Day 1 Sofia - Catania
Meeting at Sofia Airport for the flight to Catania. Transfer and check-in at a 3* hotel in the Taormina area. Free time. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2 Sicily
Breakfast. Full-day excursion to Syracuse and Noto (included in the price).
After breakfast we head for Syracuse - the historic treasure of Sicily. Set on the island's south-east coast, Syracuse is one of the most important historic cities in the Mediterranean. Founded by ancient Greek colonists in the eighth century BC, it became a powerful cultural and commercial centre, rivalling the greatest cities of the ancient world.
We will take a walk in the historic centre on the island of Ortigia, a UNESCO-protected site. After a short photo stop at the monument to Syracuse's most famous citizen, the great scientist Archimedes, we continue to the Temple of Apollo - the oldest Doric temple in Sicily.
We will enjoy Piazza Archimede with the Fountain of Diana, and through picturesque narrow lanes we will reach Piazza del Duomo with Ortigia's imposing cathedral, built on an ancient Greek temple. Our tour ends at the Fountain of Arethusa, linked to the legend of eternal love.
In your free time on Ortigia you can soak up the authentic atmosphere of the old town. We recommend a walk along the Lungomare Alfeo by the Ionian Sea, from the Fountain of Arethusa to the thirteenth-century Castello Maniace. Don't miss the colourful local market either, where amid the aromas of spices, fresh fruit, cheeses and seafood you will feel the true spirit of Sicily. In the many restaurants and trattorias you can enjoy lunch with traditional Sicilian specialities.
In the afternoon we will visit Noto - the Baroque masterpiece of Sicily. Noto is one of the most beautiful towns on the island and is known as “the capital of Sicilian Baroque”. After the devastating earthquake of 1693, the town was rebuilt to a single architectural plan, becoming an outstanding example of Baroque town planning.
Today Noto impresses with majestic palaces, richly decorated churches and cosy squares built of the characteristic golden limestone, which gives the town a unique glow at sunset. Among its best-known sights are the Cathedral of San Nicolò, the main street Corso Vittorio Emanuele and the beautiful Baroque palaces that testify to the town's rich past.
The town is also famous for its traditional spring festival, the Infiorata di Noto, held every year in May. During the festival one of the main streets of the old town becomes a huge floral carpet made of millions of fresh flowers arranged in impressive artistic compositions.
Together with the other Late Baroque towns of the Val di Noto, Noto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In your free time we recommend trying the traditional cold Sicilian dessert granita or a glass of Aperol, and enjoying the famous Italian dolce far niente - the sweetness of carefree, peaceful moments.
Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3 Sicily
Breakfast. Full-day excursion to Catania and Taormina (included in the price).
After breakfast we leave for the capital of the province of the same name - Catania. We will pass through the main gate, Porta Uzeda, and before us will open the main square, Piazza Duomo, the imposing Cathedral of St Agatha - the city's patron saint, the elephant statue, the town hall housed in the Palazzo degli Elefanti, the Palazzo dei Chierici, the Amenano fountain and the open-air fish market behind it.
We will visit the Chiesa della Badia di Sant'Agata and, if you wish (at an extra charge), enjoy a magnificent panoramic view from its bell tower.
From the spiritual centre of the city - Piazza Duomo - we will head along Via Etnea to Piazza Università, where the oldest university in Sicily was founded.
We continue along the shopping street Via Etnea - a Baroque axis of about 3 kilometres lined with historic buildings, cafés, boutiques of Italian and international brands and beautiful squares - an ideal place for a stroll, a Sicilian coffee or a short break, while majestic Etna watches over us from its high summit.
We will have time for photos at the Roman amphitheatre, on Piazza Stesicoro and at the monument to the pride of the locals - the great composer Vincenzo Bellini.
The walk ends past the city market and the Villa Bellini gardens, after which you will have free time for shopping and lunch.
