Arrival in Palermo, meet our tour leader and transfer to your hotel located in the heart of the city: Hotel Federico II Central Palace, 4* belonging to Geocharme Small Luxury Collection. Sicilian welcome with biologic products: citrus nectar accompanied by olive oil tasting produced with Nocellara del Belice olives from Canalotto Farm (www.canalottofarm.com). If your flight is in the morning, you’ll have time free for lunch. In the afternoon our tour leader will guide you through one of the most representative quartiers: the Kalsa, the Arab quartier, the Piazza Marina, the “Mura delle Cattive” and Palazzo Butera overlooking the sea. Return to Hotel Federico II, relax in your room or in the lounge bar of the hotel. Free time for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Breakfast in hotel. Special guided street food tour in the historical centre of Palermo. During our walk, we wander through the carts and kiosks of street vendors, colourful markets and local bakeries while trying some of the best local specialities. These vary by season, but usually include arancini (fried rice balls stuffed with meat sauce and cheese), panelle (fried chick pea pancake), and sfincione (the traditional pizza of Palermo) – all absolutely delicious. As we walk, the local guide will reveal some of the secrets of Sicilian cuisine and explain the history of the city. In the afternoon, guided visit of the Archeological Museum of Salina. Return to Hotel Federico II, relax in your room or in the lounge bar of the hotel. Free time for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Breakfast in hotel. Meet our local guide who, this morning, will lead you back to the Belle Epoque telling you the story of one of the most important families of Sicily: the Florio, entrepreneurs and patron of arts. Thanks to them Palermo inherited two architectural jewels, the Villino Florio all’Olivuzza – splendid example of “art nouveau” style – and the Teatro Massimo, commissioned by them and designed by architect Giovan Battista Basile. You’ll admire the gilded stuccoes of the hall, the Royal stage, the private Drawing Room, the Echo room and have a view over the city from the Hall of Coats of Arms. After, our local guide will take you to Palazzo Ganci, location of the film The Leopard taken from the novel by Tomasi di Lampedusa. Here Luchino Visconti shot the scenes of the Ball. Return to Hotel Federico II, relax in your room or in the lounge bar of the hotel. Free time for dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Breakfast in hotel and transfer to the Royal Palace, also known as the Norman Palace, Unesco heritage. It is the heart of the Arab-Norman itinerary and symbol of the political power of Norman domination, today is the House of Sicilian Parliament. The inside preserves a jewel: the Palatin Chapel, a masterpiece of Bizantine art. The visit continues with a walking tour of the Cathedral, the Quattro Canti, and the Cassero. Time free for lunch. In the afternoon, transfer to Palermo Airport to catch your flight home.
