Trips And Tours Around Sicily

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At Iopitour we take care of the whole package: we design an attractive proposal for each group; we find suitable accommodation; we co-ordinate the coach transfers; we meet the group on thei arrival, and provide a Tour manager or assistance during your stay. IOPITOUR TOUR OPERATOR based in italy since 1996.

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Inspector Montalbano tour in Eastern Sicily

You will visit: Catania, Etna, Taormina, Siracusa, Marzamemi, Noto, Ragusa, Modica, Scicli, Sampieri, Punta Secca.

Departure from Catania6D/5N TRAVEL IN YOUR HAND.

COD 2909

T ur O eratoro p

Discover the places of the drama series based on the books featuring the Sicilian Detective by Andrea Camilleri

Day 1: CATANIAArrival in Catania. Pick up of the group by guide and coach. Transfer to one of our 4-star hotel. Check into hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: ETNA/TAORMINAFollowing a continental breakfast at the hotel we will board a coach and depart for Etna; Europe's best known volcano. Here, you will then have the chance to do some sightseeing around the volcano. You might want to attempt the 3000 meter guide-assisted climb. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, you will meet our driver-guide for an excursion to Taormina where you can admire the Greek-Roman Theatre, offering a view of rare beauty off the coast. In the evening, return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 3: SYRACUSE –MARZAMEMI- NOTO Following a continental breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to Syracuse on the south-eastern side of Sicily. Syracuse was founded by colonists from Cornith in 735 B.C. and once the most important competitor to Athens. Upon arrival you will go sightseeing on the island of Ortygia which boasts several historical landmarks, ancient ruins, crafts shops and boutiques. After this you will meet our guide to visit the Greek Theatre, the Orecchio di Dioniso and the Roman Amphitheatre. Furthermore, you will visit

the Archaeological Park. After you will depart to Marzamemi, a lovely fishermans village. The area is endowed with spots of either naturalistic and historical interest, such as the Pantano Morghella, that is allegedly the site of the ancient city of Ichana going back to the 6th century BC. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon you will continue sightseeing in Noto to admire the

Day 4: RAGUSA IBLA /MODICABreakfast in hotel, meeting with our guide to visit Ragusa Ibla, constructed on an isolated spur. RAGUSA Ibla is known as Vigata city in the Camilleri's Fiction. Ibla, in glaring contrast to the modern city, is one of the best-preserved old towns in Sicily. The landscapes around Ragusa are among the most memorable in Sicily. Here you can admire St. George Cathedral with its gorgeous square (this place inspired several movies, apart from Montalbano, such as “Divorzio all'italiana”). Also, you will visit Donnafugata Castle, an another important place of the fiction. Lunch is on your own. In the afternoon departure for a sightseeing tour with a local guide to Modica. This is an old county near Syracuse, and it is one of mankind's heritages, worldwide known for its tasty chocolate. Here, you will visit the Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, the oldest confectionary shop of Sicily and taste the very famous chocolate of Modica.

Furthermore, you will visit St. Peter's Cahedral, St. George Cathedral, and Salvatore Quasimodo's house (S. Quasimodo was one of the most famous Italian poets of the twentieth century, he was honored with the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature in 1959).

Day 5: SCICLI /SAMPIERI / PUNTA SECCAAfter continental breakfast at the hotel, departure to Scicli, it is one of UNESCO's heritages. Here you will visit the Via Mormino Penna, lined with amazing palazzi, churches and old buildings, and the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), where the Police Station scene of Montalbano Fiction have been recorded. You will continue your day with a tour to Sampieri, where you can admire “l'antica fornace del picciotto “ ( in the fiction is called MANNARA, where some crime scenes have been recorded). Fish lunch at the restaurant. In the afternoon you will proceed your tour in Punta Secca, known as “marinella”. This is Montalbano' house, a sea side place with an amazing view. Dinner in a typical Sicilian farm where you can eat local products.

Day 6: RETURNAfter breakfast at the hotel, you have time for shopping; afterwards transfer to Catania Airport and departure. End of our services.

