SICILIAN BEACHES TOUR (JUNE 12-21)

HIGHLIGHT

- 8 nights in central hotels with private baths

- Daily breakfast

- Welcome dinner

- 3 Sicilian Seafood Specialties Dinners in Capo D'Orlando

- Transportation from hotel to the venues
- Professionally Guided Private Tours to All Cities & Sites

- Wine & cheese tasting - Farewell dinner -

- Service of a bilingual, native of Italy Tour Manager, myself, Elsa Gramola

ITINERARY
June 13

Arrive in CATANIA
On a XIX century ancient palace's background, rise the hotel
where we will stay. This luxury 3 star hotel is the most central in
the city, situated on the Catania's prestigious "Via Etnea", which is
conveniently located for all the city's sights and shops. Just outside
the hotel, you are plunged into Catania society life, in a seventeenth
century baroque setting.

June 14-15 

TAORMINA is a region that is rich in natural beauty and scenic beaches, 
especially Isola Bella that means "the beautiful island."
Visit also of the Roman-Greek theater and enjoy stunning spectacular 
panoramic views of this breathtaking beautiful coastline, 
juxtaposed by Mount Etna's dramatic presence in the background.

June 16-17 

Aeolian Island

The sea is clear and warm, its color ranging from cobalt blue to crystal near the shore. The seven Aeolian Islands are situated off the north-eastern coast of Sicily.

Seven little volcanic islands surrounded by a warm and deep sea in an out-of-time atmosphere recalling a history of sea-adventures going back 5000 years: that's how long man's presence on these islands dates back. Holiday planning offers the chance of an extraordinary range of ideas in a natural and largely untouched environment: the main island Lipari, the green landscapes of Salina, the wild nature of Alicudi and Filicudi, the sophisticated Panarea and the charming Vulcano and Stromboli.

They have a strong volcanic character and on most of them some volcanic activity can still be experienced: the Gran Cratere on the island of Vulcano, finished off with sulphur smells and hot mud baths, of course, and the Stromboli.

The Aeolian Islands (Isole Eolie) lie to the north of Sicily (Mediterranean Sea - Southern Tyrrhenian Sea) and are in the summer a main tourist resort, attracting up to 200,000 visitors. The islands were colonized by the Greeks around 580 BC. They named them after the God of the Wind Aeolus. The largest island is Lipari, and the others include Vulcano, Salina and Stromboli Panarea, Filicudi and Alicudi. 

The town of Lipari has about 11,000 inhabitants. Vulcano is famous for its mud baths.

The Aeolian Islands have been listed by the UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.

Vulcano is the southernmost island and has some hot springs, really worth visiting Lipari - the largest island with most inhabitants and the best tourist infrastructure.

But for real adventure you should head out to Stromboli.

The Aeolian archipelago is a cluster of seven volcanic islands ranging in size from three to 37 square kilometres whimsically scattered off the northern coast of Sicily. Lipari, Salina, Vulcano, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi and Panarea are reachable almost exclusively by boat. For spoiled point-to-point travellers there are helicopter pads, but no airports. Cars are either banned or, when allowed, greatly outnumbered by loud Piaggio three-wheelers and their quieter golf cart counterparts.

June 18

Visit of Capo d'Orlando

A charming little seaside resort, Capo d’Orlando sits on a promontory of the same name surrounded by sea.The coastal road continues beyond the cape, following the contours of the land and providing beautiful views of the beach and the deep blue sea, its surface broken here and there by rocks.

June 19

Visit Cefalu'

One of the Mediterranean's undiscovered jewels. The epitome of picturesque grandeur. Good descriptions of this captivating seaside town beneath a steep mountain. Cefalu' has a beach, winding, narrow, medieval streets, and delightful restaurants overlooking a rocky coast.

June 20

Spend a day around the Barocco streets of CATANIA.

We will visit the city fish market.

Sicilian wine & cheese tasting & farewell dinner at my parents place.

June 21

Depart for Austin