SICILY SELF DRIVE

After your arrival at Palermo Airport you will go to the car rental office to pick up the vehicle, go to the accommodation and begin your trip through Sicily.

Palermo is the capital of the autonomous region of Sicily in Italy, and is a city rich in history, culture, architecture and gastronomy.

Greca Tip: Palermo is famous for its delicious Sicilian cuisine, which includes dishes such as pasta con la sarde (pasta with sardines), caponata (an eggplant salad) and Sicilian cannolo (a sweet dessert filled with ricotta and chocolate). Don't miss the opportunity to try some of the local wines and spirits, such as Marsala and limoncello.

After a complete breakfast you can continue enjoying the city.

The Old Town of Palermo, known as "La Kalsa", is a labyrinth of narrow streets and historic buildings. Here, you can find the church of Santa Maria dello Spasimo, a place with unique architecture, which is used as a place for cultural events. Additionally, the Teatro Massimo, one of the largest theaters in Europe, is a must-see for lovers of opera and architecture.

In the afternoon you can also drive to Monreale, which is only 10 km away. This town is famous for its impressive Norman cathedral and its Byzantine mosaics.

The Cathedral of Monreale, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is an architectural and artistic jewel of Norman and Byzantine art. Built in the 12th century, this cathedral is famous for its impressive golden mosaics that cover almost the entire interior surface. The mosaics depict biblical scenes and stories from the Old and New Testaments, and are considered some of the best examples of Byzantine art in Italy.

Greca Tip: Palermo offers several beaches along its coast. Some of the most popular beaches include Mondello, Addaura and Sferracavallo.

After breakfast, you will have the day free to visit Sicily.

We recommend the optional visit of the coastal towns of Marsala, Trapani and Erice. If you decide to visit all three places you will drive approximately 170 km.

The historic center of Marsala is full of charm and offers cobblestone streets, picturesque squares and beautiful historical buildings. Piazza della Repubblica is the heart of the city and is home to the impressive Marsala Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Thomas Becket.

Trapani is charming, with narrow cobblestone streets, picturesque squares and historic buildings. Walking through the center will allow us to discover authentic Sicilian life, explore local shops and enjoy the typical architecture of the region.

Erice is a charming medieval village located on the top of a mountain. At the top is Venus Castle, an ancient Norman fortress dating back to the 12th century. The castle offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the Mediterranean Sea.

Greca Tip: The Trapani salt pans are a unique and fascinating landscape made up of saltwater ponds and traditional windmills used for the production of sea salt. You can visit the salt flats to learn about the salt production process and enjoy the stunning views of the landscape.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel you will have to drive to Catania.

On the way, about 120 km away, we recommend making a stop in Agrigento, famous city for the Valley of the Temples, one of the most important archaeological sites in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Valley of the Temples is a vast archaeological complex that is home to a number of impressive ancient Greek temples, including the famous Temple of Concord, which is considered one of the best preserved temples of Ancient Greece. Other notable temples include the Temple of Hera (Juno), the Temple of Hercules, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

Driving 160 km more you will reach Catania, the second most important city in Sicily. It is famous for its rich history, stunning baroque architecture, delicious cuisine and proximity to Europe's largest active volcano, Mount Etna.

Greca Tip: The historic center of Agrigento is charming, with cobbled streets, lively squares and historic buildings. Walking through the center allows you to enjoy authentic Sicilian life, explore local shops and enjoy the typical architecture of the region.

After a complete breakfast you will have the day free to continue exploring.

Just 50 km away is the city of Taormina. It is famous for its stunning hilltop location with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the active volcano Mount Etna.

This ancient Greek theater is one of the most emblematic places in Taormina. Built in the 3rd century BC, the theater offers stunning panoramic views of the sea and Mount Etna. It is a popular venue for concerts, plays and cultural events.

Nearby you can also visit Giardini Naxos, which is a charming coastal town. In the hills above Giardini Naxos lies the ancient town of Naxos, founded by Greek settlers in the 8th century BC. You can explore the ruins of ancient walls, temples and houses, as well as enjoy panoramic views of the coast.

Greca Tip: Giardini Naxos has several beautiful and well-equipped beaches that are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and water sports. Some of the most popular beaches include Lungomare Beach, Playa dei Giardini and Schisò Beach.

After a magnificent breakfast you will have free time to explore Catania.

You will be able to visit La Piazza del Duomo which is the heart of Catania and houses several important places of interest. The Cathedral of Saint Agatha, dedicated to the city's patron saint, dominates the square with its imposing baroque façade. In the square there is also the Fontana dell'Elefante, a baroque fountain with a volcanic stone elephant, a symbol of the city.

Catania has an impressive Roman amphitheater dating back to the 2nd century AD. Although much of the amphitheater is buried beneath the modern city, some excavated sections can be seen, including a section of the arena and part of the original seating.

In the afternoon, driving 60 km, you can visit the city of Syracuse which is known for its rich history spanning from Greek antiquity to Roman and Baroque times.

Greca Tip: In addition to the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, Syracuse has other important archaeological sites, such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Tears and the Necropolis of Pantalica, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

After the delicious breakfast, you will return the rental vehicle to end the adventure through Italy at your own pace.

Without a doubt, and after spending some fantastic days with Greca, we hope to see him again to enjoy some wonderful moments that will remain forever in his memory.

Have a good trip! Or, as you yourself will say, “Buon viaggio!”