANCELLATION POLICY:
 In case of a global cancellation made from 29 days before arrival until 11 days before arrival, a cancellation fee of 40% of the total amount will be charged.
 In the event of a global cancellation from 10 days prior to arrival, and in the event of a No Show, a cancellation fee of 100% of the total amount will be charged.

IMPORTANT
No services covered by this quotation have been opted for or booked.
All services are subject to reconfirmation based on actual availability at the time of booking.