Day 1: CATANIAArrival in Catania. Pick up of the group by guide and coach. Transfer to one of our 3 /4-star hotel. Check into hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: ETNA/TAORMINAFollowing a continental breakfast at the hotel we will board a coach and depart for Etna; Europe's best known volcano. Here, you will then have the chance to do some sightseeing around the volcano. You might want to attempt the 3000 meter guide-assisted climb. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, you will meet our driver-guide for an excursion to Taormina where you can admire the Greek-Roman Theatre, offering a view of rare beauty off the coast. In the evening, return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 3: SYRACUSE –MARZAMEMI- NOTO – RAGUSAFollowing a continental breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to Syracuse on the south-eastern side of Sicily. Syracuse was founded by colonists from Cornith in 735 B.C. and once the most important competitor to Athens. Upon arrival you will go sightseeing on the island of Ortygia which boasts several historical landmarks, ancient ruins, crafts shops and boutiques. After this you will meet our guide to visit the Greek Theatre, the Orecchio di Dioniso and the Roman Amphitheatre. Furthermore, you will visit the Archaeological Park. After you will depart to Marzamemi, a lovely fishermans village. The area is endowed with spots of either naturalistic and historical interest, such as the Pantano Morghella, that is allegedly the site of the ancient city of Ichana going back to the 6th century BC. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon you will continue sightseeing in Noto to admire the historical centre and the main cathedral. Transfer to Ragusa, accommodation at hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Classic Tour of SicilyYou will visit: Catania, Etna, Taormina, Siracusa, Marzamemi, Noto,Ragusa, Modica, Scicli, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Mothia, Erice,Palermo, Monreale

RAGUSA

MESSINA

CATANIA

PALERMO

TRAPANI

AGRIGENTO

ENNA

CALTANISSETTA

SIRACUSA

Monreale

Segesta

Erice

Selinunte

Piazza Armerina

Modica

Noto

Taormina

Etna

Malta

Departure from Catania8D/7N

- visit Agrigento. Here, you will meet our guide to visit the Valley of Temples. You will admire the following temples: Temple of Hera (Juno), Concordia, Herakles (Hercules). In the eve-ning,you will return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 6: MOTHIA – ERICE - PALERMOAfter breakfast, visit of the salt-mines and excursion to the little and fascinating Mozia Island. Mozia is a little paradise in the middle of a nice lagoon; here Phoenix have built a prosperous colony. Thanks to its position and surrounded by the lagon water (Stagnone), Mozia became soon an interesting site to conquer. In fact it was destroyed and forgotten and only at the end of the last century it was "discovered" again.Lunch on your own. In the afternoon departure to Erice, enchanting medieval village, with typical lanes and little roads. Transfer to Palermo, accommodation at hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 7: PALERMO /MONREALEAfter breakfast you join a guided tour of Palermo to see the Cathedral, the Norman Palace, the Botanical Gardens, Politeama and Massimo Theatres. Lunch on your own. Continue to Monreale, where you can admire the imposing Norman cathedral (called the eighth wonder of the world) and the splendid cloister.

Day 8: RETURNAfter breakfast departure to Catania airport. End of services.

TRAVEL IN YOUR HAND.

T ur O rat ro pe o

COD 2908

Day 4: RAGUSA IBLA/SCICLI/ MODICAAfter breakfast you will meet our guide to visit Ragusa Ibla, constructed on an isolated spur. Ibla, in glaring contrast to the modern city, is one of the best-preserved old towns in Sicily. The landscapes around Ragusa are amongst the most memorable and breathtaking on the island. Many are crisscrossed with low-lying stone walls, pieced laboriously together without mortar, and lying in impoverished solitude beneath the scorching sun. constructed on an isolated spur. RAGUSA Ibla, in glaring contrast to the modern city, is one of the best-preserved old towns in Sicily. The landscapes around Ragusa are among the most memorable in Sicily. Here you can admire St. George Cathedral with its gorgeous square (this place inspired several movies, apart from Montalbano, such as “Divorzio all'italiana”). Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, you will depart for Scicli, situated in the south eastern part of Sicily, in Province of Ragusa, close to the Mediterranean sea. It is one of UNESCO's heritages. Here you will visit the Via Mormino Penna, lined with amazing palazzi, churches and old buildings, and the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), where the Police Station scene of Montalbano Fiction have been recorded. You will continue your day with a tour to Modica. This is an old county near Syracuse, and it is one of mankind's heritages, worldwide known for its tasty chocolate. Here, you will visit the Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, the oldest confectionary shop of Sicily and taste the very famous chocolate of Modica. Furthermore, you will visit St. Peter's Cahedral, St. George Cathedral, and Salvatore Quasimodo's house (S. Quasimodo was one of the most famous Italian poets of the twentieth century, he was honoured with the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature in 1959). Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 5: PIAZZA ARMERINA/AGRIGENTOAfter breakfast you will be transferred to your hotel located in Piazza Armerina and afterwards you will -

Aeolian Islands tourDeparture from Lipari7D/6N

You will visit: Lipari, Volcano, Filicudi, Alicudi, Panarea, Stromboli, Salina,

TRAVEL IN YOUR HAND.

