• Flights;Drinks during lunches/dinners;Hotel Service porterage;

  Local taxes;

  Tips.

Breakfast in hotel.

Guided tour of Siracusa.

The tour starts in Archimede Square and its main picturesque streets, ( via Roma e Corso Matteotti), off via delle Maestranze. The square is surrounded by impressive baroque palaces such as Platamone palace with some elements of Catalan architecture, Lanza Palace with Muntins in windows , and Gargallo Palace.  The beautiful  Artemide fountain which portrays the metamorphosis of  nymph  Arteusa rises in the middle.   Along the seafront which leads to Ortigia, you can enjoy the magnificent view of Maniace Castle, overlooking the sea, and surrounded by a stone fortification.  Dinner at Veliero Restaurant. ( Included). Return to the hotel

Breakfast in hotel.

Departure for Catania.
Guided tour of Stanze in Fiore del Canalicchio. The gardens surrounded  by the countryside  estate, was built in 800’.  The construction  began in 2000 by Rossella Pezzino De Geronimo , with the idea of creating a lush contemporary garden in which was possible to  grow  Mediterranean , tropical and subtropical plants. The result is a blend of colours and scents. The garden is divided in rooms, whose  creeping plants are the  main characters.  Lunch at the estate. Afterwards, departure for Lentini to visit Biviere, the garden of  Princesses Borghese. A legend relates that Hercules offered the skin of the Lion  Nemeo to the goddess Cerere, and in order to honour his  action, she created  a lake, giving the name of Erculeo.  After many centuries, the lake was renamed Bevere by the Arabs, a fish-pond for animals. Palermo City Council  preserves the original document of the edict of King Martino, who in 1392 , granted  as  a Fief the Beviere di Lentini to Don Scipione Borghese. In the thirties,  the lake was drained because of a widespread disease , and due to that the property was abounded by hunters and fishermen. Today thanks to the passion and love of the owners, the place has become a beautiful Mediterranean garden. After the visit check in to Excelsior Grand Hotel ****. Dinner in hotel.

Breakfast in hotel.

Guided tour of Paternpo’ del Toscano Park. Located on the slopes of Etna, the Park covers an area of 30 hectares. It is characterized by lava layers and thanks to this  element,  it was possible to create  a rocky garden rich in yuccae, dasylirion,  agave and other types of plants. The main dwelling, built in the fifties, is on the highest spot of the property. The difference in height between the entrance and the dwelling , divided by terraces , make this location one of a kind. The place has been created in order to feature a lush park with a wide range of plants from around the world.  Lunch in the Park, ( included). Next  is the guided tour of Villa Trinita  Garden, located in the same area. It was built on top of Hellenistic and Romans ruins.  In 1382 the lava had covered everything, and  thanks to deep tillage for vines plantation, many treasures of the  past were found. Today, the  owner Salvatore Bonajuto, (  Agronomist and Garden Designer),  has created a garden of three hectares,  keeping traces of the past such as the rocky path  called  “Rasule”, and irrigation systems called “ Saje”. The igneous rock is the main character of the garden.  At the end, departure for Poggio Ducale hotel  and dinner in the restaurant.

Return to the hotel.

Breakfast in hotel.

Meeting with the tour guide Mrs Mariella  Scandulia to visit Biscari Palace located in the heart of Catania. The owners will wait for you.  The courtyard and the beautiful rooms have been restored after the earthquake in 1991. Afterwards tour of Catania. The visit starts with Duomo square, the heart of old Catania. It features the beautiful Elefante fountain , the cathedral with the chapel of San Agata, and Elefanti Palace which is also the headquarters of Catania City Counsel.  Next you head for Via dei Crociferi, one of the most suggestive streets of the city thanks to the splendid baroque Jesuit churches, San Giuliano and the Monastery of Benedictine. Giovanni Verga’s novel “ Story of a Blackcap” was set in this location.  Visit to Monastery of Benedictine. It  is a  great historical and architectural interest, and today is the headquarters of Faculty of Letters and Philosophy. On request, lunch at the wine cellar of Biscari Palace. In the afternoon, after the visit to Catania, transfer to the Airport.

End of the Tour.