Arrival in Palermo. Meet our tour leader and transfer by car to Vallegrande Nature Resort, Hotel of the Small Luxury Collection Geocharme, located at the entrance of the Natural Parc of Madonie. Check in and welcome with biologic local products at zero distance: citrus nectar accompanied by olive oil tasting produced with Nocellara del Belice olives from Canalotto Farm (www.canalottofarm.com). Time at leisure to relax in your room, in the swimming pool or at the bar. Or you can have a walk to explore the wood and admire the landscape around the resort. Gourmet dinner at the hotel. Overnight.
Breakfast in hotel.
The morning will be dedicated to a special tour of Cefalù to discover the city beauty spots. You’ll walk through the little streets of the city centre full of small shops and bazars all the way to the Cathedral (part of the Arab-Norman itinerary) and admire the Pantocrator Christ and the charming cloister with beautiful columns and inlaid capitals. Visit of the Mediaeval lavatory, the ancient doors of the city, the sandy beach and the old port. At lunch tasting of typical local food and other recipes of the territory. In the afternoon you can climb up to the Rocca, an imposing natural cathedral dominating the whole city. Here you can admire the Temple of Diana, the spectacular walls overhanging the sea and the castle dating probably back to the Byzantine period. Return to hotel. Gourmet dinner at the hotel. Overnight.
Breakfast in hotel.
Meet our guide at the hotel to be taken to the Gorges of Tiberio, Geopark site recognized by Unesco. You’ll go across the gorges by raft and will walk on foot along the Pollina River. You can have a swim and admire the river flora and fauna. On the way back, stop for lunch along the coast. From Pollina to Sant’Ambrogio the coast offers a view over spectacular beaches and beautiful inlets. Return to hotel. After relaxing in your room or in the swimming pool, you’ll start a cooking class with the chef of our resort and prepare a Sicilian traditional recipe. At the end of the lesson, you will eat the food prepared, accompanied by other local products. Overnight.
Breakfast in hotel.
Morning transfer to Castelbuono where you can walk along the ancient small medieval streets and visit the Castle where a sumptuous chapel is nestled (Palatin Chapel). Time at leisure for lunch to taste local recipes such as the Turkish Head, an Arab dessert made with milk, sugar, fried pastry, cinnamon and chocolate, a true delicacy. You can continue your walk through the woods of Madonie, here the ash trees produce Manna, a precious sap which, according to the Holy Bible, comes directly from Heaven. You will taste the manna and listen to some stories about it. Finally you will go back to Cefalù and visit Porta Pescara, overlooking the sea, one of the four ancient entrances to the city, and the only one still existing. This is one of the most romantic places of Cefalù, especially at sunset, when the sun lights up its wall with orange. Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast in hotel and time free to relax before being transferred to the airport for your flight home.