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ur O t rTo pera o

COD 2910

DAY 4: PANAREABreakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Panarea island at 10:00 am. We sail around the Island taking in several sights. We will admire the five small islets near Panarea: Basiluzzo, Dattilo, Lisca Nera, Bottaro and Lisca Bianca. Lunch on your own. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.

DAY 5:LIPARI/STROMBOLIAfter breakfast at the hotel we will visit the Archeological Aeolian Museum which dates back to the IV century a.C. We will then observe the ancient Acropoli situated near a precipice by the sea. Lunch on your own. In the aftrnoon, we will depart for Stromboli island to admire Scari beaches and Sciara di Fuco, Punta Lena and the Ficogrande. We will then have dinner on the island before returning to Lipari. Overnight stay.

DAY 6:FREE WALKING DAY After breakfast at the hotel, you will have free time to explore the city on your own. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.

DAY 7: LIPARI After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Lipari port. End of our services.

DAY 1:LIPARIArrival in Lipari. Pick up of the group by coach. Transfer to hotel located in Lipari. In the afternoon you will have time to explore the city on your own. In the evening return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2: VOLCANOBreakfast and transfer to Lipari port. Transfer by hydrofoil from Lipari to the Volcano Island; one of seven Aeolian Islands, famous for its black beaches and Thermal Springs. Lunch on your own. We will then join an excursion to Volcano's crater to see the “fumaroles”. Time for going to the beach and to the Thermal Springs. In the afternoon we will travel by hydrofoil back to Lipari. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.

DAY 3: FILICUDI/ALICUDIFollowing breakfast at the hotel we will transfer you to Lipari port and depart for a tour of Filicudi and the Alicudi islands. We will stop at Canna Faraglioni and at the western cost of Alicudi. Lunch on your own. At this point you wil be given the option to take an excursion around the inland area before returning to Lipari. In the evening Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.

Departure form Catania8D/7N

Tour of Sicily - Malta - Gozo

You will visit: Catania, Etna, Taormina, Noto, Siracusa, Valletta, Mdina, Rabat, Gozo, Ragusa Ibla, Modica. RAGUSA

MESSINA

CATANIA

PALERMOTRAPANI

AGRIGENTO

ENNA

CALTANISSETTA

SIRACUSA

Malta

Mothia MonrealeSegesta

Erice

CaltagironePiazza Armerina

Scicli

Noto

Taormina

Etna

Modica

TRAVEL IN YOUR HAND

Gozo

COD 2912

OTour perator

Day 1: CATANIAArrival in Catania. Pick up of the group by guide and coach. Transfer to one of our 3/4-star hotel. Check into hotel. Balance of day at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: ETNA - TAORMINAFollowing a continental breakfast at the hotel we will board a coach and depart for Etna; Europe's best known volcano. Here, you will then have the chance to do some sightseeing around the volcano. You might want to attempt the 3000 meter guide-assisted climb. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon, you will meet our driver-guide for an excursion to Taormina where you can admire the Greek-Roman Theatre, offering a view of rare beauty off the coast. Enjoy time at leisure for shopping or walking through the tiny streets. In the evening, return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 3: SYRACUSE - NOTO – RAGUSAFollowing a continental breakfast at the hotel, we will travel to Syracuse on the south-eastern side of Sicily. Syracuse was founded by colonists from Cornith in 735 B.C. and once the most important competitor to Athens. Upon arrival you will go sightseeing on the island of Ortygia which boasts several historical landmarks, ancient ruins, crafts shops and boutiques. After this you will meet our guide to visit the Greek Theatre, the Orecchio di Dioniso and the Roman Amphitheatre. Furthermore, you will visit the Archaeological Park. Lunch on your own. In the afternoon you will continue sightseeing in Noto to admire the historical centre and the main cathedral. Transfer to Ragusa, accommodation at hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: MALTA - VALLETTAAfter breakfast, you will be transferred you to Pozzallo port and depart for Malta. You will arrive in Valletta and tour the island by coach with our guide. You will see St. John's Cathedral, the Barakka gardens, and the Grand Master's Palace. .Lunch on your own. Balance of day at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 5: MALTA - GOZO – RABATAfter a buffet breakfast, take a tour to Malta's sister island of Gozo. Gozo, which is a three-hilled island, is greener and more picturesque than Malta. During this excursion, you shall visit the Azure window at Dwejra, the citadel in Victoria, the bay of Xlendi, and the Gozo Heritage - where whilst walking amongst historical carved figures, you will discover the fascinating stories of the Goddess Calypso; speculate about missing treasures and examine the elaborate sculptures which together with the sounds, smells and special lighting effects will take you back in time. Free time for shopping will also be given - Gozo is well known for its woolen goods and handmade lace. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Rabat. Here you will visit the temples of Ggantija and Xlendi. In the evening transfer to Malta by ferry. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 6: MDINA- VALLETTAAfter breakfast, enjoy a full day Mdina Excursion. Your excursion starts with a visit to the "silent city" of Mdina, with its defense bastions dating back to the 9th Century. We walk through the town visiting St. Paul's Cathedral and then to the bastions for a panoramic view of the island. Lunch in a

local restaurant. Balance of day at leisure in the main street of Valletta city. In the e v e n i n g t r a n s f e r t o P o z z a l l o , accommodation at hotel, dinner and overnight stay

Day 7: RAGUSA IBLA – MODICABreakfast in hotel, meeting with our guide to visit Ragusa Ibla, constructed on an isolated spur. RAGUSA Ibla, in glaring contrast to the modern city, is one of the best-preserved old towns in Sicily. The landscapes around Ragusa are amongst the most memorable and breathtaking on the island. Many are crisscrossed with low-lying stone walls, pieced laboriously together without mortar, and lying in impoverished solitude beneath the scorching sun..Also, you will visit Donnafugata Castle. Lunch is on your own. In the afternoon you will proceed your tour visiting Modica. This is an old county near Syracuse, and it is one of mankind's heritages, worldwide known for its tasty chocolate. Here, you will visit the Antica Dolceria Bonajuto, the oldest confectionary shop of Sicily and taste the very famous chocolate of Modica. Furthermore, you will visit St. Peter's Cahedral, St. George Cathedral, and Salvatore Quasimodo's house (S. Quasimodo was one of the most famous Italian poets of the twentieth century, he was honored with the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature in 1959). In the evening, you will return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8: RETURNAfter breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Catania Airport and departure. End of our services

Day 1: CATANIAArrival in Catania. Pick up of the group by guide and coach and visit of the city centre. We walk through the historical center and visit the most important sites such as Via Crociferi, one of the most beautiful roads in Sicily with its beautiful churches and noble Palaces, the wonderful Cathedral dedicated to Sant'Agata (the patron of the town), and the picturesque Fish Market. We will then visit the Benedettini Monastery. You can then explore the area and take lunch at one of the local restaurants. In the afternoon we will transfer to Acireale to visit Saint Sebastiano's church, Saint Peter's church and St. Paul's church. We will arrive at the 3-star hotel in Acireale. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2: PIAZZA ARMERINA / CALTAGIRONEBreakfast and departure to Piazza Armerina to see the ruins of a Roman Villa of Casale. You can then explore the area and take lunch at one of the local restaurants. In the afternoon, we will visit Caltagirone, famous for its ceramic tradition and baroque style. We will then visit or climb the steps of Santa Maria del Monte, city's symbol made out of 142 steps decorated with splendid glazed majolica tiles. Time at leisure. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 3: SYRACUSE/NOTOAfter breakfast we will visit the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, and Syracuse founded by settlers from Corinth in 735 B.C. You can then explore the area and take lunch at one of the local restaurants. In the afternoon we will transfer you to Noto, an art town full of charm, also known as “the stone garden”. We will visit the Cathedral, Saint Domenico's church and the famous theatre before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: RAGUSA IBLA/CASTELLO DI DONNAFUGATAAfter breakfast we will visit Ragusa Ibla. We will visit the public gardens before taking lunch at a local farm. In the afternoon sightseeing tour of Donnafugata Castle; an imposing construction immersed in one of the most evocative carob woods in the province of Ragusa. We will then return to the hotel. Dinner at hotel and overnight.

Day 5: MODICA / SCICLI We will take breakfast at the hotel and then visit Modica; a masterpiece of Hyblean baroque that boasts Saint George's church with its 250 steps, Polara Palace and the Napoletano Palace. You can then explore the

area and take lunch at one of the local restaurants. In the afternoon we will visit Scicli and the Palaces and the Churches in Via Mormino Penna which best exemplify the baroque style of Sicily. We will then visit Saint Bartolomeo's church and other local buildings before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: DEPARTUREAfter breakfast you will be transferred to Catania airport. End of our services

Baroque Tour of SicilyDeparture from CataniaDG/5N

You will visit: Catania, Piazza Armerina, Caltagirone, Siracusa, Noto, Ragusa, Modica, Scicli

TRAVEL IN YOUR HAND.

COD 2910

RAGUSA

MESSINA

CATANIA

PALERMOTRAPANI

AGRIGENTO

ENNA

CALTANISSETTA

SIRACUSA

Mothia MonrealeSegesta

Erice

CaltagironePiazza Armerina

Scicli

Noto

Taormina

Etna

Modica